Dragon

Ron once set the word limit at 99 words, it was probably the most difficult one I've seen yet but I did manage to get 2 stories in on that one. That was truly an excercise in ruthless editing.
I really like this word list and I'm so enjoying the stories so far. Here's another one of my own, this time written brand new for this word list (and I did have to do some good editing to fit it in the word limit.

The Persistence of Seagulls

I was hanging in that place between sleep and waking where your senses are aware but your body hasn’t caught up yet. It was hard to reconcile the sensations I was feeling. The surface below me was lumpy, something sharp was poking at my left hindquarter with an irritating persistence I couldn’t dismiss and my feet were wet. When I opened my eyes the sun blazed in them violating my sight and I had to experiment with my focus before I could see anything. Immediately I became aware of a seagull next to me who boldly gave me a cock-eyed look before returning to pecking at my backside. A placid breeze blew over the sandy shore I lay upon and little waves lapped at my bare feet making me think ‘Now where did I mislay my shoes?’ My mind seemed to strew my thoughts to the four winds before seeking a reason as to why I’d be lying shoeless on a stretch of beach entirely deserted but for me and one very persistent seagull who now seemed to be trying to pick my pocket. I realized that an incredible ache was spreading through every muscle and I thought some of my ribs were broken but I knew I must move before I became unable to. I sat up, the gull seemed to freeze for a moment before taking to the sky with a cheeky scream like a promise he’d be back to collect the treasure in my back pocket. I pulled out the shiny, gull pecked paper and it all came crashing back to me as I read the words “Free Trial – Bob’s Discount Skydiving.”

Peasy

dragon- Great story, again! This one seemed less dark and I was thinking it was away from the style I'm used to from you. Then you hit me with the ending!! How funny! Encore!!

Doug

I'm sorry if it seems i am trying to change ThinkWrite. That is not my intentions. I was speaking of "one" challenge where the word count could be expanded. When Ron talks about "reeling it in" I absolutely agree that it is editing, editing, editing. The whole idea of ThinkWrite is getting 10 words into a very "tight" story that wow's the reader and maybe brings some emotionial feedback. Ron used to tear people apart on misspellings, grammar, etc. I have thought about doing that, but I think the current ThinkWrite folks are doing a fine job and spinning some marvelous tales. I am honored to be a small part of the ThinkWrite community and ThinkDraw as a whole. It never hurts to have someone be a little of a rebel which if you follow my art and themes you will see that. It doesn't do me much good for the TOP5 or votes, but I do get some good comments, etc. Now back to work! Finally got this old celeron to chime in to this part of cyberspace! lol.

midnightpoet

I'm hiding in my corner again, but I thought I'd pop out for a minute to throw in my 2 cents...maybe even a whole nickel, who knows.

What I love about ThinkWrite is the idea of an exact word count. I think it's okay when people make a range, but even then, I set myself an exact word count within that range to hit. That helps my editing, because editing is one of my weakness in writing.

Another thing I love about ThinkWrite is the short word counts. I have the attention span of a fruit fly, and I have trouble sticking to a story past around 300 words. The longest thing I've written to date (besides papers for school) is a 7-page story that has taken months so far and is only half done. I have books in my head I want to write, but don't have the attention span to stick to it. The short word counts are right up my alley.

However, I'm all for seeing the word count expanded for one challenge, maybe even bringing the list of words up to 15. I would love to see what kind of development could be brought into stories with more words available. There is such talent and imagination here, it would be wonderful to see more.

And, Doug, the world would be a boring place without rebels like you.

giraffe

The other extreme.

She either mislaid or dismissed the cock-eyed experiment results. "Young lady, you will placidly promise not to violate or strew around our frozen hindquarters ever again!" He screamed.

27 words. Beat that.

Peasy

I don't think anyone needs to appologize. Diffferent strokes for different folks. Shorter or longer, the idea is to have fun and exercise your brain a little.

Doug

Random Thoughts

Brain freeze: The act of being a glutton while eating ice cream.

Experiment: Anything a husband does when trying to work with power tools.

Placid: Well, we won’t even go there.

Dismiss: One of my younger African American crew once told me that “dis miss” told her that she could call her friend on her cell phone while waiting on a customer.

Hindquarter: I once went hunting and found out what body part not to lean against a hornets nests in an old oak tree.

Strew: I think my mother tried to get me to eat that once.

Cock-eyed: That strange look you get when you ask a total stranger how to get to the nearest psychiatric hospital.

Violate: A 9 year old in beginner band with a permission slip to play Violin.

Promise: Overly used noun that was the original song title of Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights”.

Mislay: Your keys, wallet, and sanity sometimes all on the same day, or every other Tuesday whichever comes first.

I’ve often spoke of being bi-polar among other things and random thoughts of a misfired mind can sometimes play to your advantage. Today I found a humorous approach to the ten word list. Tomorrow I may come home from work with mist filled eyes still feeling the crush in my mind of being in a “war zone” during the G-20 where I had OC gas burning my throat and windows crashing around me not knowing what was to come next and why the world is like it is. Humor has its place, but reality is hard to swallow.

mouse

Doug
Random Thoughts . What a unique way to use the word list- Brain freeze, ah , brought back memories of trying to eat Islay's ice cream cones --they were soooooo good.

mouse

Word count-- I find it a challenge just to write a story no matter what the word count. This forum is actually my first attempt to write anything at all ( other than high school, which was oh so many years ago). And, I am really enjoying it. SO short list or long , I will continue to try to come up with a story.

mouse

Dragon-- Seagulls
Wow , Great story, And the ending--- so imaginative.

midnightpoet

Doug - I LOVE your random thoughts...what a creative way to use the list! And the little note there at the end...I can understand. I'm bi-polar too...I totally agree that reality is hard to swallow.

Dragon

LOL Doug, great use of the words, never would have thought of that myself!
Oh and a little bit of trivia for you, did you know that 7-11 has trademarked the term 'Brain freeze'.

mouse

Another attempt at the word list. 227 words.

The Promise

You made a promise. You said our life together would be an experiment in opposites. You promised we could overcome our differences. You said you were willing to give it a try if I would do the same.

You are a cockeyed realist who has a place for everything and every thing is in its place. You are careful and calculating. I am a dreamy eyed romantic with a more carefree and creative style. I see life in bold colors. I am outgoing and enjoy a challenge.

But, you violated that promise when you dismissed my ideas. My thoughts didn’t count. It seems like no matter what I do or say anymore you freeze me out. Your approach to life is all black and white .It’s either yes or no, or up and down. I, on the other hand, can mislay my keys or leave a few things strewn about. It’s no big deal. You say I should have put them were they belonged and kept things orderly.

I cannot sit back and be placid about the whole thing. As far as I am concerned opposites may attract but they can also repel. And, right now I am repelled by your whole attitude. You are a control freak. So, to put it in a “polite” way that you will understand. You can kiss my hindquarter. I’m out of here.

Peasy

Doug- I really enjoyed the Random Thoughts entry. It was a cool way to use the words. I'm sorry, tho, I have to ask.. I think you told me you're from Pitt, and the reference to the G20... Were you actually part of the (quote) "unlawful assemblers" for whom I heard robotic sounding warnings blasted over loud speakers on the radio? It kind of repulsed me to hear warnings like that here in America.

Peasy

Mouse- very good story!! The words fit smoothly into the text, and it was a really good read. Lot's of people feeling that way I'm sure at some point in some relationship. Nice job, definately one of my favorites so far, but there are several good ones. This will be a hard choice!

Doug

No Peasy I definately wasn't one of the "protestors". I run the McDonalds right down the street. Ours was one of many businesses who lost thousands of dollars in sales and property damage because of the "protestors". i had my windows smashed with hammers and rocks. We were also not treated too well by the police who had a field day being "stormtroopers" without any concern for the "common man". This was the first ever G-20 held in a "non-capital city" of a country and if your mayor, president, council or whoever wants to have it in your city I would protest against that. And for those of you who think that "McDonalds" is a deep pockets corporation ours is a mom and pop store just like any small business. I have one owner who signs my paycheck and every broken window comes out of his pocket. We pay big time just to be called McDonalds.

Doug

And to add another bit of "history" to that story. Those "sonic blasts" you referred to....This was the first time in history outside of Russia that this method was used for crowd control. Here in the good ole' USA. Aren't we special! Ever see the move Red Dawn? Thats' what it felt like except noone got killed.

Dragon

I never understand why protesting often ends up in riots. Peaceful protests can be a very effective way of getting your message out there. Wreaking havoc on businesses and homes of people who are not against your ideals only makes those people angry, it certainly does nothing to bring them around to your point of view. I wouldn't support any protest that caused damage to my business or my neighbours businesses no matter what I felt about the issues.

giraffe

Doug, Dragon, Peasy et al, I went through the Vietnam war protests where both sides had temper flaring. At least the protests happened on college campuses only. Even so, there were students maimed, tear gassed and even killed. It was an awful time.

I like ThinkDraw and ThinkWrite because this is how people should behave in a creative, healing way. I haven't seen any animousity in this group.

Peasy

Doug- I am so sorry. I didn't even know if I should ask about it. I heard on the radio about the recorded "violation" messages, and saw the "stormtroopers" and thought the same thing as you said... Thought to myself, "those people must feel like they're in some communist or dictated country." Sorry bout the damage and physical irritation the whole mess caused. Hang in there, bro.!