Daily Ten

This is the Daily Ten. I’m not sure where or how it will end up. I don’t want it to degenerate into drivel, too much. It’s important to set a target, so I’m going to write for ten minutes each evening. I think I’ll start with nonsense and random witterings, like this, and maybe throw in a few made-up words like ‘witterings’, though I guess all words are made-up. Then when I’ve got into the habit I can start to turn my attention towards something more productive, perhaps a short story, or a long one, or even a tall one.

So far it’s only been a few minutes and I’ve run out of things to write, but I guess that’s not really true as I’m still writing now, and now, and even now it carries on. Where do the words come from? Where do the thoughts come from? They seem to spring from the shadows through no doing of my own. You never think, ‘Oh I’ll have a thought in a moment,’ because by then it’s too late — you’ve already had one without meaning to. Thoughts are sneaky like that. What can you do? Not much, just observe as they come and go behind your eyes, or your mind, or wherever it is you feel they live out their short lives.

Fascinating, not really, but we still have a good four minutes to go. Hmm. Well at least I’ve written something this evening, which is better than not having written anything, as I’ve been not-writing for years. If there was an award for non-writers perhaps I’d make the short list — indeed I’m probably the most prolific non-writer I’ve ever met in my whole life, not that it’s really mine, or anyone’s for that matter, nor is it really accurate to say I’ve met myself.

Two minutes left and I think time is slowing down. Stretching out like the piece of chewing gum that just seems to stretch forever until it breaks and gets stuck all over your chin. Chewing gum goes on easily, but doesn’t come off easily. Just like wires tangle themselves up, but never untangle themselves down. What is up with that?

Enough for today. Goodnight bed bugs.