Organizer, cabinets
Advice is great, but advice on its own won’t make you a better writer. We become better writers by writing and it’s always easier to write when we’re inspired. To that end, a creative prompt using an ordinary item.
organizer, cabinets | an exercise in emotional storytelling
This week’s ordinary item: A cabinet organizer
When I survey the wonderful organization
Frankly, there are few things I care about less. It was a passing thought, but one that she held quite firmly.
She knew it would cause him to walk out of the room, for he could see it on her face, the apathy. He always did. Walk out of the room.
This was cabinet organizer no. 238 in their kitchen. And for her, it was no less special than no. 47, no. 12 or even no. 1 for that matter.
She spent hours pulling them out, rotating all 238 organizers 90-degrees, and then stepping back to survey the organization. She’d tried taking to Facebook to describe the feeling to others, but no one understood. It’s fine, she told herself, but what she meant is that she’d come to terms with it.
“The wonderful organization!” She accidentally let the exclamation slip out, covering her mouth with her hand quickly to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“What was that?” He called from the other room. Perhaps his frustration had died down, she thought, or maybe his curiosity got the better of him.
“Oh, nothing. I’m just looking at the cabinets again. Such great organization.”
“Well you know none of those organizers would stay so secure without the 3M adhesive strips I added to the bottoms.” Her point of pride was organization, his, security.
“FOR THE LAST TIME, THOSE STRIPS ARE OPTIONAL. I DON’T CARE ABOUT THEM!!”
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Today’s task, add to this story. What happens next?
Not sure where to start? Some questions to get the creativity flowing…
Why the anger? What else has happened in the past?
What happened when she posted on Facebook? Is there an interesting story there?
Why is organization so important to her? Something from her past?
Why is security so important to him?
Is there reconciliation in their future, do they find common ground?
Are there any outside observers who will try to weigh in?
Add to this story — what happens next? Leave a comment and let us know.
Inspire someone else — share this page with a friend or colleague.
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