I have been a little self indulgent this week. This is an adapted extract from my recently completed novel about a tramp, nicknamed Wordsworth for his quirky, homespun philosophy and his penchant for reciting poetry in the street. He guards his freedom jealously but ends up joining forces with a road sweeper to solve a crime of abuse and exploitation.
PHOTO PROMPT submitted by Courtney Wright. © Photographer prefers to remain anonymous.
It’s hard to determine where the dirty clothes finish and Wordsworth himself begins. Filthy dreadlocks hang from beneath his beanie and his face resembles an unkempt garden, hair sprouting wherever a follicle can get a foothold. His worn boots are held together by string and tape.
I’d seen him about town but was as guilty as the next person of paying him no heed. I offered a pair of my old boots.
“I take those and you’ll start asking things of me. Wordsworth is beholden to no man.”
“But they’re just a pair…”
“No,” he interrupted me, “They’re a contract.”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
A lovely picture of Wordsworth here. Michael
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Thanks Neil
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Dear Michael,
I love this vivid description of Wordsworth. Quite the philosophy he has. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, (pronounced Roach-elle.) 🙂
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Excellent piece. I have known people like that. The true miser can accept no kindness
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Thanks. He wants to keep his independence at all costs and is suspicious of any gifts or acts of kindness
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It’s my understanding that some people who live on the streets will not take a handout, fearing that it will obligate them in some way. Your Wordsworth seems to be one of those. Good characterization 🙂
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Thank-you that’s exactly what he’s like. He won’t play his mouth organ in public because people throw money at him
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I like the first line. A visual disruption with minimal words.
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Thank-you
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Wonderful introduction to Wordsworth, good luck with the novel Michael, are you planning to self-publish?
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I am. It’s out to publishers and agents at the moment but I’m not expecting much so will be self-publishing on-line. The thing is I’ve never done it before so any advice you have will be gratefully accepted. Just working out how to do the cover is taxing me at the moment. Thanks for kind the comment.
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I am at a similar stage, just completing a novel and will try the traditional route first, more in hope than expectation! At least self publishing means the journey will have been worthwhile. Good luck, look forward to seeing your novel in the near future.
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Thanks and good luck with yours also. I’ll let you know all the mistakes I make as I go along. 🙂
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“Nothing in life is ever free”, a mantra bashed into my head more than once (most of the time literally). You’ve woven a softer way of saying it. Enjoyed the tale.
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Thank-you
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An unhappy philosophy, I think, to be so distrusting.
But nicely written tale.
And if you need or want to discuss the cover of your book drop me an email.
ceayr99@gmail.com
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Thank-you very much, I’ll definitely take you up on the offer if I may.
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Suspicious chap, isn’t he? I love your description of his face, “an unkempt garden.” Well done, Michael.
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Thanks Russell, yes he’s suspicious of everything society offers
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Fantastic characterisation! Wordsworth walked off the page. This is a book I want to read. I hope you’re going to shout about it when it’s published.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank-you very much. I’ll certainly be advising my friends on FF when it’s out.
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What a great piece of writing! If that’s the opening of your novel, I think you might feel cautiously optimistic about traditional publishing.
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Thank-you so much for your kind words. I’m still hopeful but preparing for self publication anyway
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Michael, so a beautifully crafted story and perhaps most of us know some kind of Wordsworth who values their freedom too much. My family is full of them. It can be easier to live as a island in many ways and not to get embroiled in reciprocal social obligations.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thank-you. He is one of those who would like to think he is an island but finds himself drawn into and involved in the affairs of the continent, however he tries to avoid it.
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I know a few like him.
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Ooh, nicely done Michael. Love that last line particularly – a contract. Fab. Your descriptions are brilliant – very visual. Great story
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Thanks Lynn
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My pleasure Michael
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I like this Wordsworth fellow. Best of luck for your novel, Michael.
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Thanks Varad
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Hmm… I guess you have to be careful when you give something to someone. They feel they are beholden to ya. And no one wants to “owe” anyone if they don’t have to! 😉
Loved the story!
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting
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Loved the description of Wordsworth. I easily pictured him in my mind. I’ve met people like him, beholden to no one.
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Thanks, they are a strange breed.
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That is a great description of Wordsworth. I wonder if he is a poet at heart 😉
Congratulations on completing the novel, best of luck on your hunt for a publisher.
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Thanks for reading and for your support
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Great description! Have you considered Create Space?
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Thanks. I am looking at create space and might well go that route.
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Free pair of boots given out of compassion imply a ‘contract’.
Good characterization.
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Thanks Anita, he’s suspicious of everything and what it might mean in the future
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Wordsworth seems like a really interesting character. All the best with your novel👍
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Thank-you
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Your vivid description made en vision him perfectly!
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Thank you
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He clearly feels that every act of kindness and generosity comes at a price. Nice one Michael.
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Thanks Keith
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He’s right. If he takes the boots, he’ll be expected to wear them.
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And then he’s worried he’ll have to do something to pay back the favour and it’ll blossom from there into something more. He’s scared of interaction and relationships
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What a great character. The short description of your book sounds ver interesting, good luck with it.
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Thank you very much
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Strings seem attached to everything, even in purely altruistic gestures. His backstory that led him here must hold a lot of heartache.
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Thank-you for a lovely comment
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Although I am not into crime novels, I really do like the idea of a tramp and a road sweeper joining forces. Meaty
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Thanks Mike. It’s an accidental coming together and they make mistakes along the way.
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Very descriptive.
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Thank-you
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Nicely done, the guilty expectation from a favour received.
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Thanks James
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Oh, I like this very much.
It reminds me of a neighbor way-back-when. A blizzard swept through our little burg, power outages, no heat. We took hot water to our neighbor because we had a wood burning stove to cook, heat water and our house. He wouldn’t accept it because he didn’t want to be beholding. When I saw the look in his wife’s eyes, I left the thermos on their table.
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That’s a great tale in itself Alicia. But you are right, he’s exactly that type of person, suspicious that everything comes with a price to pay
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Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Well done.
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Thank-you
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What a fabulous piece, Michael. The descriptions draw the picture perfectly. And he’s right, there is no such thing as a free lunch!
Ooohhh… and as soon as you’re published, count me in. I’m there!
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Thanks Dale, I’ll let you know
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Wonderful ad congrats on the book. I hope you will share the link when it becomes available.
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I will, thanks Dawn
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I get that.
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Thank-you
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I love description of the character…I can picture him clearly…I can hear his voice. Well done!
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Thank you, Donna
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Excellent descriptions of Wordworth! Really – this is awesome! Very well written!
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Thank-you Nan, they are lovely comments
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I loved the novella intro. U carried off well with the prompt from your novels extract.
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Thank-you very much
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There’s a power to way you describe Wordsworth – vivid picture of him, and of the way you relate and respect him. Love the last line. Good story.
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Thank you very much for such a considered comment.
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A good image of Wordsworth here. He’s got character…and pride. I enjoyed this. Now to search for your book.
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Thank you very much. The book in’t out yet but I will let everyone know as soon as it is.
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So true… gratitude is a hard burden to put upon someone… he sounds like a wise man.
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Thanks Bjorn
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Vivid, accurate. Beautifully written, Michael. And utterly believable.
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Wow, Michael. I had to go back and read it again just for the pleasure of it. So well-written!
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Such wonderful descriptions of Wordsworth. It tells us much that he believes there’s no such thing as a free pair of boots or a obligation-free offer. So well told.
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