(Please note: I apologize for the quality of this recording. Zoom did not do a very good job of synchronizing the words and the audio. Close your eyes or just read the captions if it drives you crazy.)
Tonight, we explored childhood mischief with our writing prompt: So Annoying!
We focused on those little things we did as kids that drove the adults in our lives up the wall—whether it was our parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, babysitters, or other adults.
For example, I used to hand my mom food I didn’t like and say, “Here, Mama, it’s no good. You eat it.”
She always replied, “If it’s no good, why would I want to eat it?”
I never quite grasped that logic. I just knew I didn’t want whatever it was.
Now, it’s your turn.
To get started, spend three minutes brainstorming a list of annoying things you did as a child. Don’t write full sentences yet. Jot down two or three words for each memory, just enough to help you remember your idea.
Then, pick one of the items on your list and flesh it out into a story, letting your younger, annoying self live and breathe on the page.
Ready? Then, let’s go!
Once you’ve written your story, please share it with us in the comments section below.
But remember always, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all!
Here is my story, edited. I had a lot of typos, and edited for clarity. This maybe more disgusting than annoying.
Here is my story. I forgot to post it before.
Here is my Tuesday Write and Read Story.
Nancy, we had a thing in common. Avoiding chores was my number one priority growing up. I could relate. Nice story, I enjoyed it.
This is a delightful slice of your childhood. Your opening line is perfect. I love the details, like the electric washer with attached wringer (a dangerous appliance; it’s fortunate you never caught your fingers), and the little chant about setting the table. It’s a shame your efforts at the clothesline weren’t appreciated. I note that your brother was able to escape household chores altogether. Were you ever invited to help out in the barn?
Here’s my second draft of last night’s annoying story.
Persnickety-love this word. ” I was hardly ever a member of “the clean plate club”.-this phrase is priceless and is the following paragrpah: ” The difficulties increased when I was six and the Air Force stationed my family in England. All the food I encountered there was new and weird. School lunches became an ordeal. How strange that all the desserts were called pudding, whether what I knew as pudding was involved or not. The names were enough to put me off: blancmange, steak and kidney pie, “bangers and mash”, and worst of all, “toad-in-the-hole”. Candy was also different: fruit gums,… Read more »
Enjoyed your story Terry. Surprising about the asparagus though.
I know, right? I can remember enjoying canned asparagus as a child, but when I think back on it I shudder. So slimy! What was I thinking?
Your perspective on food choices at the age of six compared American and British foods. The name of the food even had an influence. The Milkman story added to the complexity of preparing American food in Britian.
My annoying story
Many road trips in the back seat must have made you want to connect with your parents or at least lessen the boredom. There seems to be a common thread between your humming, your sister’s whistling, and your mother’s humming.
I love the happiness that infuses this story. It’s clear you loved being on the road with your parents, and not even your dad’s annoyance with your humming was enough to dampen your spirits. I also enjoyed the touch of sibling rivalry, your pleasure in being able to whistle better than your big sister. That took me back to being seven years younger and wanting to have one thing I could do better than Linda! The end of the story, when your mother turns the tables, is funny and perfect.
Thank you, Terry!
My annoying story
It’s so hard when you want to join your older siblings. Your mother was understanding of your situation.
Judy, I hope your brothers learned to appreciate you as you all grew up. Your story touched a chord for me; my sister was seven years older than I was and we often clashed. I loved the details in this, including the white socks stained with blood and the Mercurochrome (for me it was iodine and yes, it hurt worse than the original injury).
Just transcribed my 1st Tuesday draft. This is exactly as I scribbled it during the 25 minutes…no changes. Included are my brainstorming notes. If anyone makes a smart-assed comment about my bed wetting, I’m gonna let the world know that you have to use Everdries (got that hint from Anne Lamott.
Many kids just get to play with toy trains or pretend they are on a train with the playground steering wheel. You get to do the real deal. Good for you.
John, it’s a wonder you survived your childhood. Your brainstorming list certainly startled me, and made me laugh in places. It reminded me of one or two stories my dad used to tell about what he got up to as a child. I love your story of riding the rails and “steering” behind the motorman. I’m looking forward to later drafts.
Annoying Child- I was the oldest of eight children growing up in St. Louis Mo. during the 1940s and 50s. My parents were great and all of us kids got along well with them. Dad worked 13 hour days, 6 days a week doing auto body repairs while Mom had the hard job of cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and making Dads $75 a week stretch. My sister Gail was a year and a half younger than I and was all girl with no tomboy in her unlike today when girls do everything boys do. Being the father of 3 girls,… Read more »
I thought the lesson would be not to traumatize your little sister. It is also good to obey your parents. Those were the days.
Raymond, I enjoyed this story of your growing-up years and the way you learned not to torment your younger sister. Your description of your father is vivid, and I love the humor of your expectation that you were headed for the afterlife. I would love to read more stories about growing up in St. Louis in the post war years; I’m sure you have some wonderful tales to tell.