My thoughts went straight to twigs cracking underfoot, like on the hunt. Naturally, I tried to find something else to focus on instead of going with that first instinct. It also means I can come back to this word another time and perhaps go for that initial idea. I might make a note for myself…

Dry twigs were sparked into flame, breathing warmth into the cold afternoon. As the flames curled the dead leaves, licking across the delicate twigs, larger hunks of wood were gathered above them. The hungry flames tasted their meal, dancing between the timber logs to strip flaking bark and burn until the core. Warmth ebbed from the fire in a cosy ring that refused the night's chill. Conversation and bodies turn as if a rotisserie trying in vain to keep both sides warm at the same time. 

Writing to a timer can erase words mid sentence. On typing this out, I would have preferred to write “refused the night's growing chill” or something similar to describe the approach of night. It feels really good to flag these things without judgement. It means I can either edit and adapt this, or it will be something I'm more mindful of next time.