Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Novelist or Novelty?

***************For a few days in early November, I noticed this beetle in the room where I write. He flew clumsily and climbed from one object on the table to another, seemingly indifferent to my pursuit of the latest, greatest novel.

Without so much as a howdy, he alit on my laptop. He made his way to the keyboard while I sat back and observed. Go for it, I thought. Perhaps, he had something to contribute, a means to advance my cause. I sensed he was here for a purpose.

He looked things over. I waited for a sentence or two from his perspective, or a catchy phrase or even a single meaningful word.

Without adding so much as an exclamation point, apostrophe or semi-colon to my most magnificent manuscript, he abruptly and rudely, flew off, much as he'd come. Such is life.

In my mind, I'm nearly a novelist, yet to my recent roommate, I was merely a novelty.
















11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Adorable!
Many people believe that a ladybug brings good luck if it lands on you. However, for the good luck to happen, you must not brush the ladybug off, but rather let it fly away on its own.

So one would have to reason, if a lady bug lands on your computer and you wait for it to fly away, the next Great American Novel waits beneath the keys.

Natasha said...

I love your title and last sentence: Nearly a novelist...merely a novelty. That is brilliant!

Walk said...

Oh, but he did write some prose for you. Look closely and you'll see he said: "QUIT BUGGIN' ME!"

Gullible said...

That's no beetle! That's a sweet little ladybug.
Novelist/novelty. Cool words. Be kind to ladybugs. They bring you luck and eat pesky aphids.

Cheryl Peters said...

Gully: Per Wilkepedia, Coccinellidae is a fmily of beetles, known variously as ladybirds, ladybugs or lady beetles.

My recent companion is a beetle. He, or more appropriately, she, is also known as a ladybug.

I adore ladybugs and especially enjoyed this particular one's company during my month long self-imposed confinement.

If only I'd been lucky enough to get a beetle who was also a writer!

Cheryl Peters said...

darksculptures: I like the way you think!

Natasha: I wrote something brilliant? If you say so, it must be true.

Walk: Are you sure it's not YOU who'd like me to bug off? I admit, I do tease you nearly nonstop. :)

مى said...

This is too cute :)

I love the pictures you've taken! Good job xx

Cheryl Peters said...

Mae: Welcome and thank you.

Anonymous said...

Jeeze, I never get such great visitors. Just the occasional spider the forces me to ditch the laptop and scream for my husband.

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

I prefer this visitor than some of my family members hehe...
Great evening Shaddy dear!
xo

Cheryl Peters said...

dayner: It was a treat to have another living thing in the room with me. I agree that spiders are in a whole different category and aren't welcome in my space either.

Lenore: I miss the little bugger. I don't know where he disappeared to.

Come and visit here anytime.