Where it all began...

 

As this is my inaugural post, I thought how fitting that it should be about the origin of my writing dream. It's a simple story really. And one that's probably been told hundreds (if not millions) of times before.

I was just an innocent child. I swear. Going about my daily life. Running track. Hanging out with friends. Oh yah...I was a cool kid.  Yup.  Then, my English teacher in 6th grade gave us this crazy assignment. Write a story that incorporates all 5 senses.  Wait. What?  Impossible!  Can't be done! Oh the uproar of the class was deafening! Only a Weeeeek?  Groan!  But we have a track meet this weekend!  I have a thing...Mrs. B! C'Mon!

The week went by, and I wrote. First it was just a silly little poem (gak) about who remembers what. But that didn't seem to feel right. Discard.  Then it was something to do with making cakes. (I had a small cake thing in my youth where I made cakes for people and decorated them all fancy-schmancy) Then, I started writing this story about a fictional ritual.  And all the things you experience with it.  ie the five senses. It wasn't easy. I remember sound especially gave me fits. I must have rewritten that ending, man, half a dozen times.

But, something clicked. Something about the challenge of making the story work.  Making the words flow.  Making the reader see, feel, hear what I wanted them to. I suppose it's a bit god-like. But then, it's also the pure enjoyment of getting the story out there.  Good or bad.

I still have that first story.  I've used it countless times, re-edited the thing countless times.  I turned it in for a college class and got an A.