One Time

Below is a writing exercise that grew out of the 100 ideas exercise we did together. The tale plays on different applications of the word ‘time’, and there is a surprising hero to boot.

One time,
I went to a park.

Next time,
I took my ball.

This time,
People came to play.

And over time,
a crowd gathered.

’Game time!’
Two teams squared off.
‘Game on!’
A whistle blew.

Scissor kicks.
Short flicks.
Sporty tricks.
No goal.

Muddy park.
Scuff marks.
It’s nearly dark –
but still no goal

‘Time is running out. We need a goal, quick!’

A splash,
a flap,
thump and a quack, then …
My team’s golden boot struck luck
‘Goooaal’.

The whistle blew once more.

‘Full time!’
‘Time’s up!’
‘Home time!’
‘It’s bath time!
’

‘Same time, next time?’
‘YES’, everyone agreed.

And I will bring my ball again,
and two golden boots for duck.

100 Ideas

We thought of writing a story about the full range of emotions experienced in playing and watching a game of football. Fiona suggested doing a list of 100 before we started. Litemind has the idea that anyone can catch their subconscious off guard by writing down answers, solutions, or ideas about an issue or problem you wish to solve. To be most effective it’s suggested you do it in one sitting, and try not to be self conscious about an idea being good or not.

The theory goes, the first 30 ideas are a mind dump. The next phase is a challenging one, you find it hard to let go of initial thoughts, maybe you repeat them, stare into space and think it’s all a waste of time, but if you push through you can get to the interesting phase. This last phase, from idea 70-100 enters just as you think ideas have dried up, but with a head now emptied of all logical suggestions, your mind hopefully plays with looser, freeform thoughts and connections. You may even find the final ones addressing a different problem altogether.

This pattern certainly unfolded as we began tackling the football and emotions idea.
1. Muddy
2. Goal keeper bored
3. Mum watching
4. Expectant before game
5. Girls and boys

Right on queue we stalled in the middle.
50. Embarrassed
51. Anger
52. Boy alone with ball and dog
53. Kick ball into tree
54. Is this your ball?
55. Wanna play?

Then we were on a roll, even going past the 100, and here it got interesting.
101. Extra time
102. Full time
103. No time
104. Home time
105. Good time
106. This time
107. See you next time
108. Same time?

Sure enough, these last few words inspired quite a different story from the one we first imagined. Stay tuned.
rs