empowering young writers online

Poor Kitty

catSee how Ink Wolf uses rhythm to help paint the picture of what happens to this poor cat in Down the Stairs.

welcomePlease help me welcome Ink Wolf by reading and commenting on this writer’s ongoing fantasy, Misty Island. I know you’re going to love Ink Wolf’s imagination. I do! Not only are there wolves (one with wings and two tails) but there’s also a dragon teacher – yay! – a sea monster (who seems to be a bit clumsy) and some dangerous shadow creatures determined to destroy and conquer everything. Wow, right? I’m so happy you found us, Ink Wolf, and can’t wait to read more!

In Chapter 5 of Marked Five, Elsy shows us what happens to Barney and how Ashley and Chris help him out of it.

Follow the links to read these great fantasies and remember to comment – I know both authors would love to hear what you think of their work!

The Mystery Continues

mysteryMikaela added to the Mystery Group Project by having the strange female figure speak. 

unicornMikaela submitted the first verse of the first poem for our Group Projects Poems. The poem is called Unicorn. Follow the link to read it, add to it or leave a comment.

poetryMikeala came up with a fantastic idea for Group Projects: working together to write poetry. Someone would write the first verse, then someone else would write the second verse and so on. She’s done this with her friends and I think it sounds like a lot of fun.

So I’ve added a new section called Group Projects~Poems. You’ll find it listed over there on the right – keep scrolling down!

To get started, select this link: Instructions. You’ll find some topics you could write about, but don’t feel like you’re limited to these topics – you can start a poem about anything you wish, as often as you’d like. Just remember that if you’re starting a new poem, give it a title so I can list your poem under the Group Projects~Poems section for others to discover, read and continue.

Thanks for the suggestion, Mikeala – I love it!

surprise faceRead Chapter 2 of Mikeala’s Annavava and find out what strange things Annavava discovers in her new Hawaiian home.

vote pollThis weekend Elsy submitted the first chapter of a new ongoing fantasy called Marcia. She also submitted two more chapters of St. Charles Academy and created a reader poll. Follow the links for some highly entertaining reading (you won’t be disappointed) then take a moment to answer the poll. You’ll find it at the end of Chapter 5 of St. Charles Academy.

Reminder: Please please remember to include the name of your story – especially if it’s an ongoing one! Thanks.

New Ongoing Story

hawaiian 15Today Mikaela started a new story called Annavava. It’s about an orphan who’s just been adopted by a family living in Hawaii. Mikaela shows us some of Annavava’s interests by listing what she packs before taking the trip to her new home. Great way to introduce a character, Mikeala!

More St. Charles Academy

Elsy reveals a little more about Savannah in her latest addition to St. Charles Academy. She also introduces Daniel, who seems really helpful and friendly, even if he is slightly… furry.

Yay, Dragons!

dragonIf you love stories about dragons, or stories about royalty, you need to read The Shadow of the Mountain, written by Neve. In Chapter 2, Neve introduces her royal dragons through description, dialogue and some family conflict. You’re going to love it.

scared-man-mdNeve’s newest ongoing story, Hunger, is an incredible example of using specific descriptive words to set a mood. It made me nervous. It made me tense. It made me slightly sick to my stomach. But it was the full force of these emotions that made Neve’s story so exciting and so fun to read. This is truly captivating writing. It’s also extremely scary and gory. So if you’re not into that, or if scary stories truly scare you, I suggest you skip this one.

She’s also started another story that is a bit less scary and certainly less gory. The Shadow of the Mountain features a huge spider. (That’s the scary part. Neve’s so skilled with description that you’ll feel like the spider is right beside you. So if spiders freak you out, you’ve been warned!). Follow the link to see how Neve shares the thoughts and feelings of a spider. This is a great example of how you can climb inside a character’s mind and show readers what’s going on in there (even if the character isn’t human)!

Building Characters

show don't tellSee how Elsy uses description, dialogue, actions and reactions to show us her characters’ personalities. In Chapter 6 of Auras, Eva has friends who help her and enemies who hurt her. In Chapter 2 of St. Charles Academy, Kayla is getting to know the girls at her new school.

Notice that Elsy doesn’t label her characters – she never calls them mean or nice or sweet or snotty. Instead, she lets readers figure out what these characters are like through their actions and responses. Not only is this more entertaining, but it’s also more effective.

wowHelp me welcome our newest writer, Sohaina, by reading and commenting on this writer’s first submission, My Pets. Sohaina’s pets come from two different countries and sound like a lot of fun. Welcome to the site, Sohaina, and thanks for sharing. I hope you have a good time here. I’m looking forward to reading more of your writing!

Also…

Neve introduced a dragon to the Fantasy Group Project. (Thanks, Neve! I LOVE dragons!)

Mikaela created our second reader poll for her ongoing story, The Magic Sword of Trestia. She came up with a great question for this poll and you should go answer it now by following the link.

Elsy submitted Chapter 5 of Auras. I love how Elsy is building up to the approaching trouble from Jet and Zephyr, while also building on the trouble the main characters are currently having with their auras. Problems on so many levels makes for readers reading fast and wanting more!

Elsy has also started a new ongoing story, St. Charles Academy. You’re going to love her funny, highly-relatable main character and you’re going to love this character’s new school even more.

Lots of great writing again today! Remember to comment and let the writers know what you think.

fantasy readGo grab something good to drink then hurry and come back. There’s plenty of great fantasy to read and comment on today!

In Chapter Four of Auras, Elsy cranks up the tension by letting us see how horrible the bad guys are.

In Chapter Four of Elsy’s Marked Five, you’ll be thrilled to learn what the title of this story really means.

Neve introduces a dangerous and deadly beast in her fantasy, Flight. She also requested our first-ever reader poll. I’ve included it at the end of her submission. Please take a second to add your vote to this poll. I know she’ll appreciate it!

I love being able to share all these great ongoing stories but remember: If you’re submitting a continuation of an ongoing story, please include the story’s name. We’re getting quite the collection and it really makes it easier on me. Thanks!

Elsy suggested a fantastic addition to the site: Polls you create for your own writing submissions. This is an excellent way for you to find out how others feel about your story, submission and/or writing. You can ask readers things like: Who is your favorite character? What is your favorite chapter? What do you think should happen next? For nonfiction, you could ask questions like: What fact did you find most interesting? What new thing did you learn? What else would you like to know about this topic?

I could go on and on, but as the writer, it’s really up to you. You create the poll’s question and the answer choices, then I’ll post the poll at the end of your submission. If it’s an ongoing story, I can post the poll wherever you’d like readers to tell you what they’re thinking.

Then, you can find out how readers are responding by selecting “View Results” at the bottom of your poll whenever and as often as you’d like.

If you’d like to add a poll to your submitted writing, you’ll need to include the following:

  • One specific question – this will be the title of the poll and what readers respond to
  • A few answers for readers to choose from – three to five choices would probably be ideal; but again, it’s up to you.

Fun, right? And it’s great information for every writer to have!

Not only did Elsy come up with this great suggestion, she also added to the Mystery Group Project, giving the main character a reason for being down in the basement while continuing the eeriness introduced by Mikaela. You should go read that, then add to the story. After that? I’m looking forward to posting some great polls, so you should get busy on those, too!

wingsThe writing group – Elsy, Mimi, Sophie, Patti and Bunnie – submitted Chapter 1 of their fantasy, Wings and Other Stuff and they’re off to an excellent start. In this alternative world, there are portals, telepathy, transformations, and of course, wings. Check it out! Also, the authors want you to know that they based their characters on themselves. For a guide to which character represents which writer, look for their “Authors’ Note” in the Comments section below the story.

It’s a Mystery

mysteryToday Mikaela added a mysterious character to the Mystery Group Project, which means we now have three writers working on this story. If you’d like to be the fourth, go here to find out how. It’s easy and fun and something you should definitely do right now.

Elsy told Mikaela what she thinks might happen next in The Magic Sword of Trestia (go to the end to read the comments) and Mikaela would like to hear what you think of her Science Fiction Novel so far. Follow the link and leave her a comment in the “Leave a Reply” box.

Read Chapter Two of Mikaela’s Science Fiction Novel and see how evil and powerful Samus’ enemies are.

Predictions, Anyone?

guy on question markMikaela would like to know what you think will happen next in her ongoing story, The Magic Sword of Trestia. I’m curious, too. It’d be fun to see how many different directions one story could go. So follow the link, read the story, then enter your prediction in the “Leave a Reply” box at the bottom of the story.

More Auras

colorsElsy submitted Chapter Three of Auras. It’s colorful and full of trouble. Loving it!

typing keyboardMikaela shares her talent and skill in three different genres today.

First, in the Adventure #2 Group Project, she leads the main character to a new setting in an unexpected way.

Then, she really cranks up the tension between Tim and Edwin in the Science Fiction Group Project with surprising secrets and accusations.

To cap it all off, she submitted Chapter Five of The Magic Sword of Trestia. In this chapter, Gemla gets something she desperately needs but also comes face-to-face with…. no, I’m not going to tell you. You should follow the link and read it yourself.

Actually, you should follow all the links. I know you’ll enjoy all three of these ongoing stories.

team_workThis is awesome! Five writers – Elsy, Mimi, Sophie, Patti and Bunnie – have come together to create and develop this new, ongoing story, Wings and Other Stuff. I think it’s going to be a very compelling fantasy. Follow the link to read the introduction and let them know what you think. Welcome to the site, everyone! And thanks, Elsy, for inviting your friends. I hope you all have a great time.

See Neve’s response to Mikaela’s suggestions for Neve’s story, Flight (posted at the bottom of the story).

Elsy continued the Adventure #2 Group Project by introducing a new character in a mysterious way, and the Fantasy Group Project by using an existing character in a humorous way.

Thanks to all of you for making this site grow bigger and better every day. You amaze me.

Science Fiction Novel

Space ClipartIf you like stories about space travel, you’re going to love Mikaela’s newest ongoing story, Science Fiction Novel. There are space pirates and healing space suits. There’s also a dangerous Galactic Federation and a main character who heads their Enemy List. Check it out!

Welcome Christian!

school-kids-schoolhouse-thumbChristian, our newest writer on the site, does a great job sharing what his school day is like in his narrative, What I Do in School. He also continued the Fantasy Group Project (which means we now have seven writers working on this story -WOOT!) Christian is Mikaela’s 7-year-old brother (which means we also have another family working together at All Write with Me – DOUBLE WOOT!). I’m so happy you shared your writing and imagination, Christian. I hope you have a good time here!

Neve’s looking for suggestions for her next chapter of Flight. Follow the link to see Mikaela’s advice (posted at the bottom of the story) and offer your own suggestions.

boy-holding-big-pencilMikaela started Adventure #2 in Group Projects with an intriguing blue circle. This is an excellent beginning for a Group Project because there’s already plenty of trouble and mystery and just about anything could happen next. Remember, anyone – including you – can add to group projects. So go on – read the beginning and use your imagination to decide what happens next.

 

kid-reading-book-on-tabletElsy continues to show her strong writing skills in Chapter 3 of Marked Five. Follow the link to see how Elsy advances the story’s action while also allowing us to learn more about the characters.