Suess's Pieces

Today’s Creativity Challenge: Write a manifesto (a declaration of principles and intentions). It can be a true manifesto, such as the “Freedom Manifesto”, or it can be tongue-in-cheek (for example, “The Procrastinator’s Manifesto” or “The Lazy Person’s Manifesto”).

I chose to write the Cranky Editor’s Manifesto. It’s short and sweet.

The Cranky Editor’s Manifesto

• Mrs. Clark’s anal-retentive third grade theme editing  is not an editorial style. Seriously? You still think she calls all the shots on writing? Everyone these days is either adopting a style (think Chicago or AP) or creating their own house style. Stop insisting I change “In those days people walked kind of funny” to “In those days, people walked kind of funny” just because you think that’s what Mrs. Clark would do.
• There is no right and wrong; there is only consistent and inconsistent. Language is flexible, but your readers? Not so much. Marry the Oxford comma or dump it. Choose “healthcare” and tell “health care” to take a hike. But for God’s sake don’t vacillate for the duration of your essay.
• If you simply must stand over someone’s shoulder while I edit, go ask Mike if he has a few minutes. Your heavy breathing and defensive outbursts make my entire box of Pilot G2 pens want to vomit red ink all over the 25-page term paper you researched and wrote in a single day.

So, I’m supposed to write a piece of flash fiction for the Creativity Challenge today. Technically, I did. But if I’m completely honest with you all, I wrote this over a month ago on Ficly. November is by far my busiest month, so I’m cheating a little. But it’s okay, because I’m only cheating myself.

No one gets hurt.

By the way, you can find the prequel and sequel to this piece written by other Ficly members at the bottom of the page linked above.

The Note

“Hey, Kasey” Spencer said.

“Hi.”

“I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”

Kasey smiled widely, exposing her braces. “Sure! What’s up?” She regretted her enthusiasm immediately and her cheeks flushed crimson.

Spencer handed her a folded piece of notebook paper. “Will you give this to Tara for me?”

Kasey deflated a little. She saw Tara—beautiful, gorgeous, lead-in-the-school-play Tara—paying the cashier for her hot chocolate.

After indulging in a moment of self-pity, Kasey realized she needed to say something. “Um, sure,” was all she could muster.

“Thanks!” Spencer said, handing over the note and rejoining his friends.

The marching band took to the field, and the sound of “Thriller” being played by horns and snares echoed in the cool autumn air. Kasey stood motionless until Tara approached. Careful not to burn herself, Tara took a sip of hot chocolate. Then she gave a puzzled look. “What’s wrong, Kasey? You look a little pale.”

“Nothing,” Kasey replied, stuffing the note in her coat pocket.

Photo credit: doctor-a

I’m skipping Day 12 of the Creativity Challenge. I just have no desire to write a song, so let’s move on to Day 13′s prompt, which is to “change up the look of a room in your house.”

Now, some people might rearrange furniture or start painting walls right about now. Me? I’ve discovered the cheapest way to change the look of a room is to clean it. Here are some before and after shots of my tax-deductible office. Click to make them bigger if you want to read my diploma or see what books are on my shelf in addition to The Time Traveler’s Wife and Sin and Syntax.

Yesterday’s creativity challenge (Yeah, I’m late. Sue me.) was to write a six-word memoir:

I want you to leave now.