Tag Archives: weekly writing challenge

Weekly Writing Challenge; Cliffhanger

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com,Weekly Writing Challenge

For this week’s challenge, write a post that will leave readers waiting for more. Breathless with anticipation. On the edges of the seats. Obsessively clicking “refresh,” waiting impatiently for the end of the story. We want to hear audible groans when readers reach the end of your post and see “To be continued…”

 

Lori ended her last day,  her last year in college. She was ready for a break. A long break. Enough of this studying. Too many professor’s lectures, more than enough of written papers. It was time to pack up and get out-of-town.

She invited her best friend Jen months ago to an outing to the mountains. The two gals had been saving every dime they could get their hands on. Instead of grabbing a coffee out, they invested in a coffee maker. Each of them took turns cooking suppers, saving even more money on groceries.

Now today was the day. Everything out of her locker she bounced with excitement the two blocks to her dorm room. Once inside she tossed her books on the bed. When she returned from her vacation she would box all of her supplies up and go back home.

But for now, it was a quick shower, a text to her girlfriend, and an evening of constant chatter. Each fell asleep with their words fading on their lips. Bright and early they got up and got dressed. Their bags had been packed for days.

Walking through the room one more time they each agreed they had left nothing behind. There was no food left in the cupboards and the fridge was bare so they stopped on the way out-of-town for some breakfast.

Bellies full along with their gas tank they headed out onto the open roads. Rolling the windows down and letting their hair fly out the window Jen turned up the radio and they sang to the tunes flying down the highway.

The mountain hike was only three hours from their college and in no time they had arrived. Peace and the birds was all they heard as they got out of the car. They got out all their supplies and their backpacks, locked the doors and headed to higher ground.

The trails were nice and dry. There hadn’t been any rain for some time so walking was easy. After walking for about a half an hour they stopped and rested. Looking out over the view all they could see was lush greens.

The air was pure and when they talked they heard their own voices echo off into the distance. They decided to have a snack and reached into their backpacks. They had packed some energy bars and with the fresh air even these pre-packaged ones tasted pretty good. Washing them down with water from their canteen they headed deeper into the forest.

It was almost dusk when they spotted an open area. Together the girls had their tent set up in no time. They found some kindling and built a fire. Everything ready for the night they chatted watching the flames of the fire and listening to the crackling of wood burning.

Both girls began to yawn. It had been a long and yet exciting day. Getting up early to attend the last classes and then no relaxing until now they both made comments about how tired they were.

Both girls crawled into their sleeping bags with their heads poking out of the unzipped flap. They talked a little longer and then it became quiet. Lori swatted at her hair, and then a few seconds swatted at her hair again. Without turning towards her friend she told her no more joking, time to go to sleep.

Her friend made some sort of noise to acknowledge she had heard what was said but she wasn’t prepared when suddenly two strong hands grabbed each girl’s hair and yanked them out of the tent.

hands 2

To be continued….

Weekly Writing Challenge; Traces

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/weekly-writing-challenge-traces/

#DP Challenge

Using the story behind the photo above as a jumping off point for this week’s writing challenge, we want you to talk about leaving your mark. For the fiction-minded, fill in the mystery behind this photograph. Who were these flowers left for? Was there a message included? Is there a mysterious reason why these flowers are covered in dust, but still appear so young?

 

Every night after the lights went low, busy fairies came alive. Bustling through the cemetery. Oh there was plenty to do. Everything was groomed but one potted plant. There was trimming of weeds, picking dead blooms, applying fresh fertilizer. Each night the glow of their shiny wands made a person feel like they were seeing the reflections of twinkling stars falling to the earth.

There were many fairies. It all started in the year of 1850 when the lady of the southern plantation took ill. Annabelle had been a beautiful lady.southern belle She was not only the wife of a rich husband but her heart was bigger than any pile of gold.

She had many slaves that worked for her. In fact this was one plantation where slaves begged for her attention so they may earn a chance to work inside for her.

While her husband was attending to business, Annabelle was helping where she saw fit.

She helped teach young mothers how to bathe their new babies. She mended holes in clothing for the farm hands. At the holidays she made each of them special plates of food and each of the children could count on getting a present of their very own.candy canes

When one of the children became ill she fetched him and brought him to the main house. Here the child was nursed back to health if at all possible.

But one day Annabelle felt ill. The house was quiet. She hadn’t been seen any where outside the house.

Buzzing went through the slave quarters as questions remained with no answers. That night Annabelle’s husband had come home.

He had a rough day. Sales were low. He was hungry and tired. He needed someone to talk to. He went straight to the drawing-room where he was hoping she would be.drawing room

The room was silent. He went through the rooms looking in the sleeping quarters  last.

There lay Annabelle ghostly white. He went to her and sat on the side of the bed. Speaking to her he received no response. He felt her forehead with the back of his palm.

She was burning up. He covered her gently and quickly exited their room and dashed out the main door. Hopping on his horse he took off for the five mile ride  to the doctor’s office. Beating on the door for what seemed minutes, the doctor opened it.

Explaining the symptoms he observed the doctor picked up his satchel and hat and readied his horse. The two rode hard back to the main house. Once inside the doctor performed an examination.

Nodding for her husband to follow him out into the hall, the doctor explained that his wife had little time. She had come down with the fever and there was no cure.

Her husband’s eyes filled with tears as he walked the doctor to the front door. Shaking his hand he watched until he could no longer see the horse and rider.

He went directly to the slave quarters. He ordered them to gather round. He explained his wife’s condition. He told them this was very contagious, but he needed the help. Which ones would be able to come to the main house and be of service?

Several  of the ladies raised their hands  in the air. He nodded at each one and they got their belongings and followed him back. For eight days the fever remained. Anabelle grew weaker and paler. Food was offered but not taken. Visitors stayed a way for fear of the sickness getting a hold of them.

On the eighth day Anabelle died. Her faithful followers remained behind to tend to her and the funeral but one by one each passed also.

Ever since the last one passed, the flowers that were left by Annabelle’s grieving husband had remained untouched on her grave. The fairies which were once her helpers in distress watched over her as she had once done for them.

To this day if you visit the old cemetery, and you sit quietly in the night, you can see the reflection of the twinkling stars falling to the earth.

evergreenflowers

Weekly Writing Challenge; The Difference

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/point-of-view-challenge/ DP Challenge

In today’s challenge, you’ll tell the same story from two or more unique perspectives. You can choose from the prompts below, or create your own prompt.

My Story Challenge

It was about 10:30 at night. Russell, my husband was in bed, but I just couldn’t sleep. I was restless and wasn’t sure why. I had sure worked hard enough at the plant today. It just always seems the better I do, the more parts they want put out. There is no rest for the wicked, I guess.

Russell and I had been married for about 20 years. He rescued me when I made a big mistake years ago. I don’t know if Russell really loved me or if he  just plain felt sorry for me. Back in my day it was improper to do what I had done. I could have paid a higher price than I did. He was a good man. He takes good care of me.

There isn’t a lot of romance but just enough to keep the nerves calm. He works at the same factory I do. In fact he is the one who got me in. He introduced me to his boss and I got work real easy.

I finished drinking my cup of warm milk but still wasn’t tired. I looked towards the window. It was dark as dark could be. This was a quiet neighborhood. We lived on a dead-end street. Not much traffic round here.

I wandered over to the window and pulled the desk chair close. I opened the window a bit to get some fresh air. It is a good thing for sleep, getting fresh air. As I thought, no one stirring.

I sat there for a while just letting the chill go in my nostrils. Instead of making me tired it sort of refreshed me and I was more a wake now than ever. I propped my arm up and rested  my chin on it just staring out over the tops of the trees, gazing at the stars.

I heard a noise and as I looked over in the direction of where it was coming from I spotted two people. They were standing under the only street lamp. He had his arms around her waist and she had her arms around his shoulders.

I squinted so I could get a better look at the two. They looked like maybe they were young high-school kids. I instantly went back in time to the moment I was standing just like they are.

Oh those were the days. The golden days of love and romance. Stars in my eyes. I never did hear anything but the words he whispered in my ear. I wonder where he is today. It has been over twenty years since the last time I saw him.

I watched the two and they were kissing. I know I should turn a way, put my chair back and leave the window, but my own memories were playing on the phonograph and I was sort of scared for these two.

I can still hear his words. Oh baby, I just love you so much. You know how much I want you and besides this just isn’t fair; you turning me down. We both know I have to leave for the military next week. How can I go knowing I never got to prove my love to you.

I watched as they dropped their hands and moved over to the grass. I could still see them but not as good. He took off his jacket and laid it on the grass.

I didn’t want to do what I did, but I loved him so much. How could I turn him down?

Oh young lady, you better be real careful. Don’t fall for any of his cute words. He is just trying to have his way with you. He is thinking of his own needs and nothing about you. I couldn’t see exactly what they were doing but by the stirring I knew they were about to do the same things I did.

He talked me into laying down on the grass where he was already sitting. He took my face and turned it towards him and he kissed me real quick. I can remember looking into his eyes. I must have set off some sort of stupid signal because the next thing I knew he had sort of pushed me down to the ground and he was kissing me real hard on the mouth. He parted my lips apart with his tongue and he was feeling everywhere inside.

Oh girlie, I hope you aren’t letting him do that to you. Neither of you look old enough to be getting married. From here you both look like you’re still wet behind the ears. Be careful honey. Don’t listen to anything he says. Get up, walk a way, I promise you won’t regret it. Sure it will hurt for a few days, but you could be ruining the rest of your life.

Oh baby, I love you so much. I can remember as he was sweet talking me his fingers were fumbling with buttons. His hands were finding places I had never even explored myself.

Mr., Mr. please don’t do this. Don’t ruin her for the rest of her life. Have some decency. Get up and go home and take a cold shower. Tears started to stream from my eyes. I didn’t even know I was beginning to cry until my hand started to feel wet. Oh how I wish I would have made different choices. I was too young.

He placed his hand in a very private area. Against my words my body rose to the attention it was getting. In no time at all he was standing up, zipping up his pants. He lit a cigarette and looked down at me. I felt warm all over and when I touched myself and looked at my hand I saw blood. All he could do was laugh and say, oh that’s the way all virgins look the first time, but don’t worry, you won’t ever see that again. I was so ashamed. I had done something that I knew inside was wrong.

I stared through the window barely breathing. Soon I saw that man standing up. He was looking down at her like mind did with me. He helped her up and the two walked off.

When he got done with me he didn’t help me up. He just smoked while I tried to paste myself back together. Once I was standing up he gave me a quick peck on the cheek and we walked towards our homes. At the corner he waved goodbye and we parted.

As I watched the two walk hand in hand I wept. I blew my nose on the hankie tucked inside my sleeve. I was weeping for that girl and the girl I once was. I prayed a silent prayer that her life had not just been ruined.

You know, I never saw him again after that night. I did write him a letter months later when I had our baby boy, but he never answered back. I was alone. I had made a big mistake. I had believed in a dream full of words. It changed everything. My parents did the best they knew for me. I kept my baby and learned to be a mommy. Life was rough until I met Russell. Now, years later, my son is a grown man, married and has a family of his own. I got a good man who I am  pretty sure loves me. I was one of the lucky ones.eye crying

Weekly Writing Challenge; 1,000 Words

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#Weekly Writing Challenge

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/writing-challenge-1000-words-four/

alone-on-the-playgroundIt was her first year at school. Preschool, a way from Mommy and brother and sister.

She was shy  and stayed a way from the other kids at recess. She sat on the merry-go-round watching the other students. She could hear them laughing but inside her little soul she was crying.

Marcy had always been the baby of the family. She was growing up with Mommy and her siblings Terrance and Ruthie. She had a cat named Sam too. Each night when she went to bed, she would kneel at the edge of her bed and she and Mommy would say her nightly prayers.

Mommy was the best mommy in the whole wide world. Mommy had the best smiles and made the best pancakes in the whole United States. When ever they went shopping Marcy always got a small toy for being good.

Right before school started she and her mother went school shopping. They picked out shirts and jeans and she even got a new pair of sneakers. Mommy made her a special breakfast this morning. Pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse. They even had chocolate chips for eyes and the mouth.

When Mommy and her walked into the school, Marcy started to back a way but when Mommy leaned down whispering in her ear that she was so proud of her for acting like a big girl Marcy stood more relaxed.

When recess was over Marcy went to the seat assigned to her. She was looking around at the other boys and girls when she felt a tug on the back of her hair. She turned around,” what are you doing? Why did you pull my hair?’

” I don’t know. Do I need a reason? I just wanted to.”

Marcy was looking into the eyes of a little boy about the same build as her. Looking at his face she noticed his two front teeth were missing. ” Did someone hit you?”

“Why do you ask? What a stupid question. Of course no one hit me. I lost my teeth because that is what we are supposed to do when we get this age. I see you still have your baby teeth.”

” I am not a baby. Don’t call me a baby.”

” I’m not calling you a baby. That’s what grown ups call our teeth before they fall out. And if you save the teeth and put them under your pillow, the tooth fairy will leave you money.”

” Really? Did you get money when you lost yours?”

” Sure I did. What do you think? The tooth fairy doesn’t forget anyone. Just put the tooth there and go to sleep. When you wake up make sure to look under your pillow.”

The two smiled at each other and then they heard the teacher rap the desk with her hands.

” All right class, it is time for a new  subject. Today we are going to begin to learn to write in cursive. Do any of you know how to write this way yet?”

The class looked around at each other. Two hands went up. Marcy darted a look at the boy behind her to see if his hand was up, but it wasn’t. Miss Trump went to the chalk board and wrote out the cursive letters and had each student copy them down on their papers.

When this practice was over she called each student up by twos and they gave a shot at writing their names out on the blackboard. Marcy and Darrell were called next.

So that was his name, Darrell. He looked like a Darrell, always talking.

The two smiled at each other as they made their way to the board. Each of them worked hard and when finished they turned around showing the teacher and class their work.

” Good job Marcy and Darrell. Very nicely done.”

Darrell beamed from ear to ear and Marcy blushed. They each went back to their seats and the teacher continued to call more students until each had written their own name for her to see.

At lunch time Marcy found herself on the merry-go-round again. She opened her brown bag. Inside was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, grape jelly, her favorite. Mommy had baked some sparkly sugar cookies and there was one also in her bag. Carrot sticks, yuck, she hated carrots. In fact she hated peas too. Anything green or orange she hated.

She left the veggies sit and sunk her teeth into her sandwich. Chewing it she looked up at the shadow over powering her. Standing there in front of her was Darrell.

” Hey, do you mind if I sit with you?”

” I guess not as long as you don’t talk to much.”

Darrell smiled at her and sat down. Together the two ate in silence. When they were done Darrell held out his hand to her.

” What do you want now?”

” Nothing smarty pants. I just thought I would be nice and offer to throw your bag a way for you. But if you want to do it yourself, you can.”

Without saying anything about the carrot slices she handed him her bag. Darrell felt something in the bag and put his hand inside and pulled out the wrapped carrots. He held them out to her.

” I don’t want them. My Mommy thinks I need to eat vegetables but I don’t want to. You can have them if you want them.”

” Think I will. My mom says they give you good eye sight.”

” Really? My mommy never told me that. You go ahead and eat them. I can see good enough.”

With that he took the three slices out and chomped on them. When he was done he took both bags to the big barrel and threw them a way. The bell rang and lunch was over. It was time to go back in and learn more stuff.

When school was over, from a distance, Mommy watched Marcy and Darrell walking home together.

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