Today, write about anything — but you must write for exactly ten minutes, no more, no less.
OK, to get this new week off and running, I’m going to kick-start my writing by following the prompt above. It’s something I haven’t done in quite some time, and I feel the need to try it on this gray and still-wintry April morning.
The weekend, as usual, flew right on by, but it was still one that kept me busy. Following Friday’s visit to the doctor for a follow-up after my recent echo test, I relaxed and proceeded to get on with feeling OK about things—at least for now.
I find it very hard to focus or accomplish much writing when I have “stuff” on my mind—“stuff” such as doctor appointments! But, in the end, those kinds of worries never seem to turn out as bad as my mind led me to believe they would. Perhaps I need a shrink instead of a cardiologist!
Saturday morning was our men’s book club. We discussed a very interesting one titled How We Got to Now by Stephen Johnson. It was a rather easy one to read, as I managed to do so all within three days.
I particularly enjoyed the overall premise that when something is invented or devised, other things—totally unrelated—spring forth. For example, the Gutenberg Bible/printing press creating a need for glass and, eventually, reading glasses. It’s something the author described as “The Hummingbird Effect.”
Sunday was church and then a trip back to our former town for another book club, this time our friends’ couples group. The book there was H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald, and though we all read it, there wasn’t much enthusiasm for it.
What’s in store for this week?
Plans for the next phases of yard work—removing the chicken wire and stakes from around the bushes, mowing, bringing up the deck furniture from the basement, edging and trimming, etc., are all on “hold” for the time being.
That is, at least until the weather warms up enough for us to be outside without heavy coats and mukluks. (Just kidding about the mukluks!)
This Thursday is our grandsons’ school Open House for Grandparents, so I’ll make my annal visit to their school and enjoy seeing their classrooms and meeting their teachers. It’s always fun to see them in another setting other than familiar hearth and home.
Friday morning will find me leaving very early for Ohio for a quick visit to my mom’s and my sister and her husband’s. I’ll be back sometime Sunday afternoon.
As the week wears on, I won’t have much time to keep up with my many blogging friends nor reply to their wonderful posts.
But I’ll do as much as time will permit, since I’ve decided that my writing time needs to be devoted to Sandbar’s Secret.
Right now, my ten minutes are up. This little exercise was good, and it’s amazing what one can write in ten minutes.
Have a good week, all!
Down Many Roads... 
Hope everything is fine with the cardiologist visit. And I hope you have good weather when you visit Ohio. We’ve had teases of spring, only to have it snatched away again!
Thanks, Carrie. A heart murmur being checked on and monitored, a valve thing, remnants of that rheumatic fever I was blessed with when I was a youngster way back when! Nothing critical at this point. I will return for another one of those echo tests in September. Ah, the joys of senior citizenship! 🙂
Exactly 10 minutes. Perfect.
You are so right! I think I’m going to follow the “10-minute ” time limit from now on. The words seemed to flow right out. And that’s usually the hardest part. 😊
I’m glad to hear you’re keeping up with that heart murmur, Mark. Enjoy your time with your mother and sister…drive safe!
Thank you, Jill. It will be a quick, but good, trip out there. 😊
Hi Mark, I hope you’re feeling okay. Since I’ve started writing to prompts, it’s really helped my writing and made me feel so much more creative. Think it’s such a good exercise when you’re working on a novel to take a break from it and freshen the mind a little! I have the opposite problem – need to get back to my fledgling novel. Don’t know why it’s such a daunting task but I’m determined to finish it even if it’s no good. That’s my next goal! Have a great week, Mark 🙂
Hi, Mary. Thank you for checking in. I’m beginning to agree that writing prompts are a great way to “kick start” most writing projects. As you seem to be, I’m also suffering from that “reluctance” to get back to my novel in progress. For some reason, I just haven’t been able to put forth a concerted effort to move the thing to a decent conclusion. But, as I’ve been told, it will do so when the time is right. Our goals are similar, though, in our determination to finish–for better or worse! Here’s to a great rest-of-the-week and weekend ahead for you, too. 🙂
Thanks, Mark. I think you’re a rather more experienced novel writer than me! I’d love to read one of yours… I feel as if I’m floundering in the dark a little with this. Need to just sit down and get on with it.. my focus for next week! 🙂
I’m still learning all the time. I’d be happy to help however I can. 😊
Thanks, Mark. Might have to ask you a few things.. 🙂