Need a Path

I've been coming across this theme that really speaks to me lately. One that I've considered many times before but haven't really known how to implement. It's the theme of forgetting ones self and serving others.

For a really long time now I've had this draw to help teens, in particular, learn how to write. I have been astounded by how many teenagers write and want to do it well. When I was a kid it was just my little brother and I who did any kind of writing for fun, and now teen writers are everywhere. I know of at least seven kids within a few blocks of me who write.

The problem has been, how do I reach them? Do I have workshops in my little community? Do I set up online critique groups? How do I do it?

So here I am coming to all of you for words of advice. What would you do? If you felt you had a calling to do something like this, how would you approach it--make it personal, but reach as many people as possible? I am completely open to suggestions, and if you are a teen looking for help, I'm especially interested in knowing what your needs are.

It's time to take this need to serve the youth and do something about it. I'm ready. I just need a path.

Blog Hop Flash Fiction Story

I'm a little late in the day getting this up. I apologize. One of those days, you know? Hope it's not too late! Anyway, here's my blog hop flash fiction for the challenge.

Fourth of July Surprise

Every year, ever since I can remember, we lay out on the roof of the garage to watch the fireworks on the fourth of July. The reds and greens merging with the purples and whistling whites are but a stocatto to the chest thumping booms that set off the car alarms throughout the neighborhood.

None of us could hardly wait to see what they came up with for the finale. Every year it was something new. We watched with baited breath as the show commenced, getting ever more complex and loud until the final series of non-stop explosions hammered at us until we felt flattened to the garage.

And that was when I heard it. A high pitched scream that at first sounded like a whistler rocket, but it didn't stop. The scream just went on and on. I looked at my brother and he looked at me, then we looked back at the sky just in time to see a man falling toward us, a huge parachute billowing behind him. The guy was dressed like he came from World War II, and when he thumped onto the roof and started to skid we grabbed him and held on tight. He squatted down and pulled a gun around to the front of him, looking at the sky with absolute terror. "Where are they? Where's my troop? Oh, my, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!"

Time travel in the midst of a fireworks show. Who would have thought? Best. Show. Ever!

Blog Hop Flash Fiction

Ali Cross is hosting a blog hop over at her blog and I signed up, partially because I absolutely adore Ali and it sounded like a fun idea, and partially because she asked us to write flash fiction. Now, most people don't know this about me, but I adore flash fiction. I was first introduced to it by a group of online writers called "Liberty Hall," of which Mary Robinette Kowall was a member of long before she became a famous author. (I probably spelled her name wrong. Sorry Mary!)

Anyway, what I love about flash fiction is that it forced me to stop thinking my way through a story and feel my way through it instead. It made me stop trying to fix the words and instead to slap as many on the page as possible. I think it's an excellent exercise for all writers, and it's a heck of a lot of fun! So, I signed up for the blog hop and will post my story on the 15th in hopes of winning Possession by Elayna Johnson. :D I already have Hazzardous Universe. lol But if not, at least I've had a chance to write again and participate with some lovely people. I hope you'll be one of them.

If you want to join us, go to Ali's blog above and sign up!

Poetry Challenge Extension

Hello my friends. I apologize for not addressing this sooner, but with the holidays and all, we had a distinct lack of submissions this time around, so I'm extending the Poetry Challenge for one more week. We'd love to have more participation and you've got some great choices for prompts. So, if you plan to participate, have your poems to me by Friday at midnight at poetrychallenge@hotmail.com. And remember, it's all in fun! Hope to have you join us!

Poetry Challenge #4

And it's time for another poetry challenge! I'm sorry I'm a day late getting this posted, but better late than not at all, right?

Just a quick reminder of the rules. Please don't share your poem with anyone until AFTER they vote, and that includes on your blogs. We want this to remain anonymous so it is fair for all involved.

Thank you so much to all of you who are participating. The more people we have, the more fun the challenge is. Now go read the prompt so you can get started! Poems are due to me no later than Friday night, midnight. Please e-mail them as an attachment to

poetrychallenge@hotmail.com

Flash Fiction Challenge #3 Winner!

I must admit I am late in posting our winner this week. Things kind of got ahead of me and I didn't just have a mental health day, I've had a mental health week! Craziness!

Anyway, we have a winner of the Flash Fiction Challenge and that would be . . .

Emlee M. for the story "GLOW!"

Congratulations, Emlee! So glad you were able to join us this round and hope you'll do so again!

Flash Fiction Challenge #3 Voting!

And the voting begins! As always, if you submitted a story, don't tell anyone which one is yours to keep it fair. Just click on the button next to the name of the story you like, and your vote is cast! Have fun!