Woeful Workshop Wednesday: Hats and Madness

20 Questions and a Teacup

I have something delicious for you today. I was strolling about Neverland (naturally so) and came upon a wicked-cool hat. As soon as I picked it up, I found another. You can only imagine this made me feel a bit like Hansel and Gretel--I assure you looking for crumbs is NOT fun. At fist I thought, "Which of the lost boys and girls would litter in Neverland?" but then it occurred to me that maybe someone was reenacting a scene from Caps for Sale--very probable you know in these parts of Neverland. Being dreadfully wrong on both accounts, I came across a tall fellow, a colorful suit, and two crazed eyes. "Must be Hook" I thought. Wrong again. He didn't seem his usual self. In fact he looked quite glum. When I ventured towards him to investigate he didn't budge, nope, nothing quirky sprung from this man of tricks, this clever loon of Wonderland. Finally he turned.

Me: "Well, I'll be! "
Hatter: "Yes, is it so strange I'm in town? Maybe I'm just a bit lost you see, but come to think of it..."
Me: *still jumping up and down with excitement* "So glad you're here. How about twenty?"
Hatter: "Twenty what you insufferable woman?"
Me:  "Questions." (I actually thought about sniffling here, but thought better of it).
Hatter: Ah yes, another Alice. Different world. Same Alice."
Me: "No, no, no!"
Hatter: Yes, only Alice would venture to do the impossible, but 20, thats a record now. Alice was set at six. She has thought of upping the stakes in rabbits favor.You know he's terrible for time. Can't be wasting any of it! Such a clock. By now his eyes were glowing and I took this as a warning to begin.
Me: "Speaking of impossible things Hatter, what brings you here?"
Hatter: "The hats of course. It seems they've sprung a doozy on me and why wouldn't they, they must be growing tired of their old man. Half the time I wonder what is up this noggin of mine"
Me: "Old?"
Hatter: "Yes, can't you see I'm running out of tricks. But I'll always have the teacup."
Me: "The teacup?"
Hatter: "Yes, the bane of my existence, TEA, and a clump of sugar!"
Me:  "Very well then. Carry on."

“"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?”

Reeking havoc and mayhem in Neverland and dashing it with clever Hatter's quirks. I totally understand Alice.Very clever indeed. Who wouldn't enjoy it? Yes! Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow he returns.

Moral of the story: Don't argue with a mad man, your creation or not. Don't lose your hats in a foreign world. Don't lose yourself or your teacup, you might need them to make you feel whole. Don't kid around with yourself or your writing. Talent is forever. Wit is golden. Never ask twenty questions when a few will do. No matter the twenty questions, we who write, "We're all mad here". Focus on the important things, the rest comes later, even if it is just tea and a lump of sugar.

What are your important things, i.e. your tea and lump of sugar?