Writing Challenge #3--Taste of Summer

As much as I enjoy spending the school year with all of you (and I do!), I love summer break.  There's just something so wonderful about having days with absolutely nothing planned, as well as those fun vacations and new adventures.  I love all the possibilities! 

WRITING CHALLENGE #3 

What says summer to you? This week is your challenge is to describe summer. This can be done as a poem, as a narrative description of your favorite vacation or a typical summer, or a fictional story describing the perfect summer. The choice is yours.

Don't be afraid to have fun.  This is my summer to-do list.  I had fun being creative and doodling. I know my artistic ability isn't stellar, but it makes me happy :)

I was looking through some photos of past summers that inspired a summer poem.  

Summer Is..

Relaxation

A break from stress

Hours to read and write and enjoy

Time with family and friends

Activities

Biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, and

Sports—most days, all summer 

In the heat

Travel

To places both familiar and new

Road trips together

Adventure awaits

Celebrations

Some every day and others substantial

A birthday or afternoon ice cream just because

Savor each moment

Days 

Are long but they feel so brief

There just aren’t enough minutes to soak it up

Before it all ends

 

One Screenwriter's Creative Process

I saw this today.  What a fabulous description of the creative process!

Creative Spark: Stephen Schiff
Screenwriter Stephen Schiff ("Wall Street - Money Never Sleeps," "True Crime") takes viewers inside his creative process in an exploration of where he gets his ideas.
Posted by The Academy on Monday, May 18, 2015

      I just finished Jennifer A. Nielson's Mark of the Thief.  Wow, what a great read!  Historical fiction, mixed with a little fantasy, equals an action packed book with lots of twists.  The book takes place in ancient Rome. Nic, a slave boy, finds Julius Caesar's bulla, and receives it's magic. So begins Nic's new life.  Most of Rome is after the bulla. Some are trying to kill him and others are offering help (and maybe also trying to kill him). Nic is trying to figure out who he can trust and how he can escape. This story is a whole new way to look at ancient Rome, it's gods, and of course, the gladiator ring.  I highly recommend this book :) 

Boundless and Maximum Ride

 I've read two books so far this summer I want to recommend.  The first is The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel.  We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Oppel here in Boise a while back.  He talked all about his writing process and the stories behind his stories.

This book was a fun adventure.  Historically, it tells the story of the coast to coast railroad in Canada, but the story has some great fantastical elements.  The main character, Will, is on the maiden crossing of the Boundless, a seven mile long train.  Will's life is in danger, and he must survive the journey.  With run-ins with a few Sasquatch, some circus performers, and no shortage of villains, this book is exciting, and hard to put down.  I highly recommend it!

The other book I just finished is the ninth book in the Maximum Ride series, Maximum Ride Forever.  I was a little surprised at the publication of this book, because James Patterson said the eighth book was the final book in the series. This series is about a group (flock) of kids who were experimented on and their DNA was mixed with avian DNA, so they all have wings and the ability to fly, among other powers.  There is a lot of action and danger, as they seem to run into trouble and people who want to kill them in every book.  This one is a little different because it takes place after the world has been destroyed.  Max and her flock have to figure out what happened, who is left, and how to survive.  It wasn't my favorite of the series, but it was a fun read, especially if you're a Maximum Ride fan.

Right now I'm reading Mark of the Thief.  I am loving it so far, and I'll be back with a review in a day or two.  

Start with a Character--Writing Challenge #2

I hope you're enjoying your summer so far. We've been kind of lazy, but that's nice, too. Thanks to those who played along last week.  I loved reading your stories!

WRITING CHALLENGE #2

For this week's challenge, you are starting with a character. Choose one or more of the below characters and create a story around him or her.

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!