Writer Wednesday - Taking a Trip

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

It's midweek and you know what that means? We are three days away from the weekend! I know, I can't wait too.

So, we had an amazing turn out last week! Here are the stories we received:

Clothespin Commitment by Jack Carlson

A Child's Path and Escape by Scott Taylor

Murder at the Amusement Park (the ongoing story that inspired my own) by Tena Car

Lost by Landa

Summer of 1962 by Anne

I Love a Good Curse by Me

It's my turn this week! And it's my favorite part of the whole week because I get to choose the photo! Yay!

First a special shout to Carrie K. Sorensen and Jane Bussey for being awesome co-hosts. Also, if you enjoy the blog hop and want to help promote it, feel free to grab a button:

Click and copy this code

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Two more bits of news before we get into the blog hop:

1) If you are interested in being a co-host for the blog hop, let us know in the comments! It's fairly easy, just making sure you are posting the blog hop post each week!

2) Also, Carrie is starting a new blog story hop! It's a lot of fun and it's so exciting to see where the story goes according to each blogger. She has a post about it on her blog. Or contact me via Google Plus. Or email or Twitter.

So, without further ado! Here is this week's writing prompt. Real quick, here are the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.

2) There is also a 500 word maximum.

3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.

4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (Or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!

5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

The Photo - Taken from...I have no idea to be honest...

Five Words - Generated with this Website

zip

hymn

computer

false teeth

peacock

Alright! Once you have your story created, post it below!

What if?

 This morning as I was baking turnovers, the title of a book I am reading popped into my head.  The book is "What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers" by: Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter. I will post a full review after I have worked through more of the exercises.   The first exercise caught my attention right away. "First Sentences: beginning in the Middle" This exercise challenges the writer to to think of a line that will grab the readers attention. Just for fun, I pulled three books from very different genres from my shelves and looked at the opening lines.

Mystery fiction "Cover Her Face" by P.D. James: Exactly three months before the killing at Martingale Mrs. Maxie gave a dinner party.

Historical fiction "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory: "I could here a roll of muffled drums."

From the self help section, "The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: " A year ago, my life had collapsed around me."

Think a moment about the reasons you might want to read these books. I bought "Cover Her Face" in an airport book store. That first line and the remaining paragraph are what prompted a five minute decision on a book to read during my flight and subsequent layover. "The Other Boleyn Girl"  started a love affair with all things Tudor. When I read the first line of "The Secret", I thought, Your Poor Lady. Like most others whose lives are not perfect though, I went on to read this book and the following two books by Rhonda Byrne.

I learned from this lesson to make that first line, in that first chapter, on that first page, really grab that reader. I want the reader to feel something or to arouse their curiosity until it cannot be contained. The three authors above demonstrate the ability to engage their readers. The "What If" techniques will give us the ability to form a great and memorable story.

So this morning, as I sit outside eating said turnovers, I will continue to think "What if?" I will ignore the obvious answer to "What If I eat too many turnovers?"  This is research and they are fuel for the machine. Have a great day!

Writing on Wednesday

Welcome to another Creative Wednesday Snapshot prompt. There were lots of different takes on last week's inspiration, put together by Jane Bussey at A Writer's Muses. All the stories are listed below, so you can click through them on your way to this week's prompt.

Messages, A Little Story... @ Scotty Watty Doodle All The Day

A Squirrel's Tale @ Pin and Tack

Grandmother's Own @ Puzzle Me Complete

Searching here @ Chasing Revery

It really is incredible how one prompt can inspire so many different views. I'm so excited to be a part of a blog hop that generates these different stories. This week, I got another chance to put together our photo and words. So let's get to it.

And the rules are:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.

2) There is also a 500 word maximum.

3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.

4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (Or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!

5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Here's this weeks photo from this link:

And here's this weeks words from this link:

Task

Digging

Flea

Price

Legend

There it is. So take a chance this week and see how your story pieces itself together. Once you have it, remember to share your link below.

Flash backs, Dramatic Scenes, and Confession

Once again I offer another movie synopsis for review. The movie was filmed in 1937, so I do not believe I will be giving away a secret that could not be found on the internet.  I chose this film because of the dramatic scenes and flashback qualities. I believe as a writer that experiencing these moments in film will greatly enhance a author's abilities.

The first part of the movie details how a naive young school girl becomes entangled with an older more worldly man while her mother is away.  She is suspicious about his motives, but in a typical schoolgirl fashion, continues to fall for his charming personality. She finally starts to relax a little around him and he takes her to a crowded but out-of-the way cabaret. A spotlight shines on them and everyone sees them kissing in a corner. He sands up to protest and, dramatic moment here, the cabaret singer promptly faints and is moved to the lobby for the next act to appear. That next act showcases western shooting. The cabaret singer steals a gun and shots the gentleman in the back. Next we see her in a courtroom with another dramatic scene. Continue by clicking HERE: 

Telephone Operators and the Interent

What do we do without the internet? I am quite used to being connected on a 24/7 basis. Imagine my surprise when in the middle of remodeling my bathroom, I decided to Google a painting technique and there was no internet. My phone and iPad were useless as well.  There are some perks in living in the country but internet access is not one of them. I am waiting on the internet access plan for all to take effect.

For the first time in many years I found myself on the 411 look up line with a frenzied sounding operator.  After my service was troubleshot and restore, I decided to look up telephone operator statistics. 

 How many telephone operators are still on the job nowadays? 

My current WIP has an unfortunate Telephone Operator from the 1930’s, so in the process of researching her role I will be gathering information on operators then and now. In 1919, according to the Communications Workers of America there approximately 200 local telephone companies with approximately 20,000 operators. By 1938, telephone operator employment had swelled to almost 145,000. According to an Occupational census in 2011, there are now 14,890. This was apparently, a job that offered security in the past and now is almost obsolete as technology continues to improve. 

Back to the internet issue that is of utmost importance to my wired little mind.  I called 411 the first time and got a disconnected number. The second time I called I got the number for a satellite company.  I had no option but to continue calling the alternative number I received for them.  Obviously the former telephone operators should have a customer service job with them, as I had to go through about forty keypad prompts.  The operator there ever so kindly looked up the number for me. When I finally got through on that number it was only to tell me the previous number is experiencing trouble with their telephone line. I decided to take another route and try to get through to technical service through sales.   I look at the numbers written on my notepad and feel like I should create a flowchart while I am waiting for a live person to answer.

I also took the time to program all of the numbers I received into my cell phone so I never have to go through this again. After my service was troubleshot and restore, I decided to look up telephone operators.  There are currently about 15,000 employed telephone operators. In 1938, there were approximately 145,000. 

Writing on Wednesday Blog Hop

I am so excited to be easing back into blogging. Tomorrow I will have a review of a nifty instant camera that is catching on big with the younger crowd. As a writer however, this camera appeals to me for quick instant shots or inspiration shots.

Aaand we're back!

This time I am proud to say that Jane Bussey from Writer's Muses one of the blog hop co-hosts is taking over this week and I just love the picture she chose. But before we get to all of that, time to feature the amazing creativity from last week.

Age is Just a Number by Chessny Smith

Birthday Wishes by Kimberly Gould

A Morning Conversation and Late for Work by Scott Taylor

Charmed by Carrie K. Sorensen 

The Magic Pen by Landa

Let The Games Begin by Me

And the rules are:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.

2) There is also a 500 word maximum.

3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.

4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!

5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Here's this weeks photo:

And here's this weeks words:

Jet

Chuckle

Hour

Grandmother

Missed

Okay, that's the prompt! Once you have your story written, post it below!

Upcoming Downloads and Story-A-Day

I am on a medical hiatus from work at the moment, so my blog posts may be quite sparse.  I have lots of new ideas on the back burner along with a fabulous download or two. These downloads will be available free for a limited time before that go off to be published for exclusive workshop use.

Around the web today: 

http://storyaday.org/files/2012/05/StoryFest2012_250x173.jpg

If you are in the mood for interesting short stories, please check out Story-A-Day.

The lovely SARK had a great Creating Miracles conference call this week.  Be sure to check out the replay here: Sark and Creating Miracles.  Here awesome posters are now being sold on her website once again.

Stay tuned as I pass along bits of wisdom  have gathered from various workshops a well as the fabulous freebie  within the next few weeks!!