charityb98

Thank you to Robin and Midnight! I saw the word list and it was simply the first thing that came to mind. I didn't know how it would measure up to murder and oddities LOL But give me a day or two, I'll give you an oddity of my own Those crayons and those wiggles can conjure up some odd imaginings!!! I love creativity And I have grown to adore TD, the atmosphere and community, it's so fun and engaging and uplifting all at the same time! Thanks again!

Oh and I hadn't heard the old lady who swallowed a fly, but so funny!

Ron, I agree about Catcher, I read it once in high school to see what all the hype was about (did you ever see Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson? that movie piqued my interest.). I didn't really get the big deal. But I think the whole idea is if you do get the big deal, you're a little on the nutty side yourself, so I guess it was a good thing I didn't!!! LOL! Great fun everyone! WOO thinkwrite!

anotherronism

"Woo ThinkWrite"

What more can anyone ever say? I am honored...

midnightpoet

Is anyone else finding this list very un-inspirational? I've been tossing the words around in my head since I posted the list, and nothing is coming to me...maybe it's just writer's block again...

Dragon

I've had a terrible time trying to just sit down and think of a story this week. It's been so busy in my life this one's been rolling around in my head but it took til now to just get it out. I had to do some serious editing too but it is 204 not including title and I used all the words without changing them.


Ruminations on a Life Unlived.

The first time I got on a plane I was 39 years old. When the doctor told me I’d never see my 40th birthday the crushing reality of my own mortality overwhelmed my vulgar fear of flying. I went home, sat down at the table with a cup of tea and doodled idly with a crayon while I took stock of my life. I was contrite to realize I hadn’t had one. I’d never been farther than 30 miles from home, never allowed a man to win me over with charm and never lain down satisfied after a night of lovemaking. The most exciting thing I’d done was see a fortune teller and, thinking back, she told me I’d die spectacularly before 40, though there’s nothing spectacular about bone cancer if you ask me. So I quit my job, sold my staid little house and bought a one way ticket to Italy. There was a remote villa in Tuscany where I’d end my days. I found myself in a leather seat in first class, my gin and tonic spilt across my lap, the screams of the pilot over the loud speaker and the thought- yes a plane crash is a spectacular way to go.

mebu27

Dragon - What an awesome story. It seemed as all the words from the word list flowed perfectly into your story! I like yours best so far!!

mebu27

and it is exactly 204 words.....

Dragon

I had to do a lot of cutting to get it exact. I had something like 250 when I got done and I'd already edited some out . Speaker was the one I had the most trouble fitting. I've always really enjoyed the way Think Write challenges you to edit edit and then edit some more.
Oh and midnightpoet, I quite liked this word list. Not un-inspirational at all.

midnightpoet

Dragon, that was great!

I'm glad you like the word list. I'm still totally stumped.

anotherronism

Dragon. Nice!

I've said this many times before but I think the editing is so much a part of this. I cannot remember which one now but I did a 200-word piece in here not long ago. My first draft was 650 words. I typically start around 300 to 400.

Editing starts as eliminating adjectives. That's always the way with me. But this is such a slight reduction.

I then start hacking whole sentences. Then it's on to paragraphs. I know my stories lack and sense of place or feel but it's because I get these ideas that are just a little too big for the word-count. I try so hard to preserve the story that I oftentimes lose the feel (and definitely any style.)

I wrote a piece for this round that was based on old film-noir detective flicks. It was all quotes and thoughts. "The dame who hired me was a real piece of work..." and "The morning sun gleamed off the brass knuckles on the dash..." but I wasn't half way through the story when I realized I was already over 600 words. I knew there would be nothing substantial to the story so I bailed on it.

As to this word-list. I don't think it's non-inspirational. I just think it's summer time and as much as we all love doing this - it pales to just being outside.

We need to keep this alive so people keep posting. But I suspect it's gonna be slow until the days get shorter.

anotherronism

Folks... One quick hint on word count.

If you use Microsoft Word. You can go to File | Properties then click on the "Statistics" Tab and you can see a word count there.

It does count hyphenated words as one word so there's a little cheat you can use. I know I do. Although over-hyphenating has always been my writing bane...

charityb98

204 not counting title...a day in the life of Charity could also be this title...sorry for the yoda speak... lol


Adult ADD

Satisfied with her book she remembers, “Oh yeah, I had tea on the stove to make iced tea.” She stirs in sugar with a spoon as she pours it in the pitcher. As she puts the spoon in the sink she notices a crayon on the floor. “Why is this here? Darn kids.” She walks to the craft cabinet and notices on the TV there is an extremely hairy man yelling vulgar things and rushes to get the remote before something obscene comes from the speaker. She puts the crayon in her pocket and clicks the remote, but nothing happens. “I better go put new batteries in.” She goes to get the batteries; her daughter yells, “Mom, have you seen my butterfly charm? It’s missing from my bracelet!” She suddenly feels contrite remembering she accidentally vacuumed that little thing. She goes to talk to her and hears her husband in the kitchen.
“HONEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
He yells, “Crushing ice.”
“WHY?”
“To put in the tea!”
“The tea should be cool! I put it in the fridge.”
“The tea was on the counter!”
“WHAT?”
She walks toward the kitchen and notices a bulge in her pocket.
“How did a crayon get in here?”

five

Title: Papers

Monday nights were slow, perfect for readings.

The speaker at the microphone, a slim man with thinning hair, cleared his throat. “We’ll take five for refreshments, then start back with Annie.” He nodded and turned his back to the mostly empty tables.

A man and woman sat across from each other, each leaning away like the other had the plague, with bright white legal papers between them.

“Satisfied?” Louie scribbled in green crayon, crushing the tip into the paper. His letters outsized her tiny inked signature.

“Crowding me out,” she said, taking the papers and folding them in half. “Don’t lose that charm.” She fanned the papers. “We’ve done it, then?”

“Not quite the flair of getting married, is it?”

She smiled. “I’ll surprise you, you said. Nothing too remote, I asked. And you pick a recovering pastor on a Fiji beach the one time it rains there.”

He winked. “You didn’t mind the cava.”

She laughed. “I liked the bar, and you.” She sighed.

“You traded scotch for tea.”

“You traded my bed for her tricks.” She shoved the papers into her purse.

“Vulgar isn’t amicable.”

“You’re not the least bit contrite. I’m tired of amicable.”

“You don’t have to be anything anymore.”

Login

Colour My World.

The speaker was monotonous and remote, not penetrating her thoughts as she selected an imaginary crayon to colour in his features. It was something that she did often, when her mind was not focused on what was being said.

The sound of solemn applause brought relief to her. People were rising to their feet, moving to the rear of the room, where tea and biscuits were being served. She sensed that others were on their way to the exit. Irritated, she turned and held the back of a seat.

“I saw you nodding off. Sorry.” he continued. “I’ve given that talk so many times that I almost fall asleep myself.” He offered her one of the full cups he was holding but she didn’t take it. There was nothing vulgar or offensive about him. His voice sounded different now; warmer, with a certain charm in the tone. Had she heard that voice somewhere before? She felt contrite and uncertain.

“You’re looking so much better than the last time I saw you.” he said.

“Do I know you?” The surprise in her voice was obvious to him.

“Yes, I operated on you, after you had that terrible accident. I’m so sorry you lost your sight.”

Login

Darn it ... I edited out two of the necessary words (crushing and satisfied). I must get more practice at this!

Ztormy

The Gossip Mill

Our neighborhood custom of tea in the afternoon with friends and acquaintances hasn’t the charm of the traditions in remote England. Nevertheless, nothing leaves us more satisfied than sharing a cuppa and some gentle gossip.

We try to adhere to some English traditions – we do nothing so vulgar as crushing our tea – it must be proper leaves, brewed in a teapot, and thoroughly strained.

We sip carefully, with our pinkies extended, balancing our saucers carefully on a knee or palm, while we listen to the current speaker regale us with the latest news of happenings in our social network.

Perhaps it is rude or unseemly, and none too English, but our teas are the highlight of the afternoon, and an invitation is considered very prestigious. For one day you may be hosting it, and the next, you may be the topic of conversation. No one is safe from our scrutiny.

It seems the recent buzz concerns an arrogant hostess who was brought low when a high-ranking guest mistakenly sat upon a misplaced crayon. As we all know the aforementioned dignitary, we howl with laughter at the thought of Miss “I’m-better-than-you” made humble and contrite by the inadvertent error and the resulting loss of face.

Dragon

Wow, so many great stories! Login, I especially liked yours, that little twist at the end was great and so unexpected.

Ztormy

Yay! Glad to see all the new stories, and they're all so great! And VERY glad to see the post from Ztormy...that's my mom!

midnightpoet

lol, apparantly she posted from my computer today, she was still logged in...

midnightpoet

"Trapped"

The speaker crackled, then fell silent.

The vulgar screaming in the streets stopped; the silence was deafening. I didn’t know whether this was good or bad. My ears strained to hear something, anything at all.

I live in a remote town in the corner of nowhere. Nothing happens here, and that’s how we like it.

Today was ordinary, until the men showed up. They began yelling obscenities at the people in the street, and pointing their guns. Just before I fled for my basement, I saw one of the men crushing a crayon as a horrified child stood there screaming.

I’m contrite now; I should have taken that child and comforted him. All I could think about was hiding.

I sit here now, not satisfied with the information provided on the radio, but praying it would come back on, that I may find solace in the sound.

I finger the charm around my neck. My husband at war wears the other half of it. I pray, as I do every day over a cup of tea, that I may see him again. The only difference is that now I’m the one in danger.

A light breaks the darkness. A voice rings out.

“It’s her!”

charityb98

Ok, Midnightpoet, that was chilling!! I've secretly always been afraid of something like that happening, reading too much 1984 I guess and just knowing stuff like that has happened in history before...woohah you gave me the willies!! lol Dragon, I think so far yours has been my fav, it reminds me of the Alanis Morrisette song "Ironic", are you familiar? Such great entries though, from everyone!! I love this!