Impromptu Scribe

by Alex Morritt

Whether it be nail-biting courtroom suspense surrounding a celebrity star on trial; the tear-jerking return journey of an ageing war veteran to the battlefield of his youth; an hilarious account from a dog's perspective of the eccentric clientele that frequent his master's restaurant; a bittersweet tale of a vendetta waged by a young girl denied her favourite ice cream; or the adrenalin-fuelled adventures of a terminal cancer patient turned base jumper - these make up just a handful of examples of what to expect in this riveting short story collection. 'Immensely Visual' and 'Highly Versatile' are by far the most frequently recurring descriptions of the author's bold style of writing given by early reviewers of 'Impromptu Scribe', his début short story collection.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Author, Poet, Lyricist, Travel Writer & Indie Publisher, focused on Central America, with poetry & prose in English & Spanish.

'POETRY IN A TIME OF PESTILENCE : Perspectives on a Pandemic' (2020 Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L178VPJ
'LINES & LENSES : A Quotographic Collection' (2016 Print & Digital)
http://www.blurb.com/b/7547355
'IMPROMPTU SCRIBE' : A Short Story Collection (2014 Kindle)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJRFYHE
'GUISES OF GUYANA : Peering into the Interior' (2013 Print & Digital)
http://www.blurb.com/b/4346573
http://soundcloud.com/guisesofguyana
'GLIMPSES OF GUATEMALA : A Poetic & Photographic Perspective'
(2012 Print & Digital)
http://www.blurb.com/b/3183261
http://soundcloud.com/glimpsesofguate...

Reviews

[Stu Schreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something for everyone in this wonderful collection of short stories that expertly captures the reader with wonderfully descriptive language. Morritt has mastered a very difficult art!

[Jackie G Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe is a great collection of short stories for all tastes. The collection doesn’t follow a theme which means there is a wide variety of topics.

What I liked about the book

The stories were well written and I could find something for every mood. I particularly enjoyed Hubert and Hector and found the story being told from the dog’s point of view interesting and funny. Alex Morritt did a great job in his descriptions and I loved how I was able to visualise each story.

What I didn’t enjoy that much

My only niggle, and it is not exclusive to this collection of short stories, is that I sometimes felt the stories were not finished. As if they were more Flash Fiction than short story. I would love to see some of the stories expanded on.

Final thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It is ideal for a tea time or lunch time read or a quick trip on the bus. I will definitely keep my eyes open for more work from this author.

STAR RATING: 4 Stars

Will also be posted on my blog on 13 May 2015:
https://jackiegmills.wordpress.com/

[Shirley Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories are not usually a genre I would choose, but I did enjoy this interesting and varied collection. There are stories in this book that would resonate with everyone. The author’s clever perception of characters brings the stories to life. I particularly enjoyed 'Fallen from Grace' and 'Hubert & Hector.' 'A Trip Down Memory Lane' was touching and evocative. 'Lost in Translation' was a classic example of a husband not listening to his wife! How many times have we heard of this sort of thing happening? Several stories left me wanting more, for example – 'Coyotes.' I feel this one could have continued for a bit longer, but perhaps that’s just me. I recommend Impromptu Scribe as an easy to read, dip into book, and I am sure there is a wealth of stories yet to be written.

[Gloria Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a collection of short stories and vignettes--some amusing, some sad, all thoughtful--brought vividly alive by masterful description. Each piece examines a different aspect of life. The author dips us into it, so we can understand and feel the protagonist's view. The hopes, the tragedies.

Morritt narrows our focus to the size of a knothole through which we view each piece differently. We can make out a beginning, middle, and end for some, which constitutes a story, however short. Morritt begins with what might be his best short story, Fallen from Grace. An actor is brought to trial for misconduct, and we are treated to a surprise ending.

For others, our view is so small, we can see only what appears to be the beginning of a story, with nothing following, as in the piece, Birdmen, which feels frustratingly abandoned. And then there is the view so small, that it is more a thoughtful observation. The Art of Conversation is such a piece.
Through each piece, the author writes from wide experience, so his descriptions strike a note of truth.

My favorite is Words in the Wind, about a kite and a divine connection.

[Liselott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Morritt’s writing in his collection beautifully visual, showing a whole spectrum of colours. There's absolutely no doubt about his observations from when been in Guatemala. It was a bit bland for my taste buds at times but when it was really good, it was just not enough.

[Sassa Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe
Alex Morritt
127 pages, $0.99

This collection of short stories by British author Alex Morritt offers a smorgasbord of delights.

Whistling through each of the thirty or so short stories is the ghost of the author, not mentioned in the text, but present in the viewpoint, the gaze, the objects and people noticed and ignored in each story. I found myself seeing past the characters on the page and wondering about their creator, about this man, a well-travelled wanderer, lonely perhaps, when he finds himself between romantic interludes, with an eye for the elegant, the well-turned out, who notices the magnificent facades of the buildings in the affluent parts of town, the dust in the rural market, the asymmetry in the hang of a perfect rocker’s smoking jacket hidden away in a thrift store.

The stories carry the reader through a dizzying array of locations and characters. Paris in Le Marais, Italy, a courtroom in Hollywood, a fancy restaurant, a rural English village, Milan, a prison cell, a war zone, a Guatemalan marketplace, a truck full of hopeful undocumented immigrants, Mexico City in the nicer parts. The characters are compassionately sketched, even the bad ones. These pages contain the child molester, the ladies’ man in various forms, snappy dressers, a peasant boy, a dishonored daughter killed by her father, a terrorist, an old British veteran visiting the poppy-filled fields of Amiens for the last time, a terminally ill base jumper, a vengeful babysitter, a pair of lovers feasting before the feast, a dog with a discriminating nose and a foot fetish …

The stories are mostly told from a decidedly male viewpoint, an honest and open one, delivered with a sheepish shrug for any sins and a sense that any female outrage is expected and already factored in and accepted as one accepts with stoic calm both sunshine and storm as Heaven shall find it meet to dispense one or the other. The author writes of the transgressions of men, men who are cads, unfaithful men, preying men, men who pray for the empty seat by the pretty girl, men who listen not well to their wives’ instructions, men who like their lady doctors and long for the visits of their nurses, men in love with their cars, men who long for a just-so artisan poncho, men who long for their dead wives, men robbed by thieves and by time, men abandoned by neglected wives, men with guns, men in disguise.

Some favorites from this box of chocolates: “Hubert and Hector,” “Words in the Wind,” “A Silver Lining,” “Poncho Man.”

The editing and formatting are clean and tidy, unmarred by errors, and the writing is poetically beautiful at times. I am not a reader of short fiction—my taste runs more to the epic—but I can well imagine a dozen or more of his vividly drawn characters taking flight and headlining novels of their own should the fancy ever take them. Perhaps this talented traveling writer will tarry somewhere a little longer someday, and stretch out a short story into a longer one, even a novel, perhaps of experimental format where his characters meander in and out of each other’s lives. I am certain this traveler with so keen an eye could construct a worthy journey through a longer story for his readers should he ever choose to do so.

As for those reviewers who carp that he has bundled up his writing group stories and made a book of them, I can only reply that they should go forth and do the same if they have even a handful of stories as fine as the best of these. Would you not buy a man a cup of coffee in thanks if he told you a charming tale and made you laugh?

[Marianne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe is a collection of stories about the joys and sorrows of the human experience.

As an American expat living in Guatemala I purchased "Impromptu Scribe" after learning that the author was to appear at a book signing close to my village at Lake Atitlàn. Because I really enjoyed his two prior works, "Guises Guyana" and "Glimpses of Guatemala," I was excited to read this newest book.

As a lover of languages I immediately noticed the Morritt's delightful and creative use of vocabulary. I especially enjoyed finding words such as forensic enthusiasm, starving mites (little children), sprog (akin to the American 'Rugrat'), and prevaricating.

Although this is a compilation of short stories, some consisting of a mere three pages, each tale is expertly written in such a way that allows the reader to feel a genuine connection with the characters and to become fully engaged in the plot.

The medley of themes and variety of locations are lovely. The author brings us on a journey to the mountains of Guatemala in "Words in the Wind," whisks us away to a small village in England in "A trip Down Memory Lane," and then we're plummeted down to the depths of the freezing arctic waters in "Survival."

In my review title say that Morritt's work is one that shares the joys and sorrows of the human experience because that's exactly how I felt as I eagerly moved from story to story. Reading this book reminded me of watching those emotion-packed films where one moment you're doing all you can to not begin sobbing aloud at the intensely dramatic story line, when the focus of the plot suddenly shifts (captivating the viewer's heart along the way) to a lighthearted scene where we see something so lovely that it makes our souls blossom with joy.

In "Scribe," for example, even as my heart was still breaking for Carlos at the end of "Afternoon Rain" I flipped over to the chapter "Peeping Tom" and was absolutely tickled by Tom's surprise reaction when he caught sight of Mr. Phipps' lover. Who could have possibly guessed that the old man had been secretly stowing away his sweetheart in a shed?

Then my empathy for Poor Marco and his impossible predicament in "The Dilemma" was followed by me laughing aloud at Hector who "had sniffed his way around Paris" so that he could indulge in his not so secret foot fetish.

Santos, the young Mayan boy of "Words in the Wind" who flies his handmade kite in the Guatemalan mountains in memory of his grandfather, especially tugged at my heartstrings. Followed by "Fruits de Mer," which was as mischievous, playful and provocative as one could hope for, complete with a very unexpected twist that left me smiling for hours afterwards.

I found it difficult to chose a favorite, but the hauntingly beautiful passage in "Eternal Notes" where it reads "...the scent of her favourite perfume instantly reconnected them as if via some olfactory sliding door to the other side," was truly unforgettable.

Although I purchase almost all of my books in the kindle edition simply because it's just so convenient for traveling, I will certainly order additional hard copies of "Impromptu Scribe." The books will make excellent gifts and I plan leave one for my house guests to flip through. The nice thing about this compilation of short stories is that it lends itself to any reader: one who has only ten minutes but wants to be lifted up and carried away by a beautiful tale or another, like me, who couldn't help but read them all in one sitting.

[Allie Cresswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe is a collection of short stories with widely differing subjects and settings.
The topics are intriguing - no wonder they sparked the writer’s imagination and prompted him to put pen to paper. I gather they were provided to him at a weekly writers’ circle meeting but you can tell that that this writer takes his broader inspiration from his wide experience of many cultures and situations. I’d say he is a person who looks and really sees. There were some perceptive observations which really enriched these tales. This came across especially in ‘Poncho Man’. Some of the stories were quite harrowing - the supply ship lost at sea; the illegal immigrants inside a container lorry. Others were light-weight, like ‘Peeping Tom’. Others were vaguely revolting, like ‘Fruits de Mer’.The characters were interesting and provoked differing responses; I despised Wilma and Eduardo made my flesh creep. I felt sorry for Bob: who hasn’t been in his situation?
The stories are mainly brief; ideal for a bedtime read or for whiling away minutes in a waiting room. Some of them are deliberately and rightly ambiguous, leaving the reader wondering. But all too often they left me without a resolution when I really needed one; the brilliant cathexis of Philippe’s flight, for example, absolutely requires the counter-balancing catharsis of its outcome; the one without the other just didn’t work. Just a sentence or two would have done it.
Writing a short story is like packing a very small valise for an extended journey into unknown terrain; you have to be really selective and every item you put into the bag has to earn its keep a dozen times over. Since this is a review and not a short story, I can afford to throw in a possibly superfluous simile here! Short stories need to be distilled down to their essence, intensifying every word, imbuing each one with complexity like a sip of twenty five year old Scotch. But here I found some words, clauses and sentences which didn’t contribute anything to the story at all, redundant asides and throw-aways which were like unnecessary lumps of ice and dashes of ginger ale; they diluted and distracted.
These stories are short, but they could have been shorter, and, being shorter, better.

[Victor Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As he explains, this is a short (in page length) collection of over 30 stories, each between 500-2500 words. Some are too short to be sensible, others beg to be more fully developed. I have to admit, the form is off-putting. As part of a reading/writing circle, Alex writes supershort fiction in response to writing prompts. While this is an excellent way to produce ideas and hone the craft, I am reticent to condone rounding up enough of them to fill a book and bringing them straight to market. Having said that, Alex is an excellent writer. I enjoy his prose and the originality of his ideas. I have enormous respect for the "travelling writer" who brings foreign lands to vivid life. My favourites were "The Art of Conversation", "Journey to Nowhere", "Coyotes", and my very favourite, "Poncho Man". If the author wishes to make a name for himself in "flash" fiction, I wish him the best. But what I yearn for, as a reader, is for him to pick out some of the very best of these prompts, and develop them as full-fledged stories. It is not the writing or the premises that dilute my sensibilities, but the format. The stories, rather than following a typical exposition-conflict-resolution flow, consist of short exposition-danglers. While I am not in theory opposed to open endings, when reading this work, I felt myself vacillating between confusion at the impromptu cutoff, and a frustrated yearning for more.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Byron Grush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relishing each morsel of Impromptu Scribe, a collection of short stories by Alex Morritt, you are at first surprised by the brevity and completeness of each vignette. Morritt is a skilled and inspired writer, delivering poetic descriptions and characterizations that ring true, intrigue, and somehow give you the sense of having just read an entire novel. He is like a master photographer, capturing the essential moment with clarity, yet leaving just enough of his subject unrendered so that your own imagination is allowed to help develop the image. Each story is a glimpse into Morritt’s world of experiences and observations, most drawn from his travels in Central and South America. Each is complete and unique, yet familiar, ordinary, and very personal. Each contains a crucial and definitive moment in the life of a character whose back story is precisely and economically revealed by setting and circumstance. There is humor, pathos, a universal connection between cultures as diverse as the Mayan and the British, and the pleasing rhythm of worlds well-chosen. You will enjoy your thousand and one nights with Alex Morritt and like this reviewer, look forward to future works by this brilliant writer.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have not read much in the way of short stories in my life, and have certainly never before experienced the micro bursts of literature such as Alex Morritt’s Impromptu Scribe delivers. As a person who thrives on variety, I like the idea of them in theory. As a reader, I was left feeling as though something was missing. There is no doubt that Alex can write. His descriptions are vivid and colourful and in some cases beautifully lyrical, but the depths of emotional attachment for me come in the characters’ development, and it would be monumentally difficult, if not impossible, to do that in such a short space. I applaud Morritt on the level of creativity he shows in the broad spectrum of content. It is really quite impressive. That being said, it did feel as though some of the stories were rushed merely to fill the pages. They were a stark contrast to those that were perhaps a bit longer, allowed more depth to be explored, and where I felt I wanted to get to know the characters better. I would love to read something longer by Morritt, where he allows himself to do just that. I have no doubt I would enjoy it.

[Sergio Valladares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read short stories, especially when they're intelligent and witty such as the little gems that are offered in this book. The author seems to have done his share of traveling and enjoys recounting some memorable experiences among the many cultures that he's submersed himself in. A few of the stories, no doubt, are but products of his fertile imagination, and his tone can be at times clever and naughty, funny or poignant, but always appreciative of his subjects and seen with a compassionate eye. Yes, you can sit in a comfy sofa, and go through these little bonbons in an afternoon's sitting, but I've preferred to savor them little by little, usually reading one or two to my wife at the end of the day. A few of the stories have had us laughing raucously, while some have brought tears to our eyes, and still others have given us great insights into universal humanity. I assure you, these petite adventures and chronicles will stay in your consciousness long after the last story has been finished.

[Loren Lockner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tidbits of life! The Impromptu Scribe is a deliciously written book of short stories. Each is a ‘peek’ at tidbits of life. The language is colorful and the characterizations are spot on. The author effortlessly uses a few words to give each character and situation the depth and essence it needs to tell the story in a few words. Many of the stories are caught in the middle—with the next part left up to the imagination. My favorite was ‘Caught on Film’ where Stan’s realization of what he has really seen leads to much suspense. There were many stories that seemed unfinished. I wanted to learn more and sometimes felt frustrated that the scene was suddenly done or the outcome was unrealized. But, overall, some brilliant writing.

[Melinda Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

About "Words in the Wind," from Impropmtu Scribe: This is a short glimpse into the life of a young boy in Guatemala and his relationship with his grandpa. To me, the story feels a little "told," almost essay-like. But it's warm and culturally interesting, and having spent some time in Guatemala myself, and having seen a lot of kites flying, especially in San Pedro, I found this pleasant.

I read this short piece separately from the whole book, but it looks like Impromptu Scribe has a mix of different types of stories—something I really like in a collection.

*I was given free access to the story in exchange for an honest review*

[P.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of flash fiction stories. As such, it is hard to fully develop characters or a plot, but the lovely writing does sketch the outlines of more substantial people and stories. The international settings are a differentiator, providing brief glimpses into lives very different than my own. Occasional writing stumbles and editing errors distract from otherwise clear and evocative prose. Well worth a buck or two.

[A.E. Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe is a collection of short stories. They are slices of people's lives. What I love is that they describe everyday people. Sometimes I think we forget that we all have a story to tell and the author gives seemingly ordinary people a place to shine. The writing is clear and to the point. The author does a wonderful job of creating setting and character that the reader quickly believes in and is connected to. Overall, a well written book worth reading.

[Tamara Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morritt is an extremely talented writer. This book is a collection of short stories, all written so well that I reached the end of each one wanting more. Morritt uses vivid imagery and has an amazing gift with words. The only drawback was that for me, some of the stories seemed to cut off right before the climax, leaving me not only hungry for more but slightly frustrated.

I'll have to check out other of Morritt's works and find something longer.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A varied and fascinating début collection of short stories from this relatively unknown author. There is undoubtedly something for everyone in this book which clearly adds to its universal appeal. A great companion both for the daily work commute as well as the Sunday afternoon relaxing read. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself.

[Ica Iova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impromptu Scribe is a series of short stories each one with a different plot. In some, the author’s vivid descriptions and character development makes you feel as if you’ve read a full novel—I particularly enjoyed Fallen from Grace—while others, like Coyotes, seem unfinished. I did enjoy the author’s writing style.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Binge Reviewing Greatest Short Fiction: Standalone and Anthologies

Alex Morritt writes like someone who’s been storing up stories in his pockets for years and finally decided to empty them out on the table.

This collection has this delightfully spontaneous energy—a kind of “let’s see where this thought takes me” confidence—and yet there’s a surprising structural intuition beneath the surface. It’s like chatting with a clever friend who rambles charmingly but somehow always lands on the precise point.

The beauty of the collection is its tonal range. Morritt can shift from reflective to mischievous in a single paragraph and somehow make it feel natural. There’s an almost conversational intimacy to his voice—the way he leans in, nudges you with an observation, steps back, then hits you with something quietly profound. It feels unforced and deeply human.

One of the coolest things about reading him is how he captures fleeting moments—thoughts, glances, and emotional micro-experiences we normally overlook. He has this knack for isolating the kind of idea you’d usually have in the shower and forget by lunchtime, then turning it into a full, resonant piece.

That attention to interior detail gives the book a reflective softness, even when the tone is playful.

There’s also a global curiosity here—Morritt shifts settings, textures, and moods—but not in a superficial travelogue sort of way. It’s more like he’s collecting emotional weather patterns from different corners of life.

You’re not just reading scenes; you’re reading sensibilities, distilled and refracted.

What really struck me is how the entire book feels… lived-in. There’s an unpretentious maturity to the writing, as if Morritt understands that stories don’t have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes the quietest ones linger the longest. And that’s exactly what this collection does: it lingers.

Softly. Warmly. Persistently.

Absolutely recommended.

[K.A. Krisko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hardly know what to say about this unusual book. It’s not really a collection of short stories, as most of the very brief entries don’t really have an end. It’s more a collection of character sketches, such as you might find at the beginning of a very complicated book before the action really gets going. The author is a very good writer, and within the space of a few short pages you get to know each character quite well. They’re all unique and relatable. But the situation each finds him or herself in remains unfinished. On one hand, this allows the reader to use his own imagination to complete the story or mentally wander off on various paths. But if you like a nice wrap-up to your readings, you won’t find it here.

The author uses the semi-colon in an odd but consistent way, which is so regular that I have to assume it’s purposeful. It makes some paragraphs read more like poetry than prose, and indeed I began reading with a poetical rhythm partway through the book. This gives many of the pieces a dreamy, slightly removed air, as if one is looking in on a snippet of the personal life of someone from a distance. But this detachment isn’t evident in all the entries. There are some that are warmer and more complete (my favorite has to do with a lagging child and his view of the apartment above him as he walks to school).

I would recommend this collection to people who enjoy reading well-done character sketches rather than those who expect some sort of conclusion. Perhaps in the future this author will present us with another such collection that concentrates on the second scenes, and a third that presents the conclusions. That would be as unique as this book.