The tale of the blank pages

Every story needs a place to begin. A story about an empty book can be hard to explain. If the pages were empty, there would be no story to read. If they were full, you could read the story about the blank pages, but they’d be barred from being seen.

So let this be a story about past and future, with no room left for the present. The book was once filled with blank pages, full of potential.

It will be filled with stories, which is quite consequential.

It robs the book of all it could be and leave it with one:

The story of how the pages were filled and how it’s become.

Foolish to think that a middle ground could exist.

Either there’s ink or there is nix.

Once a single drop touches the paper, the story begins.

It’s no matter if it starts on page one or ends with a dot or a fin.

The book is now the bearer of your story, don’t take that lightly

Now that you’ve erased the blankness and became a writer

Or an artist, even if you were just playing around while on a call.

Dismiss them as doodles, or unworthy - every creator started small.

As soon as your pen touched the surface and transferred the ink,

The fabric longed for more substance as it formed a fated link.

With just a whim you concluded a pact

Whether you knew it or not - matter of fact

This is your story now.

Congratulations. I take a bow.

Here are some rules for you to follow:

1. Write today, not tomorrow

2. No shopping lists, you are better than that

3. All feelings welcome, if deeply in love or fiendishly mad

4. Don’t succumb to perfection

   4.1 Funny to say, that rule needed seven redactions

5. Once you gave the book your story, it’s the books story to tell

Enjoy. No worries. You won’t be able to fail.

The pages won’t turn blank again, the lines won’t disappear.

So write and draw to your hearts content while you’re here.

And when the last one is filled, tuck the book away, precious.

When you read this story, future me, you will feel ageless.