Writer's Block, Entry # 1
Last Christmas my mom put a small, cube-shaped book in my stocking called The Writer's Block. It contains "786 ideas to jump start your imagination" and they're actually pretty useful.
For a year it's peeked out of a basket on my desk shelf, mocking me. I've folded it open a few times and smirked at the suggestions inside, but have always dropped it back into the basket instead of using it. Enough of that.
I dread my children growing up but I also welcome the idea of having more time to develop myself in one way or another. I'd love to learn to play a musical instrument, however wildly beyond me that may be. I'd love to research biblical topics of interest, read more biographies on all kinds of people, and learn more of the craft of writing and writing well. And while I have the rest of my life to do these things, I want to start the habit of them even now, in the craziness of mommyhood.
Therefore, consider this your warning. If you start seeing a weekly "Writer's Block" post, just excuse it. Just know it will be my attempt to challenge my "inside the box" brain at the art of story-telling. I figure creative juice is probably like breast milk- the more you pump, the greater your supply. (And that analogy is a perfect example of why I need to keep writing.)
But the first Writer's Block entry I want to post today isn't my own, but an excerpt from the book that amused me, a story that won a short-story contest that had to be 55 words or less, written by Jeff Whitmore, called 'Bedtime Story'-
"Careful, honey, it's loaded," he said, re-entering the bedroom.
Her back rested against the headboard. "This for your wife?"
"No. Too chancy. I'm hiring a professional."
"How about me?
He smirked. "Cute. But who'd be dumb enough to hire a lady hit man?"
She wet her lips, sighting along the barrel. "Your wife."
Writer's Block prompts-
Jeff's story has it all- suspense, sex, betrayal, revenge, and murder- in a mere fifty- three words! Attempting one of these super-short stories is a valuable lesson in the economy of language- notice how much of Jeff's story is suggested, from the relationship between the characters to the gun itself. With this model in mind, craft your own story of fifty-five words or less.
Do you know how hard that would be? Yeah right.
And this is why Writer's Block always lands it's square butt right back in the basket.
