Welcome to the Summer Writing Challenge 2015

Hello!  Welcome to another summer of writing challenges.    Every week, I will post a new challenge for you.  Some weeks it will be personal writing, others weeks a story starter or characters to use. These prompts are designed to inspire you. Feel free to go wherever the story takes you and change details as you wish. I will try to play along every week as well.

Remember, to count as a grade (incoming 8th graders) or to have a chance at fun prizes, you need to email it to me, mrs.schuette@gmail.com or post it on Dropbox.  If you would title your file as your name and challenge #, that would be great.  For example, mine would be name nschuette#1.    I look forward to reading your pieces! Have fun!

WRITING CHALLENGE #1

Writing Challenge Week 10 Horror Story

Can you believe only a couple more weeks until school starts?  Where did the summer go?  We're trying to get all those last minute fun activities planned before summer ends, along with back to school shopping and getting ready to gear up for the new year.  Anyone planning to go see Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters this week?  The boys and I can't wait to go see it!  I'm also still working my way through the Mortal Instruments series.  I have just a few chapters left of City of Glass.  I caved and bought the last two at Costco on Saturday, so I will have the whole series in my classroom library for those who haven't yet read it, or haven't finished the series.

On to this week's challenge.  This has been all over the internet the last couple weeks, and I thought it was fun.  It's a short one, so feel free to write a couple of them.

Writing Challenge #10

Remember, you can only use two sentences, so make each word count!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

How many of you have read this series?  Are you excited for the movie coming out August 21st?  I came in a little late on this series.  All year students were telling my I should read it.  I thought the premise sounded interesting, but I didn't get a chance to read it until this summer.  I couldn't put it down.  I read the first book in a day and a half.

If you haven't read it, here's the description from Amazon.
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .


I thought the book was fast-paced and exciting.  I also thought the characters were well-developed.  I was sad when in ended.  I was at Costco Monday, and they had the whole series.  I bought the second and third book.  I can't wait to see the movie.  August is looking good with both this movie and Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters coming out.  

Writing Challenge #9 Story Starter

Sorry I'm a day late this week.  We were in California for two weeks and got back Sunday night.  Yesterday, I was busy getting everything back in order from the long trip.  This week's challenge is a story starter.

Writing Challenge #9
You wake up in the morning, and when you look in the mirror, a different face stares back at you.  Take the story from this point.  

Writing Challenge #8 Chalk Art Prompt

I love when people create amazing artwork with chalk.  Some of these 3-D images blow me away.  One of my favorite movies growing up was Mary Poppins.  I loved the scene where they popped right into Bert's chalk drawing.  I want you to look at them and imagine the places they would take you to if you could jump into these chalk worlds.

Writing Challenge #8

Choose one of the above drawings.  Imagine you traveled into the world the artist has created (your journey there can be part of the story).  Describe your adventure.  

Writing Challenge #7 Happiest Poem on Earth

They say Disneyland is "The happiest place on Earth."  I love Disneyland, and it is one of my favorite places to go.  Allow me to indulge in a couple photos from past trips.  

Photo by Angela Knight

As much as I love Disneyland, I don't know if I would consider it my "happy place."  When I think of my happy place, it is somewhere where I can relax and be at peace.  Disney is way too fun for that.  I would choose the beach or even my back patio, where I sit every morning and evening.  

Where is your happy place?  The mountains?  The beach?  The soccer field?  

Writing Challenge #7 Happy Place

Write a poem about your favorite place.  That place in the world that just makes you happy.  Be descriptive.  Use lots of sensory detail.  Make us feel like we are there with you.

Writing Challenge #6 Fan Fiction

Lately, I keep seeing a lot of references to "fan fiction" on the internet.  It's been around a while, but I hadn't given it much thought until recently.  I have a cousin who is writing Jurassic Park fan fiction.  Merriam-Webster defines fan fiction as this:

Definition of FAN FICTION

: stories involving popular fictional characters that are written by fans and often posted on the Internet —called alsofan fic,

Basically you take characters from a favorite novel, television show, or movie and create a new story with those character.  I thought this would be fun to try this week.

Challenge #6

Write a piece of fan fiction using your favorite book or movie characters.  Create a new story for these characters.  It can be related to the original story, but not a copy of it.  Write your own original piece.