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#ShortStories #Overboard
They sensibly cut down this rant -
After lockdown I was in an odd place mentally, like many people. I was fortunate enough to be able to take a cheap (-ish) cruise for nearly a month. I liked the idea of resetting myself in a new environment. A writing retreat was another option, but that would have involved compulsory social interaction and no breakfast buffets. In an ideal world, all ships and planes would be ecologically zero impact, and tourism would only enhance communities. I can't argue that cruises are a good thing. But for some people they are a way of life, by choice or necessity. For me, for a while, that ship was a haven.
It was a privilege to travel alone, safely, in a little cabin, where I opened the door to either the ocean or a new place to explore every day. Most of the people I met, on board and on land, were lovely. Some were tosspots. I intended to write poetry and learn to draw. I also had the idea that I would teach myself to raise one eyebrow. I still can't draw, or raise one eyebrow, but I did write a lot of poetry. That gave me the confidence to try longer pieces of writing. To be quite clear, no real life people were turned into story characters. But elements of personality, speech patterns and general tosspotteriness were so interesting that I couldn't help creating tiny scenarios in my head as I wandered the decks. Some of the elements are autobiographical. One of the copy editors noted that they found certain characters unlikeable. I had to agree. It just happened to be the ones based on me. If I seem unkind in my observations, it's against myself as well. I would say in the main I am less homicidal than some of the protagonists.
More from the amazing team at @acidbathpublishing.bsky.social Please do buy this book, they deserve all the love. #ShortStories
