Creative Writing: 101 with Professor Nick

I am – and always have been – a firm believer that writing is a skill that cannot be taught. Either a person can write, or they cannot, but a person's innate skill can be harnessed and refined. I have many friends who style themselves writes, creative souls, or neophytes to the trade who ask, "Nick, how does your mind work? How do you think like you do?"

Well, it is all about connections, forming neural pathways – at times by force of will and determination – with such random concepts and causes flying through my head all at once. I think the best way for anyone to try and write or think like me can be experienced in this writing exercise.

So, what'll it be? Do you want to turn the cranial can opener and try to write like Nick? Here we go!

Get a scrap of paper and a pen.
Open Yahoo in another window.
Write down the top ten "Trending Now" (do not cheat and fill in ones of your devising, as that would ruin the whole point. Copy them exactly)
In one paragraph write a coherent article connecting these ten things. Each "Trending" word must flow into the article, so that it would make sense to a reader who did not know what you were attempting.

Have at it! And if you think you came up with something descent then feel free to post under here in the "Comments" section for all to see!