Your Turn! (Saturday Writing Essential)

In my last request for your input, Virginia M.  put up a challenge,  The grass is always better on the other side… (Saturday Writing Essential).

When I ask for your challenges, I always ask for an intro of some sort and Virginia did a magnificent job of doing that.

* * *

…But if a person is on the fence, perhaps both sides can be evaluated at the same time.

I learned at an early age that it’s not how the grass looks, but it’s the person’s perception of something being better than what the person has for him/herself that often leads to misjudgment.

One evening, my parents had taken the family to visit some friends that owned a farm. These friends had a bunch of kids my siblings and I enjoyed playing with. Oh, what fun!

It is no surprise their yard was rather ragged due to kids always wearing the grass off. Rain, though, the previous day had made the fields look luscious and green that sprawled around the house and yard.

Some of their fields were fenced for cattle and some were for growing hay, corn, or whatever else they deemed necessary. One small section adjoining the yard was separated to itself by a split rail fence made with locust tree posts. Of course, that’s where I wanted to play! From my vantage point, the grass was full and soft urging me to come, roll in its luxury. How special I felt to have discovered a better place to play! I didn’t hesitate. I rarely had a chance to impress my brothers since they were older. I thought for sure this would be my chance. I quickly changed my mind, though, when I started crossing the fence. The grass that looked so inviting was actually sharp stubble that stuck into my bare feet.

Many years have passed since then, but I have never forgotten the painful lesson I learned on perspective.

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Use a short story, poetry or prose to show a narrator’s point of view.

 

Ideas:

Tell something from your childhood as if someone else is telling it.

Write about how a machine ‘comes alive’ when no one is around. Be a voice without a body.

[I always say I won’t edit your posts when you submit to these challenges, but I think you might look at Virginia’s original title and consider a comparative viewpoint about the condition of grass on both sides.]

 

Watch Out For:    

Don’t write in first person, using ‘I’.

Make sure you post your writing to Gather Writing Essential and include the regular tag: SatWE

 

Recap:

For some reason, ghosts always bring out the best in all of you. Even when you’ve never seen a ghost, you’re always willing to write about one.

DO AS YOUR FATHER SAYS: SATURDAY WRITING ESSENTIALS, PROMPT, GHOST STORY  by David W.

I Believe in Ghosts. Do you? Being Remembered - A true story (for SatWE, WWE, and ThuWE)  by Ms Lee P.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night - SatWE - Ghost  by Kathryn Esplin

Last Act: Gather Writing Essential SatWE Ghosts; FWE LFSF; SunWE POV Review  by Doug Westberg

Lesson in Fear  by Gregory Maxwell [Yep, this is the kid I keep talking about.]

No Such Thing as Ghosts (Saturday Writing Essential)  by Len Maxwell

Saturday Writing Essential Submission: The seer who couldn't see his own future.  By Franklin Newman

Saturday Writing Essential: A Ghost Tour of Nova Scotia  by A. F. Stewart

SatWE, MWE and WWE (ghosts, politics and death valley)  by Pam Brittain

the ghost of Johnny Castle satwe-The Last Dance  by karen vaughan

 

Response to a Previous Challenge:

Freestyle (SatWE August 25, 2012) A Janaku (and repost for Len)  by Stacey (Jusus is coming soon-are you ready? ) U.

 

Twisted Shorties  -- the Gather Anthology

Several months ago, Pam Brittain decided Gather writers should have their own book. She put out a call for submissions and twenty-three writers and poets responded with ninety-six entries. It took two months to finalize and format everything as well as getting a magnificent cover designed by James T.

All the hard work came together and A.F. Stewart published it under her account on Smashwords where it is now available to everyone -- FREE!

You can read it on line or download it in various formats by clicking  here.

 

Weekly reminder: Don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!). Also, try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece. Tell the author what worked and what needs work.

The Rules:

• Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do.

Challenge: Use a short story, poetry or prose to show a narrator’s point of view.

• There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.
• Post to Gather Writing Essential.
• Tag your submission with SatWE.
• Include (Saturday Writing Essential) as part of your title.
• I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Friday afternoon.

Good Writing!