Tag Archives: fiction

Simply became tripe.

Posted on by
Reply
Daily writing prompt
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies?
View all responses

Huh.

I guess my lack of command of all things math has usurped control from my long standing knowledge of the English language. Al had to help me to understand today’s question. Based on that, what follows is certain to be nothing but tripe.

Not meant to be hype. But I digress….

What he offered was this:

“…a trope is a recognizable theme, plot structure, or character type that appears repeatedly across stories and genres.”

I love all sorts of movies. Need to work on my reading at this point in my life.

I am drawn towards flicks that are certain to give my eyes spasms from constant rolling, the B grade monster movies on Svengoolie every Saturday, and old stand bys like “Airplane”, “Naked Gun” and anything Python, Deadpool and the like.

But I also love the classics, and what made them so. The compelling story, characters and the actors that took the chance of a lifetime and made things happen. If I go to the theatre, it has to draw me.

Toy Story did not need to be made four more times. Batman should have stopped after Heath and Christian, but Tom and Christian were pretty good too.

LOTR needs to stop.

I cannot return to the galaxy far, far away after episodes 4, 5 and 6 came out in the 70’s. Enduring the Passion makes me want to see Him come back. I missed Hamnet on the big screen, so maybe on Prime. After that, I am sort of just lost.

I will say it like only a boomer can; “they just don’t make ’em like they used to.”

This all being said, and based on what Al told me was the gospel, the only annoying trope I am aware of is the ongoing monologue that passes for reality and life these days. Mono in that it never takes the form of a dia.

Via any manner of media, 24/7 and sadly, 365. I check a baseball or football score these days to see who is winning. Maybe the weather, so I can gird myself for that surprise. Then onto news to check the pulse.

But after that, nothing of substance truly exists.

Examplars ?

Role models?

Don’t make ’em like that any more.

Just influencers.

Content creators.

Huh.

Maybe that is me now, in answering these prompts.

Trope?

Simply became tripe.

Comedic relief.

Posted on by
Reply
Daily writing prompt
What villain actually had a good point?
View all responses

Thinking about this automatically took me to movies, or a series. If I had read more, a book. Marking a villain as an aspect of a plot. Good, bad, comedic relief. You know. Formulaic.

And even though I backburnered this one, at least that was my intention, things crept into my noggin making me view this conundrum otherwise. The good, the bad and the comedic relief are not merely consigned to the silver screen – if that is even a thing any more – or to a binge worthy series.

Villain was born of a late Latin word and eventually evolved to mean a scoundrel or an individual with base instincts. At least that is what Al said. So a scoundrel or one with base instincts can share a good point.

Huh.

I guess there may be a minute glimmer of truth in some of the things they might point out, intended to bring more harm to the target in a deeper fashion. There is only so much damage they can inflict from a physical sense. But way more of the psychological, emotional and spiritual side.

I think villains take aim at a remaining shred of honesty or integrity that lay in the “hero”, to impart even more pain and suffering. Think about it. A villain telling you that you are worthless, have no value and will never amount to anything. And if that already is an element of the hero’s esteem, and the villain knows it, the knife not only went in, it was twisted three hundred and sixty degrees.

Now that is one base, scoundrel.

I used to turn it into two of them by listening and believing what the villain shared. My aim now is to use these instances as a reminder of what I am no longer.

A base scoundrel.

They may choose to point out my shortcoming and the fallacy of a life ill lived as a way to induce more self-destruction on my part.

But I am not taking the bait and I will no longer succumb to that element of psychological torture.

I will defend myself against the villain.

Their diatribe of hurtful intended good points will be met with the weapon of their surrender.

Comedic relief.

Fin.

Posted on by
Reply
Daily writing prompt
If you could change the ending of any book, which one would it be?
View all responses

As you get to know me from these routine assignments and other spontaneous contributions, there has been an ongoing, perhaps noticable transition. Intention is undergoing alteration. A reinforcement of values accompanied by a shift in vocation. A new day finally treasured for once with some hope on the horizon.

We are all authors of our own story.

Mine had become a messterpiece.

But with a pack of legal pads, once of those Sharpie ball point pens and this trusty chrome book, I am in the process of being able to document a rewrite.

The main characters remain, but in a new light. The plot has shifted with the introduction of some new to my story. I am not aware of the acromym for a spiritual, adventure packed romance, fixer upper, comedy. Maybe that is something that needs to be left for Al to figure out. But that is where it seems to be going. Hopefully, many chapters remain.

Just know that a script is not handed over to you at birth to follow because of circumstance, event, disbelief or choices. There is plenty of paper and ink to articulate your story the way you want it to be read. And never write it to appeal to an audience. Live it the way best suited for you and let them seek you out.

There are many out there that need to know that they too can become their own authors of life. And reading your genuine story, with all of the melodrama, history, pain, joy and awakening will prove to them that they can write theirs too.

It may seem otherwise, but we are all connected. We just need to open up and let that truth happen.

Until next time, I will steer clear of ig-pay atin-lay and return to my roots Francais.

Fin.

Thank you Coach Strode.

Posted on by
Reply

I attended a celebration of life this past weekend for my head football coach in high school, Gene Strode.

The stories shared by his children and friends still swells my heart. He was such a great father, husband, coach and man. He cast a living and lifelong impression on thousands.

It is fitting that he returned to farming upon his retirement.

I say that because he spent his entire career planting the seeds of potential, performance and passion within his players, assistants, kids, friends and community. He could see in others what they could not yet see in themselves, until they blossomed. And being the farmer that he was, he nurtured a continuing, healthy and prolific growth throughout the season of his life.

He was careful to eradicate the weeds we grew by acting out of character. Minimized the manure we told our ourselves and tried to sell others. Watered us just right with praise, affirmation and discipline.

He radiated genuine, fatherly guidance and love to all that came his way. That is what made us grow so upright and strong. To this day, and to a lasting extent, we are who we are because we were all raised the same way by Coach.

A farmer of men.

Even though it has been close to fifty years, I could still feel all of that and then some when me and some of my teammates huddled this past Sunday. We did some truly great things together. Cause he saw it in us.

Then cube that sensation when all of us huddled together, as one, for Coach.

Every fall, he grew us to be his bumper crop.

And every fall since, there hasn’t been a season gone by that I don’t feel his presence in my life. Whether it is the weeding, an awareness of an overabundance of fertilizer, or his way of watering us for growth, his radiance remains.

Now I get to walk those fields too.

For he taught me to be a farmer.

My true vocation.

Thank you Coach Strode.

Yawn.

Posted on by
Reply
Daily writing prompt
What’s a show that had the perfect series finale?
View all responses

I guess to me, a series is more than just a television show.

I would have to include things like Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Tex Avery, or Johnny Quest cartoons. Add in the Stooges. Svengoolie then on into actual series, like MASH, ER, All in the Family, Cheers, The Bob Newhart Show, Home Improvement, Seiinfeld, NYPD Blues, and the like. (there are WAY more.)

Back in the day? The Johnny Carson Show, the Carol Burnett Show, the Dean Martin Show, the Dick Cavett Show, and others. Off shore? Monty Python, Dave Allen, Bernard Hill, Bean. Movies? Star Wars, LOTR, Indiana Jones.

I cannot say I ever sat through an entire series via the boob tube. Star Wars and LOTR yes. But shows, nope. I think what tends to happen over time, is that things change. Maybe writers, artists, producers, characters and perhaps just the creativity are elements that are very challenging to maintain. Sprinkle in ego, and voila, you may end up with something never intended.

So like my cartoons?

They just lost me. Generational most likely. Too generic and not violent and sarcastic enough any more. So if an old school one is on, I will hunker down to chuckle.

But new ones? Nope.

Curly, Larry and Moe?

24/7. Later Shemps, Joe and Curly Joe? Uh, uh,

TV shows?

Trapper went home and Henry perished in a plane crash. I left too. Archie was less obnoxious when Meathead left and Edith passed. Diane left the bar, new romances began, and Woody took center stage. Michael left the office. Why would they want someone else to be Frank Drebbin? Something else shinier always catches my attention. Figures. Attention span of a gnat.

These days?

The Pitt led to a return to Madmen, and Ray and the Barones are always in the background. Bla, bla, bla.

But other than LOTR and StarWars, I have never watched an entire series. With regard to Star Wars, 4, 5 and 6 were way better than 1, 2 and 3. What were they even thinking. Obviously in a galaxy far, far away.

But I digress.

Yawn.