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A Book of Beginnings: Story Over Tea

By L.L. Barkat 15 Comments

“Once upon a time, ” I say.

You look up from your morning tea. “That is not a very good beginning. I’ve heard it before.”

“Once upon a time, ” I say again.

“Are you writing another book?” You set your teacup into its saucer. Clink. “It doesn’t sound too promising.”

“What’s this?” I ask. “The Princess Bride? Am I the grandfather and you the child, giving me a hard time?”

“You might be my grandfather. But you are a little young. And, besides, you’re a woman. Dark-haired, 5’4″. My grandfather was 5’11”, blond.”

“A time, once. A book, once. But not a book, because I am too tired and busy to write one. And yes, I know I have a history of saying no-book before a book comes along, but this time I mean it.”

“You mean it?”

“I mostly mean it.”

“That sounds suspicious to me. You are giving yourself an out. Or an in, as the case may be.”

“Beginnings are like that. You need an out. Or, an in, as the case may be.”

“What are you starting here then? Are you going to tell me a story?”

“I think not. I think it is just a book of beginnings.”

You take another sip of tea. French. The Bagatelle. “Only beginnings? That doesn’t sound too promising.”

“I’ve heard that before, ” I say.

Photo by Claire Burge. Used with permission. Story by L.L. Barkat, author of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.

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L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.
L.L. Barkat
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Filed Under: A Book of Beginnings, Blog, writer's group resources

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About L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.

Comments

  1. Monica Sharman says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Just gimme the Bagatelle and everybody’ll be fine.

    Reply
    • L. L. Barkat says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:35 pm

      Is that a water gun you are holding up to me, demanding the Bagatelle? 😉

      Reply
  2. L. L. Barkat says

    April 12, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    Well, I don’t know.

    You could try it 😉

    Reply
    • Will Willingham says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Was actually thinking more broadly. As in, a life.

      Reply
  3. L. L. Barkat says

    April 12, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Well, I guess you could try that too. If you are in the market for a good beginning 😉

    And how did you know I wasn’t talking about a life?

    Reply
  4. Will Willingham says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:58 am

    So, what might happen if really, things only began?

    Might there even be some continuity to an actual progression and finish from that?

    Reply
  5. Charity Singleton Craig says

    April 12, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    A book of beginnings . . . reminds me of the song that never ends. Beginnings are so fresh and hopeful, and sometimes a little hard. Looking forward to this!

    Reply
    • L. L. Barkat says

      April 12, 2013 at 2:40 pm

      Well, yes. That is a dilemma. Does a book of beginnings ever end? 🙂

      Thanks for looking forward. I can tell this is going to be fun.

      Reply
  6. Megan Willome says

    April 12, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Uh oh. She’s on the move again. 🙂

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      April 13, 2013 at 11:32 am

      Ah, you know. Dandelion seed 😉

      Reply
  7. Diana Trautwein says

    April 13, 2013 at 11:30 am

    And here it comes. . . something else new and wonderful. Prayin’ I can keep up – I’m more than a little slow, you know.

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      April 13, 2013 at 11:33 am

      No need to keep up. It will be an easy pace and fun for the heart and mind. Once a week. Unless I don’t feel like it from time to time 😉

      Reply
      • LLB says

        May 19, 2015 at 12:18 pm

        I like the way you give yourself permission.

        Reply
  8. sarah says

    April 13, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Enticing.

    Reply
  9. Claire says

    April 19, 2013 at 7:34 am

    🙂

    Reply

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