So, today's blog is pretty interesting, especially if you like story writing based on pictures. I was in a media studies lecture, and out of nowhere, we got assigned a task, to write a story in 10 minutes just by looking at some pictures. This was totally new for us, and honestly, we were all a bit lost at first.
What we didn’t know was that these pictures weren’t random at all, they were actually frames from a short film called "THE CLUE." The task was to create a fictional story, frame by frame, using only those images. It was kinda wild because we had no context, just the pictures, and our imagination.
It felt like a rush trying to piece everything together in such a short time, but it was fun too. I’ll be sharing the story I came up with and how it all went down. Stay tuned!
Presenting My Story: An Unexpected Reaction
After I presented my story to the audience, the sound of clapping was enough to tell me I had done something more than just average. It felt good, knowing my attempt had made an impression.
Now, before we dive into my story, a quick heads-up, the frames are in the opposite order because WhatsApp chat media always shows them that way. So, keep that in mind as we go through my attempt, which I had to read aloud to the audience after submitting it when my turn came around.
Let's see how it turned out!
A Regular Day in the Valley of Light
It was a regular day in the Valley of Light. Julie opened the shower stall curtain, looking as beautiful as ever in her favorite blue bathrobe. She sat down for breakfast, savoring the warmth and freshness of the food.
Despite the peaceful setting, Julie was struggling with deep mental trauma. Her husband had been killed by none other than the Witch of the South, the most infamous and wicked of all witches.
A Haunting Invitation
Julie heard the voice of her deceased husband coming from the big mirror. At first, she thought it was just her memories haunting her, but then Charlie called her name in the same loving way he used to say, "Juuulllieee." She could not stop her feet. Her heart guided her to the big mirror.
As she looked into the mirror, she saw her husband’s handwriting. The ghost of Charlie was there, writing in blood on the glass:
"COME ON ADVENTURE COFFEE?"
The words stood out boldly, dripping slowly, as if challenging her to follow.
The Mythical Book and a Dark Revelation
Julie was terrified by what she saw. In a panic, she rushed to the old library, frantically pulling books off the shelf until she found "Come on an Adventure Coffee," a book long considered a myth.
As she opened the ancient book, a bookmark fell out, dripping with fresh blood. The sight made her shiver, but she forced herself to read on. The information she discovered was deeply unsettling:
"The Witch of the South is a woman whom no man has ever loved. Kill her before she kills all happy couples."
The page also contained detailed instructions on how to defeat the Witch of the South. The task was clear, but the thought of confronting such evil sent a chill down Julie’s spine.
A Race Against Time
(At this point, I had only three minutes left since I had spent a lot of time brainstorming.)
Julie quickly ran to the old treasury museum. She gathered all the necessary materials to defeat the witch, her mind racing as the final moments ticked away.
A Dangerous Revelation
On her way to the witch’s castle, Julie found a mysterious note that read, "Be careful, the Witch of the South is a shapeshifter."
(I realized at that moment, on Frame 6, that I needed to introduce a new character. Since my story was initially based on only two characters due to the lack of time, I decided to make the witch a shapeshifter to handle the challenges presented in Frame 7.)
A Desperate Attack
Julie spotted a mysterious lady holding a wand. With time slipping away and no room for hesitation, she threw holy water which she had collected from the old museum at the figure.
The witch dissolved into shadows, vanishing before Julie’s eyes. Her target was lost, leaving her with a chilling realization that the Witch of the South was far more dangerous and elusive than she had imagined.
The Final Confrontation
After a while, Julie, exhausted from her ordeal, drifted into a deep sleep. As she rested, she sensed the presence of a mysterious figure approaching her, clutching a magical map radiating with witchery’s power.
Julie pretended to remain asleep, keeping her breathing slow and steady. The witch, unaware of Julie’s ruse, moved closer. In a sudden, swift motion, Julie sprang up and threw holy water at her. The witch let out a piercing scream before disintegrating, her dark magic fading away. Julie had defeated the Witch of the South.
A Peaceful Victory
Julie returned home, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She stood by the window, gazing out at the world with a soft smile. The thought of happy couples now safe from the witchery of the Witch of the South filled her heart with warmth. Peace had been restored, and Julie could finally rest easy.
A Challenge for You
I hope you enjoyed what I shared with you today. Now, it’s your turn! Try writing your own story using these frames. The toughest part is crafting a story within 10 minutes, but that’s what makes it exciting!
A Twisted Reflection
Although this exercise was a journey of self-discovery, I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy after reflecting on the actual short film. Honestly, I’d want to sue that mysterious person for having access to Julie's shower stall’s mirror or even her home without permission. In real life, such actions would land someone in serious legal trouble for causing public disturbance, unauthorized access, and much more.
It’s fascinating how fiction can reveal unsettling truths about reality.
