'So I joined this creative writing challenge,'  Sam said, as he carved out a dollop of butter with his knife and began applying it to a piece of slightly-burnt toast.

'Oh, is that so?' Mia glanced up from her morning paper. 'What's it like?'

'Well', Sam replied, 'they give you like, a picture right, and you use it as a prompt to write anything you want.'

'That sounds fun darl. So what prompt did you get?' 

Sam bit into his toast, making a satisfying crunching sound as he tore off a giant buttery mouthful, 'Well, it's just like a city scene, y'know, intersection with traffic light, tall buildings and all that. I haven't really figured out what I wanna write though.'

'Well what are you stuck with? No interesting ideas?' Mia asked.

'I just don't know what sort of story to write, y'know... Nothing really feels *creative*, like, all my ideas feel so *flat*'.

Mia flipped her newspaper to a new page. 'Damn, that does suck. I don't know, what's in the picture?'

'Well there's like, I dunno, a red light, sort of a construction site looking kinda vibe, it's pretty empty I guess, so I'm thinking maybe a supernatural or natural disaster themed thing? And there's some churches to the right hand side as well'.

'Hmm, weren't you thinking about being religious and stuff recently? Maybe you could write about religion?'

'What?' Sam seemed puzzled. 'But it's a city setting, how can I do a religious story?'

'Well it doesn't have to be a story right? Can't you do a discussive essay or whatever we called it in school?'

'But it's *creative* writing...' Sam said matter-of-factly. 'Discussion pieces aren't *creative*'

'I thought the point was to just practice your writing skills and have a bit of fun? why can't you write something serious if that's what you like?'

'I... That just doesn't sound creative though. I don't think that's what they're looking for.'

Mia seemed amused. 'So you want to be *creative*, but also write what they want you to write? Are you doing a commission or a hobby?'

Sam opened his mouth in protest, but Mia cut him off before he could speak. 'In fact, if you actually wrote not-a-story, I bet you'd stand out the most because everyone else would have written some shitty detective story like you were going to write.'

Sam thought about this. 'Ok, but something doesn't make sense,' he finally said.

'What?'

'If I'm writing a discussion piece, why are we talking like characters in a shitty amateur short story?'

'Because', Mia explained, looking at him as if he was an idiot, 'It's funny and quirky. How absolutely genius would it be if you started it off as a short story, but then broke the fourth wall or something to explain your idea? That's pretty creative.'

'Hang on', Sam exclaimed with sudden realisation, 'This is bullshit. You're just writing your train of thought but making us say it for you.'

'Yeah that's right,' Mia replied, 'How clever is that?'

'Bet you feel real smart right now, ego real big, think you're a creative mastermind dontcha.' Sam couldn't resist taking a quick jab.

'Yeah I kinda do actually, this is a pretty funny plan. Now, you're welcome for the idea darling,' Mia has already lost interest, and her gaze returned to some article on the paper about the latest developments in federal politics.

'Don't you think this might be *too* good though? Like, what if I set the bar too high? Discourage the others?' Sam beamed, engrossed in his master plan.

Mia glanced up. '**** off', she said exhaustedly, and returned her gaze once more.

'Is exhaustedly even a word?'

'I said, **** off'.