First, I will start off with the story for the Summer Send-Off Contest entry. Below is my entry and I think I may use the idea to write a book or a longer story.
The rules for the contest as stated on Ms. Hill’s blog are:
The contest is for a children’s story of 250 words or less based on the picture below and in which somebody somewhere in your story says, in dialogue, “Did/do you see that?” (you may substitute any of the other senses – “Did/do you hear/feel/taste/smell that?”) and somebody somewhere in your story says, “Goodbye!” (you are allowed to substitute “Farewell!”, “Au revoir!”, “Sayonara!”, “Ciao!”, or “So long!”). Click HERE to go to Ms. Hill’s blog and see all the entries!
Heather Newman made the awesome illustration for the contest. I really like all the action going on in it! To go to Ms. Newman’s website click HERE.
illustration copyright Heather Newman 2012 used by permission
Dragon!
By Erik
Once Upon A Time, in a land far away (depending on where you are), a princess named Violet was high in a tower. She wasn’t trapped there, mind you. You see, Violet wasn’t an ordinary princess.
One day, Violet heard a commotion outside her window.
“He lit the moat on fire again!” Shouted the stable-boy to Josi, the princesses’ faithful servant. “I already asked The Pale Sorceress to cast an extinguishing spell!”
Josi yelled up to Violet’s window. “Did you hear that? Your parents will banish us all! What kind of princess has a pet dragon anyway?”
“But Cuddles is just a baby!” was the reply.
“A BABY? He’s about 15… Oh-no, here comes Timothy!” Josi groaned. Violet rolled her eyes at the approaching figure.
As Timothy got closer he boasted, “I shall smite thee, foul beast and save yonder fair maiden, Violet! Oh dear Violet, I hath come hither to rescue thee!”
Violet felt her face get red with anger as she screamed back. “First of all, don’t talk funny. Smite and hither, who talks like that? It’s weird. Second, Cuddles is my PET! I DON’T NEED RESCUING!”
Just then, Sorceress cast the spell to blow out the fire. As the gust came, it lifted Timothy and blew him back to his kingdom!
“Farewell!” Timothy called as he faded in the distance.
“Will he be alright? Josi asked.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be back. He always comes back.” Violet sighed.
And they all lived happily ever after…well, until next time.
Now, for my 12×12 update!
For those of you who don’t know, I am trying to do Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge. It is a challenge to write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months in 2012. You can click on the 12×12 banner on the right side bar or the one above to learn more about it. I have been working on a PB about a bird and a worm who are friends and I have been trying to make it rhyme well. I wrote the story last month and have been working on the rhyming, but I didn’t get as much done as I wanted to. In September I am going to try to complete the draft! Wish me luck 😀
Categories: Other Stuff Related to Books and Reading
Erik, I love your story! The qualifier about depending on where you are made me laugh out loud! 🙂 I like your reversal of roles – that Violet doesn’t need rescuing and Timothy is a pain in her neck 🙂 And who could resist a pet dragon named Cuddles? Thanks for a great entry! And good luck with your rhyming – I’m sure you can do it!
Thanks Ms. Hill! That made my parents LOL too 😀 I’m glad you liked my story! I just realized I forgot to link directly back to your blog, so I fixed it now. I hope people visit and read all the great entries!
Your story made my day. I think I’ll be smiling for quite some time thinking of that pesky “rescuing” hero and the princess who’s actually quite fine 🙂
Thank you Ms. Brown! 🙂 I am glad it made you smile!
This cracked me up! I love how you have twisted all stereotypes on their heads! Brilliant!
Thanks Miss Marple! I’m glad you like it!
This is a great and fun story! I like the princess who doesn’t need rescuing. Well done.
Thank you Ms. Robinson! I really liked your story too! 🙂
I love the surprise elements in your stories, Erik. So, Cuddles (what a funny name for a dragon) is a pet?? Clever!
Keep up the good work on the PBs…
Thank you Ms. Del Boccio! I am glad you like my story! 🙂
Erik, Erik, Erik…you are going to be (already are) an author, no doubt. I love your humor and witty asides, like “depending on where you live,” and that whole part about “Who talks like that? It’s weird” is FABULOUS! This was so much fun, from top to bottom.
Of all the things I’ve read of yours, this is my favorite so far. Bravo!!!!!
Thanks Ms. LaTulippe! 🙂 That means a lot coming from you – I really like your writing!
Erik, I know the feeling when a draft is taking longer to finish. I have one that is still sitting on the back burner…Good luck finishing the bird and the worm. In the meantime, I love your dragon story. Cuddles is the best name for a dragon ever.
Thank you for the good luck wish! I am glad you like my story. I hope your draft gets to the front burner!
Love your story, Erik! Good work! 🙂
Thanks Ms. Brockway! 😀
Dragon! is red-hot! Best of luck with the bird and worm story!
Thanks Ms. Zoch! 🙂
Erik, this story is fantastic! I love how you’ve turned everything on its head. Good going!
Thank you Ms. Stilborn! I am glad you like it! 🙂 It was fun to write too!
I really like your story. The humor is terrific. Don’t worry about the rhyming Eric. It will happen and if it doesn’t you do a great job writing your stories. I am positive that one day you will be a best selling author,
Thanks Ms. Morris! I appreciate the support! I really liked your story too!
Erik!!! Stupendous job! Your story is hilarious. There are so many funny lines! My favorite: “First of all, don’t talk funny. Smite and hither, who talks like that? It’s weird.” You told a great story in just a few words and it goes perfectly with Heather’s illustration! Like I said….Stupendous!!!
Thank you Ms. Klostermann! I am glad you liked my story! I really liked yours too (I always love your poems!)! 🙂
Yes! I agree. Beautiful Poems!
The fairy tale genre is so fun to turn on its head. You did a terrific job upending typical roles and archetypes. Great story!
Thank you Ms. Renauld! It is fun to make up a story with unusual characters! 🙂
What a great role reversal for this story. I laughed as I read it. Excellent writing and great wit!
Thank you Ms. Tilton! It makes me happy that I made you laugh! 😀
Thou hast produced words of magic and hithertofore I crown you master of Storyville, Sir Erik. Awesome!
Thank ye, thee fair Mistress of Writeopolis! I, Sir Erik, humbly accept the title which ye bestowed upon me! 😉
🙂
Erik, this is a delightfully funny story. I love your imagination. 🙂
Thank you Ms. Davidson! That means a lot to me! 😀
Erik…what a stellar story! I love so much about it…Cuddles – what a perfect name for a pet dragon…Violet – who doesn’t need rescuing and is a strong matter-of-fact princess…the prince – who thinks he has to talk like a knight of old. I could see the story unfolding in my mind’s eye. 🙂
Good luck with the September draft
Writing’s like floating on a raft
With rhyming one will nver know
If words should stay or words should go.
Just keep writing! You are great!
Oops…”never”
🙂
Thank you Ms. Kirkfield!
Who shall never yield,
Whether giving advice,
Or just being nice,
She’s a good friend,
Who will help to the end!
🙂
I am glad you like my story! 🙂
Bravo, Erik! I’m honored that you took time to compose a rhyme of thanks! This is VERY wonderful. 🙂
😀
I really like the dialogue and characters in your story. Well done!
Thank you very much! 🙂
Of COURSE he would boasted: “I shall smite thee, foul beast and save yonder fair maiden, Violet! Oh dear Violet, I hath come hither to rescue thee!”
Good for Violet, to roll her eyes and straighten him out! Eric, your work is stellar! Best of luck in the contest!
Thank you Ms. Mealey!I’m glad you liked my story 😀
Hah! Love this. Cuddles is the best name! And I like the feminist princess :). Great job!!
What else would you call a dragon 😉 (hee hee) Thank you!
Your story is terrific!! I hope you win. I loved it so much I read it twice. It would make a great picture book too. Good luck.
Good idea to make it into a picture book! I am glad you liked it!
“… well, until next time.” 🙂 Love it!
Thank you Ms. Holt!
I’m back — my friend Jan read this, and asked me to let you know that she absolutely loved it. You ROCK!
Woot Woot Woot – I ROCK 🙂 Thanks and tell your friend thank you from me 😀
Erik, loved the “depending on where you are” too.
Also the, “Who talks like that?” made me laugh…I have friends who say that all the time.
Nice story and good job!!
Thank you I am glad you like my story! Please stop by again!
Now, that was one fine interpretation of the lovely illustration. Your reading stands you in good stead when you venture into writing. Great work, Erik! I love how the fun elements are interwoven into what could easily become a tragic story. 🙂
I am very happy you like my story! Ms. Newman’s illutration was very fun to write about!
Great dragon story Erik – it cracked me up! I hope you do decide to make it into a book – more please! 🙂
Linda
Thank you! I am glad my story made you laugh 🙂 I think I am going to make it into a book or longer story!