challenge

Tell Me a Story Tuesday – Spring is Sprung Edition

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Hello my loyal band of followers! I thought I would keep up the visual idea from last week and revisit a type of story I’ve asked people to share before…

Over the weekend my family made the trip into Washington, D.C. to see the famous cherry blossoms. They really are beautiful, and I highly recommend making the trip to seem them (a word to the wise, early mornings and later afternoons are much less crowded – you can actually see the trees through the people then!). We, of course, were good citizens and took lots of pictures. Some of them are still in the camera, but I did take a few shots with my cell phone. Looking at the pictures earlier I had an idea for today’s story challenge…

Tell me a story in 3-5 pictures. In the past I challenged you to do it in one, but today I’m giving you a little more wiggle room. Here’s what I had in mind.

Jefferson Memorial through the Cherry BlossomsSisters admiring the view from the Jefferson MemorialClose Up of Cherry Blossoms

Feel free to post your story in pictures to your blog and share the link here. As always, mind the rules. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Spring is sprung folks – Tell me your spring story in pictures!

Tell Me a Story Tuesday – Award Show Style!

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Publicity photo of Shirley Jones for the 1962 ...

After a brief break from my Tuesday requests for your stories, I am back and I have a twist.  The somewhat office Hollywood Award Season wrapped up on Sunday with the Oscars. At least one presenter alluded to practicing their acceptance speech in front of a mirror over the years. Come on, admit it, you have too. Here is your chance to share your speech with the world.

Here’s what I’m looking for…give me your best acceptance speech for the award of your choice (see example A) or give the acceptance speech you wish someone would give at an awards ceremony (see example B).

Example A: I would like to thank the Academy for this unbelievable honor. I am honored to be the company of these great nominees and all of them deserve this honor. Thank you to the cast and crew who really are what made this possible. I need to thank my family for their support and encouragement. Thank you to all the teacher and professors that saw something special in me and encouraged me. Lastly, this is for my mom who told me before she died that I would be standing here some day.

Example B:I’m gonna let you finish announcing the winner I just need to say somethin’ first. I want to thanks to all the people who voted for me, I’m glad you liked the gifts my publicist sent you during voting. Thanks to the other nominees who all did a good job, just not good enough. Come on Meryl, you’ve got to admit that voice you did just was just wrong. And you, how many times are we going to see you die on screen before you just stay dead? I’d like to thank my family and friends, I’d like to but they’re all money grubbing gold diggers with straws up their noses or needles in their arms. Which reminds me, I want to thank my dealer because we all know I wouldn’t have made it through without you Buzz. One last thing, this gold statue means a major pay day for me – my starting price just doubled. Thanks again and Buzz I’ll need you to come backstage.

Now it’s your turn. Same rules apply as previous weeks. Give me your best (or worst) acceptance speech!

This Week’s Story and a New Challenge!

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This week’s story has been overcome by events. I appreciate your understanding.

I thought I would try something different instead. I’m going to give you a word. I want you to use that word to tell a story in 5 sentences. Ok, a really short story, but a story none the less.

Your word is: CHALLENGE

Here’s an example : Cameron’s whole life had been a challenge, from her first breath to the chronic pain that left her flat on her back most days. Born 8 weeks early, she defied the odds and was pronounced “normal” on her 1st birthday. 10 years later her body was ravished by Juvenile Arthritis, her medicine cabinet filled with medicines and the books sent by her teacher to keep her up-to-date with the class sat untouched. She couldn’t go out and play like her friends and her days were filled with doctor appointments and blood draws, and no real reason to smile. But she did smile, a smile so bright and pure you knew the challenge wasn’t for her to find a reason to smile, but for you to find a reason not to.

Let’s see if anyone is brave enough to give this a try!

Hey You – Tell Us Your Stories Tuesday!

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Hey you! Yeah, you. I see you sitting there reading this. You’ve probably even been here before. You’re hoping I’ll tell another story so that you don’t have to. Well my friend, not so fast. You see, I know you have a story that you’re dying to tell. I know you stare at the screen each week thinking about the perfect story to tell. You’re probably writing it in your head right now! See, I knew it! I also know you’ve secretly been dreaming about being a writer for years….

This is your chance. Get the words out of your head and put them on the screen. Share them with me. I can guarantee you tens of readers! Ok, ten reader…maybe. But still, that’s ten people that can certify your writing brilliance! It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be funny. It doesn’t even have to be good. Just tell me the story you’ve been wanting to share but haven’t had the courage.

Writer John by Onomatomedia

See - he can write and so can you!

As with any good endeavor, there are some ground rules.

The Ground Rules:

  1. Be nice! Constructive criticism is fine, but this is strictly a “No Troll Zone“
  2. Keep it clean! This site is for folks of all ages, anything not suitable for a PG audience will be removed (sorry, but my kids can read this blog and my 6 year old is a great reader – there are just some things I don’t need her sounding out!).
  3. Keep it fairly short! This isn’t the place to write the next great novel. Let’s see how short stories go before we move into long form writing.
  4. Nothing Copyrighted Please! Please make sure that you’re telling your own story and not someone else’s.
  5. No bashing other people/companies/political parties/ethnic groups/sexual orientation/career choices/physical appearance or ability/musical tastes! Again, this is a “Troll Free Zone” – leave the mean and nasty at the door. It’s one thing to have a funny encounter in a strange situation or a strange encounter in a funny situation. Using your story to insult others is another thing all together.
  6. I reserve the right… This is my blog and my face to the Internets, I reserve the right to change the rules, or remove content that break the rules. Sorry folks, but I’m sure that if you can find someone willing to let you post a story about a liberal Republican that walks with a limp and listens to Yani while sheep herding and why you hate them. I am not that someone, and this is not the place.

Grab your quill and pen. Or your mouse and keyboard. Spend 5 minutes telling us a story. Don’t be shy!

Go ahead – tell me a story!