Writing Challenge #6
Say hi to Julie Angelos at An Online Journal, the sixth writer in this creative writing challenge. She has also used the following nine words: Fly, Magnitude, Timothy, Typography, Death, Closet, Swell, Rena, Jerome.
Julie talks about her process:
“I took the challenge of writing using nine specific words because it was new to me. I’ve never written fiction. In fact, I have a hard time writing things that aren’t a journal. I’ve never understood how people could write made up stories. I thought I’d try. The first time round, my paragraph was too long, so I was asked to do a rewrite. I kept thinking and thinking how I could get all of the nine words together, much like a crossword puzzle where you come up with the answer at an later moment. I got as many of the nine key words into the first sentence as I could and the rest sort of followed. I’m not certain if I like the outcome, however, because, I’m not sure if it offers something worthwhile to the reader.”
Sitting on Top of the World
Surfers Rena, Jerome and Timothy were overwhelmed with the magnitude of the giant swell that screamed death. They knew they could fly on a wave like that. Still they knew they had to overcome their fears. It had always been a closet dream to just live with wild abandonment. They checked the time. If they started now, they’d make it to their typography class by noon.
* * * * * * * *
Thanks, Julie. I think your passage offers a lot to the reader. I feel I’ve been left “perched” on the edge of my imagination, wondering how the surfers made out with that giant swell. You used the nine words so beautifully. It’s not obvious that you were trying to make them fit together. They simply flow. And the photograph you chose is gorgeous.
Photo Credit: Michael Voorhees Photography
patricia
Hilary
Tony Single
Linda
Barbara Swafford
Deb Dorchak
Chris Edgar
{ 15 comments }
Hi Davina,
I’m still amazed at how many different approaches can be taken with nine set words and just 100 total words. Julie made a great job, especially if she has never written fiction…congratulations to Julie :)
Raul
.-= Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Anticipation Maniac =-.
Julie, I think you described that moment perfectly. It’s not an easy task to take a group of unrelated words and turn them into a story in 100 words.
“the giant swell that screamed death.”
Love that sentence.
Hi Davina and Julie – well done is all I can say – it certainly brings a huge wave to the fore with three surfers perched perilously close to being broken along with the wave – love the thought of this story .. and as Alien Ghost says so different …
A Vered says .. ‘the giant swell that screamed death’ .. a phrase to die for ??!!!
It’s so interesting to see the nine set up in a completely different context ..
Thanks Davina .. and well done Julie … Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Glyphs- Ps and Qs- Murder =-.
I thought this story was great:~) It is not only difficult to write a story using nine specific words, but it’s also difficult to write out of your normal style. I think Julie did an excellent job.
I agree with Davina…I’m left hanging until the end of typography class…do they back and try the waves with “wild abandonment?” Julie, your readers want to know!!!
p.s. The Exception is doing a guest post at my site tomorrow, Thursday, August 26. Stop by and visit, if you can.
p.s.s. (is that right?) Anyway, this writing challenge was such a great idea….please do more!!!
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo- The Creative Mind =-.
Hi Raul,
You’re up next! :-) This Friday. I agree; I think Julie did a great job with this. She was determined and I’m glad she didn’t give up.
Linda,
I agree. She created the mood… I want to know more. You’re up, next after Raul; your post will be published on Sunday.
Vered,
I love it too — dramatic.
Hilary,
I’m enjoying how people are taking delight in how different each of these are. So many different combinations of these 9 words.
Sara,
I know. I’m curious to know what happens next. And I’m also curious about surfers who are taking a typography class :-) They sound like interesting folk.
Yes… go for it… announce away! Look forward to reading The Exception’s guest post.
What a wonderful surprise to wake up to today on the glorious day. That was a fun challenge to take part in. What I didn’t expect were so many positive comments and so many visitors.
I truly believe that it is the positive feedback we get from our peers that motivates us to continue to write and to share.
Thanks to those who have read, commented and created such a great idea.
Julie
.-= Julie ~ jbulie’s blog´s last blog ..90 days of summer 8 stay cool tips •¨•✩ =-.
That’s too funny. Davina, you started out this post by introducing Julie Angelos at An Online Journal and my first thought was, “she has the same name as Julie from “jbulie’s blog”. Whew! It’s the same.
Julie, you did marvelous. I can’t believe you got so many of the words into the first sentence and from there took us on a ride. I like the part, “…a closet dream to just live with wild abandonment”. Secrets. I love it.
Davina, you may have to turn your blog over to the creative writer types. They’re all doing so well with you at the helm. :)
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Beating A Dead Fish =-.
Nine words. A hundred limit. One story. It’s amazing what can be achieved. Bravo, Julie! :D
Oh this was a great story with all the swelling drama of the wave…I think Julie did a great job and I think this challenge is just superb…
And Vered and Hilary are right on – that is one killer line!
Always wonderful to reconnect with or awaken to the state of ongoing inner processes.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..How do you respond to ridicule =-.
Hi Julie,
I agree completely. The positive feedback makes a HUGE difference. It helps too, because you are so close to your own work. It was a nice surprise to have this stumbled and your post get out there to more people. Woo hoo! :-)
Barbara,
Good thing I got the link right. :-) Julie made this look easy. It’s hard to tell that this is her first piece of fiction. She did so well and the words just flow. Everyone seems to have enjoyed this creative writing challenge. I was surprised at how many submissions were received as I’d originally planned on publishing 3; I didn’t want to leave anybody out, though.
Tony,
That was 15 words. :-P
Patricia,
“The swelling drama of the wave” — I like that! This challenge has grown into something that I hadn’t expected and I love when that happens :-) I really appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm.
Liara,
This whole series has definitely illustrated the state of ongoing inner processes. From one post to the next the creativity flows and it’s been interesting to read about the process that everyone followed while working on this project.
I’ve loved how everyone has followed the rules and every story is so individual.
All the pictures have an impact as well.
Julie,
For someone who has never written fiction, awesome job
Whew,I caught up on my comments
Raul’s story is today.
Davina
I’m sorry for taking so long to comment on your Blog.
I’ve been so busy being a parent, for my parents.
Ah, her last line is so cute! I love how she wove the typography in. And talk about dedication to leave those gorgeous waves for the confines of a classroom.
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..How To Go Viral On Twitter In 15 Easy Steps =-.
That’s true, Jim; the pictures do add a lot. No need to apologize for not commenting! You’re starting to sound like a blogger LOL. Your parents come first.
Jannie,
LOL, that word typography seems to have been quite a delight. Would be interesting to read the next chapter to this. Maybe they never went back to the typography class… what a contrast, eh? Surfing… or typography class. Hm :)
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