BasementSeven » Fiction

Hello EngagedStudents aka Hello CampSamaria

b7 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:36 +0000

I sat in the mirror for five minutes. There was something in me telling me to go back to bed. I fought it. I couldn’t. Today was important. After a few more minutes, I reached for my toothbrush. I hummed as I brushed. Eventually, I slowly walk in my bedroom. There were my jeans. I slide them on and then I grab my all black hi-top Converse that I threw on top of my wife’s Pastry hi-tops the night before. The time was rushing by. Running through the house towards the door, I kiss my wife and grab my backpack. 45 minutes later, I’m walking in a room with my bright yellow love people tee shirt on and twenty or so students sit spread out. I quiet them. They looked at me with a “nothing” on their faces. But from the sound of their hearts pounding, I could hear a sense of readiness. One-by-One the students begin to raise their hands for opportunity to speak. “I like Nike shoes”, the young man in the corner states. “School is a challenge for me because of other students”, she whispers. After asking a few students to be quiet while others were speaking, I point to another student. “My favorite thing to do is play Playstation”, the young boy states and then begins laughing. I then ask them to write down the 5 most important things in their lives. The room got quiet and the students begin to write. Hello EngagedStudents aka Hello CampSamaria

Hello PassingDeer.

b7 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:19:04 +0000

I turn the music up as loud as possible. With just a few minutes passing, I hear the thumping again. I’m glad the highway is empty as I jerk the wheel of the car. I rush to let the windows down. This was probably the coldest night of winter. With the passion of a professional singer, I begin singing along with the music. For the tenth time in a matter of minutes, I look over at my cell phone. My wife and I normally talk during my ride home. The drive home is approximately 40 minutes. Normally, I leave work at midnight but tonight we ran late. Bam! Hello PassingDeer.

random list for headystory development: fiction

b7 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:35:46 +0000

Here are some really random thoughts on my process for creating headystories. This was fun putting together. You should come out for the next headystory seminar where I share this in order for you to write your own headystories. I’m currently doing two camps this summer. When thinking about headystories, think fun, unique, creative, useful and short.

HeadyStory Development:

1. you must develop the story first in your mind or through random writing
2. you must gather words. words are your paint. the pen is your brush.
3. you must see big but imagine small.
4. you must experiment with the words to see which combination works.
5. the combining of the words must allow for a story.
6. first find your combination of two words and then write down 1 – 5 and then write five sentences.
7. i enjoy writing stories without giving the names of the characters so my readers can create who the character is from what they’ve read per the headystory.
8. i enjoy giving my characters name so i can better write the story.
9. too many sentences can make the story complicated.
10. capturing a story within 10 to 20 sentences is no easy task.
11. i write till the story comes.
12. i don’t write when nothing is there.
13. you should learn to spend your alone time with a dictionary.
14. sentence #1 is “she came without notice.”
15. Turn real life into fiction.
16. learn to section off your thoughts.
17. write to make an impact.
18. how did hello become the ending when it started as the beginning. hello.
19. what was or is your favorite subject in school? people.
20. learn to watch people.
21. you should sit in a library as often as you can and then go to a bookstore.
22. of course, read other people’s material.
23. write down five people you like and 10 people you don’t like.
24. look at as many photographs as you can.
25. read your bible. no better inspiration.
26. sentence #2 is “i rushed upstairs to change clothes.”
27. learn about other cities. especially street corners.
28. music has a way of bringing a story out of you.
29. converse with people you know. desperately find people you don’t know to converse with.
30. rewrite it. it won’t take long.
31. email it to as many people as you can. they might read it.
32. read your story aloud to yourself and listen for the rhythm.
33. sentence #3 is “i opened the door to only a cool breeze.”
34. sentence #3 was “she was gone once i reached the door.”
35. follow-up on your story.
36. let your story sit for as long as you want. it will only get better. maybe.
37. never write.
38. you must write if you want to tell the story best.
39. sentence #4 is “looking both ways breathing heavily, i didn’t see her.”
40. you should invite friends over for writing sessions.
41. sentence #5 is “she replied, i’m at the airport.”

Hello HardDecisions

b7 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:11:44 +0000

Forget the fact the he was the only person standing in line with an education. He woke up on this Monday morning in his 1979 Malibu eager to find a job. It was about a month ago when Ted loss his high paying position in Houston due to the company needing to lay people off because of a scandal that took place. Ted was a brilliant man in his late thirties. He graduated college in the top ten percent of his class. But, this Monday morning was similar to the last three. He needed work terribly bad. His aunt gave him a car after losing his car, house, jewelry, etc which the car became his only place to live once his aunt kicked him out due to suspicion of using drugs. Ted pleaded with his aunt. He promised her he hadn’t been doing drugs, and it was her son stealing from her. Three more people stood in front of Ted before getting his opportunity for work via the employment agency that once hired for his company. Ted stood there with his black suit on holding his promising resume. “Next”, and Ted took one more step forward. With his head turning to the right, he catches a glimpse out the window. He watched for minutes as cars zoomed by day dreaming of the life he once lived. “Next”, and Ted took another step closer to what he hoped could be future employment. Now biting his nails and still looking out the window – his eyes catch life when he sees his ex-wife walk by with her hair bouncing and looking radiant. Ted was next to see the clerk but he wants desperately to go speak with his wife in hopes of rekindling the friendship they once considered priceless. Hello HardDecisions.

Learn more about HeadyStories.

Hello YoungMarriage.

b7 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:21:52 +0000

Standing at the door with the key in the doorknob, I contemplated if I wanted to go in and face another evening of complaining from my wife. The last two months of my eight-month marriage have been difficult. With minutes going by, I ponder any task that I need to complete to prolong facing Sarah. “Hello Tony”, my neighbor shouts as he jogs pass. I give a half wave as I listen to Sarah’s voice penetrating the door. She is, with great passion, explaining to her mother over the phone how stupid I am and how fed-up she is with my inability to be a husband. Slowly I take the key out of the door and turn around, unable to listen any longer, and walk towards my car. The tears are from my disappointment in not standing up for this marriage. Finally, in my car, backing out – my wife runs to the door. I look. She looks…and I drive off with the tears still continuing. I look out the rearview mirror hoping to see my wife running after me, but no. There in the mirror were only rows of houses. Hello YoungMarriage.

Learn more about HeadyStories.

Hello FunnyTears by Derrick Sier

b7 — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:07:37 +0000

All the laughter at such a moment kind of made me cringe. I stood there in awe and could not believe what was happening. People approached to the mic, one after another, reminding everyone else of dad’s most funniest moments. As they remembered, their tears switched back and forth from tears of sorrow to joy, then joy to sorrow. The more people got up and told even more stories, the more I found myself fighting the smiles and laughter I had also attached to the memories we all shared with dad. Then it was my turn. I slowly tapped the mic to make sure it was on. I leaned forward, cleared my throat and begin to laugh at the thought I was about to share. Hello FunnyTears.

Hello FinallyFree.

b7 — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:13:14 +0000

We hid in the tiny closet for close to 24 hours. The two of us were completely quiet. It was completely dark in this closet right below the stairs in this abandoned house. I could see the teeth and eyes of my friend. She whispers, “I don’t hear anything”. I quickly reach to cover her mouth thinking I hear foot steps. We listen but all we hear is the wind howling out doors. This house had all its windows busted out. The back door of the house was the only door still in good condition. Some areas of the house had big wholes in the ceiling and floor. “Listen”, I whisper firmly. Still just the howling of the wind and darkness. I grab my friend to hold her when I hear the pounding of her heart. Whispering, “everything will be okay”. We couldn’t stand because of the awkwardness of the closet being that it was underneath the stairs, so we begin to feel discomfort from our positioning in the closet. I feel a tear drop on my arm. Again I whisper in hope of calming Mai, “it will be over soon”. Quickly we begin to listen as we hear fast foot steps coming towards the door. From the cracks – we see flashlights. Then, we hear voices. Our hearts both begin to beat with great anticipation. Then – quietness again. A squeaking sound occurs during the quietness which comes from someone trying to open the closest door. Then suddenly – the door opens. Bright lights instantly blind us as we hold each other in fear and discomfort. And there stood, our parents after being lost several days in the mountains. Hello FinallyFree.

Learn more about HeadyStories.

Hello YourLaugh.

b7 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:56:41 +0000

I’m sitting in a booth facing 19th street in a small town called Guthrie in my favorite coffee shop with my curly red hair hidden under my favorite baseball cap. The laptop in front of me has powered down because of my attention being on the heavy rain taking place. My ears perk to the pounding by the rain on the ceiling. It has rained for several days straight, but that didn’t stop me on this Saturday morning from my normal routine of coffee and internet browsing. The rain continues pretty heavy for approximately 19 minutes. I eventually take my pointer finger to the power key to bring my laptop back to life – jumping right back into cnn dot com. My search this morning has allowed me to encounter much of nothing so my focus once again comes back to the window in front of me. I take notice of the next to nothing traffic. There was probably a car passing every five minutes at most. Continuing to stare, anticipating more rain, I push away from the table and stand in pursuit of the counter. “With the coffee shop being so quiet and the traffic bringing no horns or tires screeching, I couldn’t help but to notice your laugh as you spoke on the phone”, I state to the petite clerk as I walk towards her for my final round of black coffee. Hello YourLaugh.

Learn more about HeadyStories here.

What they’re saying about HeadyStories.

b7 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:29:45 +0000

Heady Here! I wanted to say thanks to everyone that takes time to read my stories (headystories). For me, sitting on my blackberry scripting my next headystory is such a joy but to have others read them and enjoy them is incredible. Today, I wanted to share a few comments that I have treasured from people that have read the HeadyStories. Learn more about HeadyStories here.

They’re saying:
- Ha ha that was hot (James)

- I just love the way your writings are written. (Tee)

- I love these Greg and I am not just saying that either!! (Donna)

- Yeah. One of you shorter ones, which are hard to write and still get your point across. I like it though. Especially the laying on the floor part. (Derrick)

- I like it….tricky…took me a minute to get that one. (Berny)

- Greg these are great stories! (Tanisha)

- You got to be one of the most talented brotha’s in OKC. Now I hope you turn all this into a book. Do your thing Heady! (Faye)

- I wish i could write like that =)
(Dennis)

- Nice one! (Gilbert)

- yea, by the way.. love the short story… I’m very visual you know so I was picturing it as I read it… Keep up the great work! (Cynthia)

- did she say yes!! Love it (Mai)

- is that a true story..or a book you are writing…i like it… (Pakesia)

- Man who come up with these lines? I will start selling these lines for $59.95 (box set of smooth lines) LOL. Smooth stuff. (PJ)

- Wow! That was great. Thanks for the lasting smile. (Efia)

- The smoothest line ever ” …you make me breathe lyrics.” After 30 years, he still manages to make my heart dance. Nice. (Tolar)

- These stories are great!! Feel free to send them to me anytime!! (Yvonne)

- hey man i like this set-up it is very artistic, and warm peotry feeling to it (charles)

- very good story (michael)

- Very soft when reading, yet powerful in meaning. (Sier)

- Its always a delight to read ur stories. I appreciate the free hearted imagery. (Arlene)

Ways I Use HeadyStories:
+ Entertainment (let me dazzle your singles group with a headystory event)
+ Group Discussions (let me kick start your next panel discussion or round table with headystories)
+ Inspiration (need a way to inspire your students to write creatively…)

Learn more about HeadyStories here.

You can contact Faye Cozart at (405) 323-3342 for more information about booking me (Heady) for your next event.

Hello VacantPlace.

b7 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:31:26 +0000

I sat there. I couldn’t leave. The place was quiet. My wife waited patiently in the car. Periodically, I would hum as I walked in and out of the rooms. There was a slight echo. The memories flooded me. There were the times my brother and I would tumble around room from room wrestling. I sigh and think to myself how my father would scream at us until we would stop. It was the Saturday morning breakfast still filling the air as I headed towards the door. My wife and I catch eye contact through the naked windows. Once at the door, I turn to take one last glimpse of my childhood. It tickled me. And right before exiting, there is the nod to my wife; and suddenly, I hear my mother’s voice say her usual – “be careful Gregory, it can be dangerous out there.” Hello VacantPlace.

Learn more about HeadyStories here.