624 Tiny Things to Write About

You’d think since I self identify as a writer that I would have ideas out the wazoo (technical term).  At least one of my favorite bloggers (Craig, I’m looking at you) seems to have a repository of material so large he will never run out things to write about.  Me?  Not so much.  I finally did finish my novel (after many, many years of letting it languish like a Victorian heroine) but I still haven’t found (made) the time for editing.  My brain is full of snippets of ideas, the beginnings of stories, vague character outlines, and the like.  But whenever I try to put them on “paper” they quickly peter out.  Enter the writing prompt.  I’ve followed a few here at WP and even wound up with a decent piece of fiction or two.  But last week I stumbled on a book of inspiration that I just had to share.

I don’t frequent brick and mortar bookstores much any more.  Not by choice, I love to read and I’d buy all my favorites in hard cover if not for that pesky moola requirement.  The public library is my friend both in its brick and mortar ideation and its online persona.  Last week however I decided it was time to get out of the office at lunch and I don’t mean to run errands.  I had a Barnes and Noble gift card from Christmas (or maybe from Mother’s Day) burning a hole in my wallet.  So I did a search for the downtown B&N, found it wasn’t prohibitively far away and headed for the bus stop.

An hour and a bit later I trudged back to the office with sore feet but holding a shopping bag and an icy java chip from the local iconic coffee place.  Sometimes it can be disappointing how little you can get for $25 these days and there were only three items in my bag, three GREAT items!  One was a fancy schmancy 3D birthday card for my sister-in-law’s birthday next week.  Then there was the Disappearing TARDIS mug.  Since I feel safe in saying you’ve probably all seen a version of the “Disappearing” beverage container I won’t share a photo of it here.  Should you not have a clue what I’m talking about let Uncle Google help you with that.

I’m writing about the last item in my shopping bag.  The “book of inspiration” as I described it above:

 

There were multiple iterations of this book including titles such as 642 Tiny Things to Draw, 104 Things to Paint, 104 Things to Photograph, etc.  They were shelved in a corner along with the bound journals a lot of stores sell.  The journal with the TARDIS cover had caught my eye and I went over for a closer look.  After examining it my eye fell on the one you see here and I picked it up to skim through.  Now this was interesting.  Here, see if you agree:

 

 

 

And then there was this.

I can think of a few choice nicknames these days.

 

 

 

 

Some of the other prompts include:

• Beefsteak tomatoes or cherry tomatoes? Why?
• Describe your style today in two words.
• Pick a state you’ve never been to. Explain why you’re moving there.
• Frankenstein’s best actor acceptance speech.
• The passenger safety instructions card for a stagecoach.

I’m keeping the book at my desk, within easy reach if I have a moment of boredom or things get slow.  (You can’t hear the maniacal laughter echoing in my head but trust me, it’s there.)  For now the book resides on my desk among my toys and near the Juicy Fruit so others can witness it and perhaps jot down a thought or three if they are so inclined.  Who after all could resist responding to this gem?

Write about the first moment you knew you could kiss well.

 

And my style today?  I’d have to say shabby chic.