Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

Robotic Writer #99WordStories

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a robotic writer. Is it an analogy or a battery-operated i-writer? Is it possible? What will happen if robots write? Go where the prompt leads!

This is where the prompt took me — a whole lot of mashed-up similes trying to express the various moods of my writing process. I hope it makes some kind of sense and isn’t all gibberish.

Robotic Writer

When ideas stalled and deadlines loomed, her determined digits thumped the keys, pausing after each stroke, like a robotic writer waiting for the next line of code.

When ideas jostled like unruly children vying for attention, never still enough to focus, she pummelled keys like lightning strikes then backspaced like rowboats in the storm.

When ideas flowed as if channelled from another source, her fingers tap-danced like spring raindrops in a puddle with a magpie chorus joining in.

When the final key was pressed and words were read, with scrunched-up nose, she hit delete and binned the robotic gobbledygook.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Farm Life can be read at the Carrot Ranch here.

Comments

37 responses to “Robotic Writer #99WordStories”

  1. Gary A Wilson Avatar

    Hi Norah,
    Ugh – I cringe at this thought. I’m of that class of writer who is stuck back at when the right words struggled so hard to get out, they have some value and that editing if needed may yet reveal the hidden gem stone. I know it’s not always true but . . .
    You caught this image almost too accurately.
    Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      We all hope for those gems, don’t we. I wish I was better at finding them!
      Thank you for your lovely comment, Gary.

      Like

  2. Kate Avatar

    ‘Robotic gobbledygook’ is a perfect way to describe mindless writing and yes, I press Delete after one of those sessions as well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Most of us have them at some stage, I think. Thanks, Kate. 🙂

      Like

  3. calmkate Avatar

    I loved the adjectives you used to describe striking, pummeling the keys … it added rhythm 🙂 Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Kate. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Jules Avatar

    Sometimes certain ideas should be trashed. But after some review. I don’t like everything I write either. But I’m not one to toss an idea. That said… gobbledeegook needs a good trashing 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Somtimes you know there’s just no hope. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jules Avatar

        😉
        We can just do our best.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          That’s right!

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Jennie Avatar

    Well done, Norah. I loved how the stanzas changed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jennie. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Jim Borden Avatar

    I would have hit Publish 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Why not? I did! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

    Nice one, Norah! I mean, the ending is a bummer, but it’s true, isn’t it? Too many ideas, deadlines, overwhelm, lack of focus… It leads to a messy bit of writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Yeah. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad that other writers can identify with this piece of writing.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

        Let’s go with happy since you’ve connected with other writers. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Okay. Thanks, Sarah. I’m happy to have connected with you. 💖

          Liked by 1 person

  8. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Hi Norah, this sounds just like me [smile]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      But not the last part, I hope. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. robbiesinspiration Avatar

        Oh yes, it happens with my writing and my artwork. Sometimes I regret squashing my figurines into a ball in frustration.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          It would be sad to watch you squash your figurines. 😦

          Liked by 1 person

  9. Anne Goodwin is bringing Matilda Windsor home Avatar

    .So sorry you had to get rid of it when it was going so well 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      😅 It wouldn’t be the first time.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. TanGental Avatar

    Isn’t that the truth? All that effort and its thrown away!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      So often!

      Like

  11. Prior... Avatar

    I really loved this and the first three stanzas had those clever power endings- the code, the storm, and the chorus
    But the gobblegook (spelling) word at the very last stanza took away from this for me.
    But I think it is my baggage – I briefly worked with a moody guy who used this word a lot and my mind raced back to those weeks
    But also I didn’t like that last word – even if being funny and having play with not getting anything of substance created (is that what it meant?)
    If so, it seemed to take away from the beautiful types of effort in the first three stanzas
    But even with that last word not sitting right – this was a darn good #99 word write!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you for you indepth analysis of my writing, Yvette. I appreciate it. I’m pleased the first three stanzas worked. Seems like the fourth worked just as I intended it – three powerful attempts at writing all reduced to meaningless and worthless drivel: gobbledygook. 😅 I’m sorry for the word grating with you but it seemed the most appropriate choice to me. I tried a few others but I felt this one was most expressive.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Prior... Avatar

        Well after reading your comment I see how it all fits together and I say well done!!
        I really see that part now and get another layer from this
        Further
        Each time I see or hear that word is a chance for me to break the connection with that dude – haha
        So let’s all use the words that fit and let’s keep using them!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Thanks, Yvette. Next time I intend to use that word, I’ll give you a trigger message. 😉😁

          Liked by 1 person

  12. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    Well done. There are genres robotic writers could accomplish. And many they couldn’t.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      That’s so true, Jacqui. Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Liked by 1 person

I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.