Writing project. Using two or three random words provided to me from random sources, create a short story or writing sample.

NOUN: Octopus (Kudos to Chris Rizzo)
PLACE: Cul-de-sac (Kudos to Aaron Jordan)

“This is going to be absolutely fantastic,” she told her husband.

Steve stared ahead quietly. His hands at gripping the sterring wheel as if to squeeze any ounce of excitement out of it. Another hand rolling down the window hoping for a breeze while he held his wife’s hand and stroked her back caringly. This would be their third house in the past eighteen months, moving as quickly in as they do out. The neighbors always the same condescending stares and inquisitive whispering. Steve didn’t blame them though. It’s not everyday that The Octopus Man moves in next door.

The quiet was broken by the computerized voice instructing a left turn ahead. Woodlynn Farms, announced the sign on the corner. All of their previous residences shared similar community-enticing titles hoping to spark a sense of pride. Sherwood Oakes, Oaklane Terrace, Lakeville Commons. A public relations stunt that may full the first time home buyer, but Steve has seen plenty of these signs in his rearview mirror as he drove in search of a new place that could finally be called home.

Their stealth-like approach would last until they finally pulled into what looked like a dead end, small circle of homes surrounding an open paved area. “It’s a cul-de-sac.” she says. An audible sigh emerges from Steve’s lips. Unable to avoid the attention of previous neighbors, why would she think being surrounded in such close quarters would be the answer?

Five houses surrounded the gray circle. All of them in similar make and model with small personalized touches. Dozens of different flowers blooming on the left most lot while one of the houses to the right had a prominent garden gnome standing guard across a stonelaid walkway.

An unkept yard and leaky roof was the best way to describe the one in the middle. Surrounded by such well groomed homes this was clearly the ugly friend in the popular crowd. Fitting, thought Steve as they pulled straight ahead into the driveway.

Steve noticed something however. There was nobody else around. It was the weekend, a beautiful day and yet the streets were bare. The lawns were empty. The window drapes were closed. The only two eyes laid upon him was the gnome and he appeared indifferent to his presence. Although Steve expected a sense of relief based upon his ride-long anxiety he felt an unnerving absence.

Perhaps someone had heard they were coming and warned the neighbors already to stay away? There had to be a reason. Steve was only sure that whatever it was, he probably wouldn’t like it. He opened the door and scratched his head while grabbing several last loads of boxes and proceeded into the house. He stopped for a moment in the doorway and looked over his shoulder. He thought he saw for a moment a figure in a nearby window but was unsure. He closed the door fully expecting to avoid using it for as long as possible.

Sure that subject means nothing, but this post does. I’ve become disgusted with myself for allowing myself to slip away from the type of person I want to be. Most specifically in my creative writing. It just seems that I’ve been preferring to play a video game or mindlessly surf the internet instead of do what I use to love, which is write.

I could defend myself saying that I’m in a writer’s block or some other cliche, but that’s not true. I’ve always been great at improvisation and creating something from nothing. I think, as an exercise, I’d like to improv some type of short story a day. Find a noun, place and action and just go from there. I just came up with that idea as I wrote this paragraph. See? The good ideas are flowing forever.

Not sure where I would search for random ideas. I messaged every online, unaway, unidle person on my AIM list. I posted on Twitter and asking some random people online.

Taking the first three I received (excluding those which were jokey, such as Justin Lyon’s asshat suggestion haha) I’ll pick at least two of them and create a story or writing sample.

Alright, I’ll be writing it in my next post.