The aged librarian still keeps the ancient typewriter he bought from his uncle when he had ambitions of becoming an author.
“I must study the masters”, he said.
But the more he had read the more he was humbled.
“My writing will never be art… then let it be fact.”
He studied history, science, and law. but the more he read the more he saw the knowledge he lacked.
He sits by his desk, caressing the keyboard and musing:
“By reading I’ve learned… I never will know how to write… but that is more than most authors ever will know”
So here is another story with my aged librarian. He is a person that knows everything about social distancing. So he will be safe in the current situation. But once he had dreams to create instead of living the dreams of others.
Rochelle gives us the prompt and sets up the challenge of writing to the same picture every week. We are the Friday Fictioneers. Visit her page or click on the frog to visit the other stories.
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March 25, 2020
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Nice one, with a big dollop of truth at the end 🙂
You cannot read yourself to be an author.
But all authors have at least tried. I hope the librarian finds the resolve to give it a go.
Profound piece, Bjorn, if a tad depressing in its conclusion.
He seems ready to take the next step
This is brilliant. That ending is perfection. Reading is the ultimate pleasure, joy, and medication.
You’ve managed to write a huge story in so few words! What an ending.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
He may never be famous or published but at least he can be happy
The Aged Librarian needs to try. It is his mind, not his fingers, that have decided. He’s wasted a lot of time already. His first step is to step out of the library!
He sounds well-placed for the weeks that lie ahead. Nothing like a difficult task to while away the time…
So many dream of being a writer. It isn’t for everyone though. Practice makes perfect.
Dear Björn,
The librarian has the perfect position in life. If he is content with that, he’s a success. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sadly, more true than we would like to believe. I’ve dipped into some books that are self-published. That means no editor, no proofreader who knows the job, poor organization, discursive conversation, etc. The stories are often halfway interesting, but the poor mechanics just turns me off. What they don’t know? English grammar, spelling, punctuation.
Too bad. It matters.
writing is the pits. that said, he should never give up.
This line – “But the more he had read the more he was humbled.” explains exactly how I’ve felt for so long. I’m very glad The Aged Librarian have you to tell us his tales and wisdom.
They say dreams come true but that’s not always the case. At least now he’s accepted it and will hopefully put the typewriter aside.
That’s quite a sad self realisation, Bjorn. Perhaps he shouldn’t give up just yet.
Well that blows. I think the librarian should try anyway. Everyone has something to say, for all he knows, his voice just might be one people want to read.
Ha, great last line! At least others have tried, though, this chap sounds like a perfectionist, he’ll never be satisfied with anything he does.
Well, it seems that that story proves that sometimes you can be too smart for your own good.
Good FF.
Randy
Beautiful story. I guess some are content with only reading while others prefer to write. Well penned.
I enjoyed this Björn. Whilst it is true,’the more we read the more one can be humbled’. But do not stop writing is my mantra, even if it is a book on how to be a librarian.
Interesting viewpoint. Perhaps he is a perfectionist who will not write until the words flow the way he wants them Maybe instead of worrying about how others write he should write the way he can.
Interesting turn at the end.
With all that reading and studying, he may find that he can write after all. If he just allows himself to do it, that is.
It’s that fear that keeps most people from chasing their dreams. That’s why the only book I read is “Battlefield Earth.” If that can get published, anything can.
A wistful and reflective piece, I like the open ended’ness of the ending.
What a cool challenge!
A sad conclusion the aged librairian arrived at. I say he give it another go. That said, the pursuit of knowledge is also a worthy one.
Oh I love this librarian. Only this time I think what he has learned will stop him from trying, which is sad. I bet he has a lot to share.
Thanks for sharing the story in a very interesting way.
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Insightful read. Over the years, I have read hundreds of books. Most of the classics and many from popular authors of the time. James Elroy, the famous noir crime author doesn’t read other books in fear that it will influence his work. The two authors that influenced me the most are John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway. Writing is not an easy task.
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