Here’s another writing prompt that I wanted to tackle from the Writer’s Digest archives. Duh, of course I’m going for the easy ones first.

Writing Prompt:

You’re stranded in a library or bookstore for 24 hours. In what section do you spend the most time? Why?

My Response:

First of all, I could easily spend half a day or more (and way too much money) in a bookstore. It’s my idea of a good date with Kent! We’ve done it before and will certainly do it again. This is why I’m a frequent user of my local library. It’s the only way I can afford to support my habit.

Which section do I spend the most time in? I don’t think it’s possible to limit myself to just one. On a good day I’ll hit almost every section, just to browse. I’m a wanderer who will read anything that captures my attention. I’ll always browse fiction and classic literature, and I may hit some history or biography/memoirs, business, travel, classic children’s books, and audio books. I’ve even been known to check out the cooking and arts/crafts/hobbies sections, though I don’t do much of either. But I’m always looking for that one great book that will inspire me to try something new. And with 24 hours, I may even investigate some science fiction, which normally wouldn’t make my list.

The section that I’m probably least likely to be found in is the self-help section. Not that there isn’t room for improvement, but there’s a lot of unsubstantiated “feel good” garbage on the market. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against self-help because there are some excellent and necessary titles out there. But without a solid recommendation from a trusted source, I mostly just steer clear. My free time is valuable, and when I spend it reading I want to either be entertained or educated. With this genre in particular, it’s hard to cut through the drivel to find the gems. Besides, I manage to blunder along fairly well without the intervention of the latest diet and exercise, or relationship, or self-esteem guru du jour.

Okay, that wasn’t supposed to be a soapbox stance on self-help, so I’ll stop here before I get off on a tangent about where I think self-help really begins.

Writing about this topic reminds me of my favorite Twilight Zone episode, “Time Enough at Last.” You know, the one with Burgess Meredith as the only survivor of a nuclear holocaust who finally has all the time in the world to read, only to break his glasses. Oh, the cruel and excruciating irony!