Start Writing Fiction - week 1 (second attempt)

(False 3, True 1) - this music review replaces the original piece called 'Ten Seconds'

The first impression was that this could have been the soundtrack to unspeakable acts of torture in Orwell’s Room 101. One single strand of order gradually became evident. Ignoring the manic shrieking from the two vocalists (‘singers’ not being an appropriate term) and the discordant, agonised thrashing of a cheap Les Paul clone, the bass guitar gamely attempted to provide some structure. It was a hopeless, losing battle. The keyboard was attacked with gusto, making an energetic contribution to the overall dissonance. The rest of the band galloped along enthusiastically on their own separate journeys in pursuit of a common goal -  to assassinate ‘Livin on a Prayer’.  Finally it ended. The performance received wild applause. Schizopunk had arrived.    

Start Writing Fiction - Week 1 Exercises

This is the first writing exercise for the Futurelearn 'Start Writing Fiction' course. Here is the brief -
Write a paragraph (50 to 100 words) containing one fact and three fictitious elements.
You can write about yourself, about your interests, about history – about anything you like. Then try the reverse – write a paragraph containing three facts and one fictitious element.

(3 true, 1 false)
The badly peeling mural in the rotunda dome of Liverpool’s former Royal School for the Blind is an impressive work of social documentary. Sadly, unless it is hastily restored by the building’s new owners, it will soon be lost forever. Painted by the late Mike Jones in 1986 to commemorate the ‘Peoples March for Jobs’, it features Karl Marx amongst the marchers and depicts scenes from industrial Liverpool (e.g. the docks and the foolishly demolished Overhead Railway). Local hero John Lennon makes an appearance as a union official in the Halewood car factory.

(1 true, 3 false)  
"TEN SECONDS"
As a final dab of powder was applied to his forehead, Stan mused over the events that had brought him here. It all began in Northwich high street with a busker playing a violin. A great character face – dark, weathered, gypsy features with a couple of days of white stubble. Stan saw the possibilities, gave the busker a pound and grabbed the photo, employing his favoured ‘Dutch tilt’. He had a feeling that this might make a decent b/w image. Encouraged by friends’ comments he made a speculative submission to the BBC’s annual Street Portrait Competition. To his complete amazement ‘The Busker’ had won first prize. Stan was about to appear on national television.
“THREE, TWO, ONE and we are LIVE”


Confessions:
First exercise - there is no John Lennon but the car factory is depicted. Everything else is true.
Second exercise - the photo was taken but the BBC competition was fictitious. Stan hasn't yet appeared on TV.