10 Days of Writing (Prompt Six)

 

Writing Prompt #6

 

Create a character profile for the person in the photo below. Doesn’t even have to be complete sentences! Could totally read like an FBI profile.

Name: Annabelle “Annie” Leinani Johnson

Hometown: Petaluma, California

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Movie: “Anything with Bill Murray”

 About Annie: Annie is a Graduate of the University of California at Sunset where she obtained a degree in Information Technology! She graduated at the top of her class and was active in numerous clubs and organizations including being a founding member of the college improvisation team, “ Hold the Cheese”. These days Annie can be found working at st. Elsewhere Hospital where she works in the IT department keeping all of the systems running smooth. Though she misses her home in California she has made quite the home for herself here in Boston. She loves to watch the seasons change and when she isn’t rooting for the Sox or cheering on her beloved Celtics. She can be found at the learning annex teaching yoga, or at the animal shelter volunteering her time. We here at St. Elsewhere Hospital couldn’t be happier to have Annie on our team, and that’s why she has been named our “Employee of the Year”!

The Ten Days of Writing (Day 5)

 

Writing Prompt #5

Write a story, poem, or memory using this first line:

"I’m sorry, but I have to go."

 

"I’m sorry, but I have to go."

 

That was it. No heartfelt good-byes. There were no tearful exchanges of feelings. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

 

You know there is a meme where they show a group of kids, and it reads, “You all hung out for the last time and none of you knew it.” It’s true, we all had our own unknown goodbye, and it was something pithy like, “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

 

I still remember the fragrance that she wore, and I still remember how her hair smelled. She will always leave an imprint, and I will always remember when she said, “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

 

It’s something out of a Meatloaf song – In my mind and heart I pleaded for her to stay. Even if it were just a little bit longer, but if she had given me 15; I would have wanted 20. If had I had been given 20, I would have wanted 30 and so on, and so on. Instead, I took, “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

 

There are times I want to pick up the phone and reach out and touch someone, but I can’t because they are no longer living, and I think about all the times I could have picked up the phone or ignored the call because I was what I felt was too busy to be bothered, or if I did answer I cut the phone call short, “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

 

There is nothing worse than lamenting the times we could have said something more, the times we could have done something more. I guess in the end, we are all just dreading our own “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

10 Days of Writing (Prompt Four)

The local astrologer called in sick (she said it her Pluto placement is out of whack, whatever that means). Someone has to write this week’s horoscopes for your town’s newspaper or the editor will fill the empty space with old Cathy comics. It’s up to you, buddy. Grab your crystal ball and write as many horoscopes as you can!

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Capricorn, you need to be read, Child! There are new dawns and new beginnings headed your way! Time to be strong and look forward!

 Aquarius January 20-February 18 Don’t fear what the future hp;ds, yesterday is gone, tomorrow is uncertain. Today is your gift, that is why it is called the present!

 Pisces February 19 - March 20 Never underestimate the laughter of friends and a nice bottle of wine. It’s as strong as any medicine. Even a shared virtual laugh has healing power. 

 Aries March 21 - April 19 Be the friend that other friends look up to, but don’t spread yourself too thin. Life is all about balance, Aries. 

 Taurus April 20 - May 20 Your strength is immeasurable Taurs, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. True strength is in the wisdom of knowing ones limits. 

 Gemini May 21 - June 20 Sometimes it feels like we are living two lives, but do not get discouraged. Big changes are coming your way professionally as well as socially. Stay strong, Gemini! 

Cancer June 21 - July 22 Always the shoulder to cry on, you need to make sure you find a shoulder over your own, Moonchild. Pent up feelings are likely to explode when you least expect them. 

 Leo July 23 - August 22 You’re not afraid to wave your own flag, my little Lion. But a true Leo is a leader, be sure to reach out when you feel it is needed, even if no one is there to see it! 

 Virgo August 23 - September 22 There is nothing wrong with being hard-working

 and practical. But don’t be afraid to let your hair down and live your life not just work at it! 

 

Libra September 23 - October 22 All is fair in love and war, but don’t let that be your only guide. Stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there this week. You will be surprised at what you catch when you cast a wide net. 

 Scorpio October 23 - November 21 Always ready to lock something in the vault. Being the one who listens to, and harbors secrets is admirable. But that is not the cornerstone of friendship. Do not let jealousy stand in your way of happiness, Scorpio. Learn to be happy with yourself. 

 Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 I know it’s the holiday season and it seems like the perfect time to pile as much as you can on your plate, Sagittarius. However, now is not the time to try and be Santa and the Elves! You can’t make the toys and deliver them too!

10 Days of Writing Challenge (Day 3 Prompt)

The county has just officially announced that today is a SNOW DAY for all schools. Describe the morning from the point of view of one of the school principals.

As the phone rang at 5:30am I groggily picked up and croaked out, “Y’ello?” 

 “Nate? It’s Superintendent Phil Connors.” 

 Suddenly as if given a B12 I’m wide awake running around getting dressed. Not that Phil could see me, but talking to my boss in a pair of cartoon pajama pants just didn’t feel appropriate.

 “Phil! Yeah, hi! What’s going on?” I say with the brightness and vigor of a cup of coffee coursing through my veins. 

 “I know it’s the last day before winter break,” he said with a stern father-like voice, ”But there is a blizzard scheduled to roll in about eight o’clock this morning. It’s going to be nasty out there, so I made the decision to cancel school. Enjoy the extra day, and we’ll talk again after the New Year.”

 And with that, he hung up. Just like that. I sat motionless for a moment, and then bubbling out of me I let out the biggest yahoo one could give post-pubescence. I run into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. “Today is a gift; don’t let yourself down, Naterz. It’s 5:30 don’t waste today, today all rules are off! For it is a snow day! :

The Ten Days of Writing (Day 2)

Pretend you are one of the judges on a reality cooking show. One of the contestants brings you this:

(Scene opens with the blue monster cake shown above; the camera cuts to judge Nate Starr as his eyes are now the size of pie plates looking at the cake he clears his throat before giving his critique.) 

 Nate: Well, (lets out a heavy sigh) the challenge was to make “a” cake and this is certainly…that. I can see here that you are definitely a wiz with blue food coloring! (Chuckles nervously) Now the appearance is that is supposed to be a Cookie Homage, is that correct? I mean I did in fact recognize him, though I am curious as to why he has the name “Sean” scribbled on there in some kind of serial killer font. 

 I can only deduce that you used some kind of plastic circles for the eyes so they are in fact, not edible, and yet you claim the rest of this cake is safe for human consumption? I will, as in accordance with the rules, try a piece of this cake. Please let my wife and children know I love them very much. 

 (Nate tries the cake and to his surprise it is very good) 

 Nate: Now this is going to blow some minds, but this cake is fantastic. It has the texture of that is velvety, but yet is robust in its flavor. I dare say it tastes like cookie dough, but in a cake form. We have a real fairytale on our hands here. The cake itself is ghastly, and is quite off putting, however, the inside where it counts as a beautiful thing! I can honestly say this has, and I’m not being hyperbolic here, when I say this cake was a wonderful surprise. Well done!

10 Days of Writing Prompts (Number 1)

Describe an insane and probably untrue rumor that you heard in elementary or middle school.

When I was a boy growing up in rural northern lower Michigan, I was raised to believe the police were constantly patrolling the streets looking for evil-doers, criminals who were breaking all sorts of laws: from robbing a bank to jaywalking. One crime that sticks out in my mind was the idea that John and Jane Q. Scofflaw were driving around with their dome light on. Yes, I was told by not only my parents, but my friend's parents that if you had the hubris to drive about the town with a dome light on, that you would be not only pulled over but given a ticket for your reckless behavior! 

Of course, being that I was a good kid and not yet the cynical person who is writing this piece I believed them. Not only did I believe them, but I shared this knowledge! I told other friends, and let them know that unless you wanted a one-way trip to jail you had better not have that dome light on for a second! Keep in mind; this was long before Garmin, long before Google Maps. People relied on actual maps like Magellan, or Leif Erickson. 

 Should you need to look at a map, you either carried a small flashlight in your glove box. Which I never understood as I had never seen anyone keep gloves in there, but that is for another day. I guess that’s why at sundown you stopped at a local Motel and bed down for the night and get up at dawn’s first light. I of course now know that it’s Urban Myth, but I still don’t drive with my dome light on, you know, just in case.