Chapter 1: The Discovery of a Forgotten Journal

Recently, I stumbled upon my old "writers" journal by sheer chance. I began this journal over twenty years ago, convinced that I was on the path to becoming a genuine writer. This charming leather-bound book, adorned with delicate straps, was a constant companion, always tucked in my pocket or bag. It housed every story concept, phrase, dialogue snippet, and metaphor that crossed my mind.

As I flipped through its pages, I was captivated by the occasional notes and narratives. Many of these ideas had faded from my memory long ago, but they sparked a wave of nostalgia and joy. I also encountered some enigmatic phrases that must have held significance back then but now left me puzzled.

For instance, I stumbled upon terms like "sneazebag." What could I have been thinking when I coined that? And then there was "Sir Fart-A-Lot." Clearly, I was attempting to craft some kind of humorous fairy tale, but I can't recall anything about that character.

Turning to the next page, I found my efforts to illustrate rather than narrate. Some were amusingly visual, such as "disgusting, just like a poorly flushed toilet." Well played, past self.

The journal was filled with countless plots and ideas, including one that wasn't half bad. It featured a decent, idealistic guy who gets betrayed by his girlfriend, leading him to create a social media account titled "The God" after a night of heavy drinking. To his astonishment, he wakes up to a surprising number of followers and messages, some of which were unsettling: "If you truly are who you claim to be, please help us; our daughter is dying."

Suddenly, my protagonist was thrust into a whirlwind of human drama, religious conflict, and atheistic outrage. It was fascinating to observe as my idealist became increasingly disillusioned. However, I eventually hit a wall. At that time, I was just as naive as my character, lacking the understanding of human nature needed to resolve the story. Consequently, I never wrote it down. But the premise had promise.

A tinge of sadness washed over me. I would never know the tale of Sir Fart-A-Lot, nor would I read about the young man with God's account. The identity of the sneazebag would remain a mystery.

Of course, I could write these stories now, but I'm not the same person I was back then. Life has shaped me in ways that make my perspective, dreams, and sense of humor different. Had I penned those tales in my youth, they likely would have turned out poorly—much like the embarrassing family stories we recount about our childhood mishaps.

Yet, those stories deserve to exist. There are too many untold narratives trapped in the minds of writers and in drafts ominously labeled "Story_draft_8_Final_Final_edit_6.docx."

I regret not writing more of these stories. And I encourage you to do the same. Let’s fill the world with our narratives, even if they are childish or clumsy. They are ours, and they deserve to be shared. We must dismantle the libraries of stories that never came to be.

After finishing this reflection, I opened a draft I hadn’t touched in a year, aptly named Final_Final_edit_6, and prepared to type once more. I might not complete it today or tomorrow, but soon, I hope to type with a sense of accomplishment:

The End

Aivaras Grauzinis

Please consider following my publication, "Every Word Matters," if you appreciate these stories.

Chapter 2: The Journey of Lost Ideas

This video discusses the amusing story of a classic library book that was returned 50 years overdue. It highlights the surprising nature of forgotten stories and the unexpected journeys they take.

In this video, we explore essential sci-fi books you should or shouldn’t read while taking a virtual library tour. Join us as we uncover stories that have shaped the genre.