Blog Assingment #3- Author's Note on My Vignette

He introduced himself as Davis, and told me the American Diabetes Association had asked him to ride on my team because no one else signed up to be on it. He was wearing a bicycling body tight like everyone else (except me, who didn’t know any better,) but his was bright yellow. “I like your leotard.” I said. He scowled at my sweat pants and Gold’s Gym t-shirt. “Where is your water bottle?” Davis asked me.
       “I forgot it.” I admitted.
       “Where are your riding gloves?”
       “Yeah, I don't have those.”
       “Where's your flat tire kit?”
       (I pointed to him.)
       “I don't suppose you have a GPS for when you get lost?”
       (I shook my head.)
      “Where's your helmet?”
       “What's a helmet? I’m just kidding, Davis. Don't throw your bike down. It's right here. Sheesh.”






This piece basically wrote itself. I was inspired to write it because I knew it would make my family and friends laugh. In order to truly appreciate and understand this piece, the audience should know that I have a habit of biting off more than I can chew, and this experience was no different. I had signed up for a 62 mile bike ride to raise money for a cure for diabetes, and didn't put any thought or effort into preparing for it. 

I laugh out loud when I read pieces by David Sedaris, Ellen Degeneres, and Tina Fey, so I kept their writing styles in mind while drafting and revising. I don't think I'll be revising this piece for my portfolio, but if I were to, I imagine I'd  give more detail about the surroundings and other riders, and how the ride went so horribly wrong.

I have written some short stories before, but this one was easily the most fun. While writing, I learned that creative non-fiction is most effective when you have a solid form. It doesn't necessarily have to be organized chronologically, but the path the story takes should be easily recognizable. 


I always write on a computer. I get tired just thinking about writing long hand, and I can't type fast enough on my touch screen phone. I like to write and revise in several sittings. I sit and write the whole thing in one sitting, and then look back and revise a little at a time after that. I always have at least one person read it before I submit any draft. 


This was my first time writing a true account from my own life. I like writing about me. I'm my favorite subject.