It started out like any other school day. I dragged myself out of bed, took a hot shower. Made breakfast without any major mishaps, which is a bit of an accomplishment in and of itself. Headed off to school. Sat through my first two classes and tried not to be too bored. Had lunch at the BSM and enjoyed the short message provided by the speaker. Aced my French test. My afternoon was pretty chill, too. Went shopping, wrote a paper, and blogged. After dinner, Ashley and I decided to watch Prince Caspian.
So the movie has just started and I scoop up my phone to check my Facebook notifications. Nothing too interesting... until I see a status my brother +Aaron Dean is tagged in saying he's going to Great Britain this summer! My first thought was "no way" accompanied by raised eyebrows and possibly an open mouth. My second was that I had always thought I would be the first kid in our family to leave the country. And my third... was that I was not going to be left behind. No way. So I immediately messaged him about it and a few minutes later I'm pausing the movie to announce to my mom and Ashley that Aaron is going to Britain... and I'm going too!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tomorrow
Today at Noondays (the free lunch provided by my school's Baptist Student Ministries), the speaker made a thought-provoking comment. Actually, his whole message was stimulating, but one phrase in particular stood out.
"Some people didn't wake up this morning."
I immediately became absorbed in this thought. To me, every person is a story. Every life has a tale of its own. And I began pondering the lives of those who may not have lived through the night, who may not have woken up to a brand new, glorious morning as I did.
I thought about an elderly woman, spending her last nights in a stark white hospital room, knowing her end was drawing near. Was anybody with her in her last moments? I thought of an older man, drawing his last breath at home, surrounded by loving family members. He had lived a full life and would be missed. Yet he was going to a better place.
I thought about two college students driving back to their dorm after staying out just a little too late, drinking just a little too much. Singing along with the blaring stereo. Did they see the 18-wheeler as it barreled through the intersection and smacked into their smaller vehicle, crumpling the side of the gray Honda? Was there time for a last thought to cross their mind before they never thought again? How would their fellow students, their girlfriends, their parents grieve when they learned of the accident?
I thought about a young boy rushed to the hospital by frantic parents for an unexpected health issue. A ruptured appendix, maybe. I thought about his youthful blue eyes never opening again. His sobbing, heart-broken mother and father. His little sister not understanding that she would never get to play with her brother again, not realizing that he would never chase her or tease her again. Not realizing that he wouldn't be there to support her through the toughest moments of her life, to clap and cheer for her through her proudest.
I thought about a teenage girl lying in a filthy alleyway, tucked behind some dumpsters. She was somebody's daughter, too. But would anybody miss her? Would anyone know she had left this life? Or would she be just another soul for whom the flame of life was snuffed too soon?
Some 155,000 people die every day. Tomorrow it could be you or me. Do we find ourselves saying "I'll take care of that tomorrow?" Those college students probably planned on finishing that lab report or that research paper tomorrow, too. Life is a fickle thing. There's no guarantees that you will live to your next birthday or until the weekend or even through the night. So don't waste each precious moment that you're granted. Live each day as if it matters... because it does.
"Some people didn't wake up this morning."
I immediately became absorbed in this thought. To me, every person is a story. Every life has a tale of its own. And I began pondering the lives of those who may not have lived through the night, who may not have woken up to a brand new, glorious morning as I did.
I thought about an elderly woman, spending her last nights in a stark white hospital room, knowing her end was drawing near. Was anybody with her in her last moments? I thought of an older man, drawing his last breath at home, surrounded by loving family members. He had lived a full life and would be missed. Yet he was going to a better place.
I thought about two college students driving back to their dorm after staying out just a little too late, drinking just a little too much. Singing along with the blaring stereo. Did they see the 18-wheeler as it barreled through the intersection and smacked into their smaller vehicle, crumpling the side of the gray Honda? Was there time for a last thought to cross their mind before they never thought again? How would their fellow students, their girlfriends, their parents grieve when they learned of the accident?
I thought about a young boy rushed to the hospital by frantic parents for an unexpected health issue. A ruptured appendix, maybe. I thought about his youthful blue eyes never opening again. His sobbing, heart-broken mother and father. His little sister not understanding that she would never get to play with her brother again, not realizing that he would never chase her or tease her again. Not realizing that he wouldn't be there to support her through the toughest moments of her life, to clap and cheer for her through her proudest.
I thought about a teenage girl lying in a filthy alleyway, tucked behind some dumpsters. She was somebody's daughter, too. But would anybody miss her? Would anyone know she had left this life? Or would she be just another soul for whom the flame of life was snuffed too soon?
Some 155,000 people die every day. Tomorrow it could be you or me. Do we find ourselves saying "I'll take care of that tomorrow?" Those college students probably planned on finishing that lab report or that research paper tomorrow, too. Life is a fickle thing. There's no guarantees that you will live to your next birthday or until the weekend or even through the night. So don't waste each precious moment that you're granted. Live each day as if it matters... because it does.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
One-Minute Writer: Cartoons
Today's Writing Prompt: Cartoons
"Which cartoon or children's TV show from your childhood is most burned into your memory?"
The Batman was my first introduction to the Dark Knight, and I look back on it fondly. I loved the slightly younger portrayal of Bruce Wayne, and Two-Face's story still tugs at my heartstrings. Alfred was always good for a laugh, and I enjoyed seeing Robin and Batgirl as kids in the series. I'll always remember the episodes where the population of Gotham is seemingly turned into zombies and the one set a thousand years into the future.
A Sudden Realization
So here I was, listening to Imagine Dragons and browsing The Write Practice when I stumbled across a statement that was like an arrow streaking into my very soul. It hit home so hard it took my breath away. In an article discussing five lies that can distract you from your purpose as a writer (namely skepticism, vanity, pride, fear, and doubt), the author makes this comment:
"Slowly, that original desire became distorted until you actually believe your main goal was just to be a bestselling author, when in reality, you wanted so much more. You wanted to change the world."
How did I fall so far? How did I become so afraid of what other people might think, so concerned with writing that elusive, perfect book that I completely lost sight of my original goal? Because I did want to change the world. And maybe that sounds like naive idealism. Maybe that sounds like the dream of a child who hasn't experienced the darkness, the coldness of the real world. Yet it's true. I never wanted fame, I never craved popularity for me or my writings. I wrote because I had dreams to share. I wrote because my characters needed a voice. I wrote because I had stories to tell that could change the world, one reader at a time.
Today I realized that unless I find my way back to that original hope and desire, I can never tell my story the way it's meant to be written. Unless I get rid of that nagging "but what will they think?" I can never be myself. So goodbye, self-doubt. Goodbye, foolish dreams of fame and fortune. This is me, making my way back to who I genuinely am and the stories I truly have to share.
"Slowly, that original desire became distorted until you actually believe your main goal was just to be a bestselling author, when in reality, you wanted so much more. You wanted to change the world."
How did I fall so far? How did I become so afraid of what other people might think, so concerned with writing that elusive, perfect book that I completely lost sight of my original goal? Because I did want to change the world. And maybe that sounds like naive idealism. Maybe that sounds like the dream of a child who hasn't experienced the darkness, the coldness of the real world. Yet it's true. I never wanted fame, I never craved popularity for me or my writings. I wrote because I had dreams to share. I wrote because my characters needed a voice. I wrote because I had stories to tell that could change the world, one reader at a time.
Today I realized that unless I find my way back to that original hope and desire, I can never tell my story the way it's meant to be written. Unless I get rid of that nagging "but what will they think?" I can never be myself. So goodbye, self-doubt. Goodbye, foolish dreams of fame and fortune. This is me, making my way back to who I genuinely am and the stories I truly have to share.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Writing Prompts
Due to a couple of queries and comments made by +Susannah Durling and +Rachel Kniffin, I decided to compile a list of my favorite writing prompt sources for curious parties. Mind you, there's quite a few here and I don't complete all of them every day. I like to skim through each day's prompts and then write on whichever one jiggles something inside my brain. Hopefully some of you will find a few that you like and be inspired to write regularly as well!
Friday Flash Fiction - Also from One Minute Writer. You enter a short work of fiction (between 100 and 1,000 words) based on the prompt, and the winner gets shared on the sight along with a bio and small prize.
The Write Prompts - I love this one. There's a different type of prompt for each day of the week, so let's see what they're all about!
Oneword.com - Exactly what it says. You're given one word and 60 seconds to write whatever the word brings to mind.
One Minute Writer - A prompt is given for each day and you have 60 seconds to write. The prompts vary from fun to serious, fanciful to down-to-earth.
The Write Prompts - I love this one. There's a different type of prompt for each day of the week, so let's see what they're all about!
- Journal Mondays - You're given a prompt to write about for fifteen minutes.
- Image Tuesdays - A image is posted with the instructions to study it for a few minutes and then write about it.
- Poetry Wednesdays - The prompt reads "For the poetry writers. Even if you do not normally write poetry make an effort to complete this exercise." You're given a topic as well as a form to follow. A challenge for me, personally, as I'm not good at poetry.
- One Word Thursdays - One word is posted. No time limit.
- Dirty Dozen Fridays - You're given 12 words, all of which you are supposed to incorporate into a story of your own in 15 minutes.
- Continue On Saturdays - The start of a line or story is supplied and are supposed to continue it.
- Quote Weekends - You're provided with a quote to write about over the weekend. These quotes are typically thought provoking or inspirational.
52 Lists - Moorea Seal provides a different topic to form a list for every week. No time limit, a great one to ponder as the week goes on.
All credit for everything on this list goes to the owners of the respective blogs and websites; I've merely slapped a few links into a post. I'll be sure to add to this list if I find more that I like. For now, I hope this list prompts some creativity!
All credit for everything on this list goes to the owners of the respective blogs and websites; I've merely slapped a few links into a post. I'll be sure to add to this list if I find more that I like. For now, I hope this list prompts some creativity!
One-Minute Writer: Musical Prompt
Another writing prompt! This one comes from One-Minute Writer where you are given a prompt and 60 seconds to write about it.
"I gotta have/Roots before branches/Gotta know who I am/Before I know/who I wanna be" - Roots before Branches by Room for Two
As a college student, I encounter so many young adults trying to decide what to do with their life without any idea of who they truly are. It's so important to understand who you are before you can know what you want to do. Find yourself. Discover who you are. Then, and only then, can you truly know who you're going to be.
Today's prompt... Musical Prompt
Think about whatever song is randomly stuck in your head right now. If you are lucky enough to not have one stuck in your head, think about your favorite song. The main refrain of the chorus of that song (or the first line, if there is no refrain) is your writing prompt today.
As a college student, I encounter so many young adults trying to decide what to do with their life without any idea of who they truly are. It's so important to understand who you are before you can know what you want to do. Find yourself. Discover who you are. Then, and only then, can you truly know who you're going to be.
Journal Mondays
One of my favorite sources for writing prompts is thewriteprompts.com. The blogger shares a different type of writing prompt for each day of the week. I'm a huge fan of writing prompts because they have a tendency to provide me with some unexpected but totally needed inspiration. Now that I have a blog, I'll be sharing some of my responses to prompts on here!
Today's Journal Monday Writing Prompt: For the next fifteen minutes write about a short person you know in a fond manner.
Oh my. There's obviously no contest here. My favorite short person is the awkward yet ever amazing Susannah who writes at I'm That Weird Girl. While I adore many things about this lovely girl (far too many to list in 15 minutes), one of my favorite things is her impeccable taste in fiction. She shows her nerdiness by obsessing over an excellent selection of TV shows, movies, and books - Fringe, Sherlock, X-Men: First Class, and The Hobbit to name a few. Chances are if she likes it, I like it. And speaking of fiction, she's the Watson to my Sherlock... but that's another story.
I also love her creativity - she's what we call a craftaholic. But especially her fantastic drawing talents. As soon as she shares samples of her work on her blog, I promise you there will be shameless plugs here. Also, she can cook killer waffles. I should know.
In short (no pun intended...), Sus is amazing and without her, this blog wouldn't exist. Plus I wouldn't have anyone to share in my fictional obsessions. Also, her constant "I want to read your book!" inspires me to keep writing. My life is made more than a little brighter by her presence in it.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
― C.S. Lewis
Edited: As I told Susannah later, when I think of "short," two people come to mind: her and Martin Freeman. So she's in good company.
Today's Journal Monday Writing Prompt: For the next fifteen minutes write about a short person you know in a fond manner.
Oh my. There's obviously no contest here. My favorite short person is the awkward yet ever amazing Susannah who writes at I'm That Weird Girl. While I adore many things about this lovely girl (far too many to list in 15 minutes), one of my favorite things is her impeccable taste in fiction. She shows her nerdiness by obsessing over an excellent selection of TV shows, movies, and books - Fringe, Sherlock, X-Men: First Class, and The Hobbit to name a few. Chances are if she likes it, I like it. And speaking of fiction, she's the Watson to my Sherlock... but that's another story.
I also love her creativity - she's what we call a craftaholic. But especially her fantastic drawing talents. As soon as she shares samples of her work on her blog, I promise you there will be shameless plugs here. Also, she can cook killer waffles. I should know.
In short (no pun intended...), Sus is amazing and without her, this blog wouldn't exist. Plus I wouldn't have anyone to share in my fictional obsessions. Also, her constant "I want to read your book!" inspires me to keep writing. My life is made more than a little brighter by her presence in it.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
― C.S. Lewis
Edited: As I told Susannah later, when I think of "short," two people come to mind: her and Martin Freeman. So she's in good company.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! As an aspiring author, much of what I post will be drabbles or responses to writing prompts. But there will also be other content, such as book reviews, drawings and sketches, or random comments on life. Enjoy the journey and please feed the madness!
Why scribbleholic, you may be wondering? The name was suggested by my dear friend over at I'm That Weird Girl. She is very familiar with my fondness for creative writing; in fact, she's frequently urging me to write more and has often been the source of my inspiration. I affectionately refer to my writing attempts as scribbles and never go anywhere without a notebook and pencil. And so, with the help of her genius, the name was born.
Why scribbleholic, you may be wondering? The name was suggested by my dear friend over at I'm That Weird Girl. She is very familiar with my fondness for creative writing; in fact, she's frequently urging me to write more and has often been the source of my inspiration. I affectionately refer to my writing attempts as scribbles and never go anywhere without a notebook and pencil. And so, with the help of her genius, the name was born.
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