Adult Education

Chapter One-1

Chapter One

“How many of you have started writing your first novel?” the instructor asked.

Five others besides me raised our hands.

You see, I had enrolled in a creative writing class at the local junior college. It was an adult education evening course entitled “Writing Your First Novel” being offered to the community. Tonight was the first night of the class.

“That’s great. Well, I’m MaryAnn Schneider, and I’ll be your instructor for the next twelve weeks. During that time I hope to give you both guidance and encouragement in writing your first novel. Before we actually get started, let me give you a word of advice. Writing a book is not easy. It’s a long, arduous task with many, many failures.

“Now you might ask, ‘What do I know about writing a novel?’ To date, I have published sixteen novels and three books of short stories. At this point in my career I find it rather easy compared to the time when I wrote my first one. That book took me three long, agonizing, hair-pulling, nail-biting years. Sometimes I got so frustrated that I didn’t even open my computer for weeks at a time. I had what is commonly called writer’s block. Then there were the nights when I’d say, ‘I’ll finish this paragraph and then quit for the night.’ The next time I looked at the clock, it was three in the morning and five more pages were filled with type. And when it was finally done, it took me two more years to find a publisher that was willing to take a chance on a new, unknown author. But over the past few years I figured out a method that works for me, and I plan on sharing it with you.

“So, to get started I’d like each of you to introduce yourselves. Please tell us a bit about yourself and what type of book you are trying to write. We’ll begin with those of you who have already started writing. Who’d like to go first?”

A middle aged woman with chestnut brown hair pulled up high in tight bun stood up. She wore a dark colored, unrevealing dress that covered most everything from her neck to just below her knees.

“Hi… ah…. I’m Harriett Williams. I’m the head librarian at the city library, and I am writing an historical novel about my great, great grandfather, Tom Horn, Jr. He was a bounty hunter in the wild west who became a Pinkerton Detective and eventually a killer-for hire and violent murderer.”

“Great…. So your non-fiction book basically contains factual material.”

“Yes, but not entirely. Some of the stories I include might be considered folklore. They are things that were told to me by some of my relatives over the years.”

“That’s fine, Harriett. Just make sure you separate fact from fiction. Adding some of the family legends may make for some very interesting reading.”

“Thank you… and you can call me Harri with an i.”

“Well, that sort of let’s her hair down just a little,” I thought, even if she doesn’t dress the part. But what do you expect from a librarian who only whispers anyway?

Next to stand was a stunning red headed woman with not large but perfectly shaped breasts that stuck right up and pointed at you. She was tall and rather slender with long shapely legs and appeared to be in her mid-twenties.

“Hi. My name’s Susanne Fredericks, and I own the Red Dragon Bookstore here in town. Dealing with books all day, I thought I might try to write a novel. I like fiction and thought I’d do something sexy and a little more off color than normal.”

“So you want to write porn,” Miss Schneider added with a smile.

“Yea, but I was a little hesitant to just say it on our first night here.”

“Oh never be embarrassed about what you write. Most people can’t form a good sentence let alone write a book. A lot of famous authors have started out by writing porn. It’s an easier way of getting published because porn sells. By writing a few s*x-filled novels and having them published, you’ll find it much easier to find a mainstream publisher that is willing to look at your work. Be proud of what you write. Who knows? You might end up being famous in a different sort of a way.”

I looked at Susanne a little more intently after that. She had dark green eyes that glistened like emeralds. Yup, she was definitely into s*x. She obviously has potential. She had my interest for sure.

I stood up next. “Hi, I’m Rudy Fisher. I’m the assistant director of admissions at Northampton College. I’m presently working on a murder-mystery novel that takes place along a hiking trail in the mountains.”

“That sounds interesting. The only problem I see is the limited number of characters that might be involved in the plot. Who’s your main character?”

“A twenty year old college coed named Julie Abrams. Her boyfriend is the one who is murdered.”

“It certainly has some potential. Do you hike or know enough about the woods to make it interesting but not boring?”

“Yes… I hike a lot and have spent a great deal of my life wandering the mountains and forests.”

“When we get into discussing the development of your main character, we can discuss another potential problem you might encounter. Okay, who’s next?”

At that point I quickly glanced over at Susanne. She noticed me looking at her breasts. Quickly I lowered my head and then looked back at the instructor.

There were eleven of us all together. Each one introduced themselves and told what they wanted to write. One woman wanted to write romance novels. An older fellow was working on a spy novel, while the guy next to him liked true crime. Then the instructor gave us next week’s assignment.

“Many authors find that it’s far easier to write a novel if you become your main character. That works very well for me. You start your book and let it lead you along. If you try to outline the book, you are limiting yourself to a defined script, but if you totally immerse yourself into your main character, even becoming that person in your mind, the story will lead you where it wants to go. I find that most of the time the book develops a life of its own.

“Last year I had a student who told me she hadn’t started writing her book yet, because she couldn’t figure out how to end it. Trust me… you can’t end it if you’ve never started it.

“So, next week we’re going to start developing your main character. Instead of coming here on campus, we will meet at Dion’s Bistro on 2nd Avenue at our usual time. Does everyone know where it is? My brother owns it, and it’s always closed on Mondays. He’ll make an exception for us. I want each of you to come dressed up and be that person who is your main character. Throughout the entire evening you will be that person. I want you to think and act like your main character, not who you are now.”

I snuck a glance at Susanne and noticed her looking at me with a sexy grin. Again I looked down at my notes.

“Now for those who haven’t started your book, you must have some idea what you want to write or you probably wouldn’t be here. Use any spare time you have this week to identify your main character and see what you come up with. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided, but if you want anything alcoholic, it will be available for a very reasonable charge.

“Rudy, it’s going to interesting to see how you’ll handle this assignment.”

Everyone laughed a little, knowing the dilemma I was in.

Again I snuck a look at the redhead. Again she caught me, making me turn away.

“Are there any questions?” she asked.

No one raised their hands, even though I wanted to.

My eyes were quickly drawn back towards Susanne. For some reason I could sense that she was looking at me. She had a real intriguing grin on her face, as she made direct eye contact with me. She knew what I was feeling. She could feel my apprehension, as I quickly realized that I had to dress up and be a twenty year old woman next week. Wow! I may be a little kinky, but I’m not really into cross dressing, especially being on display for her and the entire class.

“Oh, for those who have started their book, bring along something you’ve written to share with the class. If you haven’t started your book, write something about your main character. Okay, see everyone next week at the pub.”

As the class started to leave, Susanne walked directly over to me.

“I can’t wait to see you all dressed up in drag. Got anything hidden in your closet that you can wear?” she asked.

“Not really.”

She laughed, figuring that I wasn’t telling her my little secret.

“I’m going down to that little bar on the corner and have a drink. Meet me there in fifteen minutes so we can discuss it. I doubt you have anything else planned for the rest of your night?”

“No, I’ve got nothing to do. I’d like that.”

“Oh I knew you would. Meet you there shortly. I can help you out with your costume for next week as well,” she chuckled. “It’ll be fun dressing you up in my bra and panties and maybe even adding a little make-up. You’ll like that, won’t you?”

I didn’t say anything, as I looked down at her feet.

“Well, I didn’t hear an answer.”

“Yes,” I whispered.

She chuckled to herself.

As we left the classroom, I wondered where this was going other than Lefty’s Bar and Grill. Women like her don’t normally pick up guys like me. Oh it’s not that I’m not good looking, but I’m well…. I wasn’t one of the popular guys in school. I wasn’t a jock either. I was never in the click. Yet I always was attracted to girls like her – the prettiest in the class, the head cheerleader, the one with the best body. A lot of good it did me. I was always turned down and rejected. Then there was the humiliation of the whole ordeal. I was picked on by everyone for even thinking I even had a chance to score a date with one of them. So, why was she asking me out for a drink? She’s definitely out of my league.

But, there is something about her that really seems to intrigue me. Sure she was definitely attractive, but there was something very different about her. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I guess time would tell.

Before long I was walking into the dimly lit bar. Susanne was already there and had ordered us each a drink.

“Thanks,” I said, as I took a seat opposite her at the small wooden table. “What we drinking?”

“Does it make any difference?”

“Not really. I was just wondering,” I replied, as I took a sip. “Tastes like Jack and coke.”

“I guess you know your liquor.”

We made some small talk for a bit to get to know each other. She was from Philly and got her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Rutgers University.

“So tell me,” I asked, “how does a person with a degree from such a prestigious university end up owning a bookstore?”

“You never know where life’s road may lead you. It has a strange way of changing, controlling and challenging us each and every day. Besides, what difference does it make? Why don’t we finish our drinks and head back to my place and see where this journey leads.”

“Aren’t we rushing things just a little?”

“Tell me, haven’t you ever picked up a good-looking girl in a bar that you really wanted to f**k, even though you’ve never met her before – and before the night was out – you did?”

“Ah… ah… I guess so.”

She laughed at my response.

“Isn’t it just a little bit obvious that I want to take you home and f**k your brains out for the rest of the night?”

“Well… since you put it that way.”

She laughed again, as we finished our drinks and headed out the door.

I was a little shocked. Why me? What vibe did I send out that attracted her?

Susanne had a beautiful apartment over the bookstore. We parked in the rear and entered up a back stairway.

We walked into a beautiful modern kitchen, but she led me right into her main living area.

“There’s a bar over there on the left. Mix us each a drink while I get out of these clothes,” she instructed me.

“What would you like to drink?” I asked, as she headed for the stairs.