storytelling

Okay - before we start I want to lay out two expectations. First, one point of this blog is to practice writing, so please write with capitalization, punctuation, etc. Check your work before you publish it and don't embarrass yourself. Second, Since this is your classwork for today, this post should be much longer than your others (well.....except maybe for Katherine). Surprise me with your lengthy, thoughtful writing!

Today I want you to write a story. Be creative - this story can be about anything, but it has to be a good story. Include lots of sensory details and description. Think about your genre. Is this a mystery or a love story? A tragedy or a memoir? It can be anything, but it should fall within a specific genre. Don't tell me what the genre is, but think about it as before you write.

I'll write my story later; have fun writing yours.

i can't stand....

What can't you stand - about yourself? In other words, what's the one thing you wish you could change.

The whole reason I write this question is that I hate that I have SUCH a hard time keeping routines. I'm great at big projects, throwing parties and pulling off impossible tasks. However, when it comes to the little routines, I stink. Every time. This blog is one of those examples. Why is it so hard for me to stay in the routine of writing? Working out is another tough one. I'll do great - for a week. Then I'll do nothing and be lazy for two months before I can get back at it. AHHHH!!!!

one random question....

#1. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be? Why? Oh, and Jesus can't be one of them; he's already invited!

Mike asked me this first question on our first date.....we had some of the same answers! Anyways, first I would invite my Grandpa Bishop, my mom's dad. He died just after my parents were married, a few years before I was born. It's wierd that there is this person from whom I must have inherited traits, physical or personal, and I don't even know him. I would love to talk with him and get to know him. I would also invite Martin Luther King Jr. I really would. I think part of me would love just to hear his voice in person - that great "I have been to the mountain" voice. Finally, I would invite Paul, as in the apostle Paul. I think he must have been a fiery man - full of passion and power. I would love to hear what he has to say about the world today and the church.

How about you?

give me a glimpse

What is life like at home? I know all of your families - probably better than most teachers, but there is something about people's homes that only they can know, only they can understand. Give me a glimpse of your house on a normal weekday evening. Where is everyone? What are the lights like? What are the noises? Do you like it? Do you wish it was different?

Mike and I are sitting in our living room. He's grading; I'm - well right now I'm writing this blog. But usually I am reading about something online. Politics, cooking, my friends' pictures. We came in here to relax after we watered the garden and finished the dishes. Sounds exciting right?

I like the light in our living room at night. It makes the red walls kind of glow, and it feels warm. You can hear everyone outside. Some are talking as they walk past our house. A kid down the street is getting yelled at. I guess I'm just thankful that fireworks season has passed. They still make me jump sometimes.

scary stuff...

When have you been the most afraid? I'm not talking about watching a horror movie or listening to a scary story. I'm talking about real, deep down fear.

If you would have asked me this when I was 10 I would have told you about the time that I got lost in my own little world trying to go up the down escalator in the mall and suddenly realized my mom was nowhere to be seen. I panicked, started crying, and never saw my mom watching me from the second floor, knowing that I had learned my lesson.

Now I would tell you about the time that I got woken up during a prank at camp. The programming staff, including my cousin Beth, videotaped people's reactions when they woke up to a six foot stuffed gingerbread doll dancing in their room. In my blurry (remember - no contacts in), dazed view I was convinced that there was a demon at my bedside. I sat up, started pointing at the gingerbread man and yelled, "No. No. Leave me alone. Leave me alone." It's all on video somewhere. In that moment I thought the demon was going to consume me. Later, I almost peed myself as I watched it.

Tell me about the time when you were most afraid. Maybe your moment was more real life than mine, or maybe you too created monsters in your own head.

welcome back! tell me about your summer.

I would love to know how many students have to write about this upon returning to school - probably a lot. I want a little something a little different from you. Tell me about your dream summer...what would your summer have looked like it it had been perfect. However, write as though it's really what happened, as though you are just telling me about your summer.

and we're back......

Welcome back! I know that you have all been missing your weekly blogging, and I have definitely missed reading your "musings".

Here's the inspiration for today.

I want you to pick one memory you have of a Christmas past and describe it in as much detail as is possible. This doesn't have to be a happy memory - it can be any memory. Tell me as much as you can - what was happening, what you saw, what you smelled, how you felt, etc. Try to use a memory that will give you a lot to talk about.

Have fun!