New Endeavours

I am taking my writing prompt for today's post from Yearn to Learn.  This is a great blog that I follow.  I have been meaning to join in a linky party for a while now, but I either haven't had the time to write specifics and collect images or I have had other blogging priorities.  But, today is the day.  Yearn to Learn is hosting a linky (am I calling it the right thing) to spotlight new endeavours for the new year.  The idea is, that we write about a new endeavour we are beginning and share with others in the blogosphere. 

My new endeavour is hard to name.  I am getting out there more.  I have had my blog for over a year and, at times, been discouraged about the lack of audience.  I have far fewer viewers than I imagined.  But I have to admit, I was afraid to be let myself go in the blogosphere.  That is, I didn't want to reveal my real name or too many personal details about myself.  In recent months I have realised that this is perhaps the reason that I am not growing my audience.  But I want to "get out there" more because everytime I dip my toes in the water (so to speak) I find that there are more and more bloggers out there who are great people.  They write about things that interest me and I have gained so much from their blogposts.  I have new inspiration for: my classroom, organising my home, craft, kids activities and gifts.  I have new inspiration for my writing as well, which was the real reason for my blog in the first place.  So, getting out there means opening myself up to meet more people on the net and learning from them.  My effort to do this has included signing up to Pinterest and Twitter (and clicking on the links will take you to my home pages for each of those so you can check me out before you decide to follow me). 

I am still quite guarded when on the internet because I have had some bad experiences, but I am out there and I want to meet new people and learn more things.  So, get used to seeing me around. 

:) M

Happy Birthday Mr Grimm

On this day in 1785, Jacob Grimm (of the brothers Grimm) was born.  Jacob and his brother are famous for the recording of the Grimms' Fairytale Collection.  I have written a fairytale parody in honour of Mr Grimm's birthday. I hope you enjoy it. 
:) M

Once upon a time in a land light years away, there lived a beautiful young woman who loved to paint her nails, braid her hair and go shopping, all before breakfast.  After breakfast, she liked to read and draw pictures of imaginary places and go on picnics with mythical creatures.  But, the poor girl had no name! 

You see, in the land of light years away, girls did not have a name until they were married.  So, even though the nameless girl had all these wonderful hobbies to keep her busy and millions of dollars, she was very sad. 

A little way down the road, lived an older man called Mr Millions.  But, even though he had such a great name, he was sad, because he was actually very very poor. He had no money. 

One day the nameless girl and Mr Millions met in the meadow as they were both on their way to have a picnic with the mythical creatures.  It was quite an interesting afternoon as they spent hours eating jam sandwiches and playing eye spy with the local blue jays.  When it was time to say goodbye, the nameless girl started to cry. 

"Why are you crying?" asked Mr Millions. "Oh," she sobbed, "I have had such a lovely time with you today and I am soo rich.  But, there is no posssible way for you to write me a letter or contact me because I have no name."

"Oh, my dear," replied Mr Millions as he hugged her tight.  "I have had a lovely day too.  I would love to take you home with me so that we would never be apart ever again.  But, I have no money and can not possibly support you." 

The two parted ways and decided that they would meet in the meadow everyday for a picnic with the mythical creatures.  One day, they would be able to solve the problem, but until then, they could have lunch together. 

This continued for months and months.  Until, Mr Million's sister noticed that he was never home at lunchtime, so she followed him.  She watched Mr Millions and the nameless girl eat together and immediately saw that they were in love.  She came out of her hiding place and hugged her brother. "Congratulations my darling brother!  Why have you not brought this darling girl home to meet the family?"  she asked. 

Mr Millions explained the situation to his sister and she shook her head.  "You silly man," she replied.  "You don't need any money.  This sweet girl has plenty of money for you both.  You have the perfect name for her.  A marriage between you would be made in heaven."

So, Mr Millions, married the nameless girl and they moved into her castle up the road.  Before long, Mr and Mrs Millions had a big party and Mr Million's sister married the Prince of Pluto.  Mrs Millions and the newly crowned Princess became the best of friends.  So, Mr and Mrs Millions and the Prince and Princess moved to Saturn.  They built a brand new castle and lived happily ever after. 

The Empty Glass

Dear readers, I would sincerely love some constructive criticism.  No matter when you read this.  I ask, because I want to be a better writer, so tell me if you think there is something I can improve upon this month.  My writing prompt for today is number 27:

"write a story about an empty glass"

It was early in the morning, but the sun was up.  Rosa stumbled down the hallway as she yawned and rubbed her tired eyes.  It was such an effort to move.  Why was she even awake?  She couldn't remember.  But there must be a reason.  She stretched and yawned again as she reached the kitchen.  Looking around the spotless kitchen, she noticed it sitting on the bench.  An empty glass. 

What was that doing there?  

Rosa frowned, her brow wrinkled as she rested her hands on her hips and began to look for other items out of place.  There was nothing else.  Just an empty glass, sitting on the bench, all alone.  No one else was home, and she was cetain that she had not left that glass there.  She was certain... absolutely certain... Rosa began to doubt herself.  Then she shook her head.  No, she was positive that she did not put that glass there.  Someone else had come into the house during the night.  But that didn't make sense, why would someone come into the house, just to use a glass and leave it on the bench? 

Rosa looked about the living room, and tiptoed into the bathroom to see if anything else had been distubed.  There was a jacket on the lounge, a jacket she didn't recognise.  There was a towel hanging on the bathtub.  A towel that wasn't there last night.  What was going on? Rosa's face was becoming more and more bewildered.  She decided her flatmate, Annette,  must have come home early from her holiday.  There was nothing else for it, she tiptoed towards Annette's room, took a deep breath and knocked.  Then she opened the door and peeked inside.  There, laying on the bed, was... not her flatmate!

Rosa's mouth dropped open, but she was too surprised to make a sound.  She took a step closer to the bed to investigate and found the stranger in Annette's bed, was actually her brother! She pushed him and slapped him and took away his pillows until he stirred.  "What are you doing here?" she shouted.   

Dear 10 year old me

This letter, came from a writing prompt (21) that instructed me to write a letter to my ten-year-old self.  When I turned 10, we moved house.  So here it is.  I haven't really edited it.  I just let it flow out of me.  I asked myself what I would say to that lost little girl and this is what came out.   

Dear 10 year old M

The ten year old me... there you are.  Laying on the floor of your PINK bedroom.  Wondering why you have to move house.  You are feeling quite sad and rather disgruntled by the concept of moving house.  You don't like that you don't get a say.  I am the 28 year old version of you.  I have a few secrets to tell you about the future.  I can't tell you everything because that would be breaking the rules.  But I can tell you this...

The new house you move to will be different.  But you will like it.  There will be many memories made there.  You will have your first kiss in this new house.  You will have sleepovers and forge relationships there.  You will redecorate your room.  You will enjoy the pool and in it you will also experience things that you will never forget.  That sounds a bit bizarre. I mean, you will make memories in the pool.  You will go swimming with your whole family at 10pm because it is simply too hot to sleep.  You will make big decisions in that house and hear many things. 

One day, you will move houses again.  In that house, you will make even more memories. 

Today you see only a glimpse of the days ahead.  There are a great many experiences that will seem awful to you.  There are words you will regret and events you will miss.  There is sadness and conflict ahead.  But you are strong and you will make it.  More importantly, God will carry you through.  He will ask you to do some stuff that you don't want to do, and some things that appear to be far too difficult.  Just say yes.  Do it.  Because you will regret the battle and end up doing it anyway.  God knows what is best for you. 

You will know love.  You will know loss.  You will have experiences that you only dream of; and more that are beyond your imagination.  You are a beautiful and incredibly intelligent young woman.  Don't ever forget that.  Regardless of what anyone else says, you are amazing and special. 

Read, Write, Learn as much as you can.  Listen: really listen.  Watch.  Ask questions and don't be afraid of the answers, keep asking and searching until you find them.  There are many things that you will forget.  Don't forget this.  Don't forget to be yourself.
M

New Year Creations

I have been struggling for inspiration lately and I think it is time to be a little less random over here.  So, not today, but soon, I am going to start using writing prompts from the internet and books.  I will put the writing prompt at the top of each post so you can see the genesis of the piece.  Enjoy. 

I will acknowledge sources each time, but if you are looking for your own inspiration here are a few links.  These sites have both adult prompts and children's prompts.  Some may need some modification for the young ones.  Images can be great prompts too. 

http://creativewritingprompts.com/#

http://www.creativity-portal.com/prompts/365/pictures.html

http://old-photos.blogspot.com/

http://www.writersdigest.com/prompts

http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/dailypromptgenerator.htm

http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/

M :)