Slice of Life Story Challenge March 6 -Going To The Special Place





Going to The Special Place

As I walked towards the entrance to the supermarket today, a woman was leaving accompanied by her young son. She was held down by numerous shopping bags and he was blithely skipping a few steps ahead of his bag toting mother. With renewed effort she caught up to the boy and leaning into his ear announced, ‘When we get home we can go to the special place and together let’s build another dinosaur just like we did last time.’

The small boy said nothing. He did however give his mother a knowing smile…

A brief exchange between a parent and a child. An appointment made for some genuine quality time between them. A compelling reason to hasten home.

As I entered the supermarket to begin the mundane task of hunting and gathering up and down the aisles for a list of items for dinner that evening, I was warmed by the memory of that brief eavesdropping moment. The words are etched in my mind.

Every time I overhear such interactions I recall the words of Ralph Fletcher reminding me yet again, - we write with our ears.







Comments

  1. Krista Schmidt6 March 2016 at 18:50

    I like that thought, "we write with our ears". Small moments we can keep with us to stay or to grow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:19

      Using our ears as well as our hearts and minds is critical to our writing lives Krista. Thanks for your responses. Keep listening for those gems.

      Delete
  2. Kimberley Moran6 March 2016 at 22:53

    I am always happy to see your name on the #sol16 roster. You write in tight prose and pack so much I must think about into it. We write with our ears indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:22

      Thank you for your kind remarks Kimberley. I continue to chip away at my ignorance as a writer. It is both challenging and engaging.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous6 March 2016 at 23:08

    I'm with Kimberley -- Your slices always leave more in my mind when I finish reading the words on your page. A beautiful example of how we can find writing inspiration everywhere, even the grocery store!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:24

      Thanks again for your kind remarks Jennifer. I often find myself reminding student writers that ideas exist all around us. We just have to sit still and look and listen. Embrace the now...

      Delete
  4. Linda B7 March 2016 at 01:51

    I'm glad you listened so you could pass the special moment along to us, Alan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:25

      I promise to keep listening Linda. There's so much treasure out there awaiting discovery.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous7 March 2016 at 02:51

    Such a sweet moment shared by a mother and son. Gives me the touchy-feelies!

    My blog site is aggiekesler.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. elsie7 March 2016 at 03:07

    All senses are on high alert for writers. Snatching an overheard exchange is plucking a slice from the air. Isn't Ralph Fletcher so smart? I will be seeing him this summer, can't wait to pluck some of his wisdom from the air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:29

      I like the idea of 'plucking' ideas from the air Elsie. It is often said ideas float on a sea of talk. If you get the chance say Hi to Ralph from me. We caught up in Darwin in 2014 and I really enjoyed our conversations at that time. He certainly has much wisdom to share.

      Delete
  7. writintime7 March 2016 at 04:40

    Yes, writers have to listen when not writing. Listen more, talk less, write better! Thanks for bringing Ralph Fletcher's words to life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:30

      Ralph's words wander through my mind on a daily basis. I like your mantra - Listen more, talk less, write better!

      Delete
  8. Tara7 March 2016 at 09:53

    Yes...snatches of talk lodge in heads and find their way onto our pages, sometimes more than once!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:33

      Isn't that fantastic Tara. It's the magic of being writers. Those snatches of talk continually bubbling up, refusing to be denied. I love it!

      Delete
  9. Rissa7 March 2016 at 10:01

    I would love to be a student in your class....writing with our ears indeed. I've got lots to learn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 March 2016 at 10:35

      Thank you. Everyone is welcome. Ears are pretty important to us as writers. They bring so much to our attention. We just have to be ready to receive.

      Delete

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