One Is For Sorrow
by Angela L. F. Coleman
He says the storyline must focus on one solitary crow flying through the bare branches of a tree and, from what one can only surmise, through the sky of King Winter himself.
He says, after I’ve already written over 500 words, that there is a cap of 250 words. So, as I begin the process of editing, perched on the branch just above the roof top where I live, the crow is patient.
“What do you want from me, black crow?” I say, sotto voce through the frost that clings to the window in front of my writing table.
“Caw. Caw.” And without so much as a shiver, he screams it again, “Caw, Caw.”
As my words have now dwindled down to a mere 184, I glance out the window where the crow has begun his flight through the night, and as I walk out the door, the screen on my writing table flickers. Not exactly a surrendering surprise. The prospect of any resemblance of comprehension is lost on those that even make the slightest attempt. One does not attempt to comprehend. One either does or one does not.
If I didn’t know better I’d say the ’words’ were having a bit of a snort at my expense. I will not beleaguer further this subject.
“Caw”
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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29 comments:
Hahaha... very cleverly done.
Many of us might have gone through the same process of overdoing the number of words and then sitting down for the ever-so-difficult task of editing. Sigh...so tough to delete words you've so lovingly written.
Nice one. :-) Liked it.
:)
Liked it. It was an enjoyable read and very clever to combine the writing process itself with the prompt.
Nicely done.
That last Caw.... was it the only word available to complete 250???
*grins*
Geese,and I had to work to get up to a mere 200 words.
Unusual...and lovely!
We've all been there Angela. CAW! indeed!
That was cool! Completely different! Great job!
Too true ;-)
Well you get all our sympathy votes now.
We've all been there. :)
No one can take away your points for originality. :D
Ah. A story for the writer. Excellent!
A pretty good description of writer's block...
word verification: purevels
what justis cat seeks out and destroys, lolz
I too have a frost-lined window by my writing desk. I love it - so Dickensian!
you prolly went TADA! after finishing this! :D
great take on the prompt...and the way it wraps up is grand to say the least!
Mithun Mukherjee.
Oh that was so neatly unexpected!
Very witty!!
do, or not do... there is no try! ;)
Very tongue in cheek take! This made me grin.
Very different.
That flicker threw me for a minute.
Yeah!!! Only 250!!!! No fair!!!
The most original perspective yet. Thoroughly enjoyed that!
You listening Jason?...;-)
Four Dinners, yes.
;)
I know I've read well over 1000 comments by now.
Ha!
I think we can all relate.
Interesting.
Definately different, enjoyed every bit too
LOL! Love a bit of self-reference. Nice work.
i expected at least one entry with this concept. thankfully there is no cap on the comments :)
I don't know so much about writer's block. Seems to me that I'm getting reader's block. I'm still scrolling downward, making my way through all the entries. Your story has brought me back to reality, back to the task at hand.
AHAHAHAH! Nice one! Thanks for the levity. I like your sense of humor.
:-)
Are you a singer Angela? The sotto voce reference made me wonder...
I loved this piece actually. My first piece, (I wrote 3, submitted the last), was also about writing this piece. Not as inventive as yours tho, I love this.
Dear Entrants #1-105,
I have read your pieces so that I can fairly participate in the Readers' Choice vote. (I read all of them through last week, before I started commenting.) I will be coming back around to offer my keep/tweak comment, but I didn't want anyone to snark.
Cheers,
Aerin (#236)
BTW, it's perfectly fine if you still want to snark, but this way you can choose a more appropriate subject, like the Golden Globes or those wretched Old Navy dummies.
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