When I was in 8th grade I had to do a creative writing assignment for Language Arts (they call it ELA now), and I kept putting it off, and then it was the day the assignment was due and I hadn’t done anything. I had gym class right before Language Arts, and for whatever reason, we got a free day to do whatever we wanted, so I sat on the risers and wrote out this story, and then I turned it in. And the teacher graded it and I got an A+ and she said it was the most creative story she’d read.
I called it Last Minute Panic and I am pretty sure this particular comic strip was the inspiration for that title.
I use the Edison approach to creativity: 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration.
I load up my left brain with facts and then turn it off and let the right brain take over.
My left brain is like the garage of the neighbor you hate because everything has a place and everything is in it’s place and not a single piece of junk anywhere. Left brain logic is nearly perfect. My left brain has a grasp on reality,
My right brain is like a teenager’s room. The first thing the right brain does when handed a jig saw puzzle of a problem is dump all the contents and throw away the box. Right brain logic is almost non-existent. My right brain is a world of unicorns, dragons and things that are impossible.
Fortunately, the two halves are on speaking terms.
When it comes to creative writing, Sybil has nothing on me when it comes to having multiple personalities.
Sometimes you never know when the inspiration will kick in. That’s how it is with my fanfics. But if it’s an assignment like that, I try to get it done as early as possible before the due date.
BE THIS GUY almost 2 years ago
Hemingway did his best work that way.
Charles Barr Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Suspense thriller.
Sugar Bombs 95 almost 2 years ago
As someone who’s been overwhelmed with too many creative projects and unsure of which one to focus on, I feel you Calvin.
codycab almost 2 years ago
This is the story of a boy who does things at the last minute and as a result, ends up failing despite his “best efforts” to finish.
Templo S.U.D. almost 2 years ago
whatever floats your boat, Calvin
weatherford.joe Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I’m familiar with that mood, but when it came to creative writing, I often preferred to get right on it instead.
su43dipta almost 2 years ago
Last-minute for Calvin means on the bus to school.
GeorgeInAZ almost 2 years ago
Tom Wolfe made sure he had deadlines imposed on him and that’s how he got writing done on time.
allen@home almost 2 years ago
If Calvin was older. He and Peter Fox would be the best of friends.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Panic is the mother of invention.
JudasPeckerwood almost 2 years ago
As a freelance writer, I approve this message.
Guilty Bystander almost 2 years ago
Adrenaline is a great substitute for caffeine when you don’t have enough money for coffee or Mountain Dew. Or so I’ve been told (cough-cough).
Susan00100 almost 2 years ago
Isn’t Calvin a little too old to be playing in a sandbox??
Susan00100 almost 2 years ago
I wonder if Calvin might be related to Adam@Home.
Detroit Dan almost 2 years ago
That was my formula for homework/projects, too
sandpiper almost 2 years ago
Sometimes he hits a seven, sometimes snake eyes. But, in the true tradition of the addicted gambler, he is compelled to keep throwing the dice.
MY DOG IS MY CO PILOT almost 2 years ago
Worked for me.
Ravioli's Gale Premium Member almost 2 years ago
When I was in 8th grade I had to do a creative writing assignment for Language Arts (they call it ELA now), and I kept putting it off, and then it was the day the assignment was due and I hadn’t done anything. I had gym class right before Language Arts, and for whatever reason, we got a free day to do whatever we wanted, so I sat on the risers and wrote out this story, and then I turned it in. And the teacher graded it and I got an A+ and she said it was the most creative story she’d read.
I called it Last Minute Panic and I am pretty sure this particular comic strip was the inspiration for that title.
dflak almost 2 years ago
I use the Edison approach to creativity: 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration.
I load up my left brain with facts and then turn it off and let the right brain take over.
My left brain is like the garage of the neighbor you hate because everything has a place and everything is in it’s place and not a single piece of junk anywhere. Left brain logic is nearly perfect. My left brain has a grasp on reality,
My right brain is like a teenager’s room. The first thing the right brain does when handed a jig saw puzzle of a problem is dump all the contents and throw away the box. Right brain logic is almost non-existent. My right brain is a world of unicorns, dragons and things that are impossible.
Fortunately, the two halves are on speaking terms.
When it comes to creative writing, Sybil has nothing on me when it comes to having multiple personalities.
Gen.Flashman almost 2 years ago
See Hobbes, see Hobbes run, run Hobbes run=A+
mfrasca almost 2 years ago
“Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”
― Samuel Johnson
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I do my best thinking “at the last minute”.
The Pro from Dover almost 2 years ago
So I figured I’d go hang out in the neighborhood litter box.
txmystic almost 2 years ago
10 years later, he has evolved into Peter Fox…
mourdac Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The inspiration also for many homework assignments.
emftoots still causing mischief Premium Member almost 2 years ago
yes, yes! last minute panic is a motivator.
gantech almost 2 years ago
If necessity is the mother of invention, the father is often desperation.
Tallguy almost 2 years ago
The Douglas Adams approach.
Amra Leo almost 2 years ago
That’ll do it…
The Wolf In Your Midst almost 2 years ago
If you’re not still writing the assignment as you put it on the teacher’s desk, then you didn’t really use your time efficiently.
DADDYDOER!@#$%^&*(*&^%$#@!@&&^%$#@#$%^&*&^%$#$%^&* almost 2 years ago
COOL
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom Premium Member almost 2 years ago
That’s how I used to do my homework. =p
John Jorgensen almost 2 years ago
There may be something to that, actually. Without the ticking clock it’s possible you’ll just never be satisfied with the end result.
kathleenhicks62 almost 2 years ago
Write about one of your space adventures.
mistercatworks almost 2 years ago
Writers were more productive when “dead-line” was taken more literally.
patricev70 almost 2 years ago
He has so much imagination that he doesn’t realize it… Why not write a Spiff adventure.
goboboyd almost 2 years ago
Being ADD, this has worked very well for me in school and through my career. It has also resulted in spectacular failures.
Plods with ...™ almost 2 years ago
I love deadlines. The whooshing sound they make as they go by is inspiring.
BiggerNate91 almost 2 years ago
Peter Fox said the exact same thing yesterday.
artegal almost 2 years ago
With his imagination, he’s struggling? How about a good old Spaceman Spiff story?
mindjob almost 2 years ago
I see the symbolism here, the sandbox represents the barren dunes of planet Zorg.
nathan.sheriff3 almost 2 years ago
This sums up college papers exactly.
wiley207 almost 2 years ago
Sometimes you never know when the inspiration will kick in. That’s how it is with my fanfics. But if it’s an assignment like that, I try to get it done as early as possible before the due date.
coffeeturtle almost 2 years ago
sad, but true!
liberalnlovinit almost 2 years ago
I know that all too well.
willie_mctell almost 2 years ago
Calvin hasn’t tried drugs yet.
JoeMartinFan Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Driven by the genius of desperation…
Mediatech almost 2 years ago
“O, for a muse of fire that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention!” – William Shakespeare
eccolibri60 Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Sounds like how I got through college. I wish I had been diagnosed with ADD a lot earlier.