“I am not Hemingway and I never will be. I’m done. I don’t know why I even try.” I said.
“It’s not like you have to write a classic, for Pete’s sake. Just write a conversation.”
“About what?”
“About anything. Write a conversation you had with your kids, your mom, your sister. Anything. Or, make something up.”
“I’m thinkin’ the fifty-two conversations I had with Miss K about how long until we go to Chucke Cheese for her birthday isn’t going to make for interesting reading material.” I rolled my eyes, sighing.
“So make something up. You could write fiction, you know.”
“I guess.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, I’ve been turning over the starts of conversations in my head for days and can’t come up with anything good. Real or otherwise. It all feels too concocted. Too forced. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve started writing, only to delete everything and start again.”
“So what? Isn’t that a huge part of writing?”
“I guess.”
“So, you are just going to give up, huh?”
“No. I’m not going to give up, I just…I don’t know. I just want it to be good, ya know? I want it to be intriguing. Interesting. Brilliant. Can’t I hold out for brilliant?”
“Sure. You can hold out for brilliant. Good luck with that though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“It means, if you never put anything down on paper, it won’t matter if you hold out for brilliant. No one can read what’s in your head. And it takes a million mistakes before you’ll have a true success.”
“So what you’re saying is to shut up and start writing?”
“Basically.”
“Well, thanks. I guess. I’ll let you know what I come up with.”
“I’ll be interested to see.”
I glared at myself in the mirror. I hate it when I’m right.
This week’s writing prompt was a tough one:
Hemingway was famous for his super sparse writing. He used almost only dialogue in many of his works. Write a piece in which you use ONLY dialogue.
I always know the ones I should do when I don’t want to just because it’s hard. I’m sure it’s good practice…or something.
Conversations with ones self seem to be popular
Yours flowed really well, bravo!
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Carrie´s last [type] ..Red Writing Hood- Nothing…and Everything
This was a tough prompt, but what a great spin on it… a post about the prompt. Very cleaver.
Stopping by from RWH
Tonya´s last [type] ..The First Time
This did flow beautifully. The two distinct voices were authentic. They also kicked me in my writer butt quite nicely. Yes, we writers strive for brilliant, and hurt ourselves in the process with our perfectionism. Well done.
so I really thought you were talking to the husband, because that’s exactly what mine would be telling me, shut up and write, lol
cristina´s last [type] ..Racing Time – Red Writing Hood
Cute. Clever. Loved it!
Love it. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one talking to myself (or writing about people who talk to themselves).
That whole shut up and write advice is something that we all need to hear from time to time.
Tracie´s last [type] ..Orange Couch Conversation
This reminds me of a quote I having hanging next to my desk.
“I don’t know what inspiration is, but when it comes I hope it finds me working.” -Picasso
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(Florida) Girl with a New Life´s last [type] ..A Writing Challenge- Kiss and Tell
It’s like a Seinfeld episode!
This was fun. I’m glad you put something down on “paper”!
I too thought you were talking to your husband. Love that it was an internal dialogue which I seriously believe we women have more often then men do.. Ahh to be a man for a day and know all the answers or at least think we do..
Stopped by from the Red Dress Club
Angel´s last [type] ..The Red Dress club writing prompt my first attempt go easy on me
This seems to be a popular theme today!
Good conversation. And there is NOTHING wrong with not being like Hemingway!
Karen Peterson´s last [type] ..Introductions
I thought it was going to be your husband too. I think I’ve had that conversation before. I love that you used the prompt itself as the story.
Jessica Anne´s last [type] ..Dinner In
I liked this. It completely came across as two distinct voices which is what it is like when we are arguing with ourselves.
Veronica´s last [type] ..School Daze
Hee Hee! Had to laugh and smile! Nice job.
Kathryn´s last [type] ..January Reflections- Wisdom
I am passing along a Versatile Blog award to you. You can pick it up here:
http://thoserobertsons.blogspot.com/2011/01/surprise-versitile-blogger-award.html
Diane Robertson´s last [type] ..Joshuas Birth Story
Funny. Good job! I didn’t even try it – I totally wussed out.
Jill´s last [type] ..He&8217s all good
Love that it turned out to be internal dialogue! Very cool!
Lula Lola´s last [type] ..The Delousing