The hardest writing assignment I ever received still challenges me today. Could you pass?

I was a junior, maybe a senior in college when my professor presented the most challenging assignment to date: Write a story without using any form of the verbs to be or to have. For every is, are, was, were, has, have that appeared, he would subtract five points. 

An impossible assignment, I thought. Then I got to work.

I don’t recall what grade I earned; I know I didn’t fail and the idea has stuck with me for decades. So in the spirit of doing hard things, I’m going to give it another try here. I encourage you to use strong action verbs the next time you write something, and watch your writing come to life.

Halloween Joy

I heard a knock on the door. I walked toward the rapping and opened the front door. In front of me stood a cluster of costumed kids. “Trick or treat!” they yelled.

I reached for the candy bowl and held it out. “Pick your favorite two,’’ I said as their fingers searched through a pile of Kit Kats, Hershey bars, Whoppers and Reese’s.

“Thank you,’’ they shouted as they turned to leave.

“Wait,” I said. “Do you want to see a spooky doorbell?”

Their heads nodded.

“Press this button,’’ I said, and pointed to a small black circle. 

They pressed it and out popped a green, ghoulish eye and a foreboding voice said: “Enter if you dare!” followed by a ghoulish laugh.

Some kids backed away, scared. Others pressed the button again, staring, amused.

A Race for more Candy

Then they scampered down the stairs and ran to the next house.

Behind me, our dog barked with excitement. 

For the next hour, kids raced up my driveway, climbed onto my porch and collected candy with joy and glee. I welcomed Paw Patrol characters and witches and avocados and princesses and Harry Potters and Shreks and Barbies. My candy bowl quickly emptied and the kids disappeared down the street. Soon, they moved onto the next block for more treats.

Note: Image created by AI