Image courtesy of Douglas M. MacIlroy
I’m free and yet I’m not. Not in a cage but still trapped by bars of my own making, but they bring me comfort, these bars. They keep me safe. They stop me flying because if I were to flutter my wings where would I go? Who would I be? What’s to stop me falling? The world is so huge and I feel so small. So insignificant.
I screw my eyes up tight, blocking the voices telling me I can, my own telling me I can’t. I try. There’s a shift. A movement and then it happens. I’m rising, soaring, flying. Free.
How joyous I was when I saw this perfect prompt. This weekend I conquered a lifelong phobia of public speaking and appeared at the Althorp Literary Festival. You can read how I got on here and see the photos.
Yesterday I had a great time on the radio chatting about Friday Fictioneers, the way it’s helped me tighten my writing and my love for the WordPress writing community. You can listen to that here.
Soaring High was written for Friday Fictoneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Read the other entries and join in over at host Rochelle’s blog here.
fabricating fiction 
For an instant, I had a horrible feeling the story would end with “…and then I fell and hit the ground with a plop.”
Hehe it could have gone either way but I felt like a happy end today!
Phobias and self-doubt are always great material, I would have liked a less obviously uplifting ending, but that’s just me. It was beautifully written
Ah but I did get my uplifting ending so all positive!
That’s a beautiful story. Great take on the prompt!
Thanks Shweta (I had my eye on the auto correct of your name this week!)
You’re very much welcome. (Aww! I’m touched. Thanks, Louise! 😃)
A lovely take on the prompt Louise and hurray! Congrats! For overcoming such a terrible phobia. Well done you. I sympathise entirely, having been reduced to a ticking, tutting mess the one time I’ve read my own fiction aloud – and that was to only ten people! Well done you and congrats again
To be fair reading your own words is probably far worse and far more personal!
Yes, your performance and your own words on the line
Nice use of the prompt – the metaphor could cover so many people and events. Congratulations on your public speaking triumph 🙂
Thanks Iain. It was such a relief!
Wonderfully done! And I disagree with Neil. Why not end on a high note! You conquered your fear. Watch out world, here comes Louise!
Thanks Dale. I’d be a wreck if it had ended low!
I’m glad for you… and so great that you made it out of the world.
Cause:
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind …
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-bird
Thank you!
Dear Louise,
Lovely rendering for the prompt and an enjoyable interview. Thanks for nod to Friday Fictioneers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I owe FF & you so much!
Beautiful story, well told.
Thank you!
what a delightful story. it reminds of my favorite quote of all time:
whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it
for courage has genius, power, and magic in it.
only engage and the mind grows heated.
begin it and the task is half-completed.
it’s from goethe just in case.
I love that! I’d not heard it before!
Wow! Wonderfully written, Louise. Loved your story.💕
Congrats on taming the fear. Happy to hear about the interview. Will check it out soon. Thanks for sharing the links.
Thanks so much.
I can relate to the first part of your story. Maybe one day I’ll conquer the second!
Fingers crossed for you.
Nice to read something unashamedly uplifting. Nicely done.
Thank you. I did hope so.
Super story. I’m glad you chose the upbeat ending. Thank you for the links. I was very interested in your radio interview, and especially that it was hypnotherapy that helped you. I had hypnotherapy for an anxiety disorder, and it was extremely effective. Congratulations on the public speaking!
Thanks Penny. It’s amazing isn’t it? I’m interviewing my hypnotherapist next week to see how it all works.
A very lovely story, Louise. I have acrophobia, the irrational fear of heights. But I went ahead and jumped off a plane. And yes, it was exhilarating. I could relate to your words. And what a lovely day you had at the Althorp Literary Festival. That library – I would love to be just in that library someday. Cheers, Varad.
That’s amazing! We’ll done you!
Nicely written piece. I felt it was building to a tragic end so the upbeat one was a pleasant surprise.
So glad it wasn’t a tragic end! Thanks for reading.
What a wonderful way to transform a prompt into a personal and inspiring story. Lovely!
Thank you!
That’s such an uplifting story Louise. And congratulations on your public speaking. 🙂
Thanks Norma.
Great flash! Love the way you used the picture to write about breaking free and overcoming hurdles. Glad you overcame yours! BTW I’m listening to Surrogate on audible this month 🙂
Ah I’ll be interesting to hear what you think of the narrator Luccia. Thanks.
I’m so glad you earned your wings. Keep flying.
Tracey
Thanks Tracey.
This, my dear, is wonderful especially coming after a public speaking event! OMG they give me hives. Good for you. Baby steps.
Thanks Alicia. It’s my year of trying to be braver x
Lovely, Louise.
Thanks Clare.
Up up and away to new horizons and adventures
Hopefully so!