Nov 17 2008
Word Shot – 17 November, 2008
To those of you who participated in last week’s Word Shot, I have only one thing to say: awesome! Your generosity in sharing your work with the rest of us made for some good reading. Keep it up. Exercises like this will boost not only your writing ability but also your creativity.
If you haven’t read the submissions yet, click here and enjoy.
And now for this week’s Word Shot photo:
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at this? Now spend some time staring at it and see if something different comes to mind – perhaps something a bit more deep or complex … maybe even sinister. When those impressions come, write them down in the “Leave a Reply” area below this post. (There are magic boxes in all our lives. What does the magic box in your life hold?)
During the coming week, keep checking back to read what others have written.
Please don’t forget my bribe offer: If you participate in 10 Word Shots, I’ll e-mail you all three of my e-manuals free. Once you’ve submitted to a total of 10, let me know via e-mail and I’ll send you the manuals in PDF format.
Give it a shot! We all want to read your stuff.
PS. Stay tuned. Sometime this week I’m going to throw the first of another series of creativity-building writing exercises at you. I think I’ll call it the “What If …” Exercises. You’ll have fun with these.
I’ve really worked hard on my photography this year and I’m beginning to see results. I took this shot as one of a series for an advertising client who wanted a slightly different take for the front cover of his Christmas catalogue. It took a lot of time to get the lighting right - in some photos the light from the box was too dominant, in others it flooded the model’s face. But this photo? Well, it just seemed to jump out at me as the shot of the day. It captured exactly the feel of anticipation I was aiming for. I can’t wait to find out whether they will use it.
She closes the box, sits upright in the straight-backed kitchen chair and lets out a heavy sigh. The damned box contained exactly what she wanted. Now, her job was more difficult then before.
She dons her coat and hat, gathers the box and heads out into the chilly November evening…
The light coming from Pandora’s box was near-blinding, and yet she couldn’t take her eyes off of its contents. This was it. It was everything that she thought it would be and so much more. The light slowly enveloped her mind, destroying all that it contacted.
No, this was all wrong! It was a trick! And now it was too late to go back. She lost herself as the glowing tide washed through her.
A thud as her body hit the floor and the lid fell back into place on the box. The world was still not ready for its mysteries.
In the quiet of the midnight hours, I read the words in the aged book my grandfather had given me. The illumination of the words on the yellowed pages spoke to my wounded soul. My mind opened to the possibilities of a life I’d never imagined. I felt whole again.
Susie couldn’t believe it, Mr.Wandall wasn’t lying. And now, in her hands, was the fairy she was told about. How could he have gotten one? How could this be real? A million thoughts were steaming her mind but the aura of this fairy left her in complete peace. After a quick glance she quickly closed the box unsure of how much danger this creature could bring upon them.
Ahhh, at last I find it. Grandmother had hinted that the secret was in the library. I was but a small girl when I began searching. Now, when the time is right, just as she promised, it is in my hands.
Tomrrow is my wedding day. This object has been passed down from generation to generation. The first born girl child is entitled. Such a shame not to share with my sisters. I know they will need it. Alas I have no choice, I must hold to the covenant. If I do not, the power will fade and there will be no hope for future generations.
To my wonderful grandmother I can only say thank you. This medallion will enable me to control my husband for as long as I care to keep him. What power I hold. What a thrill it will be. Ah,,women are so fortunate.
Devine Light: My little Princess! I am pleased with you. You
were totally engrossed unto me. I can read
eagerness in your eyes. I am curious to know
about your curiosity. Order me my child. I
can show you each and every colour and
design of butterflies. I can show you all
undiscovered wonders of the world. I can
make you hear the sorrow songs of the
wasp locked in the lotus in the evening. I
can show you the unseen regions of the
fairy lands beyond the seven skies. I can
show you drowned sun into the sea. I can
take you there, where Gulliver could not
travel. Just tell me my dear. I can show you
everything beyond the possibilities.
Girl: My dad lives across the seven seas. He
misses me very much. I too as well! He
pretends to be happy. But I know he misses
me. Can you show me his face?
Devine Light: Of course my dear, I can. Have a look!
Girl: Please focus on his eyes.
Devine Light: Yes, darling!
Girl: I know you can show me any unseen things.
Can You show me his tears somewhere hidden
in his eyes. I want to wipe them with my
soothing words.
Devine Light: No, my princess! I can’t do that!
It is my 18th birthday and it finally starts to sink in, my grandmother is gone. It’s been only 4 days and I wonder how I’ll be able to enjoy my special day. Grandma has always been there for me, imparting her wisdom and sharing her happiness. How I miss her so. Mother finds me in my room, “Are you going to come down for your birthday dinner?” I descend the stairs to find the rest of my family waiting for me. We have a wonderful dinner with a beautiful cake Mother has made for dessert.
After dinner and dessert, Mother brings out a gift for me. It is a small box covered in red and white wrappings. She hands it to me, but there are no tags on the box. “Who is it from?” I ask. Mother tells me, “Just open it.” I open the box, just a bit at first, and peer inside. The light is so blinding. “What is it?” I think to myself. I reach in to take hold of whatever it is. My hand reaches around to every corner of the box and finds nothing. “Mother, I don’t understand. This light is beautiful, but there’s nothing there. What is it?” I ask. “Grandma left this special gift for you.” Then she hands me a card with my name on it. It’s in Grandma’s handwriting. “Maybe this will explain,” Mother says.
The card reads:
“Dear child,
In this plainly wrapped box, you will find the most precious of gifts. I give you this gift as my grandmother gave it to me on my 18th birthday, all those years ago. The beautiful light you see before you is very special. This is a box full of sunshine. You see darling child, when you encounter a rough time, all you need to get through is sunshine. Always remember that even when it’s raining, the sun is always there. Sometimes you just have to look beyond the dark clouds to feel its warmth.
So, if you are having a particularly rough day, just open this box and you will always see the sunshine to remind you to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. And when the sun is high in the sky, when you feel its warmth against your cheek, remember that you are loved. Remember this and your box of sunshine will help you through whatever troubles you may encounter.
I love you, dear granddaughter. It is your time to shine! Use this gift and remember to let your light shine on everyone you meet. Remember that I will always be with you!
All my love, Grandma”
The crazy old man who had magical powers warned me not to open the “Evil Box of Death.” But he was crazy, so I decided to open it anyways. Now everybody in Heaven hates me because I was the one responsible for blowing up the universe.
Peering into the box
She saw the moment of her birth
As she gazed upon the light in the box,
she she knew all at once
She saw light.
And More Light
She saw bare feet
and gone-to-seed dandelions
She saw a pre-pubescent pony-tailed tree climbing tomboy
picking dandelions and blowing their seeds into the air
spreading dandelion cheer
She saw stray cats giving birth
to kittens in her back yard,
and cardboard-box beds lined with towels
She saw ground hog holes
and forts made with abandoned wood
and tents and and flashlights
and fireflies
She saw moonlight
and midnight kickball games
And she saw years
and books
and sketches of horses
She saw calligraphy sets and collages
and the Guinness Book of World Records
She saw the Loch-Ness Monster and Big Foot
She saw Moccasins
and Earth shoes
peace signs and turquoise
She saw Bare Feet
She heard Cat Stevens
and Bruce Springsteen
and the Grateful Dead
She felt the comfort of an oversized sweater
And arms surrounding her
She saw Communication Text Books
and Essays
and Poems
and Bare feet
She saw the pearl puckered sleeves
of a wedding dress
and a Dalmatian puppy
and baby booties, and breast feeding
She saw Dr. Seuss
and Sesame Street
Captain Underpants and Rugrats
She saw SUVs and broken bones.
She saw tears
Many tears
She saw tricycles and Bicycles,
skates and Lacrosse sticks.
She saw a 16 year old Dalmatian, on his side on the floor
She saw tears
She saw Diplomas.
And Cars
And She saw more tears
And then she saw trees again
and trails.
books and books and more books
Hiking Boots
and Bare feet
She saw hunting dogs and streams
She saw blogs and Writing conferences
and collages
and Apple lap tops
and contests
She saw light
Lots and lots of light
And she was back home
at the moment of her birth
Barefoot and Free
Full again with possibility
And Being
What all along
She was meant to be