Month: February 2023

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Retro Tuesday 2-28-2023

This question cropped up in one of the Blogs I follow:

But what exactly do you earn if not money? Is there something else to being a writer?
Cristian Mihai

Good question. What does it mean to be a writer? There had to be a reward or we wouldn’t keep writing. Good ole Dr. Phil. How’s that working for you? I know my answer would be ‘while frustrating about NOT writing, it’s going well thank you.’ But that’s because I’ve always known deep in my heart that I am a writer. There has always been that voice inside saying ‘keep going. You’re going to get there.’ Then again, I keep writing those words, but how do you know what’s inside me? Hopefully, because you have that same driving, incessant, need inside of you.

So what do I earn if not money? I earn the privilege of becoming the person I was born to be. I earn the right to know and share the lives of characters that honor me with their stories. I win the wonderful experience of exploring a thousand worlds inside my own head, of being everywhere and every time at once. Now, if only I could bottle that scent, open the cork on a bad writing day, and take a whiff.

To me, being a writer means being open to the possibilities of the everlasting. Not that I think my writing will be remembered or even read a hundred years from now. Sure, it would be great, but I’ll be gone so what will I care? It is the stories themselves that are important; the lives, the loves, the hopes and fears and triumphants – and failures – of the characters. For it is the loves, the hopes and fears and triumphants and failures that make us human, that bind us all together.

I’ve often heard writers say ‘if one person reads my writing and is touched or changed, then I’ve done my job.’ Truer words and all that. I think, like most writers (and correct me if I’m wrong), I write for myself. I write to unfold the worlds within, to explore my own psyche and heal my own wounds, to be the person I was born to be. And what reason is more important than that?

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Response – JSW Prompt 2-27-2023

The JSW Challenge is open to anybody who wishes to participate. Using the writing prompt, write a flash fiction no longer than 300 words and post it to your page. The Challenge starts on Monday and runs through Sunday each week. Please remember to link your story back to this post so everyone can read your entry.

“Okay, I’ll stop, but I am okay.”

“I believe you.”

Silence spread between them, flat like a blanket. Neither knew what to say next. And so they worked around the kitchen like any other day. The clink and tinkle of china and flatware speaking all the words they could not say.

“I’ll sleep on the couch tonight,” he said finally, putting the last dried plate into the cabinet.

“All right.” She drained the sink, wiping down the counters with the wet cloth.

“And find someplace else tomorrow.”

“All right.”

“I’m glad you are okay.”

“All right.”

“How do you want to tell the girls?”

“I’ll tell them.”

“Shouldn’t I be there? United front and all that.”

“All right.”

“I mean if it’s okay with you.”

“It’s okay.”

“All right then.” A pause. “I guess that’s it.”

“It is.”

“Then I’ll get a blanket and a pillow.”

“All right.”

He hesitated a moment and then hung up the dishtowel and walked to the door. Hesitated another moment and then was gone.

“I’m okay,” she said to the empty kitchen and went upstairs.

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Friday Fictioneers 2-24-2023

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

“Take me out to the ball game!”

“You’re here, kid.”

“Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack!”

“I don’t think they sell cracker jacks any more but they might have
peanuts.”

“For its one, two, three strikes you’re out!”

“Let the game start first, kid.”

“All right, Uncle Bill. Can I catch a fly ball from up here?”

“Too high, kid.”

“Ah….”

“But that’s okay. We can play ball when we get home.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, sure, kid.”

“Okay. Thanks for bringing me.”

“Ah, kid, you’re welcome.”