We are learning to make fire...

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 23 - Write the words of Margaret Atwood at the top of your page "We are learning to make fire". Set your timer to 5 minutes. Write the first words that come into your head after the prompt. Stop when the buzzer rings.

This is the first writing exercise I have done in a long time where I used pen and paper. I am a child of my generation - an extension of my laptop. But handwriting suits me. The words flowed generously. Even better is that I can pick up my little notebook and pen and do an exercise like this any time, while my little girl scampers around me. Liberty.

We are learning to make fire.

Tate leaned out from the caravan. "What the hell are you doing, Jimbo? That's not a fire."

I shrugged. Liz smirked.

"Fuck off, man. I'm trying," I said.

The sticks made a soggy pile, collapsing in and suffocating each other. I kicked the pathetic pile and Liz laughed.

"Don't worry about it," she whispered. "He's the expert in these things." She leant into me.

I'd been in WA two weeks now, staying with my mate Tate and his girlfriend Liz. Their lives were so simple, so uncomplicated. No bills, no assignments, just surf, sun and each other.

The unfortunate pile of sticks seemed to mock me, as they lay strewn where there should have been a fire.