My Friends Lectured Me about Safety After I wrote a Story on Facebook That Made Them Angry
Have you ever written a piece that went off wrong? A Flint and Steel writing prompt response.
Be careful what you write — you may be misunderstood. Or your story was understood perfectly. It just wasn’t the story you thought you were writing. Have you had that happen?
My first reaction when it happens to me is confusion. I didn’t say that! Reading through my words, I find I did. But it wasn’t what I meant.
What do you do when your story goes all wrong? Misses the intended audience? Doesn’t get read? Do readers ever miss your message?
The Challenge
Ellie Jacobson issued the challenge in Flint and Steel.
📣The challenge prompt is to write a prompt and respond to that prompt.
Okay, I can do that.
My Challenge Prompt
Share a story you wrote that went all wrong.
Perhaps it missed the intended audience. Maybe it was humor, but no one thought it was funny.
Here’s my latest flop!
The Facebook Story
I just had a lovely chat with my local police. I’d had a man walk into my house after knocking on my door a long time. You know me, I’d had my bath and was in my nightgown and there was no one I wanted to talk to.
I figured if they knew me, they would call. After a stream of childish knocks to various tunes, I heard the door open.
But no, “Hey mommy Katie, it’s me,” which I get from many of my foster kids or fictitious kids who have become part of my life.
Okay, my hair is wet, and I’m in a nightgown, and no one is saying anything.
“Who’s there?” I yell. I should have gotten my bat out or my solid oak hand-polished walking stick.
“It’s Trevon,” yells back a man’s voice — now in my house.
“Do I know you?”
“It’s Trevon.”
I’m messing around in my brain trying to think if anyone who visits my garden has that name. “It’s not a good time. I’m in my nightgown!”
“Oh, that’s okay.”
“It’s not okay with me!”
“I have a package for you.”
Dang, I thought, I don’t have any of my special knocks-you-right-out cookies for emergency use. All those years coming up with the right recipe and here I am — with no cookies.
I peek around and he gives me this discussion (for 10 blasted minutes!) about if the address is correct. I chatter back and send him on his way.
If he’s scouting for a group of thieves, he now knows there is nothing here but old lady stuff and a ton of books. He’d make a haul if he were interested in family photos, baskets, and old lace.
I’m not easily unnerved, so I did not do what I should have right away.
Call the police to give them a heads up. No one should walk into your home unless they have permission, like family and friends. This was a stranger.
When I finally called in, the police officer was very nice. He listed the places offering door-to-door package delivery but said none of them should be entering without permission. They were glad to have a report in case someone else has this happen. And it does happen that criminals scope out our homes this way.
Getting my walking stick, hatchet, and pea-shooter out before my next bath.
Remember to have a chat with your local law fellows when something comes up. Like a strange man walking into your home without permission.
What Went Wrong With This Story?
I intended to give a nice shout-out to hard-working police officers everywhere and let my friends and family know they should call in anything unusual that happens in their homes.
Not one of my readers got that message.
They got angry.
And I got lectured!
Never, Never open your door to someone you are not sure of…..911 is there for a reason. At our age, we have to be careful…. the old days of trust are gone. Love you!
Times 45!
I scared them! That’s the worse part.
Omg it could have gone tits up big sis, get a personal alarm on you at all times and Don't open the bloody door at night. Damn xxxxxx
Don’t Leave Me Alone Here — Please
Share a story you wrote that went all wrong.
Follow Ellie’s guidelines listed here if you missed it.
Thank you for reading. I hope I hit the mark with this story. If not, I hope you had a laugh or two.