Sparta Creative Writing

writing contest!!!

2011-09-10T17:43:00.002-04:00

see link:

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/10/140112493/three-minute-fiction-round-7-official-rules?ps=rs

short == 600 words...

Hope Against the Cold

2011-09-05T13:20:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone. I was walking around the Beal Gardens at State and was inspired to write a little something (good thing I had my precious writing notebook with me). It's not exactly a poem or journal entry. It's somewhere in between. You be the judge. I've titled it "Hope Against the Cold"

The bees hovered in the wilting leaves of fruit heavy plants, scouring for a sweet snack among the flowers. The bright ostentatious flowers looked off in the first chill of early fall. As strange and captivating as a bright, red male cardinal among the green foliage. He searches for a burnt brown mate, a nest called home, and hope against the cold.

Really, I think most of it sounds like just a scene in a book, but the last line sounds like a poem. Like I said, it's sort of in between. Let me know what you think.

FOREVER GIVEAWAY!!

2011-08-15T22:33:00.002-04:00

Kristi Chestnutt author of The Wolf Within, who actually follows are blog (which I think is amazing), is having one of her wonderful giveaways. This time an autographed copy is up for grabs.

Here's the link:

http://kristichestnutt.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-autographed-copy-of-forever-by.html

Check it out. Enter (what have you got to lose?). I don't know about you, but I love the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I love free stuff even more.

Harry Potter Fans!!

2011-06-23T22:40:00.001-04:00

Check it!

http://www.pottermore.com/

who's out there and creatively writing this summer?
Might just have to brag that I am having dinner TWICE with Lisa McMann this summer. Yep. Word Nerd Heaven.

Miss Literati

2011-05-23T14:45:00.002-04:00

Hey guys!

So, you know when you're bored and you just randomly start typing stuff into search engines trying to find something? Well, that's what I was doing the other day, and I came across this site for people to share their books online. I just thought you guys might want to check it out.

http://www.missliterati.com/ml/home

I've never seen a site like this before, so if any of you know of a better one let me know.

Final portfolio info

2011-05-19T09:51:00.000-04:00

final portfolio info!!!

POetry fest

2011-05-06T13:07:00.000-04:00

Garrison -- Kayla

Poetry sharing

"Found Poetry" -- rip out 10 words, put in bucket, draw 10, begin!

Children's books pics

2011-05-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

Monday wrap up...

2011-05-02T14:30:00.002-04:00

wrap up the buisness...
autobio from Friday;; "When I think of high school, I..."
"Found" stories
Season pages -- autobiography

Watch Much Ado About Nothing

Mr. Mystery Man...

2011-04-22T19:52:00.002-04:00

2 pages... drop us into a scene!

Whoooooo?

2011-04-12T16:01:00.000-04:00

Jumping for Joy!

2011-04-12T15:55:00.004-04:00

poem --
rebuttal to the poem: crazy guy dancing video and "Jumping for Joy" article

Autobio: What makes you jump for joy? due: MOnday April 18

Personal Project 3 due Monday

Who's in our class????

2011-04-12T15:46:00.002-04:00

We're baaaaaaaack!

2011-04-11T15:31:00.001-04:00

Poem of the day
democratic decision: Personal Project 3 this week and Mr. Mystery Man next.
Adjusted calendar -- took out book talk 2, set dates for book #2 and book #3: week 13 and 15 respectively.

Began PP3 !

Thoughts for This Day, A Friday

2011-04-01T16:30:00.003-04:00

I've gotten into the habit of listening to The Writer's Almanac again. I love it. I really love Garrison Keillor's voice. It's helped me come to a very important decision in my life. If I ever have a son, I'm naming him Garrison. I have never found a guys name I liked before. Girls names, no problem. Boys, problem. But Garrison Keillor has really helped me sort all this out. Thanks Garrison.

LOL. Okay, back to being serious. I have actually discovered that I like William Wordsworth as a poet. Though, I do have a problem with any poet who's name starts with "W" (thank you Walt Whitman).

Do you have a favorite poet? We always focus more on prose in class, so I don't know who anyone else likes as a poet. C'mon Creative Writing students! Breathe some life back into this old blog. Comment (you know you want to): tell us your favorite poet.

Tuesday

2011-03-29T14:38:00.001-04:00

Chicory poem
brainstorm flowers then write a 5 minute poem personifying a flower

check journals -- 30-32 poems/entries

work on kids' stories
due tomorrow

thoughts

2011-03-27T21:28:00.001-04:00

i found an interesting blog. thought you'd be interested. http://oliviadecember.blogspot.com/

Monday

2011-03-21T14:59:00.001-04:00

Writer's Almanac
library: reading time or work on Children's books

Friday

2011-03-18T15:06:00.000-04:00

poetry sharing

work on children's stories or decorate room for spring!

Thursday

2011-03-17T14:18:00.002-04:00

Wed -- time in computer lab

Thursday-- "Word Up" article
Work on novels, children's stories -- laptops

today --

2011-03-15T13:48:00.000-04:00

Workfest! working in library all day!

Personal Project 2 Pics

2011-03-14T13:02:00.004-04:00

Monday

2011-03-14T13:01:00.002-04:00

Garrison
Writing for Children "Snips and Snaps" web article
15 min. work time

lmc

Children's book, due before spring break.

Friday

2011-03-11T15:01:00.001-05:00

brainstorm children's stories aspects

poetry circle -- small

make story boards for children's stories

2011-03-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

So college is awesome, but I miss Creative Writing.

And for those of you who like poetry and animals...I went to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago yesterday, and they had a section of the zoo called the Great Bear Wilderness that incorporated poetry into all the exhibits. It was really neat!

Anywho, hope ya'll are enjoying CW as much as I did!

Tuesday

2011-03-08T15:35:00.001-05:00

pass back papers
turn in Book 1
Turn in PP2 -- with self eval
Turn in Autobio #3 if finished

present PP2
Book talk 1 -- 7 people

in my absence...

2011-03-07T17:30:00.001-05:00

go to LMC, write autobio paper "In 10 years, I hope to..." -- 1pg. double spaced typed, due end of hour.

CW Fry

2011-03-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

poetry sharing
PP 2 work

sign up for book talks for next week.

Wednesday

2011-03-02T15:07:00.002-05:00

Writer's Almanac

working on:
pp2: due 3/4
book 1 due 3/7
book presentation due 3/7
autobio "creativity": due 3/9

Lots going on! Be organized!

Exercises for Writing Stories

2011-03-01T14:43:00.001-05:00

Exercises for Story Writers
I found this and thought I would share it, if anyone was in the need for a challenge.

More Exercises:

1. Write the first 250 words of a short story, but write them in ONE SENTENCE. Make sure that the sentence is grammatically correct and punctuated correctly. This exercise is intended to increase your powers in sentence writing.
2. Write a dramatic scene between two people in which each has a secret and neither of them reveals the secret to the other OR TO THE READER.
3. Write a narrative descriptive passage in a vernacular other than your own. Listen to the way people speak in a bar, restaurant, barber shop, or some other public place where folks who speak differently ("He has an accent!") from you, and try to capture that linguistic flavor on the page.
4. Play with sentences and paragraph structure: Find a descriptive passage you admire, a paragraph or two or three, from published material, and revise all the sentences. Write the passage using all simple sentences (no coordination, no subordination); write the passage using all complex-compound sentences; write the passage using varying sentence structure. The more ways you can think to play with sentence structure, the more you will become aware of how sentence structure helps to create pacing, alter rhythm, offer delight.
5. Focus on verbs: Find a passage that you admire (about a page of prose) and examine all of the verbs in each sentence. Are the "active," "passive," "linking?" If they are active, are they transitive or intransitive? Are they metaphorical (Mary floated across the floor.)? What effects do verbs have on your reading of the passage?
6. Take a passage of your own writing and revise all of the verbs in it. Do this once making all the verbs active, once making all the verbs passive. Then try it by making as many verbs as possible metaphorical (embedded metaphors).

Characters: There are two types of characters: well rounded and flat.

1. Create character sketches. This is a good exercise to perform on a regular basis in your journal. Sometimes you can just create characters as they occur to you, at other times it is good to create characters of people you see or meet. Some of the best sketches are inspired by people you don't really know but get a brief view of, like someone sitting in a restaurant or standing by a car that has been in an accident. Ask yourself who they are, what they are about. The fact that you don't really know the person will free you up to make some calculated guesses that ultimately have more to say about your own vision of the world than they do about the real person who inspired the description. That's okay, you are NOT a reporter, and ultimately the story you intend to tell is YOUR story.
2. Write a character sketch strictly as narrative description, telling your reader who the character is without having the character do or say anything.
3. Revise the above to deliver the character to the reader strictly through the character's actions.
4. Revise the above to deliver the character strictly through the character's speech to another character.
5. Revise the above to deliver the character strictly through the words/actions of another character (the conversation at the water fountain about the boss).
6. Often when we call a character "flat" we mean that the author has failed in some way; however, many good stories require flat characters. Humor often relies on flat characters, but often minor characters in non-humorous pieces are also flat. These characters usually appear to help move the plot along in some way or to reveal something about the main character. A flat character is one who has only ONE characteristic. You can create whole lists of these and keep them in your journal so that you can call upon them when you need a character to fit into a scene.
7. Young writers are prone to write autobiographical pieces. Instead of writing about people like yourself, try writing about someone who is drastically different in some way from you. Writing about someone who is a good deal older or younger than you will often free up your imagination. It helps to make sure you are delivering enough information to your reader so that the reader can clearly see the character and understand the character's motives.
8. Write a scene of about five hundred words in which a character does something while alone in a setting that is extremely significant to that character. Have the character doing something (dishes, laundry, filing taxes, playing a computer game, building a bird house) and make sure that YOU are aware that the character has a problem or issue to work out, but do NOT tell your reader what that is.

Alex Fryday

2011-02-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

Poetry sharing

work on and plan PP2

Book 1-- quotes, response -- be ready for presentations in week 7

Coffee

2011-02-19T21:58:00.004-05:00

Stumbled upon this short story, figured it might strike some creativity or just some good ol' self analysis.

http://www.hapkido.com/deepthoughts/coffee.htm

Also, I thought I'd let you all know that I also wrote my first 'poem' since I've left high school. Hopefully breaking through this writers block. I think I need a good project to work on to get the creativity going again. Man...I miss Creative Writing haha. I have to admit, my spelling has gotten horrible since I've been out of High School. Time to work on that too =P

-Keep Your Head Up, The Colors Are Beautiful-

Fry-daddy

2011-02-18T13:19:00.001-05:00

Garrison
Poetry sharing
Menus, etc.

Menus, etc. due Tuesday

even more personal projects!

2011-02-18T10:06:00.000-05:00

more personal projects

2011-02-18T10:02:00.003-05:00

How do I explain this one?

2011-02-17T13:00:00.001-05:00

Mr. M's Foreigner 80s creativity revolution

battle the laptops and work on Menus

2011-02-16T13:31:00.003-05:00

Corrie

Wednesday

2011-02-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

Garrison
picturefest of PP1
journal time
Menu, etc. brainstorm

menu due Tuesday Next

2sdaaaaaaaaaa

2011-02-15T14:27:00.002-05:00

Writers Almanac

finish presenting personal projects

journal: 5 minutes about the best idea you heard from personal projects

Menu/Cata/travel journal
pink handout with directions
Look at former student examples and Coldwater Creek catalogs
Brainstorm ideas.

Due Tuesday Next.

Monday -- Will WK make it all week?

2011-02-14T11:20:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Writer's Almanac, poem
self-assessment/reflection of personal project 1

present projects

magazine, menu, etc.

final due Monday

in Ms WK's absence... Tuesday and Wednesday

2011-02-09T16:53:00.000-05:00

No Garrison :-(

read novel, work on personal project 1: due Monday Feb 14

Monday

2011-02-07T12:18:00.002-05:00

Stars upon thars. -- decorate for tomorrow

Garrison "The Center of Gravity"

journal time: finish Friday's poetry

Personal Project 1 -- begin!

snowmaggedddddon awaits...

2011-02-01T21:22:00.004-05:00

Garrison
journal 15 min
one word: jelly
conference time about personal project 1
order barebooks
Pat Conroy chapter -- read, annotate, focus on voice, write a half page reaction to Conroy's writing: what can you say about it?

novel 1
Type of Reader
Personal Project 1 plans

Monday Monday. Can't trust that day... (The Mamas and the Papas)

2011-01-31T15:52:00.002-05:00

Garrrrrrrrrrrrrison -- poem of irony!

15 minute journal. Word of the day: print

brainstorm personal projects ~~ epic fail. Get old list from other class.

Autobiography: Type of REader -- due Friday, 1 page typed

Friday

2011-01-30T18:43:00.001-05:00

Garrison

field trip -- SHS library! find a book and commit to it!

Thurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrsday

2011-01-27T15:03:00.002-05:00

Writer's Almanac
Book orders
Schedule review
Book recommendation
Type of WRiter assignment given -- due Monday 1/31

Day one

2011-01-25T14:34:00.001-05:00

Welcome!
Syllabus
Writer's Almanac
5 finger introduction

OneWord

2011-01-22T15:41:00.003-05:00

I hope you guys feel like you need to try a new website because I have one. It's called oneword. It's very simple. You get one word and one minute. You see the word and you type. Once your time is up, it stops you. Go ahead and try it out. I think it's sort of cool (when it isn't giving you a totally lame word that doesn't inspire anything).

http://oneword.com/

The interlewd

2011-01-14T16:09:00.003-05:00

Just thought I'd let you guys know that I've started a blog. Nothing too extravagant, which will be good. So if you're interested in checking it out here is the link: http://theinterlewd.blogspot.com/

There will be some profane language here and there just so you know. Mostly in photos that will be posted but if you're okay with it feel free to check it out =]

I miss Creative Writing!

2011-01-05T22:53:00.002-05:00

Hello creative writing people who still log on occasionally! I just wanted to say that I miss you all. Especially Mrs. WK.

WK, you were the best and most fun teacher I had through highschool I believe. And I absolutely loved creative writing class and miss the freedom of it all. I really learned a lot in that class, and most of it being just things about me and general things that you cannot just be taught, but learn through experience. Also, I miss your Kricut (sp?) machine and making bunches of random things after class. :D

For the rest of you, I really miss the bonding through project sharing. I got to know a lot of you better from what projects you did and how you did them. It was really cool.

Lastly, I am finding that college is a bit harder than I expected, and I am missing the good old days where I could go to a class and know it was ok to just chill and brainstorm all hour instead of listening to lectures for hours and half falling asleep. :)

PS. could we have a get-together sometime of us creative writing kids just for the heck of it? :D

Lost and Found

2010-12-28T21:05:00.003-05:00

I was going through my old e-mail and found this picture. It's one of the white boards on third floor that Katie Malone and I filled with quotes....at least two times. The janitors kept erasing it so we kept filling it haha. And in a previous post I explained how I had gotten a tattoo, I figured it's time to post it and simply show it off.

Also, does anyone remember the website we used for the poems we wrote during poetry month? Everyday was a new prompt for us to write about. If you remember, let me know please!

What's Wrong with this Picture...

2010-12-09T19:35:00.001-05:00

What Classes Do You Miss?

2010-11-17T15:57:00.002-05:00

I was really curious to see what classes everyone misses from high school and what college classes everyone is taking now.
So if you would just comment what classes you miss and why and what classes you have in college.

To start I have:
Political Science (it is actually one of my favorites and most interesting ones)
Biology (I wish I could kill this class)
Sociology (absolutely my favorite class!)
Writing (I love that I am doing so well in the class)

Classes I Miss:
1. Creative Writing - I didn't realize until recently how much I learned about myself in that class. There was so much freedom and encouragement to just write and think. I think that class really made me open up and I miss it like crazy!! (I even made a poster of my quote, that W-K gave me at the end of the semester and put it on my wall in my dorm)
2. Announcements - I feel that this class was my whole second semester. I really miss that I don't have control over it anymore and I hope it continues. I still talk to Mr. Owens and I watch the announcements and give feedback to Mr. Owens to give to the students. I cannot let it go. If anyone cares the announcements now has a YouTube account because I wouldn't stop bugging Mr. Owens.
3. Experiential Learning - I just missing working with all my third graders.

So comment below on your replies. =]

Growing

2010-11-17T15:23:00.006-05:00

When I first left high school I knew there would be a few things I'd miss. I knew I would miss my friends and the great teachers I had. My first semester of college is quickly coming to a close and I can say that I miss high school a lot more than I originally expected. There is a certain familiarity in high school. You know most of the people you will graduate with, you know all the teachers or at least their names, and you know that if you're having problems someone in the school will be ready to help you out. During high school it was easy to make fun of Sparta but as soon as I left I realized how great it really is. Sparta High School has some of the best teachers I could ever ask for and some of the best friends I could ever find. You just need to know where to look.

I entered college with both excitement and complete fear. I couldn't wait to learn and experience something new. However, I didn't get what I expected to find. The first semester has been long, stressful, and overwhelming to say the least. Things change in college, and not always for the worst. It all depends on your experience. For me, college has been tough and overwhelming and I know I'm not the only one who has felt this way. For everyone who chooses to go to college I wish you the absolute best and hope it's everything you want it to be. However, if college isn't everything you expected - it's okay. It's all an experience and things need to be done at your own pace. I'm slowly learning this myself.

- We miss you WK! (We being Katie Malone and I) It would be awesome to see you sometime to say "Hi" =]

Bring Lisa McMann to GR!!!

2010-10-07T18:57:00.004-04:00

go here!
There is a contest to bring her to certain cities for her new book!

http://eventful.com/performers/lisa-mcmann-/P0-001-000103998-3/demand?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=apps&utm_campaign=demand_app&fb_source=679911056

use Sparta's zip code: 49345

the product of procrastination and sleep deprivation...

2010-09-27T00:13:00.003-04:00

hey creative writing kids who still read this blog!!! (and wk and ms. mclain...) are you bored?? do you need a laugh?? are you supposed to be writing a 4-6 page paper after basically staying up for 24 hours and then sleeping heavily for 11 hours?? well then, do i have the thing for you!!!! (since when did i turn into a sales person??) go here!!!! --> hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com and entertain yourself!!!!!! it's especially entertaining after you've reached that point of tiredness when absolutely everything is funny. i reached that point at about 7 tonight. i should go to bed now. but this is too funny. ;)

Go Green!

2010-09-07T09:19:00.003-04:00

Hey creative writing buddies. I figured the blog needed a new post, so I thought I'd take a moment to say, "I LOVE State." It's awesome here. The food rocks (which is unheard of for a college), and my classes are pretty interesting. I actually like my econ class, which scares me because only crazy econ people are supposed to like econ, and I don't want to turn into one of those people.

Okay, your turn to share. Where are you and what do you think about it??? Clearly, I'm at State, and I'm not sure if I'll ever go home I love it so much.

Just Like Prozac Only Cheaper...

2010-08-21T23:09:00.006-04:00

I always kinda have been but I think my movie watching h
as increased due in part to my new job at Family Video where kids movies rent free. Yup. That tagline is what I say in my head every time I hear "family video" now. But whenever I get good enough sales I get free movie rentals so I've been educating myself on a bunch of great titles. Recently: A Clockwork Orange and Prozac Nation. Both based on books. Both very great. Clockwork was... strange... disturbing... and that's an understatement. I've never read the book but always have wanted to. Now it's definitely on my buy before I read list.

Same with Prozac nation. I was surprised at how much of myself I saw in the main character's personality and feelings. It was a little scary to see what I know is how I act sometimes. But it also makes me want to keep bettering myself and accepting who I am regardless.

Movies, books, art and music are all things that affect us on some level. I love when I find one that really touches me or clicks with me. It's almost like therapy... but a lot cheaper. Maybe doctors should start prescribing these things instead of pills...

EDIT::

Leah!!!! Who won't let you have your ice cream bar back after giving her a taste...

Leah likes jammin to Prince with grandpa!

August 7 --"Reading rocks in Rockford"

2010-08-01T20:22:00.002-04:00

Hey, writers!!!
Sat. August 7, 10am-3pm in downtown Rockford.
I just picked up a brochure on this...
Of most interest to you all: 10:30-12:00 Adult Writing Workshop (at the Library) "Take publishing into your own hands/internet publishing and You..."

Not sure, but sounds like a great literary adventure. I plan to take Simon and Addie to see Kevin Kammeraad at ~11:00 at the "Garden Park Stage" on Squire St. Maybe I will see you there!

Stop and grab a BRIGHT YELLOW brochure at a Rockford business to get the whole scoop. Not sure if they have a website-- haven't looked.

PS -- let me know what you're reading!!! "The Help" was amazing!!! "A Tale of Two Cities" is proving difficult but worthy!

Life Wishes

2010-07-28T17:23:00.003-04:00

"What do you wish you would have done before you died?", an important question asked by none other than Tyler Durden (and many others but Tyler is just psychotically awesome). Paint a self portrait? Build a house?

My wish is to read as many classics books as I can..because I love them =]
(feel free to offer some authors and titles)

What is your wish??

Who do you write like?

2010-07-14T14:45:00.001-04:00

This was posted on FB by Lisa McMann about her writing. Give it a try and let me know what it says about your writing!

Lisa McMann: What famous writer do you write like? Paste a few 'graphs here and see what it says:
http://iwl.me/
I analyzed three of my current/upcoming books, and this is what it told me:
GONE=Stephen King
CRYER'S CROSS (coming Feb '11) = Margaret Atwood
THE UNWANTEDS (coming fall '11) = Kurt Vonnegut

Wisdoms and Realizations of a Graduate - pt1

2010-07-12T21:29:00.004-04:00

As my last high school summer slowly comes to a close I've realized how much the things and people around me have changed. It's weird to think that my freshman year at Sparta High School I was that strange 'goth' kid who tried so hard to pull off a look that wasn't quite right. And to see the friendships I held dear weren't quite right either. Now looking back I know it's easy to regret certain parts of my past but it's better to just learn from them. I was never the out going person in high school and that's one thing I missed out on, but on the other hand, I know I was always a good person to those around me. So with the regrets there are always positives. Since Graduation my life has changed. I've been working a full time job, my relationship with friends aren't quite what they were, my relationship has gotten stronger (3 months away from a year!), and my stress levels have risen. However, this all part of my experiences in life. The decisions I make in my life will all be new experiences and something to learn from. And for me, that's what life is. A Learning Experience (how many times have you heard that phrase?). Whether life is long or short or somewhere inbetween it's always a journey filled with unexpected turns and forks in the road.
Life for me has be stressful, fun, depressing, maddening, histerical and everywhere in between. But with all of those ups and downs and twists and turns life is always Beautiful. Sometimes I think people forget the small things that make life what it is. So my advice to anyone who reads this is: Look at the things around you. The small things that you don't pay attention to until someone else points it out. Something as small and overlooked as a leaf or expression. It's easy to focus on the big events and things in the world but true beauty comes from those overlooked and unnoticed. So i challenge you to take a moment out of your summer day to step outside and take a good look at the world and see what it has to offer and where the beauty is for you.
Though I may never have had a full and lengthy conversation with the majority of my graduating class I do wish you all of the best in your lives. Just remember: Keep Your Head Up...The Colors Are Beautiful

Awesome documentary!

2010-07-09T21:24:00.004-04:00

Food Inc.

Everyone should watch it. I know you won't, but you should.

"There is a time for everything.... a time to be silent and a time to speak" --Ecclesiastes 3

Just something I thought you'd be interested in...

2010-06-19T15:09:00.003-04:00

so i have just found out about this awesome new thing (not new to the world, just new to me) called a print on demand service. let me explain: a few days ago i was reading a revising blog post from one of my favorite authors, maggie stiefvater, and she mentioned something about needing a sense of objectivity to revise something well, and a good way to do that was have a print on demand website print off the book so it actually looks like a book. just reading the sentence made my blood start pumping with anticipation. she specifically mentioned lulu.com, so i went and checked it out.

basically, lulu.com is a self-publishing online company. they will print out your book, short story, poetry book, or any other type of book you can think of for a low price and it will look like something you could buy in a store. you can just do one copy for revising purposes or for your own personal enjoyment, or you can go full out and have them distribute it to places like amazon.com and barnes & noble. that costs a lot more, but you'll have your book in a public place where people can buy it!

i just thought i'd let the CW class know about this because i know some of you would jump at this like i did. and WK, maybe you could integrate this into next year's CW class. or at least let them know about it because i'm sure they'd appreciate something like this! seeing as i don't have a full novel done yet, but i really, really want to try this out now, i fully intend to have a published, professional looking, basically a book copy of my latest short story by the end of the summer. complete with a custom cover. so what are you waiting for?? go check out lulu.com!! as for me, i'm off to morgan's graduation party in a little bit! :)

Summertime Book Nook!

2010-06-12T09:34:00.002-04:00

Hey, here is a new blog I am starting for our book club activities: summertimebooknook@blogspot.com Just like this blog, I want everyone to be able to post, not just comment. Ergo, I need your email so I can 'invite' you to be an author. If you are interested... The Help in June and Tale of Two Cities in July... send me an email: ms_wyckoff@yahoo.com or comment back to this with your email.

What time is it? summertime!

Senior Pictures

2010-06-10T15:43:00.004-04:00

Congratulation all of you new seniors. One more year to go. I know a lot of you will probably put off getting senior pictures taken until the end of summer or beginning of fall (I know I did). When you start looking, keep me in mind. I have an awesome camera, and I even took pictures for my friends last year. I take the pictures at a local park so they're all outdoor backgrounds. Twenty dollars for two hours and as many pictures and wardrobe changes as can be fit into that amount of time. If you and your friends want some pictures together and some apart, that can be arranged. I'll put the pictures on your flash drive for you and you can have them printed from Meijer or any similar place, so you have complete control over them. It's really fun and a lot cheaper than other places. The pictures I took with my friends turned out better than the ones my mom had a professional photographer take. Just e-mail me at aerithsprite@hotmail.com and comment on this post that you are doing so. That way I know the e-mail I got was from one of you. Have a good summer.

Here are some examples of the pictures I've taken:

Pics to post!

2010-06-07T22:22:00.004-04:00

Oops

2010-06-02T21:51:00.002-04:00

So after graduation practice, my friends and I went to a park down near Alpine. Nicole and I found two really cool flowers and picked them. According to the information she just sent me, they've been the State wild flower in Michigan since 1998 and oh yeah, they're on the "threatened" list. Oops.

Quidditch! Check it out my Harry Potter fans!

2010-05-19T22:11:00.001-04:00

http://http://www.collegequidditch.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169&Itemid=119

The video is hillarious!!! This is the real deal!

graduation party!!

2010-05-16T16:03:00.003-04:00

i thought i'd take some time out of working on my capstone speech to invite you all to the group graduation party for me, nicole, and eli!! if you've already gotten a facebook invite, then you can ignore this, but i'm sure i'm not friends with every single one of you on facebook, so i thought i'd cover all my bases. and i wanted to make sure ms. wk and ms. mclain got invites as well, seeing as i don't see you guys anymore! :( the party is going to be june 5th from 2pm - 6pm at my house. if you need my address, just email, facebook, or talk to me at school. we'll look forward to seeing you there!! but now it's back to capstone...ugh.

Jumping For Joy

2010-05-11T07:36:00.004-04:00

Yesterday the best possible thing in the world happened...

I found my 120GB iPOd that has been missing for 6+months. Ive been frustrated with my zune that cannot hold all of my songs, dies fast, and continuously gives me problems with uploading and syncing music to it. I literally jumped for joy. Well I jumped out of my car, hitting my head on it while doing so, and ran into my garage through my kitchen and living room and into my dad's room in probably less than 1 second to share my fantastic news. I also might add that I was so excited that I forgot my cat was in my car. I shut the door and didn't find him until this morning on my way to school and he peed on my floor mat. Hey, at least it wasn't the seat.. My dad compared how happy I looked to me having Leah. And of course here she is:

& she's already learning to play Halo like mommy...

OK, book geeks: summer reading ~~

2010-05-05T21:09:00.003-04:00

I plan to read The Help this summer and am inviting you all to read it with me. I will set up a timeline soon (of what chapter you can discuss by when) and then we can begin a book club blog. Everyone is invited!

Book Suggestions

2010-05-05T19:06:00.002-04:00

Just because I feel like posting things, here is a list of books I have read and liked recently.

The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan-they're really good and sooooo different from the movie
Intertwined by Gena Showalter- really good book about a guy with voices in his head and magic powers. much better than i had expected. definitely read this.

ok fine. I cannot think of any more books at this time. If I remember any more I will try to keep you guys who actually check this blog updated on good books. so bye for now!

I miss the good ole days

2010-04-30T12:39:00.003-04:00

Of Creative writing! Def one of the best classes ever.lol This year has been so emotionally draining. At least its almostover! Does anyone ever really check the blog anymore? I thought I would check it a lot more than what I have been. Well I have to go back to ap english now =)

Wait. What? Oh yeah!

2010-04-30T11:49:00.001-04:00

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAPSTONE IS DONE!!! well, the paper is anyway!!!!! CHYEEEEEEAAAAAAA!!!! Miss you guys!

Happy Dance

2010-04-22T21:53:00.003-04:00

Yea!!! The publishing company that I sent a query to over spring break just replied...They want to see my manuscript! This time they added an exclamation point after saying that they want to read. I'm taking that as a good sign. *happy dance*

Hey Seniors!!!

2010-04-21T15:29:00.001-04:00

Mrs. Bitely needs a senior poem -- do any of you have something you've written that would work??? Give to me, ASAP

Senior Time

2010-04-18T21:53:00.002-04:00

Hey guys, if you know anyone is going to be a senior and would like their Senior Pics. done but don't have a photographer. . .I got one for you. It's my sister but she is really good! You can check out her blog, it's stacie b. photography. Please reger her, she is a great photographer with a great purpose!

Senior Poetry?
Uhm yeah. I AM A SENIOR [just thought I'de let you know] so I was looking for some cute stuff for my scrap book and found this one. I liiiiiike it.

Keep on learning, (graduate's name: Shelby),
Though your graduation's done;
Your whole life's an education
That has only just begun.

Your diploma is the first big step,
For knowledge is the special key
To winning what you want in life
And being who you want to be.

If you'll always be a student,
You'll find the secrets to success
And travel on the golden road
To peace and happiness.

By Joanna Fuchs

April is Poetry Month!

2010-04-05T22:46:00.003-04:00

Attention, all you poets!

Check out my friend Molly's blog -- she posted about Poetry Month and has some sweet sites to check out for prompts, daily poems (not that we need to cheat on Garrison!), and free poetry book giveaways.
Enjoy!

www.bothfires.blogspot.com

Go to April 1 post.

Notice it

2010-04-05T22:29:00.002-04:00

I'm looking up top-ten lists of different things in America, and one of them is the top-ten Merry-Go-Rounds. Apparently, the one down at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is number 8. Who would have guessed?

Quote Time!

2010-03-26T16:04:00.004-04:00

Since the blog needs a new post, and Tracy and I are sitting here wondering why we're staring at the computer, I'm going to share a quote from my latest novel.

No strange engine sounds, door squeaks, or mysterious ticking noises for that matter (if you don’t understand the last one, too bad, I’m not explaining it).

mmmmmmmm. CUPCAKES!

2010-03-10T22:12:00.003-05:00

Thanks, Ms. McClain, for sending some sugar home to us!

Time Flies...

2010-02-26T17:19:00.009-05:00

Leah's 1st Valentine's Day

Little miss Leah is now 4 months old. She has grown so much in that little time. I look at all her old newborn clothes and then at her and it just leaves me in awe. I love seeing her smile and when she laughs my heart just melts. It's honestly the cutest thing on the entire planet. I can't imagine how her dad and I created such a beautiful and loving little girl. It is truly remarkable how time flies with her in my life now. I wouldn't want it any other way though.

Daddy's Dork & Mommy's Chunker

OH NO! She's already got a crush! (Jaxon)

Check it out.

2010-02-24T20:09:00.001-05:00

I was looking around a publisher's website and found this book that looked interesting. I clicked the link and it took me to the author's blog. She uses the same blogging site as us. You guys should really check her out.
http://kristichestnutt.blogspot.com/2010/01/wolf-within-prize-pack-give-away.html

Sweet websites...

2010-02-22T11:48:00.002-05:00

Stay tuned... more to come!

First one: A website celebrating girl readers! Check it out (gals and guys!)

http://www.readergirlz.com/

Shall Thout Laugh Today??

2010-02-20T10:41:00.004-05:00

I cam across these pictures of my nephew and they made me really laugh so I thought to myself hat just maybe they can make you laugh today. I hope you enjoy these: I know I ferrrrshurrre did!

This is interesting...

2010-02-02T17:07:00.002-05:00

I have two interesting "notice its" for this week, and they both come from books I've read before. I figured, though, that many of you would enjoy them.

The first is from a book called Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris. In this book there is a character that is always mixing up his idioms and saying, for instance, "put your shoulder to the grindstone and your nose to the wheel". There are many occurances and each mix up is more hilarious than the last.

The second is from a book entitled The Rumplestiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde. This is a collection of six retellings of "Rumplestiltskin" and each of them begins with the words "Once upon a time..." but each one says something about how different the times are. One says "Once upon a time, before lipliner and eyelash curlers". They are very interesting and each has something to do with the changes the author made in the retelling.

I really miss having Creative Writing first thing in the morning. I hope everyone is having a good semester so far!

Post Creative Writing Work

2010-02-01T19:34:00.000-05:00

Totally being creative writingful tonight. I just typed a new entry for my memoirs because today in band was way too funny to pass up. Now I’m going to write some more of my new fiction book. I do love it when teachers don’t give us homework. Smell the freedom (for a limited time only).

R.I.P.

2010-01-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

J.D. Salinger has left us phonies... may he RIP.

http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/414782_tvgif28.html

An interesting story.

2010-01-28T18:14:00.000-05:00

Ok, so Wednesday night i was walking my puppy Bax and he saw a squirrel and chased after it ( i mean, if we can chase after these things we must right?). Anyways, he ran and i fell on the ice. Not a big deal, he's done that before. Then, about a half hour after i got home i had a revelation as i was trying to read. My glasses were gone. Very long day today. My eyes are so bad i practically run into people without them and it felt so weird not being able to read the board and actually having to listen to the teachers. Usually i read it and move on. Regardless, it was interesting. I feel so bad for real blind people because it's hard for me to go a day. My mom and i went down looking by where i fell last night and couldn't find them and after some mass searching of my room i thought they were gone for good. They must be on the ground in some place waiting for someone to find them and wonder why a pair of glasses was laying on the ground covered in snow (which would actually be a very interesting notice-it...) Later tonight though, my dad went over to look and he returned about twenty-minutes later glasses with some ice still on them in tow. I never thought I'd be so happy to have my glasses. :D

Bowling Adventure

2010-01-28T07:09:00.004-05:00

Wednesday the 3rd of February is a home bowling match. (Next Wednesday)
We will be going against Belding.
The bowling teams (guys and girls) are currently undefeated.
It would actually be really cool if we had a bunch of kids, teachers; just people in general came and support the guys and girls.

So come out on February 3rd, 3:30pm at Sparta Lanes and watch the teams bowl. (It last till about 5:30ish)

Hope to see you there!

P.S. I take no part in sign making or shirt making. So for that information ( if there is any) talk to W-K

Bye Bye Quote Board!

2010-01-27T17:10:00.002-05:00

If you want one last look at our quote board, here it is! Courtesy of Dayna!!!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie!

2010-01-25T16:37:00.002-05:00

So I just found out that a film based on the book "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" will be released in 2011! The production companies making it are Darko Entertainment and Handsomecharlie films - anyone ever heard of them? It'll be distributed by, of course, Lionsgate.
David O. Russell will be directing and Natalie Portman will portray Elizabeth Bennet.

Is anyone else as pumped as I am?!
I can't wait! :)

Sweet new background!

2010-01-12T21:44:00.001-05:00

Check out www.thecutestblogontheblock.com for new backgrounds for your own blog! Fun!

Creative Writing Challenges on iTunes

2010-01-10T18:23:00.003-05:00

I found 'Writing Challenges' by Professor David Morley from the University of Warwick on iTunes U.

Even better, all 19 audio tracks are completely FREE.

Enjoy!

Paige :D

Contest

2010-01-07T19:27:00.002-05:00

Don't know if anyone is interested, it's just local but it's nice to be published. :)

http://www.mlive.com/onthetown/index.ssf/2009/11/festival_literary_award_guidel.html

New Year Realizations

2010-01-03T19:30:00.003-05:00

Oh boy, break seems to have gone by rather fast for me - In some aspects. Though I can't say I'm excited to go back to 7 am morning routines and homework, I am excited to see my friends and hear all about their winter break adventures. The past two school years I have actually wanted to go back for at least one class. Last year it was ChemCom with Mr. Landry - Katie, Dayna, and I pretty much made that class awesome. This year the class is definitely Creative Writing. Huh..who would have thought I would one day be able to say I actually miss a class?

Anyways, this Christmas was rather good for me. Christmas in its self is pretty awesome, even though I always feel bad asking for gifts and objects that I don't honestly need. But I managed to get a few ideas out there. Here is my 'show off' list of gifts ('cause just like any other kid, I still am - and will be excited about presents).

1. 2 CD's:

Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony. I give it a B+, didn't break any new ground for the band but over all good if you enjoy them. Recommened Songs: Fade Away, I Will Not Bow, Give Me A Sign, and Without You (My personal favorite)
Chevelle - Wonder What's Next. Definitely earns an A+, though I may be biased because Chevelle is a particular favorite of mine. Mind blowing vocals by Pete Loeffler and just all around great music. I've been missing this album for my collection. Recommened Songs: ALL OF THEM (Family System, Comfortable Liar, The Red, and Forfeit)

2. Pajamas, because you can never go wrong with flannel bottoms...ever.
3. Olympus E-620 Digital SLR Camera, with exchangable lenses (yes, it's as complicated as it sounds). I'm pretty sure I'm getting nothing next year...which is fine with me. Now I'm a legit photographer....almost.
4. Rant by Chuck Palahniuk <3
5. Repo! The Genetic Opera (movie)
6. The prettiest necklace I have ever had...ever, from Grant.
7. Photoshop CS4

I have to say that New Years was surprisingly my favorite part of break. In past years I have never truly enjoyed New Years. Mainly, because it involves a large of group of people and none of whom I am very close to...or really wanted to be honestly. This year however, I got to bring Grant along with me (for 4 whole days, how awesome?? seriously.) Him being there made me open up and just make me feel comfortable finally and it let me spend some real time with my nuclear and extended family. Whether it was through games like Apples to Apples and Scrabble (absolutely LOVE this game by the way) or Airsoft/Paintball and Guitar Hero - I felt like I was actually PART of the family this year. I didn't fade into the background or be a loner. I can honestly say that I had a blast this year for New Years, and it's always a plus when you actually have someone to kiss on New Years, finally.

Life is Beautiful

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-30T15:33:00.007-05:00

Leah loves her new swing : )

Who would guess that my best Christmas would be one where I didn't get anything. I spent Christmas with my daughter & my fiance. So far this break has been pretty amazing. And I've come to a realization: the best moments in life aren't captured on film, because you're too busy enjoying them to reach for a camera.

Furthering the academic geekdom...

2009-12-30T13:54:00.002-05:00

I caught the last half of this radio program the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it. They give Garrison a shout out for keeping America into poetry! Give it a listen if you're just sitting around, wondering how you could make yourself feel a bit more academic:

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/12/29.php#30998

Listen to the 11:00 show with the former poet laureats.

Christmas. . .

2009-12-29T20:43:00.002-05:00

well -- I almost forgot all about our nifty little blog this break and everyone sounds like they had a great one so far. Well, my Christmas was, well, redundant. But not in a bad way. Christmas with my mom was pretty amazing on the 24th. I pretty much got the best present EVER!! I got this big luggage thing with zebra print and cyan blue liner. . . its legit! Also I got a Love Spell kit for Victoria's Secret and a couple other things. My dads Christmas on the 25th was alright. Its always that was though (hence the redundant). He basically got me the last present I said I wanted but I don't want to complain because he did it out of love anyway - another hint to the redundant issue. After Christmas with my dad and two brothers, we headed over to my Grandmas house where everyone decided they wanted to show up early so we had to clean her house in quite the jiffy. After that, all 13 of us (including brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews) made our way back to my dads house for a traditional family Christmas of gift card presents and leftovers from Christmas at grandmas. The 26th was quite the day as well I might say. Me and my brother did our traditional "shop after Christmas and spend everything we got" day along with his girlfriend. Then we had another Christmas with the other side of the family until about 6 o'clock. That Christmas was rather interesting as well. . .my grandma and her boyfriend bought us all popcorn poppers but unfortunately I hate popcorn unless its covered with white chocolate. But I did decide that by bringing this Christmas gift to college, it might just help me get my M.R.S. But to brighten up the gifts on that day, I got a book I have been wanting (OH SO VERY BADLY) about a man whose family was murdered and his restoration of faith. After that Christmas, we decided to head back to the mall to finish up our "shop after Christmas and spend everything we got" day. Well, that about sums everything up I suppose. Did I mention I got sweet luggage (saweeeeeeeet)!