Theme for May - Sailing

Introduction through something they loathe? It would have to be important.

I must admit this month’s theme was a challenge for me. My experiences of sailing are limited to trips on a local ferry service! But sailing can have a metaphorical meaning too and that is what I explore for this month’s flash challenge.

This is open to flash non-fiction too as you could write about the joys of sailing, interesting historical information about sailing, and books linked to sailing such as Swallows and Amazons and so on.

Sailing also conjures up images of weather conditions. The perfect sailing day - a summer, peaceful sail. Then there is the opposite - the winter sailings with the risks of storms. How would your characters handle the latter? Would the weather conditions match their state of mind?

Think about the purpose of the sailing trip. Is its objective met by the end of your story? Is your character travelling alone or with someone special and do they like sailing more or less than your main character? Could be conflict there.

As usual, you have 300 words as your maximum and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for this.

For my story, I took a broad metaphorical approach. My story has some truth behind it too. I did own a lovely dog called Gracie. I always rescue dogs though funnily enough not from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

For flash fiction, bear in mind sailing can symbolise escapism, getting away from the every day, and also new starts and/or challenges, a new life elsewhere (as in sailing off into the sunset). So as a topic there are possibilities here! Flash and symbolism work so well together given inference is used so much.

What would your character want to escape from? Do they sail away literally or metaphorically? Are they successful in making their new start? Why do they want that?

If they are sailing, where are they heading? Why have they picked their destination? Or are they just focused on getting away from what they have left behind?

Then there are possibilities for characters who loathe sailing (sea sickness, maybe?) and who must have a trip this way. How do they handle this? What would make them have to go

There was a fabulous TV show in the UK called For the Love of Dogs hosted by the late Paul O’Grady, the patron saint of rescue animals, if ever there was one. I’ve never been sick on the Woolwich Ferry though (which is a short crossing across the Thames). Hope you enjoy it.

The only one who cared has gone. I knew it was coming. They would’ve stayed but it was their time.

Gracie was lovely. My first dog. There for me when everyone else wasn’t. She sailed awayright over Rainbow Bridge.

Yet here I am standing outside the gates of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home a week later. Perhaps Gracie in her way has led me here. Before you ask, I came by bus. In my emotional state right now, I’m not taking another chance on the Thames.

Maybe I should forget sailing. Maybe it is time to give another dog a new life. Maybe I can make them sail away from the sadness of their past.

There are some terrible stories on the telly about what rescue dogs have gone through. I like watching that one where most end up having a happy new life with new caring owners. Always cheers me up, that show. I know I could give another dog a chance.

I feel myself smile for the first time since Gracie left. This is the baton she’s left me. Give another dog a chance to shine.

Getting Away Or Not

Sailing away - nice idea but not got the money. Boats are expensive. I was once sick on the Woolwich ferry. Boy, did my fellow Londoners laugh. It’s not a long crossing!

I can see the attraction of sailing. The idea of getting away is appealing. I wouldn’t be sorry to leave. There is nothing to keep me here now.

Sail away with them on walks, trips on the bus, fun times, and maybe one day chance the Woolwich Ferry again. Yes, can do that. Wish me luck. I’m going to find my new dog. They’ll be here somewhere.

Allison Symes is published by Chapeltown Books, CafeLit, and Bridge House Publishing. She is author of the flash fiction collections- Tripping The Flash Fantastic and From Light to Dark and Back Again. Find her story videos, at https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCPCiePD4p_vWp4bz2d80SJA/ Allison blogs for online magazine, Chandler’s Ford Today. Her weekly column can be found at http://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/author/allison-symes/ She also blogs for Authors Electric and More Than Writers, the blog spot for the Association of Christian Writers.