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Posts tagged ‘students’

New Poem and New Revision

In her latest poem, Friendship Garden, Mikaela brings together two of my favorite things: friends and flowers. Perfect for spring. Perfect any time.

She’s also submitted the first chapter of her latest revision of The Magic Sword of Trestia. I’m truly impressed by the journey this story has taken and the time, dedication and talent that Mikaela has put into it.

I have removed the earlier version of this story so older links to it may no longer make sense. I apologize for any confusion this may cause but I know you’re going to love this latest revision. Excellent job, Mikaela!

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Revised and Expanded

 I loved the beginning of Mikaela’s story, God is Now Hereauthor at work, and couldn’t wait for her to write more. Now that she has, I’m happy to share it here. Mikaela has done an excellent job of showing us her characters through their actions and dialogue. She’s revised Chapter One and made it even stronger. She’s continued the story with strong details, descriptions and dialogue. Her main character’s motivation to change is realistic and told well. This is a truly inspirational story. Well done, Mikaela!

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New Continuing Story

planetMikaela starts her newest story, Awesome World of Randomness, saying she let her imagination run wild on this one. And run wild it did. Loaded with creativity, interesting characters and plenty of action, I highly recommend you follow the link for laugh-out-loud fun. Thanks for sharing, Mikaela!

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More Trestia and a Reader Poll

voteMikaela has created several interesting and exciting characters in The Magic Sword of Trestia and she’d like to know which one is your favorite. Read her newest chapter, Chapter Six, then answer the poll that follows this chapter.

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A Major Revision and a New Writer

thumbs up winkMikaela has done an awesome, awesome job of revising the first four chapters of her story, The Magic Sword of Trestia. Excellent job, Mikaela. I can’t wait to read the rest! By the way, I replaced the first version of this story with this new revision but I didn’t remove any of the comments. This is kind of confusing (since some of these comments no longer apply) but I didn’t want to remove the comments because they might still be helpful to Mikeala.

I’d also like to welcome our newest writers, Wilson and Georgia. Wilson and Georgia have used a random word generator to help them create This Story. (Wilson and Georgia, please supply the title for this story so I can give it its proper name.) Random word generators are a great way to get your ideas flowing. Here’s a link to the one these writers used if you’d like to give it a try: http://writingexercises.co.uk/take-three-nouns.php.

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Fantasy Group Project Alive and Well

teamworkMikaela has answered Annie Song’s plea to save the Fantasy Group Project with a time guard mouse. I can’t help but wonder what will happen next! Thanks, Mikaela. I was missing this story, too.

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Welcome New Poet

welcome mat clip artGemx_the_writer started a great, new poem under Group Projects-Poems, called Time. Follow the link to add to the poem. Welcome to the site, Gemx!

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Breaking Through that Writer’s Block

writer's blockAnnie Song wrote in a few days ago to say that writer’s block was keeping her from coming up with another Dust Bunnies story. I’m pleased to report she’s overcome it and equally pleased to share her newest story: The Dust Bunnies 6: The Assault. It’s entertaining, fun, and well-written. Annie Song, if you get a chance and if you’re willing, please respond to this post and let us know how you overcame the dreaded Writer’s Block.

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Yay! More Dust Bunnies!

more dust bunnies (2)Annie Song added three more stories about the dust bunnies. Here are links and summaries to each:

The Dust Bunnies 3: The First Step — Find out about Raven’s role and the dust bunnies’ past

The Dust Bunnies 4: The Bottle — The Legend of the Thorn Bottle and how it might help them fight Raven

The Dust Bunnies 5: The Alliance — Dust bunnies and dragonflies plan to unite but before they can put their plans into action, something goes horribly wrong

I am so loving this world you’ve created, Annie Song. And so glad you’re sharing it here with us.

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Creativity vs. Wisdom

duelingIn her latest poem, Creativity and Wisdom, Layla answers which would win and why. What do you think?

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Powerful Poetry

welcome butterflyPlease help me welcome our newest writer, Layla Hoffman, by reading and commenting on her inspirational poem, I Have Met the Darkness. Go ahead. Select the link. You’re going to love it.

I’m glad you found us, Layla!

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Read the Story, Feel the Experience

dust bunnyWhat would it be like to have dust bunnies as friends? Or be caught in a storm in the middle of a farm? Or be cornered by a wolf? Find out in Annie Song’s newest story, The Dust Bunnies: The Storm. Awesome job, Annie. I felt like I was right there, experiencing everything that happened, which is exactly what makes a story exciting.

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This is How You Do It

author at workAction. Strong characters. Conflict. Trouble. Recent change and more change about to take place. All the elements you need to create a powerful beginning.

Mikaela included every one of those elements in Chapter One of God is Now Here – not an easy thing to do, and yet the writing flows so easily.

Mikaela, awesome job. Everyone else, go read this story right now. You’ll see how great beginnings keep us wanting more.

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New Poem

poetryAh, poetry. Perfect words arranged in the perfect order to create the perfect tone, the perfect rhythm and the perfect feeling. Read The Shack of Decision and see how Anne also uses poetry to show how different people respond to the same thing. Perfectly. Welcome to the site, Anne and thanks for sharing!

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Welcome New Writer

welcome bouncy headsPlease help me welcome our newest writer to the site, WolfyAwesome. WolfyAwesome is a talented writer with a flair for descriptive language. But don’t just take my word for it. Go read WolfyAwesome’s addition to the Adventure #2 Group Project and see for yourself.

Inkwolf also shows her flair for descriptive language in her newest ongoing story, The Long Road. With mighty animals facing unknown dangers, it’s a powerful beginning to what promises to be another exciting story from Inkwolf.

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Show Me, Don’t Tell Me

We read stories to experience things we might not otherwise. The more we feel like we’re there, right in the middle of the action, the better we like it and the longer we’ll remember it.

The same is true for learning about characters. We don’t want to be told what a character is like; we want to form our own opinions and figure it out for ourselves. That’s why the best way to introduce a character is to show them doing something that is typically them, then show how other characters react and respond.

mean eagleWant to see how? Read the opening scene of Mikaela’s newest story, Eagle, for a great example of how to show, not tell. Well done, Mikaela!

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Pssstt…

yellow python coiledSirius uncovers a life-changing secret. Read Chapter Two of Ink Wolf’s Scales and Tails to find out what it is.

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Adding to Group Projects

groupPlease make sure you read the entire string of comments and continue the story after the last comment. A note to Komali2: I received your addition to the Mystery Group Project but didn’t post it because it wasn’t at the end of what had already occurred in the story. You’re more than welcome to add to the end of any group project, start a new one, or submit your own story. Thanks for understanding.

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How to Start a Story

great jobBeginnings can be tricky because you have to decide what information to share and what to hold back. You want to tell your readers enough so they’ll understand the type of story you’re going to tell but you also want to hold back some secrets to keep them reading. If you’d like to see a well-written example of what to include in the beginning of your story, read Mikaela’s prologue for God is Now Here. She includes everything a good beginning should include and she does it in less than a page. Well done, Mikaela!

Mikaela also added to the group Mystery story and it’s getting really, really good. You should go read that too. Then add to it because I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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New Poem

dawnI love poetry. And poets. And Mikaela’s latest poem, The Dawn. Check it out. Bet you’ll love it, too.

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Bring on the Snakes!

snakeTypically, I don’t like snakes. I didn’t like spiders either, but Inkwolf changed my mind about those eight-legged beasts in Guardians in the Window. Now she’s making me care about snakes in her newest ongoing story, Scales and Tails. How does she do it? She gives her characters strengths and weaknesses we respect, admire, and relate to, then surrounds them with problems and trouble that we understand. This is how you make a great story. This is how you make your readers care and feel and worry. Another great addition to the site. Thanks for sharing, Ink Wolf!

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Spidey Sense

spiderThere’s a party going on but there’s also a decision that has to be made. Will Alleki choose to go with the Soul Takers or will his choice be made for him? Read Chapter Four of Ink Wolf’s Guardians in the Window to find out.

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It’s Fun; It’s Funny

ninjaNeve’s Ninjaz are back! With help from her brother Finley, Neve’s made sure these ninjaz will make you grin and make you giggle. Follow the link, The Secret Life of Ninjaz to follow their latest adventures.

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Short but Powerful

mountainsNight Wolf uses compelling and solid imagery to show readers the power of God in the story, God’s Mysterious Ways.

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Looking for Your Advice

adviceMikaela is revising The Magic Sword of Trestia and is looking for advice. Follow the link, read what’s there and let her know what you think! You can comment here or there.

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