The Backwards Story...

[Commonmind]

This is an idea I came up with while trying to write the end of a short story I was working on recently. I was surprised how much it helped me finish the piece. I knew the last line, the ending hook, but I couldn't seem to connect the dots from the middle of the story to the conclusion.

So, I opened a new document, wrote the last line, which I had already decided upon, and began to work backwards from there. Now, I'm not suggesting this as a viable method for any writer to finish a project, but I think it makes for an interesting exercise.

First, it demands that you pay close attention to what has come before your contribution. Secondly, it requires you to think in a different way...or perhaps, in a different direction. Some of my favorite, and most eye-opening art lessons were those that forced me out of my element and into uncharted territory. In writing, being that I've only had a moderate amount of training, I've never had the pleasure of meeting an instructor who challenged me in this way, so I've had to come up with some of my own methods.

Here it goes. I'll start with a line, the ending of a story, and those that follow will add the line that precedes it, etc. As the title suggests, it will be a backwards story. Maybe we'll get to the beginning (if this isn't a stellar flop, which it very well could be), but that isn't important - I just hope everyone has fun with it.

The last line:

Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life he'd be able to keep his promise.

 

[Culhwch]

An interesting idea. I'll be keen to see where this goes....

He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Sephiroth]

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain. She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Commonmind]

Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Sephiroth]

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Hawke]

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[The Curious Orange]

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Hawke]

Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Commonmind]

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Dave]

Rick got out of his patrol car and he asked his partner to remain behind. He had been in the LAPD six years, and had never had a call like this one before. He walked up the drive and opened his own front door.

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Talysia]

It felt strange, driving through his own neighbourhood with the police siren blaring, heading to his own house. He pulled up right outside and turned the engine off.

Rick got out of his patrol car and he asked his partner to remain behind. He had been in the LAPD six years, and had never had a call like this one before. He walked up the drive and opened his own front door.

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

He listened to these words and stared. His cell phone fell silent.
'Trouble?' asked his partner.
Rick tried to disloge the lump in his throat, but his voice came out strangled. 'You bet!... You know my address.'
'And--?'
'We are going there. NOW!'

It felt strange, driving through his own neighbourhood with the police siren blaring, heading to his own house. He pulled up right outside and turned the engine off.

Rick got out of his patrol car and he asked his partner to remain behind. He had been in the LAPD six years, and had never had a call like this one before. He walked up the drive and opened his own front door.

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.[/quote]

 

[Talysia]

'Rick, did you hear what I said? There's been a call stating that there's been a disturbance at your house,' the woman in the control room said. 'There's no other details than that, but the man who called the station sounded like he was scared out of his wits. You'd better get over there, quickly!'

He listened to these words and stared. His cell phone fell silent.
'Trouble?' asked his partner.
Rick tried to disloge the lump in his throat, but his voice came out strangled. 'You bet!... You know my address.'
'And--?'
'We are going there. NOW!'

It felt strange, driving through his own neighbourhood with the police siren blaring, heading to his own house. He pulled up right outside and turned the engine off.

Rick got out of his patrol car and he asked his partner to remain behind. He had been in the LAPD six years, and had never had a call like this one before. He walked up the drive and opened his own front door.

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.

 

[Dave]

Rick saw Dwight smile and come out of the Dunkin Donuts, his mouth full. He was carrying a paper bag in each hand. Dwight tossed one of the bags of Donuts through the window to Rick, and then climbed into the passenger seat beside him. The radio crackled static. Rick was strangely silent.

'Rick, did you hear what I said? There's been a call stating that there's been a disturbance at your house,' the woman in the control room said. 'There's no other details than that, but the man who called the station sounded like he was scared out of his wits. You'd better get over there, quickly!'

He listened to these words and stared. His cell phone fell silent.
'Trouble?' asked his partner.
Rick tried to disloge the lump in his throat, but his voice came out strangled. 'You bet!... You know my address.'
'And--?'
'We are going there. NOW!'

It felt strange, driving through his own neighbourhood with the police siren blaring, heading to his own house. He pulled up right outside and turned the engine off.

Rick got out of his patrol car and he asked his partner to remain behind. He had been in the LAPD six years, and had never had a call like this one before. He walked up the drive and opened his own front door.

There was no noise inside the room, which was unheard of: There was at least music playing or something when she was there.

Rick clacked the door and stood there, staring. Julie was lying on the sofa, eyes wide open. She clutched something against her chest. No! It can't be true, he thought. She knows...

He should leave, run as far away as he could, leave this madness behind him.

But what about Lindsey? he thought. Rick stood next to the sofa in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he'd just done, he quickly shook Julie awake and got dressed without a word.

Julie gave him the purse, got dressed in a hurry and walked out of his life forever.

Rick entered the bedroom carrying the purse, it was stained with the blood of his now dead wife Lindsey. He froze as his gaze drifted over the dresser.

Had she moved it, or had someone else been there?

He had seen it on the coffee table downstairs, which was funny, because it normally sat on the living room windowsill. At the time, he had thought nothing of it. At the time, when he had thought she was... But why was it there? Rick stared at the dresser where Lindsey's watch lay abandoned. He turned the purse over in his hands, touching a finger to the now-cool bloodstain.

She was beyond reach now, just as she had been during all those lost years, when she was impossible to find. He had tried all he could; there was nothing left to do. Rick dropped the bloodstained purse beside the canopy bed he'd promised his wife she'd be sleeping in that weekend, hoping in the next life, he'd be able to keep the promise.