Bob's Write from the Start: The Statute of Limitations Must Have Run Out By Now

Bob's Write from the Start

Bob’s Write from the Start, a blog sharing the roller coaster ride of this renewing writer’s feelings and actual experiences, began March 2017. That January, I began with a two-sentence contribution to a local Writing Group. I am now a Guest Columnist for a local paper and have contributed to small and online magazines. My comments for new and renewing writers? Start by starting. Join a writing group. You are unique but not alone. Once you start work, you will not be in Kansas anymore.

Monday, May 1, 2017

The Statute of Limitations Must Have Run Out By Now

I think I can admit this now without serious fear of prosecution. When I was attending university, Sandra and I were married. We had no money and rent to pay. I had a classmate (Hi George. Wonder what you're up to now.) who had a hot car and lived in the best (OK, not so much but still the best) hotel in this smallish university city. And, as a mark of incredible sophistication for the time, he drank red wine that had an actual name.

What George didn't have was a lot of attention to his actual schoolwork. He almost always found himself with an essay due in a week, no idea how to start it, let alone do it or complete it, and no inclination to find out.

So, over a glass of named red wine - in the middle of the day no less - he asked if I could 'help' him with his essay. "Help" meaning write it for him. For $50. Not exactly a princely sum even for the time, but a welcome amount.

So, I wrote that one and many more following that one. I got so I could actually write to the grade level he wanted - usually a "B". "Don't make it too good" he'd say.

The one I recall writing was "The History of Art" during some specified time period. I remember the process of doing it because I had, personally, no more real idea of the History of Art after writing the essay than before putting typewriter (yes) to paper.

It was an assignment. I got the "B" he wanted and got the essay to him on time. By nature, I am inclined to demand an "A" of myself. And, as an executive in a past life, I learned how to meet deadlines at the same time. It may also be a personality disorder.

I tell you all this only because I just missed my deadline on my newspaper article assignment and, while I am finally making progress and it may turn out to be an "A" in my own head, it won't be exactly what was asked for.

I am simultaneously grateful for the opportunity to do this work and angry with myself for not meeting my 'deadline' standard. My sponsor and editor said "OK".

Now I absolutely have to get an "A".

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About Me

Name: Bob's Write From The Start

Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

Born, raised and living in Sarnia, Ontario, Bob Boulton began writing poetry, short stories and humorous articles for his high school newspaper in the period just after dinosaurs roamed the earth. His article on the mysteries of the Chess Club was particularly well-received. Bob’s excruciatingly naive teenage sonnet was published with positive mention in the high school yearbook. In University he wrote pretty much indecipherable essays on Existentialism and Phenomenology. Then, early in his working career, Bob also wrote short feature articles in the now-defunct (not his fault) Weston York Times. For this, he was paid $5.00 per article, which didn’t quite cover his transportation and parking costs. Then after a short break of thirty-five or forty years as an executive and leadership coach, Bob reactivated his passion for writing. The alternatives he considered were learning to yodel or trying to play the bagpipes. Bob’s loving and supportive family voted enthusiastically, and quickly, for writing.