T.C. Booth's Blog, page 12

My Pen

NaPoWritMon  Challenge-The idea is to just write and not worry about editing right now. So here it goes, this is rough….

My Pen

by TC Booth

A simple possession I treasure so,

is the pen out of which my thoughts flow.

It tells the paper my secret ideas,

my words laid out no longer sealed.

It has the power to decide a character’s lot,

telling his story with twists and plots.

A comfort to me in times of distress,

my pen is the avenue to rid this stress.

A simple possession I treasure so,

is the pen out of which my thoughts flow.

Need Some Inspiration?

Quotes can serve as a much needed pick-me-up. Here are some for writing.

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Source: Uploaded by user via Lauryn Jeffries on Pinterest

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Source: ksmanning.wordpress.com via Tammi on Pinterest

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Source: heartifb.com via Tammi on Pinterest

A Teacher’s Heart

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.  ~William Wordsworth

This quote is so appropriate with how I felt writing this poem. I hope you enjoy it.

A Teacher’s Heart

by TC Booth

Every child she’s taught has a special part

of the overflowing love of a teacher’s heart

It’s not fortune or fame a teacher seeks,

but to develop the minds as interest peaks

A teacher’s dedication to those in her care

to ensure they learn is beyond compare

of  political ploy or ill planned solutions

they’ll never live up to the genuine contributions

of a teacher’s heart

It’s with devotion and passion that she does teach

to make life long learners of those in her reach

Every child she teaches has a special part

of the ever-expanding teacher’s heart

Diner Woman

Weekly Writing Challenge-Prompt 1

Chimes alert the patrons scattered throughout the diner that someone has entered. All eyes instinctively dart toward the door.  A poorly groomed middle aged woman steps over the threshold and into the cramped space. Cool air follows her inside blowing her red tinted hair forward.  For a moment, silence falls over the busy diner as the woman pulls her tattered wool coat, absent of buttons, snug around her. Aware of the eyes burning through her, she drops her head and slowly makes her way to the back of the diner. Her eyes fix on her worn tawny boots adorned with scuff marks. Her boots glide across the greasy black and white checkered floor taking her to a booth tucked in a corner.  She slips onto the faded red leather bench.  She knows from experience that people are looking at her with either pity or disgust, so she avoids eye contact.

“What’ll be today Marge?”  The familiar friendly voice comforts her. Marge allows a grin to form revealing a few discolored teeth.

“I’ll have a coffee and toast.” Marge’s replies in a raspy voice.

“Will do.” The waitress nods her head and turns over an upside down mug resting on top of a saucer in front of Marge. The waitress expertly pours  steaming brown liquid into the waiting mug. Marge closes her emerald eyes and takes in the stale aroma. She grasps the warm mug between her hands slipping one of her pink polished fingers into the handle.

She catches a glimpse of a perfectly manicure hand placing something white on the edge of the table.  The bill already? She hasn’t even gotten her toast yet. Marge shakily turns over the slip of paper. It’s a lottery ticket.

The Captain’s Seat

The daily post challenge for today is……Clean Slate: Explore the room you’re in as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Pretend you know nothing. What do you see? Who is the person who lives there?

     The Captain’s Seat

    The noise draws me in.  Gunfire, chicken squawking, and yes the occasional swearing. Upon entering I see  him in the captain’s chair behind a desk. His eyes are fixed on the computer screen.  His face intense as he explains his mission to me..to save the world from Chicken Invaders. Behind him are walls lined with books and what is this to the left? A piano sits along  the wall waiting for what? Perhaps it will be used to produce a victorious melody once the world is safe from the chicken invaders at the hands of  the fearless captain…my husband.

      Looking at my office/piano room with fresh eyes was a fun challenge.

WOW! and Show not Tell

Emma fell into a display of legos.  OR   Dad found Emma lying among the scattered legos. “Oopsie,” she muttered.  Tell or Show?

I was one the of lucky  200 people to sign up for the web seminar “Show not Tell” offered by WOW! Women on Writing. The class filled within the first 24 hours it was offered. The hour seminar flew by.  I could’ve easily listened another hour. It was full of good examples of this craft, not only from our wonderful speaker, but other very talented writers interacting on the message board.  Definitely time well spent.

If you are a writer, I highly recommend checking out the resources offered by WOW!. There are many opportunities for women writers to showcase their writing as well.

 

Oh, How Pinteresting!

I’m linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday.

Pinterest is inspiration central for me. From quotes that inspire to amazing pictures of scenery, I can find something that motivates me.  The picture below is one that I found there and pinned to my pictures board.  I wonder what it would be like to visit that castle…..

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Source: bestplaceworld.com via Tammi on Pinterest

I’ve been know to fluently quote “Mean Girls” and “Elf”.

One of my favorite childhood authors…Judy Blume.

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Source: sprinklepuffball.blogspot.com via Tammi on Pinterest

New Year’s Writing Devotion

New Year’s Writing Devotion.

New Year’s Writing Devotion

Quotes can be so empowering. They can convey an incredible message in a few words. One of  the daily blog post challenges is to share a quote you refer to often. This is one that I come back to when doubting myself. There are certain things in my life I come back to no matter what else I branch out to try….my faith, teaching children, and my  writing. I believe  those things are in my heart  ( in addition to my love for my family) .

As for the New’s Year’s Resolution writing challenge, well here it goes:

1. Dedicate more time to writing for enjoyment.

2. Read more for enjoyment-I believe this makes me a better writer.

3. Keep up with my writing blog. I hope to interact more with other writers as well.

I created this blog with the commitment to be a better writer.  My mind hasn’t let me forget. New ideas for stories stroll through my mind on a daily basis.  My devotion is to act on them.

Happy New Year everyone!

Follow the Character- Beyond Vica Part I

It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.

- William Faulkner

I’m finally back. With the start of the school year, my days run at the speed  of  comet . My writing has been pushed to the back burner. Deep breath. I need to write.  I miss where it takes me, or more like where the characters take me.
   Over the summer I stepped out of my comfort zone to improve my craft. I’m stepping out again by publishing a young adult story on my blog titled “Beyond Vica”.  I’m following Gabby, allowing her story to unfold publicly.   Feel free to comment and/or give me feedback. (Be gentle)

  Here it goes……

                                                                                     
                                                    Beyond Vica
                                                          Part I
                                                    by TC Booth
           Sam is going to die. The thought bounces around in my skull, penetrates my heart, and settles in the depth of my gut.  It has been almost a year since my best friend was diagnosed with the blood disease and I agonize  at the thought of losing him.  In many ways I already have. The empty chair next me serves as a reminder that he isn’t here.”Well Gabby? Do you?” The words intrude on my thoughts startling me back to class. Mr. Baldy is looking right at me. His round pink face is wearing a look of annoyance.I clear my throat, sit up in my chair, and tuck a strand of my brown hair behind my ear.  “What?”  The word squeaks from my throat.  I can sense twenty-three pairs of eyes on me and feel my cheeks burn.”Do you have the answer?” Mr. Baldy gestures toward the problem displayed on the smart board.

I don’t care about your stupid math problem. ” No.”

He sighs, shakes his bald head, and calls on Emily who is waving her hand in the air.  She proudly gives the answer, smirks at me and flips her blonde hair.  She should be happy. It isn’t very often that she figures out an answer before I do.  Sam and I would make blonde jokes just to annoy her.  A smile escapes my lips as I imagine him saying…… Did you hear about the blonde who sold her car for gas  money?  

The buzzer announces the end of the period and my escape to the restroom. I gather my things, dart into the hall,  and swim through the sea of freshmen until I reach the girls’ restroom.   I head into the privacy of a stall and send Sam a text telling him about Blondie and Mr. Baldy hoping to make him laugh.  I wait for a reply while reading the latest news etched into the puke green paint of the stall door.  Someone named LD loves HT… Monica is a bad name. ..Brian is hot. I roll my eyes. It has to be my friend Brian. The girls have been after him since we were in middle school.  I look at my phone.  I still don’t have a reply.  Sam usually responds quickly if he is having a good day. I hold my breath and pray that he is doing well.

Pale green eyes rimmed in gold return my gaze in the mirror while washing my hands. My golden brown hair falls forward resting on my shoulders.  I allow my eyes to drift in the mirror.  An arm littered with bracelets using the sink next to me catches my eye. She is one of the emos. Sam and I used to think they were freaks. Now that I have so much hurt inside me bursting to get out, I understand. They cut to let the hurt out, even if it is just for that moment. I feel sorry for her.

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