30 Minutes

Wednesday my massage therapist was late so I only had a half-hour massage.

She had a flat tire on the way to work. It wasn't even her car. She was driving her husband's car, because hers is in the shop getting a new transmission. Thursday was her first big Thanksgiving at her in-laws, and she was going without her husband. He's in jail right now.

That's a lot of information there, and this was just a half-hour massage. I didn't even tell you about how she had to adjust to sleeping on her back during her first pregnancy or the large TV she sold right after her husband got taken to jail.

At least his car is easier to borrow now.

Thought of the Week

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.
--Unknown

History Fail

Fortune Cookie

My fortune cookie tonight read:

Assert yourself, your ideas are worthwhile at this time.

To think, all these years I had thought...

For over a year now I’ve posted a column weekly on this blog. I write with the intent to entertain the reader. Usually, I depict a situation that I found humorous. Sometimes just a story that I think is interesting. Occasionally, I broach a topic to provoke thought or discussion. A couple times I’ve done a book review. But always I tell the truth. I take events that have really happened and write them in a way to provide enjoyment for the reader.

This week I got an e-mail from a friend: “Hey Kevin - I'm organizing a for-fun fiction writing project: Fifty-four short stories, each one based on a Mexican loteria card... Interested? Let me know; I'll draw you a card.”

What? Fiction? How should I respond? Isn’t it every writer’s dream to write the great American novel? Not mine. I dream one day of writing a memoir. Should I just tell him that I don’t write fiction? But why not? Am I not creative enough to do so? Step out of the box, Kevin. I accepted. I drew #13.

I started brainstorming possible ideas in my head. Each time I came up with the same question. Why? Why would anyone want to read that? Why do people read fiction? I thought of some ideas: Interesting stories, humorous situations, to provoke thought or discussion, anything that might bring enjoyment to the reader.

How do people begin writing? (This question is not rhetorical; feel free to respond.) Do you just start with an idea for a plot and go from there? Personally, I felt I needed to find a reason first, and then come up with a plot. What do most authors do?

I thought of a moral dilemma for my protagonist. I don’t have an age, gender, or setting for the main character, but at least I have start. This could be fun. Thanks Ryan.

Thought of the Week

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
--Proverbs 22:6

Suspicious People

2000 Toyota Corolla

Four years ago one of my students chose to interview me for an assignment. His assignment was to interview someone that was a positive role model and learn about his/her vocation. He did a great job with the interview and came up with some unique questions. For example, he asked, "What kind of reaction do you get from the ladies when they find out you are a teacher?" He also asked me about my salary. I told him that I was very comfortable, but there were certain extravagant things out there that I was not able to buy. He responded, "Yeah, I know. I've seen your car."

That was four years ago, and I'm still driving that car.