Butterflies and Glitter

Writing Challenge #9

Hi everyone. The second-last participant in this creative writing challenge is Joy from Unfolding Your Path to Joy.

In Joy’s version of these nine words, she tells a cute story of young romance; yet another flavour we haven’t seen. There are matters of the heart here, both in her creative writing and in her process for this challenge.

Joy shares some words of wisdom about her process:

I try not to label myself, but I would say I am “not a fiction writer”. Just because I would say that I thought I should try.

What I truly believe is that I *am* anything I allow myself to be and the moment I decide to “try” is the moment a shift occurs throughout all areas of my life. I embrace that thoroughly and am always excited to see how the momentum from even one tiny step forward in one simple area such as this, enriches my life in delight-filled ways.

When I allow my heart to be open to the moment as it is, then *anything* truly is possible. To allow my heart to open fully, I savor all that is familiar to me and brings me joy; yet I also stretch to try new and different. I find when I try new and different in one area, all areas of my life are open. Participating in this challenge was new and different for me, because I don’t think of myself as a fiction writer and I find it difficult to write with constraints – in this case incorporating a specific set of nine words into a 100-word story. I opened my heart and I did it, and *the doing of it* is the best reward. It allows me to consider what else is possible if I just open my heart and try.

Butterflies and Glitter

When I was 7 – and wearing my butterflies and glitter headband – I told Timothy “you’re my boyfriend”,  then kissed him.  That year, he moved.

When I was 12,  standing with Jerome and Rena – wearing my butterflies and glitter headband; “Hi, Joy.”

Timothy! I felt my heart swell – two small words, the magnitude of which sent my spirit soaring. If I could fly, I would have touched the moon.

I could barely concentrate in typography class.

Class ended. I ran right into the open closet door, knocking me to the floor.

The slow death of embarrassment.

Timothy offered his hand.

* * * * * * * *

This is precious, Joy. Soulful. Thank you.

There’s such an endearing quality about your writing and your story, reflected by how you opened yourself to the creative process. I love how you say “the doing of it is the best reward”. It leads me to believe you were fearless, despite this being your first time writing fiction. You just let it unfold.

Here there is young love, a good-bye and then a reunion. I love the promise of what is to come after Timothy offers his hand to the writer. Interesting that the writer is, in a sense, a mystery character who remains nameless. :-)

Tagged as: creative writing, writing challenge, writing fiction