Sparkling blue water lapped the side of the boat where Little Joe sat facing his father. Joe was soon to be four and he was a bright toddler. His father explained that it was important to sit still in the boat and Joe did just that. He watched schools of fish darting around nimbly. Once in a while a yellow fish nibbled at the boat and then disappeared.
Sitting close to Mother was Miranda, a tomboy. Miranda was a spry six year old who loved running and skipping jump rope, baseball, soccer and collecting rocks. She knew no fear. Wherever there was any excitement around the school or neighborhood, Miranda was in on it.
Miranda was sitting close to her mother because that was the only condition under which Mrs. James would agree to get in the boat.
"I'm not going to get turned over with you horsing around," Mother firmly explained. "If I go, you have to promise that you'll sit quietly the whole time we're on the lake."
Father chuckled. Miranda agreed and so the family tried out the new boat. It was a pleasant day. The sky was almost cloudless and the spring sun was still far away from the earth to give comfortable warmth.
"What's that long snake doing in the water?" Little Joe pointed as he asked.
"A snake, let me see!" Miranda jumped up at the same time she squealed the words. Mother had no time to stop her. Miranda ran to Joe and leaning over the side of the boat pushed her hand into the water. The sudden movement made the boat wobble throwing Miranda overboard.
(Now it's your turn to finish the story...)
This story starter is about me. Will you finish it? It needs more development. Finish the plot and figure out an ending or solution. I can hardly wait to see how creative you are.
It was a cool, spring day. There was a lot of noise in the forest. I could hear loud machines roaring. Sometimes the sawing noise would stop and then voices could be heard.
"This one looks ready, Joe. What do you say?"
"Yea, we'll take that down next," answered Mike.
A huge blade was soon driven over near me. I was standing about forty feet high. The loggers couldn't even see my head. As I looked down I thought to myself, " What tiny midgets these people are. They are barely as tall as a baby sapling." Nonetheless, I knew my time had come.
The men stood together looking around my forest home. They were talking over how to make the cut and which way they wanted me to fall. I was ready. I saw the process over and over again. The only thing I didn't know was what wonderful new form I would take. Finally they decided. They drove the machine with its mighty blade to my left side. The motor began to roar again and ...(Your turn; finish the story.)
When you get stuck for an idea try one of these starters:
Often writers keep a notebook handy wherever they go to jot down interesting ideas or facts. Imitate that practice. If you go on a trip, take a notebook along and write down interesting information or unusual happenings. If it isn't convenient to carry along a notebook, write down the information or idea as soon after you return as possible.
There is a new science called dreamology. Scientists have learned many things about the brain through dreams. One thing noteworthy for writers is the fact that creative things happen as you sleep. Keeping a notebook by your bed enables you to write down your dreams before you forget them. A dream may be the first draft of something really great.
Go to the Vangar Homepage for Creative Writing Materials.Go to Scriptito's Place - The Vangar Creative Writing Resource Center.
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