On occasion I enjoy writing flash fiction.
I wrote this story back in 2014 (and edited a little tonight). Â Hope you enjoy it!
The Coffee HouseI love those pictures of Paris—you know, the ones with the little tables outside of the bistro.  It just looks so… European.  And that probably explains my fascination with the Coffee House. It’s become my Saturday morning ritual. I sit at a little bistro table, nibble on a croissant, sip my coffee and watch the town-folk.
It’s amazing really—the things a person can see.  Just this morning, Bill (he looks like a Bill to me) ordered a latte and flirted shamelessly with the barista. He leaned across the counter, lowered his voice, and slid a five dollar tip underneath her fingers. The barista giggled, he laughed and I stifled the urge to clear my throat.
I walked to my favorite table and I noticed Bill was seated close by. As was my custom, I decided to invent a life for Bill. I imagined he was a successful surgeon, who at any moment would receive an urgent call, prompting him to abandon his morning coffee and hurry to the hospital. Of course, being a world renowned surgeon left little time for a social life, which in turn, explained his attraction to the young barista. Surrounded by such intense pressure, pulling patients back from the brink of death—the barista’s youth must have been intoxicating…
Except that wasn’t the truth.
I watched as she approached Bill’s table, pushing a stroller. I couldn’t hear what she said as she bent down, placing a quick kiss on his check but Bill looked resigned. Hmmm. Obviously, she was his wife. I decided to call her Natalie. Natalie could use a fashion pointer or two—like the importance of brushing her hair.
I glanced back at Bill. Gone was the flirt. He was deflated, slumped in his chair, a hand on the stroller. It’s sad really, the things you can learn by watching the people around you. Very sad indeed. I looked at Bill and wondered if he wished he was a surgeon.
Thanks for stopping by to meet Varun Kumar, the author of An End To The Thrill. Â
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in New Delhi, India and I’m currently pursuing my PhD in Electrical Engineering in the US. Writing has always been my hobby- ever since I started reading Enid Blyton as a kid that my mom used to get for me, I was interested in the art of story-telling. I moved on to The Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie and then Sidney Sheldon. Its then I decided to start writing something of my own. An End to the Thrill is the first of the very many to come-a collection of 9 short stories, each story having a thrilling, surprising end. Thus, the name of my book. I feel my ideas are limitless and I will definitely expand my genre to something other than science fiction fantasy in the near future.
Each writer has their own unique process. Tell us about yours.Â
I used to make up characters everywhere-in school, at home, in the shower, everywhere. I finally started penning them down little by little-whatever came into my mind and would read it over and over again. Every time I read it, I would have a different idea of what’s to happen. I would pen them down too- finally deciding on the best one.
Your book is a collection of science fiction short stories. What drew you to this genre?
I believe that I have a wild imagination and I can make up characters that readers can easily relate to. Writing in this genre has no limits, I can create my own world, my own ‘real’ characters and my own laws. Thus, science fiction.
I am always impatient- I’m so impatient that I cannot wait to tell the reader as to what’s about to happen. Thus, the short stories.
Everyone dreams but not everyone remembers their dreams. Do you remember your dreams and have they ever inspired a story or a scene in a story?
Absolutely, I think I remember all my dreams. I should have probably mentioned that most of my characters were created in my dreams- with a little tweaks made to them in the shower 😉
When it comes to your writing career, where do you see yourself in ten years?
I would want to see myself as the author of various books- all of them in different genres, each one making an impact one way or another.
Connect with Varun:
When I get discouraged, I remind myself that nothing worth having comes easy.
Can you believe we are literally one month away from the new year? I’m not sure where the time has gone. Â It seems like only last month, I was watching 4th of July fireworks… Â And the past couple of days? Â Decorating for Christmas. Â I think the only thing left to do on the inside is to trim the banister with garland. Â (Sigh of relief)
A lot has been going on the last couple of months. Â We’ve been remodeling our home and it has thrown my whole life out of wack! Â Writing on my WIP has come to a stop and I haven’t had a lot of time to stop by and visit your blogs. Â The struggle has been real…
On the bright side:
Last week, we drove to Fort Lost in the Woods, Misery (Fort Leonard Wood, MO) to pick up our youngest son. Â He graduated from MP school and is now a NC National Guard Reservist. Â After driving 2,300 miles in three days – all I can say is -I’m not as young as I once was! Â That trip kicked my butt.
AND-
We became grandparents! Â I’m Lolli and my hubby is Pops. Â Yes, I know – it’s the cheesiest grandparent names ever! Â But, we don’t care. Â Not every kid gets the chance to go to Lolli-Pops for a visit! Â But, if my son has his way, Pops will be called the Dread Pirate LeRoy. Â (For those who don’t get the reference, you gotta watch The Princess Bride!)
So – that’s what been going on in my life.
How’s things been with you?
dsmcknight.com 