Summary

Melissa Bee weaves a narrative inspired by Ed Sheeran's music, exploring themes of friendship, loss, and personal growth, while challenging other writers to incorporate song references into their stories.

Abstract

In "I See Fire — Musical Story Challenge," Melissa Bee crafts a poignant tale of two friends, Ralph and Marty, who grapple with the complexities of love, change, and healing. Ralph, haunted by dreams of an ex-lover, finds solace in his friendship with Marty, who encourages him to let go of the past and embrace a new beginning. The story, interlaced with Ed Sheeran song references, serves as a creative response to Michael Whalen's Musical Story Challenge, which invites writers to incorporate as many songs from a single artist into their narratives. Melissa Bee successfully integrates 31 Ed Sheeran references into her 252-word story, demonstrating her love for music and storytelling. The challenge not only showcases the participants' creativity but also celebrates the role of music in everyday life.

Opinions

The author, Melissa Bee, expresses a deep appreciation for Ed Sheeran, whose music serves as the backbone of her story.
Ralph's struggle with his past romantic experiences is portrayed as a relatable and human challenge, emphasizing the importance of friendship and support in overcoming personal issues.
Marty's character is seen as a source of encouragement, pushing Ralph towards self-improvement and optimism for the future.
The story conveys a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences through music, highlighting its universal appeal and ability to connect people.
The Musical Story Challenge is presented as an enjoyable and engaging way to combine musical references with narrative storytelling, inviting other writers to participate and share their work.
Melissa Bee acknowledges the fun and creative nature of the challenge, despite the effort involved in integrating the

Short Story

I See Fire — Musical Story Challenge

Inspired by Ed Sheeran

“These dreams have been keeping me up all night,” Ralph said to Marty over a cold one.

“You need to burn those photographs. I keep tellin’ you.”

“But lately, I haven’t thought about her.” Ralph took a troubled swig.

“I see fire.”

“Ah, I’m a mess,” Ralph admitted.

Marty tossed a can over Ralph’s shoulder, then picked up another one. “Well, at least you ain’t homeless,” he mumbled.

The friends looked up at the stars as gravity held them down.

“Three years and everything has changed,” Marty broke the silence. “I wish you were happier Ralph. The fire alarm went off the first day I met her.”

“I remember we were at the castle on the hill. Five days later, she asked me to be her husband. She was the best part of me,” Ralph sulked.

The autumn leaves crinkled in the breeze, and with every swig, they became more drunk.

“Man, I wish I had an eraser. I’d get rid of all those feels and scars you got. Just let it out, man, let it out,” Marty urged.

“You know what, Ralph — tomorrow, I’m a new man! I’m thinking out loud here, I won’t be paralyzed no more! I’m not going to remember the name, save myself, grab a cold coffee, and I’m going to New York! You don’t know!”

“Nah, what do I know? All I know is that we’re friends, Marty.”

“Yeah— hey I need a favor,” Marty added.

“Yea, Ralph.”

“Please don’t wake me up in the morning.”

Thank you for reading! 💛 Buzz with Bee! Twitter/ Facebook/Instagram

Had to break out my calculator for this one — eww! So worth it though, this was so much fun! I listen to a lot of older music, but Ed Sheeran is a kitchen classic in our home.

252 words/31 Ed Sheeran references= 8.12

Please join in on the fun! Sure fire way to get a song, or a few stuck in your head!

Here’s the challenge from Michael Whalen: