The Greatest Show On Earth!

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I never really had the chance to go to the circus when I was growing up.  In my small town by the bayous of southern Louisiana, we had a Duck Festival where we had a Duck Queen, a Duck Calling Contest and a few arcade games or kiddie rides, but no circus.  But even though Ringling Brothers never came to town when I was a kid, it didn't mean I didn't imagine myself becoming a circus performer one day.

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I have big dreams.  I don't mean like training some pups to sit on a stool kinda dreams.  Although I tried really hard one summer to teach my half-Chihuahua/half-mutt dog named Penny to do some tricks but she was more confused than I was on how to go about it properly.  Kinda like trying to teach my brain how to write a great story.  Just when I think I should maybe try my hands at a little writing project, like my version of War & Peace, I decide to try the grand finale of literature tricks and write Picture Books.

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And the only way I'm going to be that star performer is to practice every day. Every week. Every month. Every...well, you get the idea.  I can't just run through the moves of trying to write a picture book...throw a few words on paper...and think it's a good story, much less a great one!  It takes talent, finesse, and a lot of patience to produce a story worthy of performing in front of others.

Some of us can go too quickly and our timing is off.  We fumble and only end up embarrassing ourselves (and those around us) by not getting the tricks right.  

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Then there are some of us who go slowly, honing our skills, studying our craft, and starting out small until one day we realize there are tigers in the room and we aren't afraid to go after them.  We are ready for the big show and can perform at the level editors and publishers expect of us.  

I want to be THAT kind of performer.  A star-studded, fishnet-stockinged daredevil circus star who takes on the most difficult challenges and makes them bow to her flying fingers on the keyboard.  And one day, when I'm good enough, maybe I will even take on the biggest challenge of all...

RHYMING PICTURE BOOKS!

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Flash Fiction Friday

Which Way To The Circus?

By Donna L Martin

Puss n Boots traveled for quite some time when he finally caught up to the silly baboon who knew who had stolen his hat.  He knew someone in the circus took it, but who?  Bowwing low with a courtly gesture, the fastidious feline smoothed his fur first before addressing the jungle creature standing before him.

"Oh, kind and honorable sir!  I have traveled far and wide in search of my bespangled chapeau.  I was told I might find it here.  Pray tell me where I might find yon hippodrome?"

The baboon took one look at the fancy dressed cat without a hat and laughed.  Nudging his friend, the elephant, the baboon said, "Hey, Jumbo, take a look at that character.  Who ever saw such a fancy dressed cat outside of the circus?"

Jumbo nodded his head and flapped his ears as he laughed.  "You're right, Bobo.  I ain't seen a sight like him since we had those traveling tigers the boss dressed up in funny clothes to dance around for the people."

Puss n Boots could see he was getting nowhere fast with these two, so he tried again, "I was wondering if you fine fellows could point me in the direction of the circus that's come to town?"

Bobo hopped up and down with excitement before replying, "Well, why didn't you say so in the first place, matey?  The circus is that a way!"

Puss n Boots tried to remain calm.  "And would you know if a certain black panther would be performing at said circus?"

"I should hope to think I would," said Jumbo as he gave his head another mighty shake. "Brunetta performs just before we do!"

With another courtly bow and a fond farewell, Puss n Boots strode off in the direction of the circus.  He hoped he wasn't too late for his dance with that devil cat, Brunetta.

*Now it's your turn.  What happens next?  Does Puss n Boots run into Brunette?  Does he get his hat back?  Join in the fun with a sentence or a paragraph.  You don't have to run with my flash fiction...if someone else comments and you want to add to their story, then go for it.  Let's see where this picture prompt takes us!***

I Wanna Join The Circus!

I think my writing career has given me the perfect opportunity to cross train for another career I've always wanted to try my hand at.  I wanna join the circus!  I can sit as patiently as any elephant...believe me I know because I sit a lot. Waiting for an idea to come.  Wondering if today is the day my muse will create a masterpiece.  Watching the mailbox and hoping today there will be an acceptance letter in the mail for me.

Maybe they would have a place for me as a balancing act?  I'm pretty good at juggling a full time job, home life, a budding writing career, and maybe a little ME time so I'm sure I could do her job!

And if it's jumping through hoops they need me to do...I'm there!  I'm already jumping through them as I make sure I've dotted all my I's and crossed all my T's whenever I submit another story to someone.  I might have to learn how to do it without catching my tail on fire, though.

The circus can be an exciting career choice.  So can writing.  I figure it's all what you put into it.  I just don't want to end up like him...