This week’s random thought: Act now! Only one week left to shoplift before Christmas

As expected, the Monterey County Weekly’s 101-word contest results were not out by the time we went to press this morning. Not sure if they’ll come out this week or next, but rest assured, we’ll bring you the news just as soon as we get it—if not sooner.

Until then, here’s this week’s lil’ story, inspired by a prompt sent in by a long-distance reader who goes by the handle “et.” Lest you think I was being lazy by not capitalizing it, I assure you, that’s not the case. That radical move was purely her idea, so I guess we can say she’s not a capitalist.

No judgment, et. You do you, girl.

           Don’t Think Twice

Leonard was a popular mayor who never hid his feelings—especially when it came to things like naming places. No research or studies, just whatever he felt at the moment. The results: Paradise Park (after he won Super Bowl tickets); Easy Street (after his teenage daughter got pregnant, again); and Pain Place (before root canal surgery).

He was about to quickly name three streets when he received an exorbitant IRS bill. Leonard’s sudden rage meant future homeowners would forever live on Suckit Street, Bite Me Boulevard, and Piss Off Parkway.

After residents protested, Leonard never again read anything before naming streets.

Prompt: Slice of Pie Park

NOVEL NEWS & NOTES…

After I submitted battle plans for the next draft of my novel, I was in a holding pattern, thinking I needed to get my editor’s blessing (ideally) or feedback with notes (also fine) before launching back into the fray. When neither arrived, I realized I would be writing most of these scenes anyway, so I finally got back to it this week. It’s been a little slow going since I’m doing a bit of world building I didn’t have in the last draft, including the addition of a smart-ass parrot who is my protagonist’s roommate. Surprisingly enough, the African Grey is named Miranda, and she throws around a lot of cop phrases—not always exactly in context.

Since restarting, I did hear back from my editor. She reiterated a few key changes she wants to make sure I address in this next draft. Other than that, it looks like it will be full-speed ahead. After an exercise we did last night at our writers’ club meeting, I came up with an idea to address my concern about my productivity. I always think about putting in two writing sessions a day, but it seldom happens. Last night, I thought about a slight workaround. Now I’m wondering if, instead of my morning ninety-minute sessions, what if I increase them to two hours? That way, even if I don’t find time for a second session later in the day, I will have managed to get in an extra thirty minutes. I’m going to give it a try—today!

One quick thing and I’ll let you go. Pretty sure I didn’t mention this before, so here goes. My little film (The Nightcap), which premiered at the Carmel International Film Festival in October, will be getting a second festival screening. This one will be at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival in and around Morgan Hill in April. I love the symmetry since 2026 will be the 20th year of the festival, and twenty years ago, my mockumentary (Plight of the Windies) won the Best Comedy Short Award. It’ll be fun to return, just to show everyone that even after twenty years, I haven’t learned a thing when it comes to filmmaking 🤦

OK. That’s it from Writing Central.

Scotty out

PS: Wanna catch up on the posts you’ve missed? Click on this LINK