Hey, You Gotta Write-

 

Stream of consciousness writing. I haven't done this since college. Let's see, what did the teacher say? Anything that pops into your head, whatever's going on in your life now. Writing, I suppose. That's what I'm doing. I don't really want to write. But if I don't I might start bleeding.

 

My husband doesn't get it. He knows I like it, though he doesn't know where I come up with stuff. The last short story was about a guy--well, I can't give it away. But sometimes it scares him and I have to explain: Hey, baby, I'm not writing about us. Why would I write about us? We're boring, and we like it that way. We both saw our share of excitement growing up. Believe me, boring is good. I'll take walking the dog now over riding in the back country then. Nothing against Traveler; I loved him more than anybody and if we were in the country again, I'd love to have another horse. But I also remember the trouble we got into. It's a miracle we both survived.

 

Even then, when I wasn't annoying the livestock, I was writing. I would make up stories in my head, write rude essays about the cafeteria food, the art teacher--oh, yeah, I planned to write a huge expose of the art teacher, how he never did anything but sit in a corner and paint while we fooled around with magic markers. And then I'd write up the music teacher who read sleazy paperbacks while we goofed around and hit each other. I never did get around to it. The school board got ahead of me, and both teachers disappeared mysteriously over summer vacation. But I kept on scribbling. I had to. It never occurred to me to stop.

 

I wrote my first novel in twelfth grade. Yes, I know. Doesn't everybody? Of course it was bad-that grand awfulness that only a high school senior can pull off. I forget what the title, but an sensible person would have called it Mary Sue Goes to Ancient Egypt, Gets a New Outfit,  and Meets a Cute Guy. I had a thing about ancient Egypt at the time. Also cute guys. And new outfits. A couple of years later I actually did go to Egypt. I had plenty of adventures, but nothing like the ones in my book. There was even a cute guy involved, although nothing came of it.

 

That's the thing, though, with writing. You decide how the thing turns out. Sometimes. Sometimes the characters take over. I've learned not to trust them too far (see Mary Sue Goes to Ancient Egypt...), but often their ideas are better than mine.

 

Reviews

[Ellen Hammond]

Awww....written with the insight of a true writer. Non-writers do often seem to fear what they don't understand. Perhaps it is the fact that we enter a world apart from them for a while.

I really liked this stream of consciousness. We get to see a part of what makes you uniquely you. The two teachers you mentioned remind me so much of both the art and French teacher in my high school. Maybe they transferred to your school. LOL Great job!

[Manyfacets]

Isn't it great this writing thing of ours. I'm always amazed at how well you write. You say what you mean and mean what you say. I wish I could do as well. Too bad I didn't pay attention while in school...Boo-hoo. I look forward to your next great story. Smiles M.

[Eagle Cruagh]

What an inspiration you are !
What a wonderful testimonial for
Stream of Consciousness, also William
James who invented the concept.

Your little story is exciting, interesting
and hold the reader spellbound.

Thank you for a most entertaining read.

Rated----100 %

----- Eagle Cruagh

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

It is true that those who don't write can never understand us... even if they love us they still will never get it... when we write fiction it is nothing but just that and they can't take it personally... I have written certain parts in my stories that I hesitated about worried what people might think then realized I don't care, if they judge me by it then they don't really know me.

[Bare trees]

Very interesting bit of history on Helena Parris. I always wrote too growing up and boy did that stuff suck. I'm still trying to find some of it. As far as stream...I also did that in colledge but it came out like someone on an acid trip who just swallowed a bottle of asperin. A sample would be: The crate of fish saw a harp playing stairway to heaven on a fishing pole in the artic right after the badmitten kitten played chess.

As for your stream...I thought it was pretty good and now I know why your such a talented writer; because it's in you and it needs to come out. Good piece. And groovy too. HA