Tiny tiny writing exercise

I'm not sure where the time goes but it has gone two months now. Sheesh. And this may be the shortest blog/exercise ever. I didn't even intend it to happen this way. When I got the random word finder to pick four words and then ended up writing one sentence, well, that was it. Guess I should probably do two next time! 😀

Anyway - here are the words and the tiny tiny writing exercise. What did you come up with?

Bold, ceiling, bell, brain

Could you be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.

I think it could also be written this way:

Could we be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.

Writing Exercise - and where did the time go?!

Holy doodle - how did that much time go by? Whoops. Funny how life takes over - lots of events and work and stuff! Well, glad to be back at it. I have been writing and revising so that took up most of my free time. And now that I've adopted two kittens, that has taken the rest. In a very good way. 😍

So, let's do a quick writing exercise and get those creative juices flowing. Although, plenty of people are doing NaNoWriMo, those folks most likely do not need an exercise. 

Words: Star, inn, adventure, buy

In the gift shop window of The Grand Inn, the sparkling crystal star on top of the Christmas tree winked, inviting me in on an adventure to buy it. The Grand Inn could have been named The Exclusive Inn since anyone staying there had to have gobs of money. And not just gobs, but bags loaded with gobs.

Shivering and staring brought me no closer to going in to check the price. Out of the corner of my eye, a bright red jacket approached and stood next to me.

“Beautiful tree, ain’t she?” the man said.

“Yup.” I wasn’t sure about conversing with a stranger. But it was a Christmas tree. “The star is the best part though.”

“A gift for someone?”

A sigh slipped out.

“I see,” he said.

I finally looked at him, and if he didn’t look like Santa himself. The man chuckled. I tried to break my gaze.

He shrugged one shoulder. “Why not take a look inside. Can’t hurt.”

The glittering star got my full attention again. “Maybe.” The man was gone. No red jacket appeared anywhere up and down the sidewalk. I straightened up. The door jingled as I went inside. Heat enveloped me and I shivered once more. A good shiver this time.

I chewed my lip walking right to the tree. The price tag hung down enough that I could read it. Maybe I could buy it! But how did he know?

A whiny voice made me jump. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I’d like to see the star please.”

She snorted. “Where are your parents?”

“At home,” I lied.

“Come back with them and you can see the star together, okay sweetie?”

The urge to kick her in the shin then run away was really strong. I glared at her and stomped out.

Deflated, I leaned against the building. A spot of red caught my eye and I glanced up. The Santa man grinned and winked. Just like the star. I smiled back, he nodded and disappeared.

Writing Exercise - Word Prompt

I've spun the random word generator wheel and come up with four that spoke to me. Sometimes, I have to go through a few rounds before I find a selection that works. I usually take the first one or maybe the second. This one needed more prodding. This is a work of fiction, this is not my grandfather or anyone else I know. That's the wonder of fiction.

Words: rough, rotten, grandfather, reason

Growing up, I didn't get to know my grandfather very well. He worked a lot. Smoked a lot. Drank even more. He never minced words and spoke directly no matter how it might affect you. Good or bad.

His rough demeanor was linked to his upbringing. In a time where a belt was the preferred form of punishment. There was no time out chair in the corner.

Could he be rotten? You bet. I'm sure he had his reasons. They don't ever make sense to a child. The only person I ever saw him express love for was my grandmother. The gentleness in his voice, his touch, his affection for her revealed an entirely hidden side only she got to see.

I saw it once. I will never forget it. There was so much more to him than I could ever know.

Writing Exercise Time

As in, it's about time! 
The words today are: 

Post, tame, stage, wait

            Watching and waiting from the wings. My cue is coming. Everyone on stage is in place. For my acting debut, the word I’m listening intently for is “horrible”. My parents are in the audience, I can see them, but I don’t wave. I don’t think they can see me.

            My best friend Cammie is there. My stomach flutters. I can’t wait to tell her what it’s like. She helped tame my hair straight for this role. It was essential. She even used mayonnaise. Pretty disgusting but so worth it to be out there under the lights. Not yet. Still waiting.

            Our post show party is at the drama teacher’s house. I’ve never been. More butterflies.

            Did I just hear my cue? Nobody is staring at me. I must be okay. The stage director taps my shoulder. I nod with a giant smile and get into position for my entrance. I’m behind the door. I prepare, losing my grin. The actress says “horrible” and I cross my arms over my body and lean against the door.

            I fall backwards onto the stage. Everyone gasps! I’m a hit! I get to stay here for the rest of the play as Dead Body #1. It’s the most stage time out of the whole cast.

            This is so exciting! My family will be so proud. I didn’t even throw up.

Writing Exercise

I can't even pretend I have spooky Halloween words! Just regular words, although I should have thought of something more creepy to write. Anyway, my random word generator chose four words for today's prompt. Have fun and don't scare me! ♖😳😃

Words: slim, sprout, far-flung, number

Digging holes in the earth is not what I was created for. Singing and dancing is way better than dirt under my fingernails.

The number of vegetables I’ve planted for Mama is nearing 30. May not sound like a high number, but it is. Trust me, and my broken, dirty nails.

Mama thinks there’s no better job than working mother earth. Which means, slim chance to none I’ll get out of doing this. And it’s not just the soil, it’s the bugs, the watering, the fertilizing (don’t get me started on the smell), pulling weeds, harvesting, turning soil, cleaning, canning, selling. You get the picture.

Daniella, Mama says, you’re a natural green thumb. Can I just say how happy I am my thumb is NOT really green? You want to know my secret to all the growing? Singing. I sing to my plants, sing while I water, then just watch those seeds sprout.

My dream of singing in the town musical has always been a dream. A far-flung dream at that. But if I could just have the chance to try. 

Hmmm. I may just have an idea growing, and I know I won't need a green thumb for that.

Book Review and Writing Exercise - a Twofer!

I thought it was time to do a writing exercise as well as a book review. I've been doing a lot of rewriting, to then turn into submissions, and then get back to my WIP. So first up, the book review. Originally published in Shelf Awareness and reviewed by Lynn Becker and available on her blog as well, link below. 

It took me a little bit to get into this book (I think I say that with all books!) but then enjoyed the ride of witches in training. Loved the characters. 

The Apprentice Witch--Shelf Awareness

MG Review: The Apprentice Witch

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol (Chicken House/Scholastic, $16.99 hardcover, 336p., ages 8-12, 9781338118582, July 25, 2017)

Arianwyn Gribble is mortified when her magical assessment by the Civil Witchcraft Authority goes horribly wrong. Instead of focusing on the four cardinal glyphs, her mind is taken over by a larger, bolder symbol, an impossible one that "didn't really exist except in her imagination." The evaluation gauge undergoes a power surge and fails to pick up the required level of magical energy. Arianwyn's humiliating result is officially classified as "ungraded." Instead of the bright silver star of a fully trained witch, a "dull bronze disc" is pinned to her coat. The moon brooch identifies her as an apprentice who "has not yet reached the maturity of her powers."

Nevertheless, her service is needed (it helps that Grandmother, on the Council of Elders, has some say in the matter). Arianwyn takes a position in the small town of Lull, near the Great Wood. Rich in natural magic, "a quiet and pleasant town to live in," Lull has been without a witch for many years and is willing to welcome an apprentice. Provided, as the mayor puts it, she can "fulfill her role without incident." But Lull is not as idyllic as Mayor Belcher advertises. En route to the town, Arianwyn finds herself fighting off a dangerous dark spirit creature. When she begins a spell to banish it, the mysterious glyph flashes before her eyes and her mind goes blank. Arianwyn and her fellow passengers scramble to escape, leaving the dark spirit stunned but not banished. Worse, she may have created a dangerous rift, an opening into the world "anything could get through from the void." Arianwyn is sure that her performance could not have been more pathetic.

Settling into her new home, a musty charm shop named the Spellorium, Arianwyn manages to make charms and deal with the less dangerous beasts that plague the neighborhood. Gradually, she grows more confident and the townsfolk come to accept her. She enjoys the staunch support of best friend Salle (who was involved in the initial melee with the dark creature), and a strange kinship with the other spirit creatures she encounters. Even her district supervisor, while initially skeptical, begins to understand that some great power lurks within the awkward apprentice. All seems to be going well until the mayor's niece arrives, none other than sneaky, cruel Gimma Alverston who taunted Arianwyn mercilessly in school. Something huge, dark and twisted is haunting the Great Wood, and dangerous patches of hex mold are spreading about the area. And why does Arianwyn keep seeing visions of that strange, "tempting and terrifying" glyph?

Feeling at once fresh and familiar, James Nicol's enchanting debut will charm fans of Jennifer Nielsen, J.K. Rowling and Eva Ibbotson. The world of The Apprentice Witch is comfortable, funny and well-imagined. Underneath all the magic, fey creatures and monsters, Arianwyn's struggles with self-doubt will ring true with readers. A few loose plot points hint at a sequel, but this one stands strongly on its own. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Lynn Becker

Now for the writing exercise!

Words: clock, trouble, bed, coin

I rolled over, still awake. The clock hadn't moved. The digital numbers froze at 11:11. How was that possible?

I shifted again, away from the annoying red glow, pulling my night shirt out from under me. My bed sagged like a war-torn army cot. If you tried to bounce a coin off it, I'm certain it would roll down into the valley and never be seen again.

How could sleeping be this much trouble? I sighed. I flopped. I flopped. I sighed. 

Sitting up to read the clock again, it read 11:11. Now I was starting to freak out. Flapping noises began that were not there before. Giant winged shadows crossed in front of the light outside my window.

The very very scared part of me wanted so badly to pull the covers up forever. The other part that made incredibly brave and bad decisions sneaked over to the window for a peek.

Writing Exercise - November but technically December

Deck the halls with lots of crazy, fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be busy, fa la la la la, la la la la.

Ain't it the truth? I think that some sanity is preserved or created when doing something artistic. Which means, I should be doing these every day! haha.

Anyway, here is a new prompt to kick off the holidays, let it lead you where it may, saving sanity along the way. 

Words: spy, thin, kneel, imperfect

     Lizzie sat on the stairs weighing her options. Do I hide and spy or do I go to bed like Joshie? she wondered. Her tiny arms were visible through her thin nightgown. Lizzie shivered but didn’t complain.

     The makeshift Christmas tree made from a worn wood coat rack stood in the corner taped with homemade snowflakes. Lizzie was proud of the ones she and her younger brother had folded and snipped.

     In front of the tree was a shoe box on its side. Lizzie had glued a popsicle stick nativity scene. A cotton ball stuck on a stick for a sheep was her favorite. Imperfect as it was, she knelt down and stared at the manger and smiled. A chorus of O Little Town of Bethlehem grew in volume.

     She listened for a moment then flew to the door to thank the carolers. No one was there. Lizzie looked down. At her feet were two presents addressed to her and Joshie. She pulled them inside and closed the door to the cold.

     On either side of the manger, Lizzie set the gifts down. She wished there was a gift for her aunt who worked two jobs for them.

     Just then, Lizzie got an idea, and not just any idea, a brilliant idea. 

Writing Exercise so close to the end of June

I really thought I'd get the post up in June on the 30th. Well, this is the next best thing. 
July 1st - Canada Day!

I wanted to do one sentence with all the words but that didn't work out so I did a short blurb instead.
Take a crack at it yourself, it's fun.

Words: model, dismissal, nervous, doll

The nervous doll modeled the new dress her human brought her. The lace and full, pale pink skirt gave the doll goosebumps. She twirled and smiled, ignoring the dismissal from the other dolls when they turned their backs on her.
Nothing could dim the love that glowed inside the doll.
When the other dolls get their home made frocks, thought the doll, they will understand.
Unfortunately, that was a bit far from the truth.

Writing Exercise - May!

It seems deadlines work for me. Or maybe they don't since I'm always doing this on the last possible day. At any rate, I have an exercise that makes me want to keep writing. That's the point, right?! Maybe I will. Maybe you will too.
Next month I hope to have a couple of book reviews. More than likely on June 30th. We do what we can.

The random words today are: blooper, drowsy, mirror, halfway

In the drowsy morning, Louisa stood before her mirror, long, dark hair hanging halfway across her face, slicing her in two. She felt she looked like a blooper from the TV show America's Worst Bloopers. To be truthful, her whole life felt like a blooper on auto loop.

Limerick Time!

Even though St. Patrick's day has come and gone, it's still March, so we can get our Irish on and do a fun exercise with limericks! They look easy, don't they? Maybe easier than other forms of poetry, but still require work. You can feel it when it's not working and you think and think and try different words and phrases. Which is what I had to do multiple times with the first one, Pink Love. The second one came about faster. Like all things, the more you do it, the better and hopefully easier it gets?! One can try, at least. And I feel they need more work!  Maybe I can work on funnier ones next time.


Here's the pattern I used. I'll show it in words and symbols. Both work for me.
Lines 1, 2 & 5 are the same rhythm and rhyme (can be 7-10 syllables)
Lines 3 & 4 are the same (can be 5-7 syllables).

Da DUM da da DUM da da DUM for lines 1, 2, 5

Da DUM da da DUM for lines 3-4

Or I like to see it this way:

I / II / II /

I / II / II /

I / II /

I / II /


I / II / II /

Pink Love

A poet and singer named Pink

Her songs help you feel and to think

Include everyone

Born under the sun

Love all and be kind, that’s the link

 

Hope Knows

A pretty, young lady named Hope

Her boyfriend and she did elope

The parents were pissed

The family dissed

The couple held firm and said nope

Writing Exercise - December!

I did it! I did a writing exercise before the last day of the month. A Christmas miracle?
At any rate, I was having a lot of fun with it and wanted to write more and crazier things but maybe later after I finish my latest WIP. It's fun letting first drafts fly.
Happy Holidays and I wish you health and happiness in the new year.

Words: Knit, feminist, hostility, mobile

 

            Grandma, Aunt Lou, Mom and Sister Mary sat in the living room knitting hats for homeless people. That was the cause of the month, which was better than last month’s, Llama’s with long necks. Four llamas got their own coat-matching scarves. (Insert eye roll here). I like it when they knit things for babies or kids in the hospital. The tiny clothes are just adorable. And super colorful. You have no idea.

            I sat behind them at the dining room table doing my homework, or at least pretending to, and listening to them.

            Grandma and Sister Mary were sisters and Aunt Lou and Mom were sisters. And isn’t that enough estrogen to float a dirigible. Believe me, it is.

            Sister Mary was a feminist first and a nun second. Don’t tell Mother Superior. Grandma couldn’t have cared less about that. She never learned to drive. Even after Grandpa died.

            This is how their conversation would go.

Grandma – Oh knock it off Mary.

Sister Mary – What? I’m just saying.

G – You’re always just saying.

SM – Better than what you say.

G – What, that it’s okay for a woman to cook and clean and volunteer.

SM – No, that a woman ONLY should do those things. Women do everything and should.

G – You dance on my last nerve Mare.

SM – You are my last nerve Grace.

            The conversation between Mom and Aunt Lou is different but oddly similar, with more hostility I’d say.

Mom – Pass that needle Lou.

Aunt Lou – Would it kill you to say please?

M – Pleeeeze Lou? (Insert eye roll here too).

AL – Don’t think I didn’t see that. Do you have a piano tied to your ass? You got two good legs and arms, get it yourself.

M – Haven’t you finished menopause Lou?

AL – Pot meet kettle.

            See what I mean?

            When I was a baby, these four ladies or women, knit little animals and made a blue, pink, yellow and green mobile for me. I’ve had it hanging in my room for as long as I can remember.

            And you know what? It symbolizes the best of these women who sang Christmas carols while preparing for my arrival. Sweaters, mitts, booties and hats. They even tried to knit a diaper cover. Not a big seller. But they loved doing it together and they loved each other. Hard to see that anymore.

            So as much as I love these women and all their quirks and faults, warts and farts, hearts and souls, foul language (yes, you, Sister Mary and Grandma) and fair weather, the knit baby mobile is the only thing I’m taking with me when I go live with my dad.

            Ssssh. They don’t know yet.

Writing Exercise November - a wee bit late

Well, it's been a couple of months and even though I wanted to post something, it never happened.
In September, I lost my father. It's been a lot to deal with and process and adjust to, as so many know and have been through. I did write a tribute to him and that involved multiple drafts to get it right.
Then I was busy doing a rewrite and finished that.
Now I'm doing Nanowrimo. Just doesn't seem like I'm getting anything posted. I would love to do some book reviews - takes more time and energy. BUT - I am here now and have a writing exercise instead.
I don't usually take all the words and put them in the first sentence. Sometimes that's a fun thing to do, using them all that way. It just worked out this time.

Writing exercise 11/3/16

Words: boot, innocent, mark, orange

 

An innocent man, chained to four other men, marked by orange clothes and muddy work boots, counted the days silently until the next parole hearing. A tear he hid from the others, dropped heavily to mix with the dirt and rain. No one would ever see that, helping him avoid a beating like the one he was still healing from.

Like his dangerous father always said, life is not fair.

Writing Exercise for August - Think Olympics!

Okay, it just wouldn't be the last day of the month without me posting my monthly something. Maybe I should aim for the first of the month. Ah, no matter, it all works out in whatever way it's supposed to, I guess.
And the words that popped up were so perfect to reflect Olympic sports. I chose one that you may recognize. Feel free to take the words and apply them to your own Olympic or non-Olympic sport! All in good fun.

Words: blinding, twisted, ceremonial, fumbling

With blinding speed, the top gymnast sprinted across the floor into an unparalleled tumbling run. Back flips, round offs, twisted high in the air, she stuck the landing to deafening applause. The Olympic arena erupted. She would win gold for sure. The ceremonial national anthem, country flag, medal and bouquet would surround and embrace her. She would make her parents and her country proud. It felt like the whole world was smiling.

Now was the time to focus on the last tumbling pass. There was no room for fumbling, for disappointment, for heartbreak. She tuned the audience out, never saw the cameras, one breath in and out, then another. In fifteen seconds it would all be over and she was ready. Her place in Olympic history was being written by her. Sticking the landing and hitting her last pose, she made her dreams come true.

Writing Exercises!

Here I am, once again, getting a post in just under the wire. My goal to post something every month should be easy, right?! I actually have books I'd love to write reviews for - where does the time go?
Anyway, at least I have a couple of writing exercises to enthrall you with. Hahaha.
Can't even believe it's August tomorrow. I've heard there are Halloween decorations in stores already. Really not ready for that.
So, let's ignore that and focus on having a fun writing experience instead. And they certainly don't have to be good, as you can see. 

Words: High, nonstop, tricky, float

So there once was a river, wide and not so deep. My and my cousins would float on our inner tubes from Wild Bird Point to Summer’s End Bend. We flew at high speed, nonstop, whooping and hollering. There were even a couple of tricky corners that made it all the more fun. That is until Marshall, the oldest boy cousin, rafted right in the man we never saw. The dead man.

Words: Mine, frog, voracious, reminiscent

Jacob and I raced our frogs every Saturday in front of old man Herman’s store. Hundreds of kids came with their frogs. Ouch, Jacob elbowed me. (Such a goody goody. Always-have-to-tell-the-truth Jacob.) Fine, okay, five other kids from school came to race too.

One particular race, a new kid brought a giant frog that made mine look like a ladybug. Okay, a cockroach. Happy? That’s bigger.

Anyway, a voracious race ensued reminiscent of the great frog race of July 4^th.

What do you mean that’s not the right way to use voracious? Do you want to tell the story? I thought not.

As I was telling you, a tremendously exciting race took place that even made the newspaper. That part is true.

No one saw it coming, what that kid’s frog did to the rest of ours was just gruesome.

That, Jacob agrees with.

Writing Exercise - May

Once again, just under the wire - getting something posted in May. I plan to have a couple of book reviews coming up in June.
But today, not only did I finish a rewrite but I did a writing exercise too! Feels good. It might only last a day or two until I get it back from my reader, but I'll take it and savor it.
Here is the exercise again used with the handy dandy random word selector.
I think this came about from two sources: I was watching an episode of Dr. Thorne (set in the British countryside 1855) and remembering Little House on the Prairie. Basically, inspired by Dr. Thorne and influenced by Little House. How? I have no idea.

Words: projection, empire, disrupt, examiner

            The examiner examined the exam.

            “That’s a horrible sentence, Daisy,” Darla said.

            “How about this one then? The projector projected the projection.” Daisy smiled.

            “Ha ha, very NOT funny.” Darla used the eraser on the blackboard. “If you’re not going to take our punishment seriously, I’ll write the sentences.” Darla snatched the chalk from Daisy’s white powdered fingers.

            “Be my guest.” Daisy sat down and pulled a book from her satchel.

            “If you hadn’t disrupted the class, we would be at Catherine’s party right now.”

Darla pouted and Daisy stuck her tongue out at her.

“The Darla Popularity Empire will not fall because you miss one silly party.”

“Daisy! It’s not silly. It’s very important to me. I would think as my sister, you would be my ally and it would be important to you too.” Darla sniffled.

“All right.” Daisy pulled Darla’s ringlet and let it spring back. “Go to your important party and I will finish writing on the board.

Darla turned with sheer glee. "Oh, Daisy, would you? I would be ever in your debt.” She dropped the chalk in Daisy’s palm.

“Yes, yes, now go.” Daisy began to write.

“Don’t forget I owe you one.” Darla was gone.

Daisy grinned slowly. “That’s what I’m counting on dear sister, that’s what I’m counting on.”

Writing Exercise - April

Just making it under the wire here with a post for April. I am loving the random word maker. It's just so much fun. Well, for me, anyways! Join in, plenty of words to go around.

Words: watery, blush, knife, hands

           Maxwell stood too close. I didn’t have enough room to chop tomatoes. Red, watery seeds spilled onto the cutting board. But it looked too red.

          “You’re bleeding!” Maxwell said.

          “Oh, crap, I am.” I grabbed a white towel and held it against my finger.

          Maxwell took two steps back and fell into a chair. My knight in shining armor. He pointed with a shaky hand.

          “What? The knife?” I asked. He apparently had little motor function left and barely nodded. I washed the blood off the knife to appease him.

          The Home Ec teacher came over. “Max, what’s wrong?”

          Again with the pointing.

          “It’s a little wound,” I said.

          Maxwell shook his head.

          “Let me see.” The teacher took my hand and opened the towel. She gave it back to me and I reapplied pressure. “Not too bad. Why don’t you go see the nurse?”

          “I think a bandage will do,” I said.

          “Not you, Maxwell.”

          Maxwell’s blush rivaled the tomato and my blood.

          “Come on, I’ll take you.” I hoisted him with my non-bleeding hand, dropped him at the nurse with a kiss on the cheek and went back to make a suspiciously red lasagna.

Writing Exercises!

I can't even believe how long it's been since I posted anything! Gosh I hope I don't do that again!
Anyway, I was having fun with the random word selector and decided to do a couple of short writing exercises. I had done an exercise a couple of weeks ago but it was dreadful. (Can you tell I'm watching too much Downton Abbey?!) So I have two separate ones to post - to make up for January. I won't even attempt to make up for the last quarter of 2015. 
If the words strike your creative match, then have at it and have fun.

Exercise 1: Word prompt: Boots, chicken, nippy, work

Under my porch sits my boots. They’s for tromping around the farm. Gots me lots of work to do with them chickens. And shoveling all their poo. That’s why my boots sits outside, under my porch. Ma ain’t letting no boots with poo on ‘em in the house. It’s a rule. Not the number one rule, but it’s pretty close. The number one rule will curl your hair if it ain’t already curly.

Exercise 2: Word Prompt: Unadvised, quill, tap

Tap, tap, tap. Mr. Healdsburg’s quill made ink splotches on his parchment. Usually it’s scritching and scratching frantically. But today, it’s just tap, tap, tap. I wrote a note to Henry next to me asking if I should approach the schoolmaster. Henry said it would be unadvised. He overhead his sisters discussing Mr. Healdsburg and his date last night. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. That is our fault? He should not take his love life out on his students. Henry shook his head at me. Drat. Henry’s last note said there is a lot more he has to tell me. Now I have to wait for the end of lessons! Double drat. 

Writing Exercise! Based on the Traveling Sketchbook

I must have missed August. I coulda sworn I posted. Guess the heat has zapped my brain!
Anyhoo - our SCBWI CenCal region has a Traveling Sketchbook, well, traveling around to different people who want to participate. You can draw, write, paint, anything in the book. The theme this year is Footloose and Free. I think I took liberty with that and did a Footloose and Fancy Free theme. Close enough. I had so much fun being creative in a few different ways. I did a couple of writings for it and cut and pasted and used markers and glue! Total fun. If you're coming to our Writer's Day on October 17, then you can view everyone's contribution. Everything I saw in the book was incredible. Well worth the peruse...








Prompt words: Loose, foot, free, fancy

Loose, golden hair flows across my sister’s flawless face as we ride our bikes home from swim lessons.

Her bike is the fancy one, decked out with pink ribbons, purple tassels and a sparkly teal flag. Mine is blue. Dark black blue. Nothing to see here. Not even a shiny bell. Figures.

My foot slips off the pedal and jams into the ground. The bike abruptly dumps me over, my ankle still entwined.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow,” I howl.

“Oh, no.” She jumps off her bike and gently plucks mine off me and sets it aside.

Pretty pink skin pocked with purple and teal, balloons around my foot.

She takes off my shoe to free the bulbous appendage.

“Thank you,” I tell her, keeping tears sucked deep inside.

She smiles. Golden.

I sit behind her on the back of the banana seat with the pink ribbons, purple tassels and sparkly teal flag while she pedals. I get to ride the fancy bike.

         Now I’m smiling.