IMAGINARY WORLDS
Terry was so intent on writing that
he didn’t notice the supervisor until the man tapped him on the shoulder. “What’s
a giant turtle got to do with electricity, young man?”
“It’s all in the flipper movement,
sir.” Terry regretted his flippancy the moment he’d spoken – he needed the job –
but writing blurbs for the Central Electricity Generating Board was stultifying
when a million ideas buzzed in his head like a shorting power cable.
“The office isn’t the place for your imaginary
worlds, Pratchett.”
Perhaps, Terry thought, it was time
he tried earning a living doing what he really enjoyed.
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Terry Pratchett was 23 when he wrote his first novel but worked in several jobs, including that of Press Officer to CEGB, before deciding to write full time. Sadly, he died in 2015 from early onset Alzheimers, but he left a wealth of inspired writing behind.
He is best known for his stories set in Discworld, which leads me nicely into mentioning my own imaginary world - a prehistoric version of Earth - the setting for my Living Rock series. Some of you will have read A VOLCANIC RACE, the first in the series, and now you can buy the next one, WOLF PACK, which is out on Amazon in print and ebook TODAY!!! Just in time for Christmas!!! This link should take you there: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1790375088
if not, just type the title and my name into Amazon Books.
if not, just type the title and my name into Amazon Books.
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This is my first attempt at writing about a real person, but the prompt photo looked so like a handmade world that the story just appeared. Thanks to Rochelle https://rochellewisoff.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Douglas M MacIlroy for the photo prompt.
Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen!
Deletelike they say, blessed is the man who has found his work. let him ask for no other blessedness.
ReplyDeleteHe was happy in his work for the second half of his life - lucky man!
DeleteAnd you did it more than well, Liz!
ReplyDeleteLoved this little glimpse into Terry Pratchett.
Thanks Dale X
DeleteAs soon as I saw turtle and electricity company I knew who we were talking about! Such a void not getting my annual Discworld novel to chuckle through. A true hero.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to start again - I opened The Colour of Magic yesterday and only half remembered it, so it's time I restarted.
DeleteThank you for the write and the info. Very nice indeed..
ReplyDeleteThanks Violet.
Delete...and he never looked back! Nice one Liz.
ReplyDeleteClick to visit Keith's Ramblings!
He didn't, and never wrote a duff - until those on which his daughter collaborated. She hasn't got his genius and should leave well alone IMO.
Deleteit is just so wrong for a brilliant mind like his to be taken by Alzheimer's. Great story, Liz.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally. We are losing a brilliant comic too in Billy Connelly.
DeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa.
DeleteYou did a fine job of writing about history. I had no idea this man ever existed. Now I must do research. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia. May i suggest you start with his first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic. The man is a genius with words.
DeleteYou wove a convincing tale. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo.
DeleteA really interesting look over the shoulder at a very talented man. I use his advice when writing i.e. when you are working on a first draft you are telling yourself the story.
ReplyDeleteWas that in 'A Slip of the Keyboard'?
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI'd say your first attempt at writing about a real person is a success. Nicely done. I'll have to look up Wolf Pack.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. When you've read Wolf Pack, please leave a review if you enjoyed it!
DeleteUnfortunately there ARE more books coming out under his name. His daughter is writing them - she's using his name without having his gift, which I think is shamelessly cashing in on his memory.
ReplyDeleteGood thing he did change his career...
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more - what we'd have missed!
DeleteA prompt on a real person... Sad that he died so young! He would have given words to so many brilliant buzzing ideas in his head, if he was still alive.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece of writing!
Thank you Kislaya.
DeleteSometimes being fired is a blessing.
ReplyDelete