Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." - Beatrix Potter

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." - Anaïs Nin

"Sharing your writing, being enlarged by others' writing, is what makes you feel famous." - Gretchen Bernabei

"Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth." - Edna Ferber

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Ben Franklin

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones to form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." - Hart Crane

"There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately, no one can agree what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham

Love Notes

Sarah was flicking through the usual bills and junk mail in her mailbox when a pink envelope caught her attention. Feeling curious, she headed into her apartment and slid the matching card out of the envelope which revealed a single word on the front…ADORABLE. She opened the card, read the contents and rolled her eyes.

Dearest Sarah, ‘A’ is for adorable and that is what you are. Love always, Daniel.

Sarah groaned and pulling open a kitchen drawer, she rummaged around for pen and paper.

Dear Daniel, ‘A’ is also for armpit. More specifically, armpit farts. Funny if we were 10-years-old. Not so funny when performed at my mother’s dinner party. Best wishes, Sarah.

On her way out of her apartment building, Sarah stopped at the 20 or so mailboxes in the foyer and deposited the note in Daniel’s box. The following day, she found another pink envelope and for reasons she could not explain, refrained from tossing it in the nearest bin.

BEAUTIFUL! Dearest Sarah, ‘B’ is for beautiful. Your radiant beauty is second to none. Forever yours, Daniel. P.S. My armpit symphonies may not appeal to all, but in my defence, your father started it.

Dear Daniel, ‘B’ is for brandy, the alcohol which you overindulged in at the aforementioned dinner and kindly shared with my father, a complete teetotaller, until he was well and truly sozzled. Never yours, Sarah.

CUDDLES! Dearest Sarah, I can’t forget the cuddles we shared that night. Love always, Daniel. P.S. I’d call it a little tipsy.

"Bloody idiot," Sarah muttered to herself as she scribbled a reply.

CLEARLY, if you’d not been so bloody drunk, you would have noticed that my arm around you was in no way a cuddle, but an attempt to prevent you from falling into Mum’s pavlova. Dad was hours in the toilet. When he wasn’t barfing, he was singing into the toilet brush. No love, Sarah.

DELIGHTFUL! Your sense of humour is delightful Sarah! Still yours, Daniel. P.S. Your mum’s pav was exceptional. Hope your dad gets well soon. There’s been a stomach bug going around.

DELUDED…as in you are deluded. Dad is fine now, not a stomach bug…a hangover…thanks to you. Sarah.

EXCEPTIONAL. Like your Mum’s pavlova, you looked exceptional in that yellow dress. Your beau, Daniel. P.S. Perhaps, your father needs to cut back on drinking.

END, as in I’m ending whatever relationship you think we may have. Did you just compare me to pavlova? My dress was blue and my father does NOT drink. Sarah.

FABULOUS! My true love, Sarah, you are fabulous! Love, Daniel. P.S. I could have sworn it was yellow and forgive my pointing out the obvious, but hangovers are caused by alcohol.

‘F’. Dan, I had no trouble thinking of an ‘F’ word for you, but couldn’t decide whether to use it as a noun or verb. I may not be as familiar with hangovers as you, but I am well aware of the cause. Sarah. P.S. Are you going through the whole alphabet with these cards?

GREAT! You are great Sarah. I’d go through the alphabet and back again for you. Your boyfriend, Daniel. P.S. Your Mum is great. Your Dad is great, despite the drinking problem.

GLITTER? Really, Dan, you’re using glitter on these stupid cards now? Teenage girls use glitter, but then, your maturity level is probably similar. My father is not the one who needs help. The last time you called everyone great was at the dinner party. Are you drunk again? Or should I say still? Don’t call me, I won’t call you either and definitely stop calling yourself my boyfriend, Sarah.

HEART. My sweet Sarah, you will forever be in my heart. I’m only drunk with love for you. Yours always, Daniel. P.S. I thought it added a little extra sparkle. Who says glitter is only for teenage girls?

HEADACHE…as in you are giving me one. Seriously, Dan, give up. You’re right, teenagers don’t have a monopoly on glitter. Drag queens are fond of it too. Sarah.

IRRESISTABLE! Sarah, I find you irresistible! Your sweetheart, Daniel. P.S. Was that supposed to be an insult? Drag queens are people too…with feelings. May I suggest a visit to the local theatre? Melonie Curves and her team do a great show there every Wednesday at 8pm. What time shall I pick you up?

IDIOT! Dan, did you really suggest a date to a drag queen show? Not that I have any issue with how people dress or what they do for entertainment, but it doesn’t sound terribly romantic for a date. I’m sure it’s a great show, but I think I’ll pass. Sarah.

JOY! Sarah, what joy it would bring if you’d said yes. Love you a lot, Daniel. P.S. The queens do a marvellous rendition of ‘My Heart Will Go On.’ If that’s not romantic, I’ll eat my hat. Also, my dad is in the chorus line, so a good chance for you to meet some of my family.

JUST give up and I hope you choke on your hat. I guess it explains your copious supply of glitter. The damned stuff is everywhere. I’m sick of vacuuming daily. Though your dad sounds interesting, I don’t want to meet your family. I regret meeting you. S

KINDNESS! Sarah, behind your harsh words, I know there is kindness. Love and hugs, Daniel. P.S. Is that a no on the date night? Sorry about the glitter, but it reminds me of your beautiful, blue eyes.

KNOBS! That’s a big, fat no with knobs on to the date night. Think of the strongest no you ever heard, then double it. By the way, my eyes are brown.

LOVE! Love, love me do, Sarah. You know I love you. Forever and ever, Daniel. P.S. If love has made me a bit kooky, then I’ll bear that burden. Are you sure about the whole eye colour thing?

LEAVE me alone! You’ve just ruined a great Beatles song for me. If you’re going to start quoting song lyrics, try ‘50 ways to leave your lover’! Yes, I am sure on the eye colour because they are my eyes and have been for 20 years.

MAGNIFICENT! Your eyes are magnificent, whatever colour you think they may be. Your lover, Daniel. P.S. That’s right, don’t think I didn’t notice the reference to being your lover in there.

MADNESS is what this is. I’m not sure why I’m even replying to your stupid cards. The words are from a song, Dan. Trust me, the word lover is not one I’d use about you. For a word I would use, kindly refer back to the card I sent in response to your ‘F’ word.

NICE! I still think you’re nice. Your bestie, Daniel. P.S. Wait…I think I figured the ‘F’ word? That’s not nice, not nice at all. If you’re going to get nasty, I may have to reconsider this relationship.

NASTY? Damn straight, I’ll get nasty if that’s what it takes to end this alphabetical ping-pong.

OVER…I regret to inform you that I think, as a couple, we may be over. Your acquaintance, Daniel.

OH, happy day! Finally. Though we were never actually a couple, just so you know.

POORLY. Alas, dear Sarah, I am feeling poorly. I may have caught that stomach bug from your father, though it could be deep sadness caused by the demise of our relationship. Regards, Dan.

PFFT! - 1. There was no stomach bug and 2. What friggin’ relationship?

QUEENS – I’m not sure that even Dad’s drag queen friends could cheer me up, such is my grief. Dan.

QUINOA. Irrelevant, I know, but the first ‘Q’ word that came to me. You’ll be fine, Dan. From Sarah.

ROMANCE. Sadly, there will be none between us now, from Dan. P.S. Dad’s got a couple of good quinoa recipes, but I guess you won’t get to try them now.

Despite the change of tone in Daniel’s notes, Sarah began to feel a little guilty. She almost wrote REGRET, but quickly rethought her choice. After all, this is what she had wanted. Wasn’t it?

REALLY? I mean, really Dan? How can you be upset over something that did not exist?

SOBBING! I’m sobbing, Sarah. Sobbing. Like a sad, sad thing that sobs. Quinoa does exist. It’s good for you too. Signed, Dan, a.k.a. some guy you met once.

SORRY! Okay, Dan, your cards are not making a lot of sense. Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. You’re a good bloke, you’ll find someone else. Love, Sarah.

TRAGIC. I’ve enclosed a photo. It’s me…looking tragic. Excuse the pyjamas, I see no point in leaving the apartment. I hope you can read this…my tears made the ink run a bit. The glitter wouldn’t stick either. D.

TURTLES? Are they little turtles on your P-jays? Cute! Matching slippers too. C’mon, wipe away those tears. Would you like to talk? I can bring some quinoa. Your friend, Sarah.

UNDECIDED. I’m not sure that’s a good idea, or whether quinoa will help. I’m feeling quite fragile just now.

UMMM, look, maybe I was a tad harsh. I’m sure I can make you feel better. How about that drag show on Wednesday? I’d love to meet your dad. I can bring him some glitter…God knows I’ve got plenty inside my vacuum cleaner. Love, Sarah.

VULNERABLE. Not only fragile, Sarah, but also vulnerable, but I will think about your kind invitation. P.S. I think Dad’s good on the glitter front, with it being a tax deduction and all.

VERY understandable, Dan. You’re hurting, but the hurt will pass. I can help. Can I help? Lots of love, Sarah. P.S. Tax deduction? I need to meet his accountant!

WELL, all right, maybe you can come over, but I haven’t met Dad’s accountant, so I doubt he’ll be here. D.

WOOHOO! I bet you feel better already and the accountant thing was just a joke.

X.O. I do feel a little better. Not many words start with ‘X’ do they? Dan.

XYLOPHONE. ‘X’ is overrated anyway. A kiss and a hug to you too. I’ll talk to you soon. Sarah.

YES! Did you say X-rated? I’m intrigued.

YELLOW dress. Maybe not X-rated, but it was yellow. Sorry, I lied because I was annoyed at you. Love, Sarah.

ZEBRA, Irrelevant, I know, but the first ‘Z’ word that came to me. When can I expect you? P.S. And the eye colour thing? Was that a lie too?

Sarah bypassed the mailboxes and headed for Dan’s door. She slipped her final note underneath it and knocked.

ZERO minutes, Dan. You can check my eyes yourself. Open the door! Your girlfriend, Sarah. P.S. I love zebras!