It’s time for another 100-Word Challenge for Grown-Ups. The prompt this week is “the flip side.” Thanks to Julia at Julia’s Place for coming up with this terrific challenge! For anyone who is interested in participating in this challenge, she also has a page devoted to explaining the 100WCGU, so check it out!
I sit at the desk and look at my email inbox. Lots to read, not much time. While I sit here, the time for breakfast and a shower and getting ready for work just slides away. Finally, I decide to flip through all of the emails, answer any comments, read the topics, and make a decision: read the post now, store in my To Be Read Mailbox, or simply delete for lack of interest. I spend far more time than I can afford on this project; I look at the clock and my stomach does a big flip. I’m late.
I had already sent this link to Julie, and then I read some others. I have a lot of learning to do to make these more interesting. Still, this is me for now.
Sounds like my life! I really liked it because this is soooo true. Great job, Judith!
Thank you, Kate — I so appreciate your encouragement and your kind words.
I have done this so many times – sat down at my computer just to quickly check my emails and not noticed the time sliding away. I thought this was really well-observed.
My inbox never had more than 5 or 6 emails at the most! Now that I have the blog, I never worry that I’ll be ignored!
I like your story! It’s my second week too and I like that there are so many interpretations of the prompt. There are no “wrong answers”.
Thanks, jonesing — I will get to your blog sometime today to see your finished product, and to welcome you to 100WCGU!
I think it speaks perfectly to the challenge – and flipping through emails, so many of us know the feeling perfectly, how time slips by so quickly!
Thank you, Judee — I just went back and read my submission, and decided I like it, too! I have been such a worrier about pleasing others for so long, I need to remind myself, (along with the kind reminders from you and others,) that I am writing for my own therapy, and seeing other people enjoy what I write is not as important as me loving what I write!
Your post is so full of truth. We all waste a lot of time with email. Imagine getting that much snail mail.. wow. now we are inundated.
Thank you for your encouragement, Maggie L R. As soon as I’ve had breakfast and taken a shower, I’ll be over to take a look at your blog. Please visit my blog again soon — how very nice to see you here!
Grabbers are often overrated! Your piece has the feel of truth and real experience told simply and without trying too hard. I think that’s underrated.
I, for one, prefer something like yours to one that’s trying too hard.
Thank you so much! I have got to learn to stop worrying about what other people read, or write, or prefer, and remember to concentrate on writing the way I write. I appreciate your encouragement, and your gentle reminder that I’m not in this for popularity.
I really liked this piece- and I think you are doing just fine! I hope that doesn’t sound patronising because it really isn’t meant to be- the fun of the 100 word challenges, I feel, is the huge variety of responses that are generated. Some of them blow you away, some make you smile, groan, laugh out loud. Others don’t touch you at all. That’s how it goes. I love them and try to do them each week, to varying degrees of success!
Thanks for your reassurance — this is only my second week, and I chose four others to read after publishing my own. Each of them was light, funny, and real grabbers. Grabbers have often eluded me, so thanks for your encouragement!