Tag: personal narrative

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Dog Lifestyle

Stupid Bunnies, They Really Should Know Better

Stupid Bunnies
Stupid bunnies

Stupid bunnies.

You’d think they would post some kind of community notification.

They ought to warn all the other bunnies to stay out of our yard.

We have a killer on the premises.

But no.

They keep on coming.

And Blue keeps on killing them.

We’re up to three this week.

Now don’t get me wrong.

I hate rabbits.

They’re evil, destructive little fluffers.

I’m happy to have the dog chase them away.

But I’m not thrilled with the killing.

It’s gross.

Depending on where we are in the trash pick-up cycle, it can get pretty stinky.

It’s only going to get stinkier as the weather gets hotter.

At our old house, we lived next to a greenbelt.

We would just shovel dead stuff over the fence and the buzzards would take care of it.

Here, though, the neighbors might object if we flung dead stuff into their yards.

Maybe I should put a bell on Blue’s collar.

It might give the rabbits a bit of a head start.

Stupid bunnies.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

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DRIVING THE NARRATIVE – WHY IS CONFLICT IMPORTANT IN A STORY?

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Lifestyle Work

How To Stifle Creativity in a Budding Writer

A Budding Writer
A Budding Writer

I teach creative writing classes to middle schoolers.

I know that if I can make them laugh, they’ll participate.

No one has ever failed.

I treat my students, and their writing, like a diamond in the rough.

There’s always something worthwhile in every attempt.

Rather than point out the flaws and demand improvement, I point out the potential and encourage the effort.

So it was an enormous surprise, when I took a side gig grading papers for another teacher, that she has an entirely different approach.

The lesson objective was to write a conclusion.

The students were provided with the opening and body of a short story, and they were to write an ending paragraph.

One student took it a step further.

He wrote pages and pages and pages to continue the story.

He enriched the original piece with a well-thought-out plot twist.

He included character development, dialogue, conflict, suspense, engagement, and, in the end, a very satisfying conclusion that referred back to the opening paragraphs.

I gave the kid an A.

He went above and beyond the assignment and wrote a very well-crafted story.

The teacher, annoyed, corrected me.

The student, she said, had failed the assignment.

He didn’t follow instructions.

Excuse me?

This is a CREATIVE writing class.

If it was a technical writing class, then yes, he needs to follow instructions.

But creativity, by its very definition, should be given allowances.

I lost the argument.

She gave the kid an F.

Well there’s an easy way to stifle creativity in a budding writer.

I won’t be grading papers for this teacher again.

Kid, don’t let this incident discourage you.

Remember, JK Rowling was rejected many, many times before she finally got Harry Potter published.

Everyone’s a critic – don’t let that discourage you.

Keep writing!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

QUIET CONFIDENCE – HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR OWN STRENGTH

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Dog Lifestyle

Why I’ll Gladly Ride The Pine From Now On

Ride The Pine

They say that worrying is a foolish waste of time.

Unless, of course, the thing that worries you actually happens.

My worry has finally seen the light.

Our early morning dog park group has a couple of herding dogs.

These beasties love to chase the rest of the pups.

Who thoroughly enjoy the game.

They run like demons possessed.

It’s a good time.

For them.

I’m always worried that they’re going to take out my bad knee.

I usually sit on a bench or stand by the fence when they’re zooming.

This time, however, I was talking to the other humans and not paying attention to the dogs.

I should have been paying attention.

The entire herd zoomed right into me.

I went airborne and landed on my keester.

My bad knee was fine.

But my ankle was mangled.

Actually, it’s not even my ankle.

It’s the top of my foot.

I think I twisted a muscle.

It’s much better than it was, although it is still swollen and sore.

Luckily, it’s raining today, and it’s predicted to rain for several more days.

It’s too wet for the dog park, even if my feet were fine.

This storm will give me time to rest and heal.

I guess it’s true though, that the worrying was a foolish waste of time.

I worried, and the thing happened anyway.

Next time, I’ll ride the pine.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORDS

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Lifestyle

I Will Reserve Judgment For Now

Reserve Judgment

I binged Loudermilk on Netflix.

And I loved it!

It was billed as a “cynical comedy.”

Yup.

It was funny, offensive, and real.

Every minute of it was enjoyable.

I read Lessons in Chemistry.

And I hated it.

I read it for my book club.

In all fairness, I should probably reserve judgment.

For now.

There are some very intelligent members in this group.

Maybe one of them will provide some insight that I missed.

After all, it was made into a TV series.

Someone must have liked it.

There are probably some redeeming elements to this book.

I must have just missed them all.

If anyone out there liked this story, tell me why.

Seriously.

I don’t want to be the Debbie Downer at my next book club meeting.

Tell me, in the comments, what you liked about this book

I need something positive to contribute to the discussion.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

HOW TO WRITE INSPIRING FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

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Lifestyle

How To Make Gilligan Funny All Over Again

Gilligan
Gilligan

Last night I heard a dramatic reading.

It was a recitation of the theme song to Gilligan’s Island.

I don’t know what was funnier.

The guy doing the theatrical interpretation.

Or the other people laughing so hard.

If you’re ever in a bad mood, here’s the perfect solution.

Recite the Gilligan theme song.

Dramatically.

It’s guaranteed to cheer you up immediately.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

HOW TO FIND FUNNY STORIES TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS

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Lifestyle

Stroopwafel Ice Cream Sandwiches Are The Best

stroopwafel
stroopwafel

I just ate a stroopwafel ice cream sandwich.

OMG

It was SOOOOO good.

I need to hide the rest of them from my family.

But where can you stash ice cream?

I have all kinds of hiding places around the house, but they won’t work for ice cream.

My family already knows my freezer trick.

Which pretty much involves stashing treats in a frozen broccoli wrapper.

That one worked for a long time, but it doesn’t work anymore.

There aren’t too many other options for the freezer.

I’m out of ideas.

I guess I have to concede.

They’re going to polish off my stroopwafel ice cream sandwiches.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. WHAT’S YOURS?

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Lifestyle

The Best Way To Deal With That Drama Quinoa

quinoa

Quinoa is delicious.

It’s rich and nutty, like brown rice.

When it’s seasoned just right, it’s the perfect addition to any meal.

It’s a very healthy food.

But I still don’t like it.

Why?

Because it’s shaped like tiny little pellets.

Eating quinoa is like eating a bowlful of poppy seeds.

Whenever I eat it, either quinoa or poppy seeds, I spend the next three days flossing debris out of my teeth.

And just when I think I’ve got every possible painful shard scraped out of my gums, another one makes a surprise appearance.

I’ve been flossing more quinoa this week than I actually ate.

I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I swear it’s the truth.

I’ll never eat quinoa again.

Until, that is, someone places a delicious dinner in front of me.

I’m certain to forget my promise.

I’ll eat the meal.

And then, while I spend the next three days flossing nonstop, I’ll promise to never eat it again.

This is the best way to deal with that drama quinoa.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL – WHAT’S YOURS?

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Lifestyle

Stupid Pop-Up Green Screen – How To Fold It

Pop-up Green Screen
Pop-up Green Screen

Feeling overconfident?

Feeling cocky?

Feeling the need to be brought down a notch or two?

I’ve got the perfect solution.

Try to fold a pop-up green screen.

Oh. My. God.

Usually when I use my green screen, I keep it up for weeks.

Keeping it up is so much easier than folding it.

However, I have a very small office and a very large screen.

I’ve got to put it away.

I have folded this thing a zillion times.

But I have no idea how it’s done.

It’s really just dumb luck.

I watch the YouTube videos.

I do exactly what they’re doing.

But I can’t get the darn thing to fold up properly.

It won’t go into a circle shape.

Or it partially folds into the circle shape, but an odd part of it sticks out.

Or it randomly pops open, knocking everything off my desk.

For the record, I have an equally hard time with the pop-up dashboard cover in my car.

I know, I could take the screen out into the living room where there’s more room.

But then I would face the scorn and ridicule of my family.

However, after an hour of watching a variety of YouTube clips, knocking every loose item in my office onto the floor, tripping over the enormous screen, and dropping all kinds of F-bomb variations, the screen folded up.

How did I do it?

I have no idea.

The next time I have to fold it up, I am certain it will be just as disasterous.

Folding that pop-up green screen is a very humbling experience.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

EVERYONE’S GOT A STORY TO TELL – WHAT’S YOURS?

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Lifestyle

Native Texans Love This Grocery Store!

A Native Texan
A Native Texan

If you’re a native Texan, you understand all the hype about the HEB grocery store.

I’m not a native Texan.

I don’t get it.

However, everyone is beyond excited that an HEB is coming to our neighborhood.

It just opened this week.

I tried to go three different times.

Every time, the traffic was so bad that I gave up and left.

The store will still be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

I’m curious, but I’m not THAT curious.

Today I finally found a parking space.

HEB really is an amazing gourmet grocery store with fantastic products.

I get it now.

But OMG, there was a massive, enormous, anxiety-inducing throng of shoppers.

A large police presence was also on site, not only in the parking lot and on the streets, but also inside the store.

Seriously?

What were they expecting to happen?

Fistfights over the fresh tortillas?

Well, maybe.

I told the cashier that I hoped the crowds would dwindle soon.

He said that it could take a year to settle down.

Ouch.

I’m an early riser, so maybe I’ll try hitting them up at the crack of dawn on a weekday.

Maybe it won’t be so crowded then.

At any rate, welcome to the neighborhood HEB!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. WHAT’S YOURS?

START YOUR OWN WRITING JOURNEY WITH A COMMENT!

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Lifestyle

My Hidden Talent Has Made Me a Winner!

My Hidden Talent
My Hidden Talent

It was a lovely holiday weekend.

The family gathered around the table.

I made some focaccia bread.

The Grown Sons renamed it F*** You bread.

While they wolfed it all down.

And then they reminisced about that long-ago Easter when they rearranged all the Peeps into vulgar and inappropriate scenarios.

So, yeah, this is how Boy Mom holidays play out.

They tried to shock me with their offensive language.

Now that they’re grown, it’s time for them to learn who’s in charge around here.

Don’t try to out-smart-mouth me.

I’m the master.

It’s my hidden talent.

I only bring it out under special circumstances.

This was a special circumstance.

I won.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

Everyone Has A Story To Tell – What’s Yours?

START YOUR OWN WRITING JOURNEY WITH A COMMENT!

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