All he ever wanted to do stared up at him. The acceptance letter was like a thunderous storm ravaging his chest. Shards of anxiety like lightening bolts.
The Writer in Residence contract stated “MUST teach two adult learning classes at community centre. MUST mentor at high school. MUST speak at local library”.
He would reach out to the Literary Club he met with. They knew how shy and reserved he was. Speaking in front of people was his nemesis. They would help him.
Determined to live his dream, the chest pains subsided. The horizon’s light dissolving the inner storm.
The Writer in Residence contract stated “MUST teach two adult learning classes at community centre. MUST mentor at high school. MUST speak at local library”.
He would reach out to the Literary Club he met with. They knew how shy and reserved he was. Speaking in front of people was his nemesis. They would help him.
Determined to live his dream, the chest pains subsided. The horizon’s light dissolving the inner storm.
    |     |     |
This is not a story based on last week's prompt. I originally wrote a 99 Word Story in April of 2016 entitled Storm Within. That’s right, I have been writing and submitting these condensed stories since then. Actually, it was 2015 when I stepped outside my comfort zone to send off my first story.
I haven’t made any changes to the original other than give it a new title, Arguing With the Storm. Oh, and a new pictures. This title seems to be more fitting since, in general, we tend to debate with ourselves over things that broil and boil in our brain until we are either comfortable with what is needed or wanted of us; or, we have decided there is no need to proceed based on the nauseous feeling in the pit of our stomach when we consider doing it.
It’s been a journey, and I have come a long way. Well, I think I have. In the beginning, after I had written Moon Rising: An Eclectic Collection of Words, if someone said to me, “So, you have written a book.” My reply was, “Yes,” and I would move the subject away from the book and mostly away from me.
Talking one on one or in front of a room full of people is still not my first choice for promotion because I am a shy person. There are those who might disagree, yet, they will also be the ones who have known me for a long while. Being comfortable around them is all it takes, it would seem.
Fast forward a decade, and talking about the books I have published—ten, and there will be at least one more in 2023, and possibly two, to make twelve, I find myself talking about my books and enjoy doing so. I’m sure this comes from being comfortable with them and the process I travel taking them from conception to finish.
I now realize, that by hitting the send button all those years ago, when I first got involved with the CRLC, I was actually conquering some of the head butting I was having with my nemesis—promoting myself and, ultimately, the books I write. I had found a comfort zone in sharing my flash fiction writing with like-minded people that helped. It’s only fitting that I thank them for the gentle push they gave me to quit arguing with the (shy person) storm within.
I haven’t made any changes to the original other than give it a new title, Arguing With the Storm. Oh, and a new pictures. This title seems to be more fitting since, in general, we tend to debate with ourselves over things that broil and boil in our brain until we are either comfortable with what is needed or wanted of us; or, we have decided there is no need to proceed based on the nauseous feeling in the pit of our stomach when we consider doing it.
It’s been a journey, and I have come a long way. Well, I think I have. In the beginning, after I had written Moon Rising: An Eclectic Collection of Words, if someone said to me, “So, you have written a book.” My reply was, “Yes,” and I would move the subject away from the book and mostly away from me.
Talking one on one or in front of a room full of people is still not my first choice for promotion because I am a shy person. There are those who might disagree, yet, they will also be the ones who have known me for a long while. Being comfortable around them is all it takes, it would seem.
Fast forward a decade, and talking about the books I have published—ten, and there will be at least one more in 2023, and possibly two, to make twelve, I find myself talking about my books and enjoy doing so. I’m sure this comes from being comfortable with them and the process I travel taking them from conception to finish.
I now realize, that by hitting the send button all those years ago, when I first got involved with the CRLC, I was actually conquering some of the head butting I was having with my nemesis—promoting myself and, ultimately, the books I write. I had found a comfort zone in sharing my flash fiction writing with like-minded people that helped. It’s only fitting that I thank them for the gentle push they gave me to quit arguing with the (shy person) storm within.
| Ann Edall-Robson Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience.” |
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