Story Ideas and a first excerpt from an as yet untitled story

I come up with ideas I feel are good short story/novel material on a fairly regular basis. I tend to just jot down a few words about it, and it keeps it stored in the back of my mind for later. Unfortunately, 'later' never seems to come. On my wife's suggestion, I've decided to just get something, anything really, written down to start fleshing out some of these ideas. Any comments and feedback you might have is welcomed, though please understand that I am not a professional writer. The below is something I've had stewing around in my head for a good while, at least since early last year.

If I had to write a quick blurb to describe what it's about, I'd say that it's a fictional story about a person who is involved in an accident, but while the commotion unfolds on Earth, the main character is sent to Hell. However, things seem out of place in the Devil's dominion. As above, so below.

Let me know what you think, or propose a working title for this story in the comments.

---

Prologue

Hell exists. I should know, I've been there to see it first hand. But not everything is as it seems; the gospel 'truth' that we are told doesn't reflect the reality. I will tell you my story, and what I've come to realise.

Chapter I - The Accident

I remember very little before I was hit. All I knew was that I was running late, I was impatient, I was frustrated. As I fought my way through the streets of New York City, I checked my watch every few seconds. I had five minutes.
"Move faster, or get out of my way!" I screamed inside my head.
The meeting I was late for was important, it was with the partners of the law firm I worked at. I secretly hoped it might be to discuss a promotion–they might finally make me a partner too.

The thoughts raced through my head as I darted this way and that between throngs of people, occasionally becoming stuck behind a gaggle of them and becoming annoyed at the need to slow my pace. I darted behind a yellow taxi turning out of a one-way side street and checked my watch again. Two minutes. I broke into a run, knowing full well that it was better to be out of breath than to disrespect the partners by showing up late. The idea of a promotion may as well have never crossed their minds if that were the case.

I checked my watch again. One minute. I was at least a few minutes further away from our office, maybe less at the rate my feet were hitting the sidewalk, but a few minutes would still make me late. I was hoping for something–anything–to come up that would prevent them from getting to the boardroom on time. Partners were busy people after all, but then again, you didn't make it to that level without being punctual or sharpening your time management skills. The thought crossed my mind that I could call their assistant to tell them I was running late. The thought would be admired, maybe, but nevertheless the outcome would not. Perhaps I could call Steve, an excellent lawyer and reasonably good colleague despite his unique ability to demonstrate extreme composure in front of clients while suffering from an extreme case of sudden-onset Tourette's once they had left. Steve might be able to distract the partners long enough for me to get into the boardroom and at least appear on time, if a bit flustered. However, Steve was probably just as much material for a promotion as I was. He probably knew that too. No, there was no chance of him sticking his neck out for me and risking his own gain. That was almost the lawyer's code.

Another cross street and–Pain. I felt pain. Deep, sharp, agonising pain radiating outwards from my side. My vision blurred and became dark. The street noise that you became so accustomed to, such a part of life, living in New York swelled to almost deafening, and then fell silent.

---

Wet and slash or Wild

Being the mature and responsible adults we are, Jess and I spent Sunday celebrating Alice Westwood's birthday - at Wet 'n' Wild in Sydney. It was awesome. Happy birthday Alice!

Jess had done her research, and boy did it pay off. So here I will share with you some tips to make your day awesome if you're planning on heading to Wet 'n' Wild.

1. Be prepared

Although the park doesn't open until 10am, that doesn't mean people are not eager to get in. We arrived at about 9:30 and the line was already a couple of hundred strong.

2. Buy a fast pass

Though limited in number and seemingly expensive at $50 per person, these will allow you to get about 4-5 times more rides than people who don't get them. A bargain really. Note that when you buy them, you need to have everyone present. Try not to be smug about having one though.

3. Take a water bottle

There are no bubblers or free water sources and a bottle of Mount Franklin is $4.50. You'll have to fill your water bottle in the loos. Avoid sunstroke and stay hydrated.

4. Sunscreen and thongs

Shade is at a premium and because of this the bricked paths are extremely burn inducing. You can leave your thongs at the bottom of any water slide.

5. Try to take food with you
Although there is supposedly a no food policy, we saw plenty of people with external food - which is great because a garlic bread will cost you $5, a 6 inch pizza $10, and a burger, chips and coke of adequate quality will set you back about $17.

6. Waterproof camera

There are professional photographers wandering around capturing moments, and you are able to swipe your wristband to get photos taken during the rides; however these come at a pretty substantial cost.

As much as I've mentioned prices and lines we had a great time, but it was completely attributable to having the fast pass wristbands. Be prepared to pay out the nose for a good day.

Clean slate

I'm pretty sure I do this every year - but I'm hoping now that I've finished university and have a stable job and steady routine that I might be able to actually commit to writing more. I enjoy writing, and I have plenty of ideas of stuff I could write, but most of the time I don't make it a priority to actually put pen to paper.

I've deleted all my older blog posts - I feel like I am more mature now, and that some of my previous posts were a little childish. As well as this, I've changed up the theme a bit so it's a bit friendlier on the eyes. Clean slate, fresh start.

I'm not planning on writing essays, hopefully just stuff that is short and sweet and easy to get out of my head and onto the page - or in this case, the internet. I guess you can look forward to some of my ideas for novels I'd like to write, and musings on economics, politics, travel, music, and anything that I find interesting. Hopefully, I'll manage to stick it out this time and make a habit of it.

Well, there's 200 words to get me started! *dusts off hands*