Fiction Tidbit

My writing group is always encouraging me to write more fiction. I've dabbled in some character sketches, a couple of short stories, but I generally don't get too invested. Sometimes I think it's because I'm not into writing fiction, and other times I think I may be afraid I'm not any good at writing fiction. Recently, I wrote about my high school friend who the writing group thought would make a great fictional character. I might experiment with her eventually. But tonight I was out at Barnes & Noble. Yes, an actual book store still exists in our town. My husband needed a gift, and he was browsing. I already have too many partially started books I'm having trouble making time for, so naturally, like a compass pointing north, I ran right to the journals. This is my favorite spot in the bookstore. Truth is, I purchase most of my reading books online. In the bookstore however, I can pick up the journals, flip through the pages, and hold it. I can tell if I would enjoy writing in it. Heaven knows I need another writing journal like I need a hole in the head. But like my husband says about toilet paper, you can't have too much because it will eventually get used!

I happened upon a red journal I had to pick up. "Complete the story," it said on the cover. I had to know if this was inspiration to write stories, or if it was literally a complete-the-story journal. I opened the cover and riffled the pages. On each one there was a story starter, and I read a couple. I closed it and held onto the book while I thought about whether or not to buy it. I put it back on the shelf. Then my dad, who was standing with me waiting for my husband said, "That's pretty neat." My stepmom picked up another copy and starting looking at it too. I decided to take it, and when my husband was ready to check out, I told him he could buy the journal and I handed it to him. He thanked me with a wink of sarcasm and bought it.

I was exhausted when I got home, but I got started on a quick piece. I opened the journal to a random page because starting at the beginning is boring. Here's my first tidbit.