Writer's Block
Author: Timofey, Age 12
Massachusetts, USA
“RRRRIIIIIP!” went the paper as Timmy ripped it out of his notebook.
“ That's no good!” he murmured as he tossed the paper into the trash. Soon he would become a professional basketball player if an idea didn't come to him soon.
Earlier this period Timmy's English teacher had assigned the class an assignment that would be worth a LOT of points. “Today in class we are going to be writing a short story about anything or anyone!” exclaimed Ms. Carter at the beginning of class.“ I know what to write about!” yelled Sam. “ Me too!” called out Merideth as she took her note book out and started jotting down ideas.
As the class period neared to an end Ms. Carter came to Timmy's desk to check out his work. “ How's the story going?” she asked. Timmy just stared at the mountain of crumpled up balls of paper on his desk. The white of the paper reminded him of a time he and his cousins went sledding down a very big hill in the park.
“Having a Writer's Block?” asked Ms. Carter with sympathy. “Yeah,” said Timmy as he tapped his pencil on the cold desk. “ Class is almost done so you can think about it at home!” suggested Timmy's teacher, “Maybe it will come to you.”
However at home nothing seemed to come to him either. “ Timmy!” called his Nana from the kitchen. “ I made your favorite pie!” Timmy's stomach growled like a hungry lion about to eat its prey. He didn't even realize he was hungry! As soon as he left his room Timmy could smell the heavenly cherry and strawberries. Nana always knew how to make the BEST pie.
As Timmy sat down at the welcoming kitchen table and started eating the plate of rich delicious goodness. The thought of an idea for a story kept haunting him. Nana seemed to know something was not right. “ What's wrong?” she asked anxiously “ Is it the Pie? Is it too sweet? Too Salty?” Timmy shook his head as he tried not to choke on his piece of pie from laughter. “ No," he said with a smile.” Nana sat down with relief. Timmy knew grandma takes her cooking very seriously. “ It's an assignment at school,” he said. Timmy told his Nana about the whole dilemma.
“Remember that observing ordinary things can be a wonderful start for a story!” said Nana as she helped herself to some pie. “ Isn't that kind of lame?“ asked Timmy feeling very confused.
“Even the most exciting stories start with ordinary things,” explained Nana “ look around!” Timmy examined the room. “ Nothing!” He said in despair. “Just pause and observe,” said Nana. “ SCRATCH.” In the next room their kitten, Mittens, seemed to have his toy stuck under the armchair and was trying to get it out. In the kitchen a buzz of a fly could be heard. Was it circling around food? Suddenly he started seeing so many little stories unfold right in front of his very eyes! Outside the window the late fall breeze made the one of the two last leaves on the big maple tree quiver and slowly fall to the ground. It looked like it wanted to stay with its friend but was forced to stay on the branch.
Suddenly, so many story ideas came flooding into Tiimy’s head. He rushed up the stairs into his room. So much to write about! “ Have fun!” called Nana as she chuckled.
Timmy worked until bedtime on his story about two leaves on a quest to reunite. Throughout the evening his family kept popping in and giving advice or asking questions.
Sabrina, his sister came in and asked so many basic questions like” What color was the leaf, “and “What was the type of tree the leaf was from.” These questions helped Timmy add detail to his story just like Ms. Carter had taught him.
After a lot of revision and pie Timmy had his final draft which was ready to be submitted. He couldn't believe that a pile of crumpled up papers turned into a wonderful story. Most importantly, Timmy learned that stories are unfolding EVERYWHERE. It's just important to look.
