Monday, March 31, 2008

Author, Author


When I was in high school, I used to write stories centered around Heath from the television show The Big Valley. (I still write Heath stories, but that's my little secret. Go here if you want to read them) I'd be in the library during study hall writing, and my friends would gather around the table and grab each loose leaf sheet as it was written. They'd pass the paper around the table to one another and yell at me to hurry up with the next page.

I was going to be an author. I even had a pen name all picked out. D. W. Dickson. In college, my freshman English class was more about creative writing than how to write a term paper. The class was taught by a grad student, and she just loved what I cranked out. Either that or she didn't want to hurt my feelings. All my papers were marked with accolades and attagirls. I was going to write the great American novel, and skyrocket to the NY Times best sellers list for a gazillion weeks.

I signed up to take a serious writer's class, a craft class. Prospective students had to submit a sample of work which would be evaluated for admission to the class. I turned in my best piece. I was sure I was going to get into this class. Maybe have all my work used as examples of good writing.

A reality check kicked in, and I received my submission back with a note from the professor. He said my baby was ugly. No seat for me. Ouch, Ceej, want some ice for that burn? I coulda been a contendah. Oh, don't feel sorry for me. He was right. The writing was nothing but drivel, and my head was so big I had to wear two cowboy hats.

Today, I was gathering items to go on the dream portion of the altered doll. I wrote out the label author, but it looked so dull. I decided I could make a tiny book. Cut a 1" x 2" scrap of cardstock, fold in half and voilá instant little book. It still looked dull. What to do, what to do?

Just for kicks, I made a book cover using Paint Shop Pro, and my favorite Heath story. Just too funny. So, how do you spell procrastination? PSP

3 comments:

  1. Love it, D.W....and isn't it time you wrote some more???? Some of us are WAITING and trying so hard not to NAG, but the urge is overtaking us....

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  2. I hate to think of life with out your procrastination!

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  3. So you let ONE person tell you that you couldn't be a writer. Not good--not good. I love your stories and not to NAG or anything----LOL--couldn't you play with words instead of paint??

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