Journaling...Surprise

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Surprise--What types of surprises do you like, or dislike?


I love surprises! I was the child who never snooped to find my Christmas presents because I liked being surprised.  I especially love the surprise gifts someone gives me that I totally didn't expect.  I just love the anticipation I feel.  It makes opening the gift all the more fun!

ROW80 Check-In 8/17/11 and Journaling...Special

I can't believe that it has been almost a whole month since I did a ROW80 update and wrote in my journal! As I stated previously, I hosted a week long read-a-thon and then I went on vacation.  I thought I would have time to at least to journal some while out of town, but sadly, it was not in the cards.  So, I'm back and the kids are back in school.  I'm hoping that I can start getting down to some serious business.  It's time to put the irons in the fire and keep them there.  I am doing a work-at-home gig right now too, but I think I can manage or I hope I can. ;O)

I'm going to keep my goals the same as my last update.  I should have taken a break from the challenge, knowing vacation is not feasible for writing unless it's an actual "writing" vacation.

Goals:

--I'm going to do research, but I'm also going to start writing and research as I go.  I'm starting with a very small word count of 500 words per week.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--I'm also going to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm going to enter.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Special--Write about a special object you like to use (for instance, a special coffee cup.) 


I am very picky about ink pens.  I must have blue pens with extra bold tips, which is a 1.6 or 1.7 mm tip.  I can never find them at local stores.  Last time I had an Amazon gift card, I found some BIC Cristal BLUE 1.6 mm tip pens.  The price may have been a little higher, but SO worth it.  They are awesome to write with!

Journaling: Friday Fiction...Ink

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Ink."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


The ink well tipped over on the desk and black ink spilled out across the pages, dripping onto the floor.  The cat who had jumped on the desk, thus knocking over the well, sat there licking his fur--unconcerned at the mess he had made.  The writer, who was so hopelessly blocked, sat with her head in her hands, despairing over the loss of her hard work.

Journaling...Hospital

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Hospital--Write about a time you were in the hospital (as a patient or visitor.)


I was in the hospital last summer for nine days.  I had severe cellulitis in my leg and developed a staph infection.  I was on IV antibiotics which had to be administered through an IV line placed in my arm internally.  The day I came home, I had an allergic reaction to the medicine and spent the 4th of July in the ER.  All told, I was on home health care and IV antibiotics for six more weeks.  I lost a lot of hair, but thank God, I didn't lose my leg.  I very well could have or, at worst, I could have died.  I was one of the lucky ones.

ROW80 Check-In 7/20/11 and Journaling...School

Writing is easy:  All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper 

until drops of blood form on your forehead.  ~Gene Fowler

Well, I made the decision to not do Camp NaNoWriMo after all.  I just can't commit to writing that many words per day right now.  I have a blog event next week--I'm hosting a read-a thon--and I'm still looking for a job and I leave on vacation on August 3 so I have to get packed and ready for that.  Have to pack for myself and for my two sons.  Fun times ahead...I hate packing for trips. =O(

What I have going on now in terms of works-in-progress:

--My current idea had to be tweaked once again.  I determined it was not going to work the way I had planned so I have to take the research in another direction.
--meanwhile, I came across another idea that I'm in the process of testing its feasibility.  Not sure if I'll work on both or run with just one at first.

My goals:

--I'm going to do research, but I'm also going to start writing and research as I go.  I'm starting with a very small word count of 500 words per week.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--I'm also going to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm going to enter.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  School--If you could have changed one thing about a school you attended, so that it became a better school, what would you have changed?


While I loved the school district that my elementary, middle, and high school were a part of, I really wish they would have had an orchestra program in addition to traditional band.  I tried the clarinet in fifth grade, but didn't like it.  I know I would have loved to learn and play the violin or cello.  I think the school would have been all the better for having an orchestra.

Journaling...Recipe

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Recipe--In my old family cookbook, there is a recipe for "A HAPPY HOME" that includes ingredients such as "4 cups love" and "2 cups loyalty," blended "with tenderness."  Write your own "recipe."
Recipe for a Happy Day

• a great book to read
• some time for writing creatively
• plenty of peace and quiet
• hugs from the kids
• a kiss from the cat

Mix together well--The day will be happy when served.

Journaling: Friday Fiction...Torch

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Torch."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


He grabbed a torch from the castle wall and ran down the stone steps.  He had to get to the watchtower to sound the alarm.  Up on the ramparts, he had seen the huge row of riders and armed men marching toward the castle.  He ascended the steps of the watchtower.  As he neared the top, he stopped suddenly.  A look of horror crossed his face.  He turned slowly and began to tumble down the steps.  There was an arrow sticking out of his back.  When he landed at the bottom of the tower, it was driven further home.  As he lay dying, all he could think of was the terrible fate of the castle.  Without the warning of impending invasion, the castle and its people were doomed.

Also, I won another One-Minute Writing of the Day for my Friday Fiction piece using the word "Straw."  Yay! Here is what I wrote, in case you missed it last week:

The straw in the abandoned barn smelled musty and damp. He didn't care though. Any place was good enough for him as long as he could hide safely. He looked down at the iron shackle still hooked on his ankle. The master had kept him chained because he knew he was a runner. Somehow the chain had been weak and he was able to break it with a hatchet easily. He had been on the run for days before finding the barn. He climbed into the loft and settled down behind some bales of hay. He could hear the baying of the dogs in the distance. He could only pray they would not search the barn. As it turned out, a futile prayer.

Thank you to C. Beth for awarding it to me once again.  I'm honored!