creative writing

Question 1

checklist to remember

Answer 1

Vary para length.
Vary sentence openers - Avoid ‘I’ and ‘The’
Range of punctuation - :;…()-!
Use fancy words – personification, similes, metaphors

Question 2

1 - setting

Answer 2

Idk U - loathed airports smell, anonymity, fake smiles - uniformed mannequins - overly sanitised interiors

destroys my confidence–fear of missing flight.
punctual every occasion - friends call me metronome –never miss anything, ever.
But airports - else.
minute step inside - relinquish all control - life - their hands.

Question 3

2 - check in

Answer 3

December 2022. 6.02am. I arrive (punctually, Stansted Airport.
A hole place - outskirts - nowhere.
I’ve successfully navigated - families, businessmen and elated holiday makers - terminal.
Decision 1 time buy quick coffee before checking in? / Straight desk 54.
see gate number flashing; beady electronic glare - anxiety.
observe lengthening snake-like queue extending out of cafe - forego caffeine hit - stuff checked in.

Question 4

3 - security

Answer 4

6.15am. Check in accomplished
stride escalator ‘departures.
My gate number flashing heart rate increases, rhythmically beating rapid footfall.
no nonsense security eyes me up down barking unintelligible belt and shoes off - passing through security.

(Why do these women always have such excessively loud voices?)

queue slowly - ask moved forward / risk & wait Mr and Mrs Slower than Slow unpack toiletries, laptops and hairdryers before getting ahead.
decisions flutter chest caged birds - sweat & clench fists frustration.

Question 5

4 - coffee

Answer 5

6.42 am. Somehow out security. eye little Costa tucked corner. Race there to find - queue hordes bustling travellers - cannot - four-hour flight X caffeine.
Twitch - served - ridiculously clean uniform, metric-ton makeup.
‘Coffee, I just want a coffee – and quick.’ Turn back barista presses bright silver button; jet of steam & delicious smell of freshly brewed coffee blesses senses.
She passes - cup.

Question 6

5 - climax

Answer 6

I run - gate 31 - 6.50am.
Try avoid all obstacles way. Breathless & bent over in fatigue I arrive
check in team scanning boarding passes
reach – LH pocket - phone. Nothing. try RH pocket. Nothing. no sign of phone. boarding gate flashes - highlighted red.

Left it at coffee shop!

decision made sprint search coffee shop finding brand new iPhone 15 pro max/ use paper boarding pass

Question 7

6 - phone break

Answer 7

7.12am
I run (again) - pushing - inevitable throngs of meandering tourists,
Panting, breathlessly ask for phone.
‘Ahhh, it’s yours mate – here ya go.’ His irritatingly casual manner propels blood pressure to extreme levels.
Bag in one hand, coffee in the other - jam phone in safe, back pocket…but miss.

I hear it before I see it. Smashed glass – an unrecognisable screen haunts me; its shattered face a crooked grin staring back at me.
I sink to the floor head down in shame.
But at least, I have my coffee.