Self picnic: A writing exercise
Here's a short story I wrote in 2022, inspired by the "dirty realism" literary movement in North America during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I had just read Rock Springs by Richard Ford. Michelle packed her bag single-mindedly. Her only goal was to get out of the house as soon as possible. In her bag was a roll of kimbap, a granola bar, and a bottle of tea. She stood in the doorway for a moment on her way out. Should I pack more? She shut and locked the door before heading out. I won't be out long. I just need to get out for a bit. At the end of the driveway, she looked back at her house. It was completely dim. All the neighbours’ houses were dim as well. She hadn’t really spoken with any of the neighbours in years; they may as well have been ghosts. At the intersection, the fluorescent lights from the fast-food joints and gas stations frosted the night sky. ...
