Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

A funny author 2

Wednesday story time again. Last week we left Robert and Charlotte after Robert discovered the person he was talking to was not Bob’s mother but Charlotte. I know all this seems a bit confusing but I think Charlotte can straighten it out for us. Let’s go to her and continue where we left off. You’ll recall Robert was so confused that he used Charlotte’s favorite expression, “Oh my gosh.”

“Don’t be too confused Robert it is quite simple really.”

“Maybe simple for you but I’m totally in the dark as to what is going on.”

“Robert you are an alter ego of Bobs.”

“What does that mean?”

“Bob made you up to cope with the life he could not control.”

“How could that be? I’m right here. I’m not made up.”

“Trust me for a minute. Bob used you to fight his battles and wanted you to hurt his mother. The problem you have right now is Bob didn’t give you any information about he was believing I was his mother when in fact I’m not.”

“You say this is simple. I still don’t understand.”

“Okay let me try another path. If you were sent to pick up a package at the store and no one told you what the package looked like you would grab any old thing.”

“Okay, I’m beginning to understand. Bob has in his head you as his mother.”

“Right.”

“Why did he do that?”

“Because he is a little ill and has delusions.”

“Damn. I could have hurt you.”

“That is true, but it didn’t happen.”

“Charlotte?”

“Yes, Robert.”

“It’s Bob. I told Robert to take five.”

“How are you, Bob?”

“Real sorry right now.”

“Why?”

“I thought I had Robert all squared away to get rid of you and he failed.”

“Bob?”

“You know I’m Charlotte right?”

“Yes, Charlotte I know who you are. You’re my mother.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

a Take-a-Great-Author-Photo-e1362069568847

 

It is Wednesday story time again. Last week we were all shocked to see Bob lose it and attack Charlotte. It does not take a psychology degree to see that Bob is losing his grip on reality. In addition to his outburst, he has transferred his problems with his mother to Charlotte. We last left Charlotte asking Bob to let her go since she is having trouble breathing. We need to get back there.

“Bob, please. I think I’m going to pass out.”

“Okay, mommy I’ll give you an opportunity that you never gave me. There is that better?”

“Oh yes, Bob. Much better. Your hand was cutting off my air. Now that you have removed it from my neck I can breathe.”

“Don’t try to run though. We have a lot to talk about.”

“You seem calmer, Bob. How do you feel?”

“I’m not sure. I feel dizzy.”

“You have had an episode, Bob. You may be coming out of it.”

“Charlotte how did you get here? Where is my mom? She was here, and I wanted to kill her.”

“I know Bob. You thought I was your mother.”

“That’s not possible. How is that possible?”

“I’m not big on psychology, but I think the term is transference. You transfer some of your hatred to your mother, and then she became manifest in me.”

“W-wait what?”

“Forget it Bob. You had a spell is all.”

“Look at your bruised neck. Did I hurt you?”

“You did Bob. I thought you were going to kill me.”

“Oh, Charlotte I need to go away. I wouldn’t want to hurt you. You’re my friend.”

“I know Bob. Here sit by me. You look flushed. Let me feel your head. Oh my goodness, you are burning up. Here lay down. I’m going to get a cold cloth.”

“Don’t go away.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, I’ll be laying here. I’m going to close my eyes.”

“Bob get up.”

W-wha? Who’s that?’

“Your mother of course. Why are you so stupid sometimes.”

“Oh, my gosh. Where’s Charlotte?”

“How the hell would I know? Here’s your cloth you sissy.”

 

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

a ten thigs

 

Wednesday Story day and last week Charlotte learns Bob is seeing a psychologist and hasn’t told him about not being welcome at home. Charlotte is understandably confused by this revelation.  Let’s go back and see what ole Bob has up his sleeve next. I have to let you know it will not be a pretty sight.

“Why haven’t you told your psychologist that your mother doesn’t want you at home?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I guess because he can’t do much about it.”

“He might be able to help you some of the feelings.”

“What feelings? I don’t care to be where I’m not wanted.”

“But Bob this has to make you angry.”

“Why?”

“Well, for one thing your own mother is locking you out of the house and should not be doing that to you.”

“Aw, who cares? She is busy with all those guys and who in the hell wants to stay around that crap.”

“See you sound angry.”

“I’m not the least bit angry. I just don’t care about her life is all.”

“She’s your mother, Bob. You should care.”

“Who told you to get on my back about this? Oh, that’s right I keep forgetting you are on that bitch’s payroll. What’s the matter, Charlotte? You afraid of losing some of your blood money?”

“Bob. I’m just trying to help.”

“Of course you are Charlotte. You are just trying to help yourself. How much does she pay you anyway?”

“I don’t think that’s important.”

“What’s important then? You’re butting your damn nose into my business. Is that important? Huh? Answer me Charlotte. Is that want’s important?”

“Bob you need to calm down.”

“Sure calm down and eat more shit. Is that it Charlotte?”

“Bob. I’m going to ask you to leave if you can’t get a hold of yourself.”

“Sure, mommy Charlotte. Sure I’ll get out of your house so you can mess around with someone who you like more. That’s what you want isn’t it. How about I take care of you so no one will find you attractive enough? Huh, mommy? Is that what you want?”

“Bob. Please let go. You’re hurting me.”

“You tramp. You don’t think you’ve hurt me all these years?”

“Bob I’m Charlotte, not your mother. I care for you.”

“Yeah I’m sure you care, and that’s what has me so wanting to punch you in the face. A money-grubbing bitch cares for me, and my own mother hates me.”

“Bob. Please, Bob, I can’t breathe. Bob, please let go. We can talk. Bob?”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

a workaholic

Friday is here, and we all are glad to welcome the day as the gateway to the weekend. It is a great day in the week since it is Saturday eve. Only a few more hours and the hard work for this week can be behind us. That is unless you are one of those souls who can’t let it go for a couple of days. We all know who you are. If you are not working, you think your foot will fall off or something. You are a group of obsessive overachievers I have to excuse myself from this group even though I never stop working.I’m a writer, and we know writers are allowed to obsess over the never-ending task of writing. For the rest of you there seems to be some logic in taking some time off. Go ahead, remove your shoes and lay that computer down. After all, none of you will be on your deathbed saying,”my only regret is I couldn’t work more.” Today is the first day of the rest of your life (where the hell did that come from?), and you need to get started on a new objective to smell roses. I realize you can’t just stop. The withdrawal might be harsh enough to kill you. Maybe you can take baby steps. Try this

1. Put down the notebook and phone.

2. Go outside. (Yes outside with all the heat and bugs)

3. Find a flower. (You’ll recognize it by the fact it is in the ground)

4. Lean over and inhale through your nose like you are in a Pilates class.

5. Run quickly back into the house and congratulate yourself on completing the first rose smelling exercise. Next time we will try to find a rose.

Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) is about smelling the roses.

Rose by John W. Howell © 2015

Work is a blessing,

For the purpose fulfilling. . .

But not as a life.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

a ShutterstockTypewriter2

Wednesday story day again. Last week we left Bob worried about someone stealing his work. Charlotte asked him to trust her, but it became plain that Bob did not believe her since she was working for his mother. Let’s go back to see what Charlotte has to say about this latest revelation (Should have called this series The Guiding Light of Writing)

“Bob. I am shocked you would think because your mother hired me I would not have your best interests at heart.”

“I’m sure you have a heart, but I always follow the money.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whoever is paying the tab can order the kind of pizza.”

“Huh?”

“Okay, lousy metaphor. I mean that when you are taking money from a person you owe that person a certain amount of loyalty.”

“Bob this is absurd. Your mother has paid me to see you get published. What the hell is wrong with that?”

“I don’t see how taking my mother’s money doesn’t make you beholden to her.”

“I am not beholden to anyone. She pays me to do what is best for you.”

“She doesn’t ask you for special favors?”

“Like what?”

“Like just getting me published no matter what.”

“She did say that and I told her I wouldn’t do it.”

“Wouldn’t get me published?”

“No, you idiot. I said I wouldn’t do anything that would make you a laughingstock of the writing world. I’m beginning to think I’m not the right person to continue this project.”

“Wait why do you say that kind of thing?”

“Oh, my gosh Bob. You are the most frustrating person. You have done nothing but bust my chops since we started and I’m tired.”

“Gee Charlotte. I didn’t realize I was such a pain.”

“Look at yourself Bob. You come in with some handwritten piece of crap. Then you say you have some writing in your head which you don’t want to be stolen. You accuse me of being on the take with your mother. Argggg, Why go on.”

“Charlotte?”

“What.”

“You okay?”

“Who cares?”

“I do. I didn’t mean to be such a shit.”

“Ah, good word Bob. Might even be your middle name.”

“Can we start over?”

“Over? What do you mean.”

“Hi I’m Bob and I want to be a writer.”

“You kill me, Bob. Yes, Bob, my name is Charlotte, and I can teach you to be a writer.”

“Hi, Charlotte.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Ten Things Not to Do at Graduation Time

The inspiration for this list is the fact that it is graduation season. When you think of all the graduations that are being held in the US alone, you realize the potential exists that these ten things occur with similar results. I hope you enjoy the list and can manage to avoid them.

a graduation

 

Ten Things Not to Do at Graduation Time

10 If you are a graduate, do not put something dumb on your mortar. If you do, at best even if your family sees you they will not want to admit you belong to them. At worst the picture taken of your message will go viral and will show up every time someone searches your name on Google including prospective employers.

9 If you are a parent of a graduate, do not blow any type of horn when your child receives their diploma. If you do, at best you will cause your kid to want to find another home. At worst, that big over trained guy in front of you is fighting a hangover and will help you stow your horn where you will not want it stored.

8 If you are a speaker at a graduation, do not tell the graduates that the world is looking to them for salvation. If you do, at best your cliché will remind everyone just how out of it you are. At worst, your words will be quoted in some satirical publications who will point out just how many times graduating classes heard the same words throughout the millennium.

7 If your graduate has decided to skip the ceremony, do not fight the decision. If you do, at best your child will make attending the ceremony sound like parental abuse. At worst the child will attend with something dumb written on the mortar to the tune of “my parents made me do this,” and you can expect the message broadcasted worldwide.

6 If your family is experiencing a graduation, do not think this is indicates your job as a parent is complete. If you do, at best you will be surprised by requests for help as like commences. At worst, you will need counseling to overcome the feeling of failure as your child s to move into your spare room.

5 If you are the graduation ceremony organiser, do not think everything will run smoothly because of your careful planning. If you do at best, you will be unprepared when something goes wrong, and there is a long period where no one can hear the speaker. At worst, you will not know what to do with a thousand Champaign corks bouncing off the facility and school officials even though you banned the presence of alcohol at the ceremony.

4 If you are holding a graduation party, do not leave your house even though you trust your loving child to be trustworthy and in control. If you do, at best a few more guests who were not expected will attend with little consequence. At worst, the state police will looking for you to help fund the fire department, EMS and SWAT team expenses that were incurred to break up the party and put out the fire destroying yours and two neighbor houses

3 If you have a graduate, do not over do the gift. If you do, at best your child will expect a similar prize for other accomplishments. At worst, someday it will need to be replaced and the words about the child being on their own when you gave the gift are forgotten.

2 If you are attending a graduation ceremony, do not treat the event as if it is a football game. If you do, at best you will get strange looks when you enter the stand with the team colors and jersey. At worst, you will get a lot of people wanting to buy the bratwurst you are grilling at your tailgate gathering.

1 If you have a graduate, do not keep telling them how amazed you are that they made it through school. If you do, at best they will think you did not have faith in their abilities. At worst, you will give the child a complex that will be manifest in the longing for a career in fast food service as a grill person.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

 

a Edit-a-Manuscript-Step-4

Wednesday story day already and we are knee-deep in the story of Charlotte and Bob. Last week Charlotte got a taste of Bob’s story telling ability when she asked for a little more to be added to the first chapter. Bob gave some detail off the top of his head and she was amazed. He told her he had a lot more he could share. When she asked to see it he told her it was still in his head. We got a sense Charlotte was ready to go over the edge. Rejoining them now.

“Why is your story still in your head Bob?”

“To be honest Charlotte I didn’t want to lose it or have anyone steal it.”

“Who’s going to steal it?”

“Oh come on. There are so many TV shows that would love to get their hands on my story.”

“Okay, Bob if that’s what you believe why write down the rest of the chapters?”

“ The rest is useless without the beginning.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Go ahead read the first line of the second chapter.”

“Why don’t you read it to me? It’s yours after all.”

“Yeah, good. It won’t make a bit of sense without the first chapter.”

“Try it.”

“Okay. Ahem. Here goes. There doesn’t seem to be any reason I’m sitting in this funeral home listening to my family discussing how to bury me.”

“I think you may have a point. The reader needs to understand the guy walked off the building.”

“Told ya.”

“So let’s get the story written and then work on the publication.”

“How do I guard against theft?”

“Let me worry about that problem. No one is going to see the manuscript until I show it to them.”

“Who’s going to watch you?”

“Oh, my gosh Bob. You have to trust me.”

“My mother hired you right?”

“Yes, Bob.”

“Enough said.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

 

A big building

 

Wednesday Story Day is here again. Last week we left Charlotte having as she has for some time a moment of concern about what Bob has written. She reads his first chapter that is “He stepped off the ledge and could see the end was near.” We can rejoin the two and see what happens next.

“Why do you say ‘Oh my gosh.’ Is it that good?”

“Well Bob; let me put it this way. Your first chapter pretty much tells the reader that the character described is going to die.”

“Yes that’s correct. He was on top of a building and he decided to end it all.”

“So we need to move to the second chapter to see what happens.”

“Yes. This is what I call a hook.”

“I can understand that Bob but a hook needs to be a little more than an ending of life. There has to be a little more about the character so the reader will care about moving to chapter two.”

“Well the rest of the book is a flashback and the story comes out there.”

“That can be effective. It does smack of a screenplay though.”

“You think so. I hope to sell this to a producer.”

“Well, maybe you could put a little more in the first chapter.”

“Like what?”

“Well, how does the character feel? Did he arrive by car? Does he live in the building? You know some points of interest.”

“I see what you’re saying. So I should put in something to build up to the jump?”

“I think so.”

“How about this? With shaking hands he cupped the lighter against the wind and took a long pull at the cigarette. Filling his lungs with smoke his head got a click lighter than where the three drinks he gulped down before leaving his apartment left him. On unsteady legs he ambled toward the edge of the roof. Looking out over the city his eyes overflowed at the thought of never seeing this view again. Blinking to clear his vision he stepped over the low protection and stood near the edge of the roof shaking with fear. Another deep drag of the cigarette provided reason to double think his decision to jump. Of course, it was too late to go back, and he is to honor the commitment . Today it is necessary to be the last day of his life, and there was no turning back.”

“Oh, my gosh. Now you are talking.”

“I have more.”

“Let’s see it.”

“It’s still in my head.”

“Of course it is.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

a typewriter

Wednesday story day again. Last week we left Charlotte and Bob as Charlotte got the news that Bob has a real book he wrote on a word processor. The only problem that caused Charlotte some concern was Bob has not written the first chapter. Charlotte went out for a glass of water and it now back. Let’s go back as well.

“Charlotte how was the water?”

“Just what I needed Bob. Now, what’s this about you not having written the first chapter of your book.”

“It’s easy really. I started the book at the second chapter.”

“I’m confused. How do you know it is the second chapter? Why can’t it be the first?”

“Oh, Miss Charlotte. Don’t you think the author knows if the second chapter is the second and not the first?”

“Well, I suppose─.”

“In fact there is no one more qualified to know a first chapter from a second than the person writing the book.”

“Okay, Bob. I’ll give it to you. Let’s just start with the second chapter.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t? Why not?”

“You won’t understand what is going on without the first chapter.”

“Okay, let’s take a breath for a minute. Again I have to wonder why you didn’t write the first chapter first.”

“It was an experiment.”

“An experiment?”

“Yes. Everyone starts their book with the first chapter. I just wanted to see if I could complete the book without it.”

“So you have.”

“Yup and now it’s time to write the first chapter.”

“Dear God. How long will that take?”

“Not long. In fact, I’ve done it in my head.”

“Your head?”

“Let me write it down for you. Here this is the first chapter. Read it aloud.”

“Chapter one. He stepped off the ledge and could see the end was near.”

“Cool huh?”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

a writer sign

 

Wednesday story day again. Last week we learned Bob was continually ignored by his mother as she seemed to be more interested in men than in bob. Charlotte also discovered Bob was only trying to get her to quit on him with the handwritten manuscript idea. The idea would be he would be back to trying to get his mother’s attention. He has another book which he has written on his computer. Let’s get back to the duo.

“So Bob you have another book and you wrote it using a keyboard?”

“Yes, Charlotte. It’s over one hundred Thousand words.”

“What is the genre?”

“It’s a thriller. By the way, I thought you would have been put off by that other book. Even the title was something I thought you would catch.”

“The title. What to you mean. My Struggle seems pretty straight forward.”

“Adolf Hitler wrote a book titled Mein Kampf. Translated from German means My Struggle. I was sure you would question me on that one.”

“Well, Bob my job is to somehow get you published not find out how not to get you published.”

“I can see that now. You are very dedicated.”

“I don’t think it is fair to drop a student. I can certainly empathize with you after talking to your mother.”

“Yeah, she doesn’t much care what I do as long as stay out of her hair.”

“Bob, let’s talk about your book.”

“Okay.”

“What is the title?”

“Little Women.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

“I’m just playing with you, it’s titled Consequence of Childhood.”

“Nice title. What is it about?”

“This guy becomes a big business person only to accused of money laundering and he loses everything.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“You think so?”

“I do. Let’s have a look at the first chapter.”

“Well, that’s a problem since I haven’t written it yet.”

“Wait let me get some water before you explain this one further.”