Summary

The author, a newcomer to Medium, was inspired by Holly Jahangiri's writing challenge to compose a sonnet about automobile maintenance, despite initially planning to quietly observe and learn from other writers on the platform.

Abstract

The website content introduces a writer who, after reading extensively about writing on Medium, intended to remain a silent observer until they felt more confident in their craft. However, they were unexpectedly drawn into publishing their own work when they encountered a writing dare issued by Holly Jahangiri within a tutorial disguised as an innocuous article. The dare specifically challenged writers to align their content with their chosen tags, leading the author to pen a sonnet about changing car oil, a task they found unappealing. The author, who has a penchant for limericks, accepted the challenge and shared their sonnet, turning Jahangiri's post into a learning experience. The sonnet, titled "Sonnet 1: Seven Blargs and Ridiculous Automobile Maintenance," humorously details the author's struggle with the mundane chore of an oil change during the COVID season.

Opinions

The author has a fondness for limericks but was enticed into writing a sonnet.
Holly Jahangiri's writing challenge, particularly her dare, is seen as a cunning trap that the author found hard to resist.
The author playfully admits to writing bad poetry, especially under the influence of medication after surgery.
The author acknowledges the peer pressure they felt to publish their work, despite initially wanting to remain in the background.
The author uses humor to describe the relatable frustration of performing vehicle maintenance, in this case, an oil change.
There is a sense of camaraderie and mentorship in the author's interaction with Holly Jahangiri, as the latter is familiar with the author's previous work and weaknesses.
The author expresses gratitude for not being challenged to write a Villanelle about voting, implying a preference for less politically charged topics or perhaps a recognition of the difficulty of such a task.

By way of introduction

I Wrote my First Story and It’s a Sonnet

Though my strong point is Limericks

As a newcomer, I’ve spent much of the past week reading about writing on Medium. I had every intention to lurk quietly in the shadows until I felt more certain and secure. So much for good intentions.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Beware the tutorial

Lurking behind a seemingly innocent title, a cunning trap had been set to lure me into publishing on Medium long before I had planned. Familiar with Holly Jahangiri as a sarcastic writer, I approached with caution.

Let’s Write A New Story

And, in the process, discover the features of Medium.

medium.com

After a rather amusing section titled “7 Important Blargs to Blargity Blarg,” I thought I was safe. I had been ambushed by Holly’s wit and was finding her clear instructions to be quite helpful.

I shouldn’t have let my guard down. The real trap was yet to come. Buried in the middle of a discussion on tags she had issued a writing dare.

As with your title, don’t be greedy and do deliver on your promises — if you use Poetry as one of your tags, then write a poem or a serious discussion of poetry. No one exploring the Poetry topic wants to read about how to change the oil in their car, unless it’s written in sonnet form.

Do it. I dare you

This is where my plan to be cautious went wrong.

I find writing dares hard to resist, particularly when Holly issues them. She knows my weakness and has been repeatedly victimized by my Vicodin inspired bad poetry.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I’m in my bed

The sheets are blue

My addled brain wasn’t content with being merely derivative, it wanted to push the very limits of dreadful.

This cup is brown

My coffee is creamy

It tastes real good

And kind of dreamy.

In my defense, I’d had major surgery the day before. Knowing all of this, Holly threw caution to the wind and dared me.

I took the bait

Before I responded, I knew where the conversation was headed. I was going to write a sonnet about oil changes. I just hoped I could keep the thing private.

I hope you know I’m seriously considering your challenge.

Do you have a preference on sonnet type, or shall I assume a preference for the Shakespearean style?

medium.com

After much bantering, badgering and general peer pressure I’m sharing my sonnet story. In a satisfying twist, I’m using Holly’s post as a tutorial.

Sonnet 1: Seven Blargs and Ridiculous Automobile Maintenance

My auto’s oil is dark and needs to change;

How to do it soon I can not reason.

This chore is one I simply must arrange.

Do it myself; this is COVID season.

So to the store, I drive to purchase oil;

My car is hot, I have no way to cool.

In summer’s heat, my blood begins to boil.

The sweat, it drips, and soon begins to pool.

With oil in hand, I’m home, no longer out.

The stuff I bought it has the weight forty.

I pop the hood and then begin to pout.

I hate this kind of stuff, it does bore me.

With batteries that are the shape of cubes,

Do all-electric autos still need lubes?

I’m thankful I wasn’t on Medium when Holly challenged me to write a Villanelle urging Americans to vote.