Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Inspiration/Block (for the writer) (05/20/10)
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TITLE: Red Lights Revelation | Previous Challenge Entry
By PamFord Davis
05/26/10 -
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In today’s cutthroat freelance writing market they offer the bonus of keeping my work in circulation. Recently, I discovered a great site with a pick-and-choose daily assortment of prominent publishers seeking fills….
What’s my problem? Concentrate!
The blank white computer screen mirrored my mind.
Emotional needs of those waiting to find work in a down economy….
The scribbled theme at the bottom of my grocery list seemed so clear. Roller-coaster emotional rides and my loss of substantial income left gaping wounds. I could no longer deal with the migraines of nine-to-five and my priorities as a wife and mother.
My children clung to me and sobbed each morning when I dropped them off at day care. Guilt and my nesting instincts gave me courage to turn my back on the false security of corporate America.
Yet, I needed to supplement my husband Drew’s income while he established his career as an architect. Days turned into weeks of hunting for something, anything I could do from home.
Just write how you felt.
Where’d that come from? Lord, nobody wants to hear me whine.
The clock is an enemy offering no reprieve for my lack of scheduling disciplines. I promised to pick up proposal copies at Kinko’s for Drew and meet him for lunch.
11:10! Gotta change the kid’s clothes, empty the kitty-litter box! Look at me, like something that rambling cat drug in!
I amaze myself. Super Woman has nothing over me. I managed to take care of the disgusting cat box odor, put the kids in clean clothes, make myself presentable and have the keys in the ignition by 11:30.
The ride to Kinko’s held no surprises. It would be half an hour until bumper-to-bumper lunch hour traffic came to a rolling boil. Driving is child’s play compared to running errands with a two and four year old.
I found a parking place in the shopping center and freed Amy and Andy from their booster seats (baby jails). I firmly held each by the hand and began my trek. Mama duck and her ducklings waddled across the parking lot on a mission for daddy. Kinko’s automatic double doors parted as the Red Sea and I spotted a receptive clerk.
“Hi, here to pick up the copies for Drew Saunders.”
“They’re ready, we’ve been expecting you.”
We exchanged pleasantries about the weather and passed my debit-card through the machine.
There goes the gas money. Emotional needs…Have my own emotional needs, like ideas for that article!
We rushed back to the mini-van, where I buckled the children securely in their seats. They returned to viewing a classic Disney DVD. Bambi still makes me cry.
Traffic began to pick up and I hit every red light in the Twin Cities.
Not another one! Give me a break! I hate waiting at red lights!
That’s it; I hate waiting! Okay, now what?
Why do they have red lights?
Red lights prevent accidents.
So….if a person is forced to wait for a job…. it could keep him from getting into trouble?
Green, good. Don’t want Drew to think I forgot him.
Green, at the speed of light transformed to yellow.
Yellow light…. use caution, prepare to stop.
Think this is coming together…. Job seekers shouldn’t jump at the first opening they see.
I actually relished the following red light. It gave me time to sort through my novel idea.
Beep! Beep!
I’m going, I’m going!
12:00 sharp! I pulled in right next to Drew’s Ford Ranger at Applebee’s.
His broad smile and dancing eyes still made my heart pound.
“Hi Hon, any trouble getting my proposal copies?”
With a Cheshire cat grin I replied, “No, right there on the front seat, would have been here sooner, hit every red light in the city!”
“Why the smile? You hiding something from me? I know you hate red lights!”
“They are a blessing in disguise, gave me a green light for a winning article!”
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