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 12×12 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!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Okay, I'm not sure I can even do this picture true justice. It is AMAZING. Beautiful job, Heather!
For a PB title, I'd try THE DRAGON THAT SMILED
Really, this is so stunning I could stare at it all day 🙂
in days of old
when knights were bold
dragons roamed the earth
I'm told
and maidens fair
in towers rare
did weep and moan
in dire despair
but there was magic in the air
and princes charming with a care
and those who would befriend the fair
and lead her off to safety
Isn't Heather amazing? And I love your title!
WOW Delores! This is amazing! I love it! Thanks for another wonderful creative entry!
I have kept my eye on your Summer Short and Sweets. Each one made my writer's wheels turn. Yet, I did not find the time to do anything with them. I have saved them all for the future. So, thank you for the inspiration. I am excited to see that you plan to continue Short and Sweets. This artwork for #8 is beautiful and inspiring. My wheels are turning once again. Let's see if this weekend will be kind enough to give me time to do something with it. Thanks again, Susanna.
Holy pink dragon, Heather! THAT is what I call a picture prompt! Wow!
#5 – I’ve been in a LOT of competitions before. I’ve hopped hurdles and taken timber fences, danced over ditches, cantered cross country, and boogied like a ballerina. I’m here to tell you, this is the WORST equestrian contest I have ever experienced! I’m a horse, not a knight in shining armor! Clearly, Little Bobby on my back hasn’t got a clue, either. Do I jump into the burning crevasse? Have the maid call my agent? Ask the spirit to mix me up a magic potion? There’s one thing I know for sure. I am NOT getting anywhere near the dreaded dragon. Bobby, we’re not in Kentucky anymore… Maybe the crow has the key to getting me out of this mess.
I'm so glad you've enjoyed them, Alayne, even if you haven't had the time to participate. They will stay up in the archives, so you can always go back and use them, and we will have more. Thanks for reading along and taking the time to let me know you found them worthwhile even though you couldn't join in… this time… 🙂
I love this, Genevieve! And as someone who has been acquainted with many horses, I think you've pegged his possible attitude spot on! 🙂 Excellent! Thanks for joining the fun 🙂
Beautiful picture Heather. Love your use of color
CB Title: A Dragon's Love
Great picture! So much action going on. So many little details to look at and think about.
ER title: “The Dragon and the Secret of Castlefyre”
Love this, Delores!
PB titile – Fox and Raven Plan for Dragon Potage
Brilliant scene, Heather!
Heather! Oh my gracious goodness! Oh my gracious goodness! That is STUNNINGLY BODACIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You rock woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I'm sick. If I wasn't sick, I'd jump in someone's lap and have them tell me a story about this pic.
Hmmm. There are lotsa things churning inside of me as I gaze at this lovely picture. This is for the PB readers who need some fantasy in their lives and for boys who need more stories all their own.
WHOOSH! Edwin and his constant companion, the steed he called Charger, jogged in from their palace to the west. “Hellooo, fair maiden, Halo. I've come to rescue you from the dastardly dragon, Dashing.” He drew his sword and threatened Dashing. Puffs of fire fell at Charger's hoofs. He stomped and squashed the dastardly dragon's flames.
Remember. I'm very sick. So don't count off for crappiness.
Aw! I like that title, Pat! I can imagine a very sweet story 🙂 Thanks for joining in!
Ooh! I like the sound of that, Sidney! I know a lot of boys who would snatch up that early reader! Thanks for joining in 🙂
Well, I'm going to have to go look up “potage”, Joanna! But your title sounds good 🙂 Thanks for playing along 🙂
I think this is divine, Robyn! I love it 🙂 But seriously! You have got to go to a doctor. I know you don't like going where the sick people are, but you are one of them and this has been dragging on for 2 weeks! Get thee to a medical facility – I mean it! I'm worried about you 😦
I've been absent for most of the short and sweets–sorry!! But I had to pop in and mention that is a beautiful picture!!
Thank you, Angela!
Genevieve, this made me laugh out loud! Thank you for the lovely compliment 🙂
Thank you, Pat!
I had to look up “potage”, too, Susanna 🙂
Thank you, Joanna and I think you have the start of a very funny picture book!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Robyn! Now go take care of yourself!
Thank you, Coleen!
Would you believe that I forgot that it was Friday until 30 minutes ago? It has been a week here! I'm glad that I remembered as our CSA pick up is today 🙂
I love your ideas, Susanna!
PB Title- Misunderstood Fergus (Fergus being the dragon, of course)
Smarmy, the
Dragon’s reluctant, but enslaved groom, longs to be free of scorched eyebrows
and the never-ending scrubbing required to keep a three-story dragon clean, but
until Dragon takes Princess Alia hostage, Smarmy didn’t dare hope his freedom
was possible. (CB)
I'm sure Heather will appreciate your comment 🙂 And you can always join in with the ongoing Short and Sweets that will )hopefully) start on alternate Mondays Sept. 10 🙂
Gosh I'm glad you remembered! After all our talk back and forth, I didn't think to remind you. And I just realized I never posted this on FB or anything! Too much to do 🙂 Love your title – can't wait to see the book 🙂
This is GREAT Laura! I hope you write it! And Smarmy – what an excellent name!!! 🙂 Thanks for joining in!
Heather, I'm speechless. Your image is gorgeous. I'll have to think about it and come up with something later!
Our Heather is something else, isn't she? 🙂
I'm surprised and impressed that you've kept up with your posting schedule this summer, Susanna, never mind reminding me to keep my days straight 😉
I can't wait to see what you come up with, Hannah! And thank you 🙂
As the split in the ground widened, Pestya stretched her long fox legs and look around in disbelief. It worked! For once in her life, she had remembered the words correctly. Would anyone suspect her?
Spectacular illustration Heather. Dragons are my weakness.
Where do you live in Maine? I live there too.
Ooh! Excellent Kimberley! I love this! Keep going! 🙂
Heather, the illustration is beautiful. I'm off to write a poem to match this cool illustration.
YAY! In that case, Heather and I will both be looking forward to it 🙂 Have fun!
That was beautiful, Delores.
Thank you, Rena 🙂
Even though this has my name on it, it's from Diane who had trouble posting:
“I love, love Heather's beautiful picture and in awe of such talent.
Having just got back from holiday and still getting into the swing of
writing again, mesmerised by the picture as I was, I could only whip up
a title: possible CB “Askook, the Dragon of Ladon.”
(MG) Title: To Train a Prince
(MG) Pitch: In Beastly Academy, dragon, fox and crow must learn how to train a prince to rescue a damsel in distress. After class they make a bet to see who's prince will save the beautiful Princess Lurella, damsel in distress. But things go awry when no one plays fair.
This sounds terrific, Saba! I hope you're going to write it 🙂 It could be tons of fun!!! Thanks for joining in!
Love it, Genevieve! Very funny!
#6 Title: The Dragon Prince and The Firey Moat (MG)
#1 Pitch: This is a story about Prince Nogard- a dragon who thinks he is a prince until a young knight threatens to take away his princess and his castle. This causes Prince Nogard to question his identity and his relationship with his faithful young servant, Alder.
Delores…this is awesome…I want to read more!!!
Heather…thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent with us…what an amazing illustration!
Susanna…My vision is a rhyming PB…Boot Camp at Old Dragons-Lair…that maybe plays on color words The white witch is the headmistress of Old Dragons-lair Boot Camp…and she has her hands full of her charges…what trouble will they get into as she tries to teach them Elementary Magic 101.
The first day of boot camp at Old Dragons-lair,
The white witch decided to color her hair.
So tired she was of her ebony locks,
She lifted the white from the tail of her fox.
I don't know…maybe very silly…but I loved the name of the camp: Old Dragons-lair.
This sounds very interesting, Romelle! I've so enjoyed seeing what people come up with. Form the titles and pitches, there are a whole lot of dragon books I want to read that haven't been written yet 🙂 Thanks for joining in! 🙂
I LOVE this Vivian! What a great idea, and so fun, and written in rhyme! Keep going… I want to read it for the contest on Friday 🙂
Beautiful picture, Heather!
I would like to do a character sketch on Giselle, the White Wizard.
As the new ruler of Endoria, Giselle is trying to keep control of her world. The eternal ruby necklace was bequeathed to her by her grandmother, thereby giving her ruling power over all wizards of the land. Red Fox was chosen as her protector and chief advisor. Giselle and Red Fox grew up together in the valley and dreamed of the day they could rule. Unfortunately they must deal with the King of the Dragons and remove him from Endoria forever.
Thanks for Short and Sweets, Susanna. They were a lot of fun!