Often we have necessary things to do, though we hate to even start. Today, I’m working on my income taxes. Not a fun thing. Not a happy time in the household, but, I am doing it.

I’d rather be writing, but then, I’d rather be doing almost anything than this -- even scrubbing the toilets. Of course, none of us enjoy giving our hard-earned money -- mailed with intricate paperwork – to some nonentity we can’t really place a face on. I understand the need for tax collecting. I am grateful to be able to pay taxes and to get representation by my privilege of being able to vote. I am more than happy to support the troops and those who need a hand up. Still, I don't like the way we do it.

There’s something invasive about taxes. We aren’t asked, but required to do this every year and not with simple-to-understand forms.

I’d vote for a flat tax. Think about this. There would be no extra paperwork required. What’s stated on the W-2 form would suffice. No loopholes for accountants to find, no worries about forgetting to add a donation or whether they would audit you simply because you fell into a certain tax bracket or occupation. No incentive to give to charities except that you wanted to share your wealth. That seems more honest. No more moguls giving an abundant amount simply to shave a bit of a deduction from their bottom line mid-April.

A flat tax would be simple. Sometimes, simple is not recognized for its pure and common sense virtue.

Nevertheless, for now, I – like most Americans – have waited until practically the last minute to prepare my taxes. That is my fault and I own up to it. But, I don’t have to like the chore.

I had some good news about my writing. One of my short stories included in the anthology, SEVEN BY SEVEN, was nominated for a Derringer Award. "Money for Nothing" is the title and the story I’d written as an audition piece for the anthology. One magazine editor said it was the perfect example of how to write flash fiction. That comment has been one I hold close, especially when I am having trouble making my characters behave like I thought they would. (But, you know characters are like children and have their own personalities and ideas that don’t always go along with ours.) Sunday, the Derringer finalists were announced and unfortunately, I did not make that list. In this case, and so early in my writing career, I can honestly say, "I am honored to have been nominated."

Of course, I’d rather have won. And I’d rather not be doing taxes. But the necessary steps must be taken first in order to finish the journey. Yesterday, it was the great review I held onto. Today, it’s the nomination. Tomorrow, it will be winning such an award. And hopefully, a flat tax will be voted into law. We never know which dreams will come true. I say dream big.

-- Deborah