This post is part of the Write On Project. Topic: GUILT
I was asked by Jared Karol and the folks at the Write On Project to write a piece on their latest topic: GUILT. I tried hard to think of things that I have felt guilty about in my life, and thankfully, as I have led a relatively honest and trustworthy lifestyle, I was not able to come up with anything terribly significant (yeah… really… seriously… ). Lately, however, on a personal level, I have felt guilty about not following some of the creative pursuits that I was deeply passionate about as a younger person. I felt that I wasn’t practicing what I am constantly preaching to my kids… it’s part of the reason I started writing this blog. So I took on the challenge, sat down to write, and at first I had these grand delusions that I would write something all… you know… profound and serious-like. But hey, y’all know by now… that’s not me… so this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy the story!
BAILIFF: Welcome to the Court of Dreams, Honorable Judge I. Emma Dreamer presiding. Today’s case is the State of Unhappiness vs. Mr. B. R. Chronicles.
Counsel for the Prosecution is the Attorney General for the State of Unhappiness, Mr. Stu Latetachange
Counsel for the Defendant from the law firm Allweez, Fallow, Yerpassion & Ambishon will be Attorney Mr. Chase Yerpassion
JUDGE: Welcome all to my Court of Dreams. Mr. Chronicles you are being accused today of abandoning your dreams, how do you plead?
ME: Well, NOT GUILTY, of course, Your Honor
JUDGE: Members of the jury, please note that the defendant has pleaded NOT GUILTY to the charges. Mr. Latetachange, you may begin by presenting your opening statements.
LATETACHANGE: Thank you, Your Honor. Hello members of the jury, let me thank you today for your services to our fine community. Today we have a very serious charge against the defendant, Mr. Chronicles. It is my belief that the defendant is GUILTY… in fact SERIOUSLY GUILTY of abandoning his dreams and not pursuing the creative outlets that so inspired him as a young man. I will provide significant and compelling evidence today to prove that to you and I am convinced that when this trial comes to a conclusion you will agree with me and render a GUILTY verdict. Thank you.
JUDGE: Thank you Mr. Latetachange. Mr. Yerpassion would you like to present a counter statement.
YERPASSION: Yes, Your Honor… thank you maam. Hello, my friends in the jury. Let me also thank you for your time today and for performing your civic duty. You have heard what my colleague, Mr. Latetachange has presented about the defendant, Mr. Chronicles. I am here to convince you otherwise, that Mr. Chronicles is NOT GUILTY of these charges rendered against him today. That although he has possibly let some dreams sneak by without pursuing them to the fullest, he has actively followed his passions throughout his life and especially, in the last several years, has made a concerted effort to bring those passions back into his everyday pursuits. At the conclusion of this trial today, when you have heard and digested all of the evidence, I will ask that you find Mr. Chronicles NOT GUILTY of the charges against him today. Thank you.
JUDGE: Thank you both for your opening statements. Mr. Latetachange, would you like to call your first witness……..
Intrigued? Read more of this post here at the Write On Project…
The Brown Road Chronicles 
Pursuing your creative passion does not necessarily mean that’s how you make your living (though wouldn’t that be nice). My grandfather was a plumber, a firefighter, worked on the railroad and on one of Ford’s first automobile assembly lines, but he was also an amazing artist. He never made money from his artwork, but I absolutely treasure a sketch he made of me when I was about 11 or 12 years old and his paintings are hanging in the houses of many family members. Priceless.
You are absolutely correct! Interestingly, like your Grandfather, my Grandmother (the one mentioned in the piece) was an incredibly talented artist also, taught art at a private school, etc. but never made any significant money from her artwork. I think alot of artists are very talented with their art, but not very good business people. Not only could she paint, she made handmade porcelain dolls out of clay, handmade the clothes, amazing talent. There’s still quite a bit of her work decorating all of our families houses. Like you we treasure these pieces that have survived and have been passed down to the grandkids.
As a member of the jury, I find the defendant Not Guilty of Abandonment, and charge him with a the lesser degree of Procrastination. I, hereby, sentence him to double time production for a period of 99 year and one day.
LOL… loved this response… made my day!! Well, better get busy on the double time! Thanks!!
I love this post, Steve, especially your Grandma’s testimony! I don’t think you have anything to feel guilty about!
You might enjoy this post that I wrote along a similar style line:
http://writerwoman61.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/the-interview/
Wendy
After reading your link, I guess we have a lot in common… books… quite a different niche, but still books! Thanks for sharing the link… loved it!
Man, I wish I could write like you…the things you think of just blow me away! Great job once again!
Liked the way you brought your message across, Steve! What a good cast of characters 🙂
Hope you can find some time every day/week to jot down thoughts about the book you plan – it may take awhile but you’ll get it done. Doing serious writing ‘part time’ needs a lot of discipline, just keep at it.
I ran across your name while reading momfog’s blog this morning. As I was taking a peek at your site, I came across this post. Because I work for an attorney (I’m a Paralegal, i.e., gloried secretary), the title caught my eye. AWESOME post!! I look forward to reading some of your other posts after work . . . oops!, here comes the boss now! : )