Well, I am waaaaaaay out in left field on this week’s challenge. It was fun getting here, but I don’t have enough words to get back. This piece is definitely “stream of consciousness” writing.
Here’s the photo prompt that Rochelle gave us — courtesy of Claire Fuller, who created the sculpture and took the photo.
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING
“Well, now, let’s have a look at this piece that has you so distressed, Maryann,” said Professor Rousseau, lifting the scarf that covered his student’s newest sculpture. His gasp of pleasure was audible. Then for several minutes, he stood silent. Finally he spoke, never taking his eyes from the work.
“Tell me again what you told me on the phone.”
“I … I sculpted the man’s head yesterday. I could feel it wasn’t finished, but I couldn’t seem to do anything else with it. So I went to bed. This morning, when I went into the studio to take another look at it … the woman’s head was there as well … and his hand on her head protectively … as you can see.”
The Professor smiled. “Aaahh, yes. I can see that the words of the Original Artist still hold true: “It is not good for man to be alone.”
~~~
To join in the fun visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ site here:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/
The Happy Wordcrafter 
Dear Sandra,
Now that would be spooky to wake up to. I’ve heard of art practically creating itself…sort of like some of my characters who wrote themselves.
I loved the last line from the insightful professor.
thanks again for your jaw dropping comment on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. And I understand about those characters who have a life of their own. A guy who was supposed to be a very minor character in one of my novels (and then be dispensed with) suddenly became the central character in the first sequel and went on to be the only original character to have a major role in the whole rest of the series. Sometimes books really do write themselves, don’t they?
Precisely. I have a character in my novel who’s main purpose is to die. In my mind she was going to be a shrew who would make everyone glad by her leaving. Instead from the first paragraph, she rewrote herself into someone who had me crying when she died.
I bet by the time you were halfway through you were sitting on the edge of your seat to see what would happen each time you wrote. That’s a great experience.
I was fascinated by the story and the picture……..
Thank you very much — and I’m certain Claire thanks you as well. I thought her sculpture was interesting because it forces us to ask questions …
I do! Glad you liked the sculpture – and I thought Sandra’s story was great.
Bravo Sandra! Bravo! I like the way you brought this back into the Christian frame. Such a wonderful image. I cannot imagine trying to navigate this world without my loving and supportive wife.
Thank you, Joe. And thanks for taking the time to read it and comment.
Ow Sandra, this so beautifully written. I like the Christian dimensions. 🙂
Thank you so much. It was fun. I felt that I left it sort of hanging “out there,” with the ending, but at the same time, I was glad I was out of words and didn’t HAVE to find a different ending.
Haaaa! I like this way so much! Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Charles, for taking the time to read it and comment. I’m still working on making my way around to everyone else’s. I’ll get there eventually.
I liked this. I hadn’t noticed that there was a hand on the woman’s head. Really well done.
Very nice! Sometimes my stories seem to spring from nowhere overnight but sculpture, not so much! 🙂
janet
Thanks. And, yes, I was definitely pressing the envelope with the overnight appearance of a second head.
Believe me, there have been many envelopes pushed throughout the universe with this group, so you’re in good company!
That’s good to know. And I love the company. I do so appreciate the interaction with creative people. Each of us nourishes and challenges and sharpens the other, and I always create more and better when I’m privileged to enjoy those relationships. In fact, I look at spending time with talented, creative people as a gift I give myself.
I remember one particular year teaching creative writing at the high school level when I had an unusually small class and every student in it was extremely gifted and creative. While I shared my knowledge and experience with them to help them develop their own gifts, their creativity and openness really activated more of the same in me and challenged me to reach for new levels in myself. It was such a rich experience, and I am very grateful for it.
I didn’t feel out in left field at all. great take on the prompt and I hadn’t noticed the hand on her head either when I looked at the sculpture.
Thank you. I’m probably the only one who felt out in left field about it.
This was one week that I was very glad for the short word allowance. If I had been allowed more words, I would not have gotten away with abruptly introducing a whole new component into the story and then immediately shutting it off.
It would be amazing if that happened – overnight another element appeared. A great idea for the story. Well done.
Thank you. It was a little “out there,” but I guess we could say it’s taking creativity to the next level: We do part of a piece of art — enough to infuse it with our creativity — then just sit back and let it develop the rest on its own from whatever we’ve put inside it. Hah! I like that!
Dear Sandra,
Manifestation? Miracle? Carved in her sleep? A very interesting stroy no matter what the answer. Your stream of consciousness served you well.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks. It was unexpected for me as I wrote, but I did like it when it was done.
For some reason I have a feeling the professor might have some sexual harassement charges coming… But that’s just one of many possible interpretations. 🙂
Well, I look at it this way: when the author’s not allowed more than about 100 words, the characters just have to take their chances.
Very inspiring Sandra.
I wish I would get up one morning and find a whole bunch of artworks finished overnight in my studio! Ann
Yes, I feel that way about some of the books I write — especially the ones I have trouble with. Thanks for taking the time to read the story.
That would be scary to wake up and find something added to your sculpture. So did the artist do it, or did God make the last few touches on it? Very nice.
Well, David, in answer to your question — I just don’t know. And that’s what I meant about being out in left field with not enough words to get back. To be totally honest, I’m glad we had a short word limit, because had I been allowed to use more words, I would have had to answer that very question.
Thanks for taking the time to read it and comment.
Really good. Loved the last line. But scary that the woman’s face appeared while the artist was sleeping. Ominous.
It’s a little “our there,” to be sure, but I just let my thoughts take me wherever they wanted to go. And then I was out of words (over the limit actually), so I didn’t have to explain it further.
Thanks for reading and commenting.