Imperfect Words

This blog is a space for me to practice being vulnerable with my perfectionism. I tend to not share my work because I am afraid of it not being perfect. So, in this space I am challenging myself to write to a prompt every day in October—Promptober if you will. I will be setting a 20-minute sprinting timer, writing from one prompt each day, sharing those words with one alpha reader for a quick grammar and spelling edit (my nemeses), and posting the finished or more likely un-finished results here.

*Important note: TRUTH BOOTH is not part of this challenge. It was not written in October and was given much more than 20 minutes and one quick edit.

PROMPTOBWER

Okay, a day late and a story short. Oh well. Remember how I said I am not here to be perfect?

Mari Hotchkiss

1 min read

Greeting

“Hello and howdy,” The salesman said, setting down his book as Harriet stepped through the door of “The Outdoor Store”. Her limp was under control, and she only smelled like she hadn’t washed in three days instead of three months. “Hi.” She lifted her chin in a nonchalant acknowledgement and walked to a display of scarves slowly perusing them as if she had all the time in the world to poke around this little shop in this little town. Like it hadn’t taken her four whole weeks

Mari Hotchkiss

3 min read

FORCLOSURE

I never thought it could be taken from us. Not really. Not something my dad built with his own hands. Not the place I learned, pour concrete, to tile a floor, and hang shingles. The place my siblings and I climbed through when it was nothing but studs and rafters. Where we played and grew. My entire childhood was taken by a bank because the money was hand delivered on the due date, not post marked three days earlier. How? In what world is this okay? In what world is it accept

Mari Hotchkiss

2 min read

Missed Connections

We chatted at the Dan Deacon show!!! I was the tall guy with beard and the trucker capYou said you don’t like delivering babies. I probably wouldn’t enjoy it either. So we have that in common!!I’ve been kicking myself for not getting your number!! Maybe it’s not too late?? I read the post three times before it sinks in. “This is totally you, right?” My friend Megan asks with a swoony smile as she dances in front of me. “Maybe?” I shrug, handing her phone back. “Come on

Mari Hotchkiss

2 min read