Just a Girl with Glasses

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Half full! 

Half empty!

It depends on what’s in the glass.

It’s half full of beverage and half full of air!

Wait a minute — I don’t think that’s a beverage.

Grumble Grumble Grumble… It’s gonna spill anyway.

What are we talking about?

If the glass were in the forest and no one was there to see it, would it still be half anything?

The glass is two times bigger than it needs to be.

Look — a squirrel!

Regardless of how you answered the question, raise that glass today!

You are officially halfway through this YESvember month of NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo! 

Woot!

I do believe it is time for a dance break.

Bon Jovi, anyone?

Whoooa, we’re halfway there…

PROMPT: Is your main character an optimist, pessimist, or in serious need of ADD meds? How would he or she answer the question?

Pretty Pickle

If you like pickles, you can probably thank extraterrestrials…

The first pickle showed up around the same time as the first pyramid.

Just sayin’.

If you've ever found yourself in a pickle, well, then you can thank Shakespeare.

That phrase shows up for the first time in The Tempest.

And if you've ever found yourself hankering fried pickles, blame it on Elvis.

Apparently he loved them.

Yes, today we are celebrating the snack food that was ruled to be a “fruit” by the (apparently intoxicated) US Supreme Court back in 1883.

And what better way to celebrate National Pickle Day than with a great book?

Pickle by Kim Baker is a fun-filled novel about a group of middle school pranksters who've figured out how to get PTA funding by becoming an “official” club — The League of Pickle Makers.

The book was a finalist in the 2013 Children’s Choice Book Awards as well as a Texas Bluebonnet Award 2014-2015 nominee. Obviously, Kim knows her stuff.

One of her secrets?

In a 2012 interview, she said she spends a LOT of time thinking, “What if?”

For Pickle, she thought…

“What if there was a secret society for kids?” Then…

“What if they did entertaining and absurd pranks, not the victimizing kind?” And…

“What if there was an authoritarian principal who didn't really appreciate fun?” Then things just went from there.

They certainly did.

Way to go, Kim!

PROMPT: Get your character into a pickle today with some serious pranking. Ask those Kim Baker “What ifs” and put your answers on the page. Then get yourself into a Pickle by picking up three copies of her book.

My Kind of Kind

What if you had a second chance?

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some feel-good stories and a prompt to get out there and do something wonderful for somebody else.

Well, wouldn't you know it, today is World Kindness Day —

So, we have the opportunity to do it all over again…

With kindness.

And that makes for the best kind of day…

Week…

Life.

Doesn't it?

But you don’t have to take my word for it.

In fact, I think Kurt Vonnegut said it best—

"There's only one rule that I know of, babies —

God damn it, you've got to be kind.'"

PROMPT: Get out there and do some kind of kindness worth writing about (I’m pretty sure Kurt would add a “GD-it” here, but I’ll kindly refrain).

Write on!

Time Flies… Like Reindeer

According to my calendar, we are right smack in the middle of Dear Santa Letter week.

I know, I know, we haven’t even feasted and feted our gratitude yet, but apparently Mr. C. is one of those OCD planner types, and the time to mail your wish list is now.

Fear not, it may be the easiest page you’ll write…

After all, the local stuff-mart has been preparing you for this moment since about June 17^th.

Still in need of some extra inspiration?

Here’s a link to a few missives that Santa must have posted just for our viewing pleasure.

Or, if historical fiction is more your goodie bag, check out these letters from a century ago.

PROMPT: Whether you've been naughty or nice, warm up that creative elbow of yours with an entertaining list for the big guy. Or, better yet, snag one of the kids from the links above, and turn him or her into a character of your own.

This is What a Hero Looks Like

The freedom to say what we want.

The freedom to write what we want.

The freedom to worship what we want…

Even if it is chocolate.

The freedom to wear tank tops…

Wait a minute — that’s bear arms.

The freedom to assemble…

Puzzles, old cars, and protests.

And so on and so forth.

Without a doubt, freedoms abound in this great land of ours.

Freedoms we take for granted so many days of the year.

But all of these wonderful freedoms…

are not free.

Thank you, Veterans, for your courage, service, and sacrifice.

PROMPT: Find some veterans — thank them…  Hug them.