InSanity~Normalize, Don't Stigmatize Mentall Illness.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Welcome, Ben Franklin: IWSG Post


Have you noticed that insecurities tend to wreak havoc with the creative process? Well, Alex J. Cavanaugh  did something about this problem; he founded an Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We’re posting monthly, exposing our vulnerabilities and/or offering support to one another. Please check out Alex’s blog to visit others’ posts. It’s a group of kind-hearted bloggers/writers, authors and great folks.  Join us, if you haven't already! All that's required is an insecurity or two hundred.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robyn is too anxious to talk. Ben Franklin strolls on stage, decayed and disheveled, but extremely polite. 

Trembling, Robyn takes a large stride towards him. She slips and falls onto her butt, at Ben’s feet. “Oh *bleep*! God, I mean *bleep!* I’m so sorry.” He helps her up. A red-faced Robyn extends a hand to offer a formal greeting. Ben and Robyn shake hands, then sit in their respective La-Z-boy recliners.

Ben: Not to worry, a slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

Robyn:  Um, yes, well my tongue slips too, but only on very rare occasion. *Bleep!* Oh sorry, I think I’m just nervous. I mean, you’re Ben Franklin, philosopher, author, inventor, American diplomat and all-around hero who’s been dead for 222 years.

Ben: My dear, fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal.

Robyn: Good point.  On behalf of all Americans, Ben, I wish you a happy Independence Day. We have so much to thank you for. I don't know where to start.

Ben: No need for platitudes. Where liberty dwells, there is my country.

Robyn: I see. Well this is my Insecure Writer’s Group Post for July, so I'd like to ask for advice for all of us writers who struggle with insecurities.

Ben: Certainly.

If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing.

Robyn leans in closer to Ben's face, appearing to listen intently. Instead, she is lost in heated fantasies involving a man of Franklin’s wit, preferably one who hasn’t been dead for 222 years.  

Ben continues, with clarity but no logical string of thoughts:


Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Beware of the young doctor and the old barber. 

Interrupting (she likes young doctors), Robyn says: Thank you so much, Mr. Franklin. I hope to see you again. She stands up, gives him a wink and nuzzles his arm to escort Ben off the stage. Franklin walks with her, continuing:

By my rambling digressions, I perceive myself to be growing old.

He’s a fool who cannot conceal his wisdom..

Dear blog friends, whether or not you celebrate Independence Day, may you appreciate our countless freedoms – including our limitless opportunities to express ourselves through writing.

Keep writing the things worth reading and doing things worth the writing.

Happy July 4th!

Thank you, Ben Franklin ~ 1706-1790. May you continue to rest in peace.

The italicized quotes above were found at www.quotationspage.com, jpetrie.mywebluga.edu, and www.goodreads.com/author/quotes.

27 comments:

  1. I love this! Very true words from the wit of Benjamin Franklin. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Quite clever! Have a happy 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Or do things worth the writing - excellent!
    Have a great Fourth of July, Robyn.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love how you incorporated the 4th of July with the IWSG! Clever, clever girl! Happy 4th Robyn! Julie

    ReplyDelete
  5. He lived to a good age for a man of his era. Did he consort with younger women (apart from your good self?). Happy Independence Day, Robyn.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love it when you do this Robyn, great post as always.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great guy Ben Franklin was. Too bad we don't have anyone of his stature with us today.

    ReplyDelete
  8. After all these years he's still a smart guy haha happy fourth of july

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a fun and clever post! Happy 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Girl, you are such a fine writer. I can't imagine you are insecure! Seriously!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cherie, he was -and still is- truly inspiring. Thanks for visiting!

    Sherri, happy 4th. Great to see you here. I appreciate it.

    Alex, it is an awesome quote. I'm so glad I found it today, when drafting this one.

    Empty, thank you, clever lady. Happy 4th!

    GB, I'd guess he was quite the ladies' man. Maybe that's only because I'm drawn to witty men.

    YW, I always appreciate your appreciations of my posts. Be well.

    Stephen, so true. I was thinking the same when I perused his quotes for this one.

    MsA, happy 4th back to you. Enjoy.

    Pat, yep, his brain cells are still charged after 222 years. Amazing.

    Kimberly, thank you. It's great to
    connect through the IWSG.

    NotSoSimply, that's very kind. I wish I wasn't so insecure, but then I'd risk being an egomaniac. I'd rather be insecure.

    Happy 4th, all.
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  12. A slip of the tongue you may never get over. haha What a classic.

    Don't know much about the guy but his tongue must be crusty.. ewww..

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a great post. Happy Independence Day, July 4!

    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're always so much fun to read! I wish you a very happy, fun filled holiday with many moments worthy of writing.

    I keep my insecure writing securely wrapped up in my actual journal. I'm still a pen and paper writer....usually by flashlight in the depths of my closet. How is that for insecure? :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. That was funny! I imagine Ben isn't in very good shape right now, being dead so long and all that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. GREAT Post My Friend!

    Love you tons, and you forgot his most famous quote.

    "Damn that hurt"! right after the lightening struck him!

    ;-)
    J

    ReplyDelete
  17. And a slip of the tongue and you're eating sh...oh, even I can't finish that.
    Hope your 4th was delightful.
    And Zombie Ben didn't smell too badly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have got to get by here more often. You make me smile and LAUGH OUT LOUD.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This was a fun post. :) He was a pretty clever man.

    ReplyDelete
  20. A great read... as usual. Hope you had a lovely 4th July.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Betty, thanks. Be well.

    Ducky, I still like the pen to paper method myself. And I only came out of the closet when I started this blog.

    Anthony, thank goodness I didn't find out (about the crust factor of his tongue, that is).

    Denise, I appreciate your stopping by.

    John, that was a shocking moment for him. Wasn't it? Love back to you.

    Al, nah, it seems Old Spice is good for hundreds of years. Phew.

    L.Diane, haha, I imagine you're correct, though his wit remains intact.

    Faraways, I need to get to YOUR place more often. It's always like a mini-vacation.

    BabySis, one of the most brilliant. Thanks.

    Rosalind, good seeing you. I hope you are well.

    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  22. That was really fun and unexpected. This is my first IWSG blog-hop and I hope I keep finding awesome posts and sparkling stars like you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love this post! Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Boy that Ben is right on point...not bad for someone who has been dead a few centuries.
    Blessings, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love it! You go girl and that BF makes a great BFF in your writing. So keep writing, lady!

    :-)
    Traci

    ReplyDelete