Summer Short And Sweets - Week 8 The Final Week!

I can't believe it.  Didn't we just start Summer Short & Sweets?  And here we are, August 24th, purple loosestrife blooming, lots of kids already back in school - although not mine - and this is our last official day of SS&S!

badge created by Loni Edwards

Before you get too sad, though, let me tell you that, due to popular demand, we will be continuing Short & Sweets in some incarnation on alternate Mondays henceforth... or once school starts, anyway :)  I'm thinking around September 10...

Meanwhile, we have today.  And today is SO exciting!  I've been planning it for 2 whole months and trying to keep it a secret and let me tell you, it's been excruciating!!!

For today's Short & Sweet we have a picture prompt, and not just any picture prompt.  This one was painted specially for the occasion by the incredibly talented Heather Newman, whom many of you know from 12x12 and/or her blog, Heather Newman Illustrations.  Heather is an amazing artist, writer, homeschooler, cowherd, and Phyllis hostess.  She also just opened her Etsy Shop and I encourage everyone to go have a look at all her wonderful offerings.  Please also feel free to leave compliments on her painting in the comments once you've seen the prompt if you are not left completely speechless with awe :)

Are you ready???

:)

Your challenge for today is to take a good look at the picture below.

Image copyright Heather Newman 2012

Woweekazowee!  That is some picture isn't it?

Now, in the comments, you may write your choice of the following:

1.  A pitch for a children's story, any level (please specify PB (picture book), ER (early reader), CB (chapter book), MG (middle grade), or YA (young adult)) based on the picture, in the manner of Short & Sweet Week 6

2.  The first 50-100 words (or more or less - whatever gets the creative juices flowing) of a children's story, any level, (please specify PB, ER, CB, MG, YA) based on the picture.

3.  The last 50-100 words (again, more or less is fine - whatever works for you :)) of a children's story, any level (please specify PB, ER, CB, MG, YA) based on the picture.

4.  Choose a character (there are at least 10 possibilities!) from the picture and introduce us to him or her - who he/she is, where he/she came from, how he/she got into this situation - a character sketch of sorts.

5.  Choose a character and give us a one paragraph synopsis of the story told by the picture from his/her point of view.

6.  The title of the story told by this picture - give us a good one! :) (and again please specify level)

7.  A poem following the rules from Short & Sweet Week 3 based in some way on this picture.

One added thing for you to think about:  next Friday, August 31, will be our Summer Writing Contest!!!  (I know!  The mind reels at the excitement!!!)  And guess what?  It will be based on this picture!  So any of you who would like to enter the contest can get a head start on your thinking this week by participating in the Short & Sweet.  Just so you know, the contest will be for a children's story of 250 words or less based on the picture and incorporating the some special key words, but I'm not telling those yet :)  Full details of the contest will be posted Monday.

Now then, back to the matter at hand - today's Short & Sweet.  Pick whichever of the 7 options above inspires you most.  I'm hoping with 7 options and that amazing picture you will find something inspiring :)

Here is a small sample from moi (and when I say small, I mean what with all the traveling I totally ran out of time, so talk about off the top of your head! :)):

#1 (a pitch for MG)

Grenadier, who would carry his knight anywhere, must cross the moat to save Cythrigg, the last dragon of Cyfarr, but finds he is unable to penetrate the magical fire surrounding Castlewellyn.

#6  (a possible title for a PB)

Bathtime For Balkazar

#7 (a poem)

I am a raven

Black as moonless night

With powerful secrets

Watching, waiting

For the prophesied moment

Spying on the forbidden castle

Holding the truth close

Keeping safe the golden key until,

As from the mists of Avalon, a new prince rises.

I am a raven.

Happy Writing, everyone!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with!  As usual I'm sure we'll all have story ideas coming faster then we can write them down sparked by our own responses to the exercise as well as everyone else's.

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you Monday for Oh Susanna and the contest announcement!