Creative Writing Samples '13-'14

The original challenge--to myself, to my students, to you--was given on my blog:

I love the exercise of writing... of capturing the thoughts and feelings swirling around in my head, and organizing them into something that makes some modicum of sense... of sharing those thoughts, however dull they may be on any given day, with those who care to read them... of chronicling the mundane and the ordinary from our daily-day life, and thereby--if only occasionally--hallowing it as something extraordinary. It also forces me away from the tyranny of the urgent and back to the truly important, so often overlooked in our daily-day busyness!

Therefore, this year I am committing to continue throughout the year with the 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge. The rules are simple:

1) Blog at least once each month, sometime during that month. (You may post to an actual blog, if you have one. If not, compose a note to be published on Facebook, or simply write it out longhand and share it with at least one other person. Whatever works for you. Just grab your thoughts, organize them, capture them in words, and share them with at least one other person.)

2) Give your blog post a clever title, using the title of or a line from a song. (Identify the song at the bottom of the post.)

3) Include a photograph you took to accompany your post, if at all possible. ("If at all possible" is the caveat for those of you who don't take pictures, or don't own a digital camera, or don't use a smartphone, or don't look at life with a photographer's eye... But maybe 2014 is the year to learn to do just that! Look for ordinary miracles in your days, and capture them. Look at life with gratitude, and express it. I'm planning to, and I believe it will change me!

Won't you join me?

"There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know 'til he takes up the pen and writes." ~ William Makepeace Thackery

February's Entries

I am Awesome.
I love to have fun.
I love paint-balling.
I love ice cream.

I am funny.
I love food.
I love to make things.
I love dogs.

I am cool.
I love God.
I love to swim.
I am Awesome.

- SM

I am a girl with big dreams.

I wonder what God has planned for me.

I imagine myself, a young veterinarian with friends and family.

I dream that, one day, my best friends will even work at the same place as me.

I love all kinds of animals.

I think about seeing a happy child at ease knowing that her pet will be okay.

I think of all the cute dogs and cats I’ll be able to save.

I know being a veterinarian would be perfect for me.

I dream big, but some things I know may not be God’s plan for me.

I accept that whatever God has in store, I can be content.

I want the Lord to use me according to His will.

I am a girl with big dreams.

- AW

III

I am a magician who likes to entertain.

I make people smile because they're amazed.

I show people tricks that make them think for days.

I see spectators stand in wonder as they gaze.

I know I am good at slight of hand.

I see the audience all around me stand.

I feel satisfied when they give me a hand.

I like making others happy; it is grand.

I understand that I'm quite good at magic.

I praise God that I have such great talent.

I hope someday to be as good as David Blaine.

I am a magician who likes to entertain.

- EM

IV
I am a dreamer.

I believe in imaginary things in amazing places.

I see wonderful palaces built of gold.

I smell luscious flowers growing in exotic places.

I hear the majestic winds blowing over an ocean.

I imagine that I can be anything I want.

I wish I could be here forever with no worries or fears.

I realize that it’s a dream and I must go back sometime.

I need nothing here.

I hope these dreams never stop; it’s an escape from the world around me.

I swim to the dark blue depths of the ocean, or fly to touch the bright blue sky.

I am a dreamer.

- MB

I am a daughter of the king.

I hear his voice wisper to me.

I run to him for safety.

I worship for it gives me pleasure.

I dream of being with him.

I try to hold on to this wild imagination.

I fight off the demons of this world.

I bathe in his glory.

I dance in his presence.

I forget about all my worries.

I sing his holy name.

I am a daughter of the king.

- JF

VI
I am a child of God.
I believe in a Creator.

I love my parents and they love me.

I create fun art work that I think pleases the Lord.

I burst with joy for my life, but I wish for heaven.

I learn things the hard way, but I am still loved.

I know God always watches over me.

I share my testimony for God’s glory.

I deserve to die, but Jesus paid for my sins.

I give my all to God for whatever purpose He has for me.

I read my Bible and it makes sense.

I am a child of God.

- JD

VII
I am a person who enjoys having fun.

I see my basketball shot completely missing the hoop for the millionth time.

I hear the basketball bounce on the ground repeatedly as I walk over to it.

I hear my friends, while I laugh, laughing with me.

I really love good music.

I like listening to it.

I enjoy playing it on my guitar.

I love how music can cheer me up.

I thank God for a family like mine.

I thank my family for being good to me.

I thank them for how they raised me to be who I am.

I am person who enjoys having fun.

- JA

VIII
I am human.
I don`t act perfectly.

I have lied.

I have done sin.

I know I`m not perfect.

I wish I was.

I do get angry.

I do raise my voice.

I know evil and I don`t like it.

I don`t want to be bad.

I hate hatred.

I am human.

- CD

I am a creative writer.

I love to write.

I can’t wait to see the world and journal about it.

I love to journal.

I hope to write a script one day.

I like to create.

I have many ideas.

I can’t wait to travel.

I will write about it.

I share this love with many.

I love life.

I am a creative writer.

- ER

X
I am a creative girl who loves perfection.
I see ways to use things that not many else would see.

I think outside the box.

I give my all and try to make my work perfect.

I see different ways to do things.

I, myself, am different.

I see other people’s errors, but my own are harder to spot.

I am proud to be different.

I know I’m not perfect.

I try to be perfect, anyway.

I can get carried away with my ideas and perfectionism.

I am a creative girl who loves perfection.

- RS

I am a girl who enjoys the summer season.

I see the lush, green leaves on the trees.

I hear the birds singing in the branches.

I run freely through the grassy field.

I love the warm air and the gentle breeze.

I jump into the pool, making a large splash.

I relax on the beach and dig my feet into the sand.

I feel the intense heat on my skin.

I laugh with friends and play games.

I look at the clouds drifting past the sun.

I breathe in the fresh air outside my door.

I am a girl who enjoys the summer season.

- TW

XII
I am a dancer.

I skip to school.

I twirl in the hallways.

I think about dance all the time.

I dream about pointe shoes.

I adopt the mind of a dance teacher.

I shut out any doubts.

I know I can succeed.

I fight for this gift of dance.

I feed the fire in my heart.

I accept the fact that I might never change.

I am a dancer.

- EW

XIII
I am a boy who loves sports.

I love to play ultimate frisbee.

I love to go swimming at the beach.

I enjoy eating pizza and ice cream.

I love to do school.

I love to read the Bible and sing hymns.

I am excited to ride roller coasters.

I can ride my bike 20 miles per hour.

I go hunting and fishing.

I ride my rollerblades back and forth in the neighborhood.

I ride my bike off and on the ramp and fly into the air.

I am a boy who loves to play sports.

- HaA

XIV
I am a boy who loves to hunt.

I kill animals both big and small.

I sit on stands waiting for deer.

I walk around with a gun in my hand.

I have to get my energy out.

I have to ride my bike so fast.

I like to roller blade and race all day.

I am exhausted by the end of the day.

I have red hair and freckles all over.

I like to wear camo all the time.

I like to hunt with a 12 gauge pump shotgun.

I am a boy who loves to hunt.

- HeA

XV
I am a country girl who likes to draw.
I like to play outside in my yard.

I am a violinist who likes folk music.

I love all the sorts of crafts.

I am a girl who likes to dream.

I imagine new worlds and creatures.

I find softball very fun.

I love to sew stuff for my dog.

I see artistic things everywhere.

I see something pretty and I must draw it.

I enjoy drawing flowers everywhere.

I am a country girl who likes to draw.

- HL

XVI
I am a girl who loves to watch the snow, slowly drift outside.

I wait for it to cover up everything in a beautiful, crisp white blanket.

I snuggle up by the fireplace, with a good book to read while waiting.

I enjoy watching the graceful flakes dance in the wind.

I think of all the fun times in the past that we have enjoyed in the snow.

I look out the tall, glass window wondering when the snow will stop.

I love getting lots of snow this season.

I see the howling winds of the snow calm down, and slow to a stop.

I dance and trot among all the white flakes in the fields and beyond.

I shiver and am icy cold as I trudge inside with my snow covered, frozen boots.

I love being inside, rosy cheeked and sipping hot chocolate.

I am a girl who loves watching the snow, slowly drift outside.

- ED

XVII

I am an active girl.

I love to surf.

I adore the wind in my face.

I love the salt water.

I am a lacrosse player.

I love running.

I like being competitive.

I like winning games.

I am creative.

I love bright colors.

I enjoy sewing.

I am an active girl.

- OC

XVIII

I am a Christian and love God.

I am a fun and good friend.

I am a trustworthy and truthful companion.

I am an animal lover.

I am a country girl who loves the outdoors.

I am an awesome sister.

I am helpful and consirderate.

I am athletic and enjoy to run.

I am a bookworm and love – the – library – girl.

I am a fashoinesta and love to dress up.

I love chickens and horses.

I am a Christian and love God.

- JL

XIX
I am an explorer who likes to discover new things.

I see nature revealing its mysteries and awestruck wonders.

I hear birds chirping and big dogs barking.

I know that all of the earth is wrapped up by winter.

I feel weary after a long day of labor.
I realize that being wet and cold doesn’t mix well for me.

I stand on the shores of the raging sea; the tide is so huge that it washes over me.

I hike on a mountain trail; I see the view get smaller as I travel upward.

I understand that I’m an explorer.

I decide to tour my country and the world I live in.

I think of the many exciting adventures still to come.

I am an explorer who likes to discover new things.

- DP

I am an artistic girl who loves to draw.

I hear the leaves crunch under my feet.

I see the colorful sun setting.

I hear the voices inside my head.

I see the painted flowers dance in the wind.

I feel the crisp, cold breeze that carries them.

I long to replace what has already been broken.

I hope for what is in store.

I know that I am different.

I don’t feel like everyone else.

I like to stand out.

I am an artistic girl who loves to draw.

- OH

XXI

I am an energetic boy that loves to move.

I sing crazy songs throughout the day.

I dance around my house like a wild man.

I enjoy making people laugh around me.

I dream up crazy things during boring classes.

I play soccer and swim during the summer.

I wonder why God put us on the earth.

I smell many good things when I enter my house.

I jump up and down when I get excited.

I dream of knights, dragons, and kings.

I slay dragons and complete quests in my favorite game.

I am an energetic boy that loves to move.

- CK

XXII

XXIII

XXIV

XXV

XXVI

XXVII

XXVIII

Creative Writing Samples '13-'14

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A Window Inside

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge ~ February

"I Am"