Whether I’m writing a short story or a script, I often find myself stuck in moments of writer’s block. Yes, this may seem odd, considering I want to write for a living, but I believe it happens to the best of us. I’ve researched and listened intently to instructors on creative ways to find a rhythm to either start or continue my flow, and one that works best for me, write what I know. More so than often, the narrative begins with family. When integrating moments from the past or present, I can create content. I even go as far as looking through photos to relive and to capture the setting. If you find times when you get stuck or too focused on one element, give this technique a try. Below is an example of a photo I recently found of my nephew Logan fishing.
Casting Lines
The early sunrise glistens off Santa Margarita Lake creating ripples of glitter dancing on the water. Sean and his youngest son, Logan, are anchored just off the dock, preparing their first lines to cast. Sean softly bites his bottom lip as he intricately pierces his bait hook through a night crawler. Logan’s eye focuses on Sean’s hands, and he processes each step.
“Alright, Logan, do you think you can hook the worm by yourself?”
Logan remains silent as he pulls a night crawler from the Styrofoam cup filled with soil. The worm wiggles between his thumb and pointer finger.
“You got him?”
Logan nods his head, bares down on his grip, and moves the worm closer to the hook. He takes a small breath and pulls the hook directly through the center of the night crawler.
“I did it!”
“Nice! Do you remember how to cast?”
“Yessss…but I’m gonna watch you cast yours first.”
Sean hooks his index finger over the line and pulls it toward the rod. He flips the reel bail with his opposite hand, aims the pole toward his target, and extends his arm and reel just over his shoulder. He thrusts the rod forward, and the fishing line soars through the crisp morning air. Sean closes the bail and slowly reels in the line.
“Hey Dad, when can I get a fishing pole that isn’t made for a kid?”
Sean takes a hand off his fishing rod and pats Logan’s hand, “Let’s keep practicing with this guy for a little while longer. Now go ahead, cast your line.”
“Ok.”
Logan presses the button on the reel of his spincasting rod, with his right thumb, he pulls the rod back, and just as it reaches over his head, he releases his thumb. A whistle hums as the line soars through the air. He looks up at Sean and whispers, “Now we wait.”
Logan watches as his dad reels the line in slowly. He moves his wrist in sync with Sean’s and keeps pace with his drag on the line. Just as Sean brings in his cast Logan asks, “So can I have a donut now?”
Sean laughs, “Bring in the rest of your line, and we can break into the donuts.”
Logan begins to reel faster than he usually would, and Sean interrupts his pace. “Slow it down. I think I see a fish.”
Logan’s twirl of the wrist comes to a stop. He looks into the water and spots a shadow swimming near his bait. Just as the fish approaches the worm, Logan gives the line a slight pull. He feels a little tug on his rod, and his line starts to release from his rod.
“Hold tight to pole and tighten your line.”
Logan alternates his technique between reeling the line fast and letting it out. He looks up at his dad, and Sean reaches over and helps Logan continue reeling in the fish. As the line’s end emerges from the water, a rainbow trout is hooked onto Logan’s hook.
“Nice catch!”
Logan smiles up at his dad. “Can you help me with the hook?”
Sean grabs hold of the trout with his left hand and reaches for the hook with his right. Slowly he pulls the hook out of the trout’s mouth. “Would you like to let him go?”
“Yes, please.”
Logan grasps onto the fish with both hands. He leans over the side of the boat and gently swooshes the fish in the water before letting him go. He gains his balance back on his seat and gives his dad a high five.
“So… now can I have a donut?”
“You don’t want to wash your hands?”
“Dad, I already touched a worm! I don’t think the fish is going to hurt.”
Sean laughs and grabs two chocolate donuts from a brown paper bag in the ice chest. “There’s nothing like fishing and donuts, is there?”
Logan takes a big bite from his breakfast, shakes his head, and declares, “Nope!”