There's a creative writing contest I'm interested in entering which calls for a short story with a maximum word count of 2000, inspired by this quote:
"The key to change...is to let go of fear."
-- Rosanne Cash
I've been chewing on the quote for a couple days now, but no characters have whispered to me and no story lines have wiggled their way into my imagination. Until this morning.
There I was, on the treadmill for the first time since before my trip to France, going at a much slower pace than what's "normal" for me but getting my sweat on just the same. (How come it takes so long to get INTO shape, and such a short time to fall OUT of shape??)
And a story began to reveal itself, a tight skein of fiction unraveling with each quarter mile into a colorful pile of plot and character threads, ready for sorting and weaving. I was so inspired, I almost pushed the 'end workout' button and dashed for my car. But how ungrateful would that have been? My faithful writing partner, the treadmill, deserved a full visit, especially since it's been so long since we last enjoyed each others company. So I finished the program, happy, my heart rate elevated and skin glistening with sweat.
And then I dashed for my car.
I'm off to bang out my first draft of the new short. (*raises arm and sniffs pit*) ...And then I'll really need a shower.
I'm often inspired to write when I'm on the treadmill. Where are you when story ideas frequently come to you?
