E.R. COOK

The kitten lazed on the floor in the patch of sunlight, reveling in the warmth on her fur. Lying on her back, she reached overhead, extending her claws, watching as the translucent weapons glistened in the light.

“Where do you go every night?” She asked Thalia, the black cat who sat composed at the window staring outside. “I tried to follow you last night. But you just disappeared. There is no hole in the door. Where do you go?”

“Out.” Was all the solemn cat would say.

“Yes, but where?” The younger cat pushed, annoyed. “How? I want to go out too.”

Thalia chuckled. “You are too young. You do not understand your powers yet.”

“Powers?” Amaly rolled over, curious.

Thalia sighed, “I suppose you’re going to keep asking questions. I did at your age. So, fine.”

The sleek panther jumped down, walking over to the young tabby kitten. She sat down, sitting tall and regal. Amaly scrambled to imitate her. The panther stared down at her with liquid gold eyes. “What I am about to tell you is a secret passed down through thousands of generrations. Ever since we made our presence known to man and long before.”

“Oh.” Amaly shifted in nervous anticipation.

Thalia took a deep breath. “Remember when I told you we were once revered by the ones called Egyptians?”

“Yes. I remember. You said there was a cat goddess. And they liked us because of her.”

“Not just liked. Bast was a goddess, our queen. And our kind who followed her were given special abilities.”

“Abilities?”

For answer, Thalia got up. She walked over to the couch where a sliver of shadow still survived. She walked into the shadow. Amaly watched intently. The panther queen just disappeared. The skirt of the couch did not shift. There were no sounds of fabric that would give away the other cat’s presence.

“Surprised?” The voice came suddenly from behind her. Amaly leapt in the air, twisting around, hair puffed and hissing.

Thalia sat with a bemused expression.

Amaly growled at her but settled, passing a paw over her face and glaring at the panther queen. “How did you do that?”

“It is the secret given to the black cats. We can use shadows as gateways to take us where we want.”

The indignation was forgotten as Amaly’s eyes grew big. “Really? Teach me!”

“I can’t.” Thalia sighed. “You’re a tabby. You have your own powers.”

“Really?” Amaly stared at her paws. “What are they?”

“You can speak to humans.”

“What?”

“Yes. In Egypt, you were the ambassadors of Bast, her priests and priestesses. You were able to communicate her wishes to the Pharoahs.”

“How do I do it?”

Thalia laughed. “All in due time, little one. All in due time.”

AFTER THE STORY

We all know we need to exercise to keep ourselves healthy and fit. I’ve recently been taking steps to help my physical health. After finally finding out about some hidden medical conditions that have made it really hard for me to exercise in the past (think getting dizzy, lightheaded and throwing up after five minutes on the treadmill type of hard), I’ve been able to start jogging, doing yoga, and doing our rowing machine. While I have a LOOOOONG way to go, I am committed to keep doing it because for the first time in my life, I can see the rewards, as small as they may be right now. Not only that, but every time I try, I get a little bit better. My form becomes a little easier. My breathing is a little more rhythmic and less labored. My muscles and joints complain a little less. I also find that I am inspired to keep going. I finally understand that runners high everyone talks about!

Just like physical exercise, mental exercises like the 15 minute story help in just the same way. I find stories coming to me faster now. When I started this, I didn’t pick animal pictures. Not because I didn’t like animals, I love them. But because when I would look at the photo, nothing sparked in my brain that said “there’s a story there”. But the second I saw this photo, I knew there was something. Every time I settle down to write, the stories and characters come easier. Not only that, but doing these exercises has helped me become more inspired to write my novels, allowing me to work past my writer’s block issues and the story stops that were making me reluctant to sit down and write.

I think exercises like this are great because it pushes you out of your zone. It allows you to cleanse your palate. They’re also easy to sneak in. A lot of mine I write before I start my work day for my full-time job. It’s a great way to wake me up and get the juices flowing, and I’m finding that doing that even helps motivate me for my normal job. It helps liven things up. A spice, if you will.

So, how are you spicing up your writing life?

15-Minute Stories are a writing exercise completed by picking a random photo or word prompt, setting a timer for 15 minutes, and free-writing a story. I share those stories unedited, in their raw form, to showcase the effects of the exercise. Enjoy!