Remember our Twitter short contest that ended last month? You can read all of the submissions, including our three winners, on this page.
Timothy Phelps, in first place, shares that
I keep a file on my computer called “What If.” Whenever an idea comes to me, whether it be a fully-formed concept or just a single interesting line I overheard, I put it in my “What If” file. It’s where I go if I need some inspiration to get my creativity working. I learned about the EMW contest and looked through my file for something I could turn into a miniature story.
I got the idea for my Twitter story from a real event. My mom had taught me how to cross-stitch, but I hadn’t done it since I was seven or eight. Last Christmas, my eleven-year-old daughter was trying to find something to give her friend. We found a little cross-stitch set in the craft store, and when I started to help her with it, I discovered it was kind of fun. I jokingly told my wife how I was going to take up the craft, and she told me in return how completely unsexy that would be.
So, while I didn’t return to the needle and thread, I did get a good idea for a character. I imagined a man who wanted to cross-stitch so badly that he was willing to hide it from his disapproving wife. And what better place to keep your secrets than in the closet? It was an easy choice from the “What If” file for the contest.
My time as an English Major at WKU has been incredible. I enjoy every aspect of English, writing and reading, so I feel blessed to have the supportive family and opportunity to pursue my goals. I look forward to completing my degree in a couple semesters, but I also know how much I’ll miss coming to school and being in that environment every day. Maybe I’ll cross-stitch a giant picture of Cherry Hall for my home to remind me of it.
Abbey Piersma, in second place, tells us that
My piece is a summary of my study abroad in Switzerland last summer. By being limited to 140 characters that was what I was able to come up with to summarize my time over there. I was fortunate enough to be able to study abroad with Dr. Davies last summer and study Swiss Literature. It’s something that I will never forget.
I am currently a senior Creative Writing major and will graduate in December 2012, a semester ahead of schedule. I have had the pleasure of being co-president of English Club this 2011-2012 school year. I also served as an editor of Zephyrus for 2 years. Working in the English Department has allowed me to become very involved with the department and build relationships with professors outside of the classroom. Though I’m ready to graduate, I will hate to say goodbye when the time comes.
