There’s an old saw about 2020 hindsight. What does an old saw have to do with sayings that have been around so long they’re original usage is lost anyway? You’d have to go back to about 1595 and the weird way English was conjugated back them. Basically “saw” is the equivalent of “saying.” Anyway. I digress. Another saying, not nearly so old but old enough because it was popular when I was in junior high (said term no longer existing as it’s now called middle school and/or mid-high, depending on your location but I digress once more…), was “shoulda, coulda, would” which pretty much translates to that whole 2020 hindsight thing. Anyway, this little tidbit from the Universe caught my eye.
Silver, there will always be something else you could have said. There will always be something else you could have done. And there will always be another life you could have lived.
But, frankly, we’re still savoring all you did say, do, and become, in spite of so many reasons that you might not have.
Wow,
The Universe
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Yeah, “What would Silver James do?” is part of our pop vernacular now. And you should see your pending endorsement deals! Magic carpets, body wands, pixie dust, the works!
In many ways, this applies to writing. Because, you know, my life is all about stringing words together to tell a story. I don’t know of one writer who doesn’t want to “fix” something once their work has gone to print. I seriously think that need is hardwired into our DNA. But this also affects us while we are in the process of writing. Each scene opens up a world of possibilities for the next scene. Hero and heroine have a big fight. He walks away. Gosh, what should happen? What could happen? What would happen if….? See what I mean? Endless possibilities that all depend on the type of story, where in the story, the personalities of our characters and the circumstances in which they find themselves. The biggest dilemma is deciding which shoulda/coulda/woulda scenario tells the best story, and tells the story you want to tell. Decisions, decisions. Writers, do you agree? Readers, do you have a tough time making decisions? And yo, Universe! I’m paying bills today. I sure could use some of those endorsements. Any time now… 😉
Silver James 
That’s right… Hey Universe! We’re trying to pay bills here. Bring on the endorsements! Some sales would be nice, too, eh?
My mom (or maybe it was Dad) used ‘shoulda woulda coulda’ whenever we had an excuse for not accomplishing some task she’d given us. And it was middle school where I went to school but junior high some other elsewheres and I often wondered why. Never found out the answer, though. Pardon me, but I’m running on next to little sleep and I’m goofy right now. Bring on the COFFEE!
Oh, and I definitely agree.
Coffee is our savior today. I’ve been awake since 3:15 with a light doze between 5:15 and 6:00 so I’m feelin’ ya. Around here it was Junior High (grades 7-9) and Senior High (grades 10-12) but that was always just called high school. The educational system seemed to have starting switching things around (at least here) about the time the first of the Boomers (the generation that FILLED schools to capacity) started having kids. Then some bright someone decided that grade school was K-5, middle was 6-8, and high was 9-12. Not sure it made any difference except to confuse us old farts. 🤣
And yeah, we ALL could use some sales for sure. Universe? Hello? You out there?