Top Ten Reasons Why I Stopped Writing Stories and Started Making Lists

Bloggers and journalists insist that people love to read lists.  I know several confirmed “list-o-holics” and to tell the truth, I am enamored of the bullet point list, myself.  Lists, particularly Top 10 lists, appeal to people with short attention spans,  to those who want relevant information without all the filler words, and to those who hate thinking for themselves.

Therefore, I will embark on this list journey because I am told that you, dear readers, will love it.  You’ll notice that in my title, I said I’d explain the top ten reasons for why I stopped writing stories and making lists.  This is a dreadfully sinful LIE.

1. Once upon a time, there was a chicken. It danced in the moonlight. (Go on, you might as well check out List Item #2; it may be relevant)

2. It attracted the attention of some nearby gorillas.

3. The gorillas, being more powerful than the chicken, considered biting its head off and consuming it for a snack.

4. Then they realized that because the chicken was so small and there wasn’t enough for all of them, they’d have to fight each other for the chicken.

5. Given that fighting is a pain in the ass, and lying in the grass scratching one’s butt is easier, they decided to ignore the chicken.

6. The chicken continued its avian ballet, unaware of its brush with death.

7. A clever reader asked, “Why exactly would a chicken dance in the moonlight? Wouldn’t it be in a coop somewhere?  And chickens don’t really dance, do they?”

8. The author, in the interest of artistic expression for poultry (won’t somebody please think of the chickens?), had to clobber the reader, duct-tape his mouth shut, and shove him in a closet.

9. The chicken, frightened by the unexpected clobbering noise, fled the scene.

10. The gorillas cried, for they had been enjoying the graceful dance of the chicken.

11. The sun rose mournfully in a cold gray sky over an empty field. A mime dropped a rose.

12. This story was made into a film and won awards at the Sundance festival because of its innovation and embodiment of all the qualities of a good independent film.

13. The author’s readers sent hate mail because not only had the author subjected them to a stupid story that mercilessly consumed a tiny portion of their lives, but because the author had also lied about the number of list items. Also, the film was totally different than the story and that was like, a total sell out.

14. Devasted by the harsh words, the author committed suicide.

15. The author’s spirit woke up in a world where happy rainbow unicorns pranced about. Nice flower fairies made her a princess outfit out of rose petals. She was satisfied by hearing the sad thoughts of those who sent the mean letters: “I’m really sorry now that she is dead. It’s all my fault that she killed herself. I am truly a pathetic excuse for a human being.”

16. All the mean people felt so bad that they killed themselves, too. They showed up in the afterlife alongside the author.

17. Forced to accomodate the influx of contrite people, the rainbow unicorns left her. The flower fairies made everyone else princess outfits, too. The mean people, feeling much better about themselves now that they were princesses, went back to writing hate mail and leaving it where the author could find it.

18. She tried to kill herself again.

19. Turns out you can only kill herself once.

20. There is no happy ending to this story. The moral is: don’t think “they’ll be sorry when I’m dead!” and kill yourself, because they might feel so sorry about it all that they’ll kill themselves, too, and then they’ll be there to annoy you for all eternity. Defiantly keep on writing pointless stories simply to amuse yourself. You can buy princess outfits at the costume store, anyway. It’s not like flower fairies have a monopoly on the costume industry.

THE END

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The fabulous fairy doll in the photo above is titled “Rude Obnoxious Fairy” and can be found at www.off-with-the-fairies.com.

COMMENT, DAMN IT!

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5 Responses to “Top Ten Reasons Why I Stopped Writing Stories and Started Making Lists”

  1. I’m still giggling, great stuff! And I *love* that fairy – reminds me of the one that made Cathy’s life so miserable in the other Split Worlds stories I wrote recently, I’m off to that site now too!

    Lovely to meet you, and thanks for stopping by at my place! x

  2. Likewise, Emma! I have a few other stories here about fairies. I’m looking forward to catching up on your stories. I didn’t realize they were part of a series–the one I read was a great stand-alone.

  3. You are so funny. I too have a penchant for lists of stories but they’ze no way nearly as humorous as this.

    When I read your 3 blogs it’s like 3 completely different people – which to me is what a rounded human being should be like.

    I’ve often imagined a life after suicide surrounded by people that drive you nuts. Better to face things now than a life time of damnation !

  4. Hi! Very clever stuff I like reading it :D Do you live in Colorado? I’m from Boulder and wondering if I know you.

    Cheers.

  5. Hi Matt,

    I lived in Boulder up until a year ago. Sorry we didn’t connect while I was still in town! Glad you enjoyed the story.

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