Storytelling: Looking for Inspiration in the Everyday

by | Oct 12, 2011 | Blog, General | 8 comments

I am a firm believer that stories are everywhere.

But sometimes – and more recently – oftentimes… life gets so full, or chaotic, or stressful… the stories are hard to see.

Writer’s block exacerbated by life chaos?

Perhaps.

I wonder, though, if it is more a general mind-block… Mental (or creative) constipation, if you will.

How’s THAT for a metaphor?

So. In an effort to combat this “mental/creative constipation”, I woke up one morning with the decision to keep my eyes open for these stories I am convinced are unfolding before my eyes. The day started out with Plan B in regards to school transportation. Had Plan B not been necessary… I would not have had to drive through town first thing in the morning. And I would not have seen this:

Eggnog! There is rejoicing in all the land!!!

Did ya’ll just hear the Heavens break forth in praise?!!!

Had I not seen that sign, due to Plan B… I might have missed out on this:

eggnog latte with my man

Due to a late jury duty reporting time, my husband and I crammed in a short coffee date.He had to go do his civic duties and I had to hit the girls’ school to help with flashcards, paper cutting and other classroom helping things.

Side note: school sized paper cutters are not efficient for me.

Had I not traded a couple hours of my kid-free work time for helping in classrooms I’d have missed out on things like high-fiving a class of 4th graders as they headed to computer lab… I’d have missed out on the high-ten from a girl as I told her she passed all her multiplication sets, and I’d have missed the ‘fawning over the striped colors in my hair at first grade lunch.

I forgot how much first grade girls like my hair, even with my pink/red streaks gone. I quote, “I just think you have really beautiful hair…” followed by an audible sigh.

*love*

Oh, and had I not gone to school I’d have missed seeing these:

I love Fall.

They won’t be full of firey color for long. Honestly, I could just stare at the colors for hours. The changing trees remind me of my great-grandma. I miss her. I think she would have gotten such a kick out of my kids. I think Lucy has her eyes…

Then there was the part of the day…

*abrupt shift*

…I went to a local superstore to find candy corn and just ONE BAR of the most delightful candy bar on all the earth:

Chuao Firecracker Dark Chocolate Bar

 

Oh have mercy. You don’t have to eat much of this to be satisfied. All kinds of kick and pop and awesome live in there.

BUT THEY WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. I stood in the new, downsized “fine chocolates” section and just stood there with my mouth covered in disbelief.

I was also looking for candy corn to put in here:

Where I want the candycorn to go

I think it’d be super cute, and I don’t like to eat candy corn, so there’s win all over that.

EXCEPT THE STORE HAD NO CANDY CORN. SO WIN FAIL.

Like, isn’t that a pre-halloween crime or something???

The End.

Almost… Are you convinced? Do you believe there are stories happening all around? Do you have any tips or tricks or insight into breaking though creative constipation writer’s block? Do you know where I can find candy corn?

candybar photo: yumsugar

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