Tag: fiction

dare to be different

The Chair

2chicksandapen

I saw a chair that caught my eye one day when window shopping. I didn’t need the chair, but I felt drawn to the chair.

I sat in the cool-looking horseshoe like chair and it was comfy. I then sat in the more square chair next to see if it was as comfortable. Nope! Not my lucky day because the chair I was drawn to was more expensive. I didn’t need the chair. However, I walked around the store and came back to the chair more than once. I was really drawn to that particular chair. Maybe it was the comfort. Maybe it was just the only one like it in the whole store. Maybe it was my creative side of my brain telling me it would be perfect for me!

I tried to find every reason why not to get the chair. I sent a photo of the chair to friend for consultation. I talked to myself about the whys or why nots of acquiring such a chair. I could buy it, but the rational me was evaluating if I needed the chair. I did not specifically need this chair. However, I was feeling compelled to buy it. I did walk away. I was so proud of myself for not splurging in the moment. 

However, I have a news flash. I returned a few weeks later. The chair was still there. I was still drawn to it. I sat in the cool chair again and it was still comfy. I contemplated again. I took the plunge and spent the money.

Long story short. I have the chair!

The window chair.

The chair by the window.

The chair with a view.

The view of the chair.

My little white chair.

My cool horseshoe-like chair.

This is now one of my most favorite spots to visit. A thinking perch. A book nook. A resting place to feel the warmth of the sun flowing through the windows. All of this because the chair spoke to me. And I listened. 

Who knew a chair could talk?

Who knew I needed this chair, but didn’t want to spend the money on the chair?

Some days it’s a chair. Some days its a car. Some days it’s an outfit. Listen. The feeling that goes with the item calling your name needs you! My soul was satisfied by this little chair. Oh the adventures I will go on in the chair.

Now did you ever think you could adventure in a chair? Well I can! Just like I can listen to a chair. 

author moments

Fact or Fiction

2chicksandapen

True or false.

Real or fake.

Is the story based on facts or fiction?

Is the story real or fake?

Is this statement true or false?

We all buy books at some point and read stories to learn about characters and plots. Some stories have truths while others are made up. Most are a mix of the two. We all watch movies and the same can be true of movies. Plots thicken. Audiences want more. Sometimes there are cliffhangers. Sometimes a series is anticipated. Some have lies. Some have truths. Some exaggerations to keep them wanting more.

Today I sit and think about life. What if somebody told a story about me. What if it was full of false statements. Would my friends and family believe me or the storyteller? If my story became a book where would the story line end? Happily ever after or more like branded for life in solidarity due to lies or mistruths? If my story was a movie, would there be a cliffhanger at the end? Would it become a series?

So much to think about. Lucky for me I don’t have any stories floating around that would be newsworthy, but what if did? Would I want passers by to be judge and jury? Would I want my story on the front page of the newspaper? I don’t think so. I don’t think anybody really would want such a spectacle made of them.

What if it happened to a business?  Maybe a bitter employee sought to tear a local business apart. Maybe an estranged family member planted a story. What if they called the news.  Secret cameras and a setup. People would speculate…stare in church and at the supermarket.  The neighbors whisper. With so many people seemingly angry at each other all the time, is it all that far fetched? With technology to create photos and data, can we tell if something is real? Is it fake? Could it happen to you?

I recently followed the Gwyneth Paltrow trial relating to a ski accident years ago. I was intrigued since I visited Utah this past winter and observed the ski life of many. The outcome was good for her but how did the other party feel? How did he feel during the trial? How does he feel after? Would he do anything different? I think about the same for Gwyneth. All in all it’s yesterdays news and although the news will fade those lives are forever impacted for better or worse. I have to note that my favorite part of the trial was Gwyneth sporting her Jeffrey Dahmer glasses. Classic style points to her.

As we flip the page from celebrity news we can see a past president facing charges in yet another spectacle for all to view under a microscope in the headlines. Will there be true or false statements circulated? Maybe both.  Now how many other people are subject to the public microscope that are not famous? How many have to deal with lies or fabricated stories? How are their lives altered?

What actually makes a story a headline? What makes a story one that garners public interest? Does there need to be death and carnage? Does there need to be a victim? Most good guy stories never see see the news. They never garner the attention of others. Does it make the story any less important? Does the public really relish on the the misfortunes of others? If you watch the news daily I would say yes.

I generally don’t watch the news. I generally don’t know what the big headline is. It usually doesn’t pertain to me. It won’t make my day better or worse. Oddly enough I know many who tune in daily to news to report it to others. Most time opinions are included. Where do you fall in the spectrum?