Zen Writing

It all started with my last story.  You see, I had a basic outline of the story all laid out in my head (it was weak).  I was deep in the Zen of story writing; that separate reality that absorbs regular time like a sponge (that’s where we live).  Sometimes I swear I’m just an observer recording what I see there.  Anyway, when I got to a major story transition point, the story took off on its own in a completely different direction (come on, we improved it!).  I stared dumbfounded at the paragraph.  It worked (of course it did).  Better than that, it was great (now you’re talkin’).  Far better than the story direction I had planned (turn that ol’ brain off and we’ll get you published!).  I held up my hands, looking at the fingers that had betrayed my trust (betrayed?!! Pleeeease).  I told them “I’m in charge here!  You do what I tell you.”  They fluttered in amusement (Ok, maybe we did that).

OK, fingers, listen up.  If you think you’re so good, I’m going to put you to the test.  I’m going to put you on my keyboard, clear my mind, and close my eyes for thirty seconds (yippeeee).  Ready? (Oh yeah).  Go!

Marvin “The Mace” Callahan trudged through the puddles as the rain came down in sheets and streamed off his great coat.  The muzzle of his sawed-off shotgun hung a bit below the hem, and a curl of smoke drifted lazily from

I opened my eyes and read in shock.

Then I closed them again.