The movie A
Christmas Story was adapted from Jean Shepherd’s 1966 novel In
God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.
In case you’re
unfamiliar with this holiday classic, it’s a semi-autobiographical tale from
Jean’s childhood in Hammond, Indiana… a time when he had one very specific
Christmas gift request —
“An official Red
Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the
stock and this thing which tells time!”
No, the
movie is not exciting or action-packed.
It’s more
of a simple, slice-of-life film —
one that’s chock-full of characters that are easy
to relate to.
And I’m not
just saying this because I also had a father who worked in profanity the way
other artists might work in oils or clay.
It’s the
kind of tale that makes you think...
Hey, I
could write something like that, too.
After all,
if you happen to be someone who celebrates Christmas…
I know there’s
a Christmas Story inside of you.
PROMPT: Jean Shepherd was fond of saying, “That
reminds me of something that happened to me when I was a kid…” Start with that
line and go from there. Write about the year of the Christmas blizzard, or the time
the dog opened all of the presents, or…
Write on!
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