My fellow writer Brian and I were talking the other day, and got on a discussion about writing down thoughts and pieces of ideas on scraps of paper.  If you are a writer, I’m sure you also have many of them scattered around in files, drawers, journals, pockets, bags, etc.   

He told me a story about a man that finally decided to go through those scraps and old files and came upon a story he had written long ago.  As he began to read the story he decided it was absolutely terrible and threw it away.  His wife happened to see it and pulled it out of the trash to read.  She came to him saying how good she thought it was and that he should try to get it published.  At first this high school history teacher balked, but then chose to trust his wife’s instinct and submitted the story.     

The rest they say is history, as this high school history teacher, Stephen King, was able to get the manuscript he threw away, Carrie, published.   

We continued to talk about the times we too have thought things not worthy of keeping, and also of the times we grabbed the paper, scribbled down bits of thoughts and swore it was the best thing yet, only to re-read it later and ask, “What was I thinking?”  We both agree however, that no matter how bad it may have turned out, there was a deep core passion that shone through for a moment and needs to be nurtured.  Maybe not that exact message or wording, but it should be saved - there may be a bit or piece that is the basis for something great!   

Now we may not all end up as well known as Stephen King, but you can never truly know how your writing may affect others.  It may just be bits and pieces of what we write that touch’s another person; sometimes it is the small things that matter most.  Think of those scraps of ideas as puzzle pieces yet to be connected- save them, relish them, but keep them far from the trash.  And if you do have the urge to throw something away, at least let someone else read it first, you never know, you may have a piece of history there.  

P.S  Are you a fellow writer?  (Remember, even if you only have bits & pieces, you are still a writer!)  I invite you to join me as a “friend” on Facebook!  Just log on to www.facebook.com and type in Marie Boyum- click to be my friend (:

 © March 27,2008 Marie Boyum