I recently attended a writing workshop. One of the exercises we did was to write a list story, which is an entire story written in a list (i.e. a grocery list, a to do list, a list of instructions, etc.) This is called "To Do in 2008 (Dated 1 January 2008)" and is written by my character Natalie Schultz, whom some of you may recognize having read Brutal Honesty. The working title for this piece is "To Do in 2008 (Dated 1 January 2008)" however I like the title "Notes to self for New Year" better. Huh.
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Mondays and Wednesdays volunteer at the soup kitchen. Thursdays and Fridays are tutoring sessions with various neighborhood children (Maria van Helmonte, Klaus Bergensen, Moishe Aharon, Lisa Su, Datsima Dupiche, etc.). Saturdays are music lessons and martial arts class with the neighborhood's potential victims. Monday through Friday report to J. Edgar Hoover Building (AKA FBI Headqarters). Walk the dogs three times a day. Oh, yeah, and feed them, too. Buy gas on Tuesdays. Meet with editor once a week; collect royalties every March. Lock the house when going out; don't litter. Ask him out, it can't hurt. Or wait forever on end for him to even hint to you, let alone ask you. Don't lose your credentials, and, well, find your driver's license (you'll be needing that).
Wash the car once a month, the dogs twice a month. Drive daughter Sofia to school Mon-Fri before going to work. Call other parents to carpool Sofia, and occasionally carpool their children. Sofia's birthday is April 19, and yours is October 28. Practice the piano as much as humanly possible. Go out to eat once in a while; but....no fattening foods. Ew. Shower every day. Pratice your karate in the gym on a punching bag, not on the neighbor's son. You remember what happened last time. Don't belch loudly; don't curse; and go to church Sundays, mosque Fridays, synagogue Saturdays, and Zen meditation Thursdays. Pick a religion by 2015. Save for Social Security. Shop clearance, or sale, if former not possible. During interrogations, don't laugh or tell lame jokes, just ask questions and be....mmm....intimidating.
Fix firewall on computer; don't open suspicious email attachments; and check email every day. Be careful when obtaining search warrants. Don't eat pasta when wearing a white shirt. Don't smoke unless you're asking for lung cancer. Talk to Sofia about guys, dating, sex, and other girly stuff. Write report for finished case. When testifying in court, in English not German. Never use credit card unless an emergency. Carry extra...feminine napkin in purse. Beware of dog across street. Firm handshakes, not floppy ones. Call with complaints. And pick up your paycheck the last Sunday of every month.
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Comments: 22
Dog says make sure lots of walks are on my list.
I loved that you did this through your character POV.
Finalist in March Feature Challenge at The Book Nook.
Ylanne, I'm not going to get to the all. But that was an excellent way to use this resource.
"When testifying in court, in English not German. "
I just wanted to say I am finally going through what is now under 6,400 pieces of gather new mail that is in my inbox on here. So with that in mind I have finally come to a piece of mail that was addressed to me in regards this article submission you have created to share with the gather community. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your piece with us here at gather. :o)