Write On Link Up - Week 1

How did you get on with the prompts for Week 1?

I've already read some excellent stories, inspired by the Week 1 prompts, and I'm looking forward to reading more. It appears that a few of you were keen to take up the challenge to just write, and that makes me ecstatically happy.

I intended to write a piece of short fiction this week, but it just didn't happen. Instead I've opted for a traditional blog post.

I chose prompt 1 - I have never...

I have never been to a music festival.

I've been to one day mega-gigs, but never to a festival that required you to stay overnight. In a tent.

I adore live music, love it, but I don't do camping. I don't stay anywhere without an en-suite toilet.

I see the coverage of Glastonbury on the television and ALL I think about is the state of the toilets and how far they are from the tents. Too close and being downwind would require a permanent peg on the nose. Too far and you may not make it in time (I've had two children within twelve months - when you gotta go you gotta go). Add to this alcohol consumption and queues and well, frankly, it's my idea of hell.

Maybe if I'd taken the plunge when I was younger I'd be a Glasto-devotee by now, dusting off my fairy wings and battered festival hat year after year. Now, though, wi-i-ild horses couldn't drag me there.

Andy and I watch the coverage from the comfort of our living room. We have beers in the fridge and three toilets to choose from. We can also fast forward the entire Rolling Stones set or change the channel to find a favourite band. I looked at the line-up this year and was underwhelmed. I mean, Rita Ora? Professor Plum Green? Not my cup of tea at all. There are also so many earnest young lads in identikit guitar bands these days. I can't tell my Vampire Weekend from my Parma Violets. YES, I KNOW I'M SHOWING MY AGE. I wouldn't mind seeing Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Laura Mvula or Alabama Shakes, but I would not risk trenchfoot or third degree sunburn (depending on the weather) to do so. I'll wait for them to play a venue near me. One that has toilets.

I know plenty of people who go to festivals and love them, but I don't think they're for me. Now excuse me, I need to powder my nose. I'm going to pause Mumford & Sons and use my Quilted Velvet and Molton Brown AND the loo is only eleven steps away. What?

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So, that's my Week 1 offering.

Do please add your link below (assuming that it works, of course. This is the first time I've used Inlinkz).

There is still plenty of time to join in. You will find this week's writing prompts here.

It would be great if you could visit some, or all, of the other blogs taking part in the Write On Link Up this week. I'd love it if we could support one another in our efforts to just write.

Do come back on Wednesday when I'll be posting three new writing prompts for you. I am open to suggestions. What would you like to write about? What would you like to read about? Let me know.

In the meantime, the link up is open...