Over the River--JOP Link Party!

Over the river and thru the field of wheat, the carriage raced for it's destination. That river crossing, well actually a large stream, had Ruby jostled pretty good, not to mention the water and mud spatters all over her new satin dress!  But no matter, they just had to reach the destination in time.  She yelled out the window at the driver, "How much longer? Will we make it?"  There was no answer. Probably the driver was so concentrating on the rutted dirt road that he didn't hear anything over the rattling noise of the carriage speeding along.  Ruby tried to settle back into the uncomfortable seat holding on tight to the open window frame.  She tried to ascertain where they were by the markings of the countryside.  There were thatched roof farm houses and huge haystacks everywhere dotting the fields.  In the distance she could see the rock outcroppings of the near coast.  But how far were we?  The ship just wouldn't wait, she had to get there!  

Did anyone else pick this sentence today?  Hope you had fun writing your piece today! Practicing our writing skills, is what this party all about!  This is your opportunity to 'Just WRITE'! We write from our hearts, our experiences, and our imaginations!  Join us next week (or this week if you haven't already done your blog post for today!)  Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome.  Challenge yourself.  START with one of the first lines provided here every Friday--thus the name: Jumping Off Places! (A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab.)

First Lines for Next Week --Week TWELVE--the September 16th JOP Linky party. 

1)  There is was again, a faint tinkling sound.
2)  Ships sails were flapping in the wind fiercely.
3)  She sat in the corner, back to the wall, looking intently at the mouse.
4)  Manuals of all kinds lay on the floor at her feet, all around the desk. 
5)  Piece by piece, they worked.  

It's fun to see what everyone comes up with!   Link your submission below so we all can read and ENJOY!

Tight Writing Skills

Writers love words. 
But too many words make writing obese and unhealthy.
Writers spend time finding the perfect words for their descriptions;  so, it can be hard to slim down words to make a better more succinct writing product which is, therefore healthier.  Good writing is a rich idea with an economy of words.  Since re-writes take time, a few healthy habits at the beginning of a project will improve writing.

Here are just a few rules that may help:
1)  Check for run on sentences.  Thoughts are difficult to follow when the sentence goes on and on. Short sentences are easier to read and keep the meaning clear.
2)  Words like there, it, those, and that are vague and indefinate subjects. They should alert you to a problem.  i.e That should be elimanated. BETTER--These combinations should be elimanated;  i.e.  It is a difficult read that has no specific subject.  BETTER--Sentences with no specific subject make difficult reading.
3)  Check for wordiness.  One  or two adjectives will get your point across. You don't need a string of words to explain.
4)  Check for "deadwood" -- a word or phrase that adds nothing.  i.e kind of, sort of, the fact that etc.

Hope this helps . . . have fun with your writing. 
(If you are interested, check out the tab at the top of the page called Small Stones.  These exercises are fun and help with writing skills.  Tomorrow's post will be a small stone.)

JOP Writing Party RESTART

Jumping Off Places Writing Party!!

WELL, it's been a long time!  Our last writing party was back in April!  I took a break from this blog, thru some life hardships.  I have just returned from a restful vacation and it is time to restart this party!!  Write something if you like, write it in your blog then add your link here next Friday, or just keep coming back each Friday to read what everyone has written and enjoy!  Maybe the reading will stimulate your creative juices!!

 

We have all experienced writer's block.  I guess you could say that it is all part of writing.  [I have had writer's block: I was writing a story about Abby, (see the tabs at the top of this page) and got stuck!  It's time to take it up again! Been mulling over some angles and you will see a resumption of the story in this blog shortly.  In the mean time, please feel free to read or re-read the story to get up to speed. ]

 

Now for our Friday linky party! Practicing our writing skills, is what this party all about!  Just WRITE! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome and START with the first lines provided for you--thus the name: Jumping Off Places! (A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab.)

First Lines for Next Week --Week TEN--September 2nd. 

1)  She browsed the offerings in the street market, all the while pulling along her whimpering little boy.
2)  As I entered the office, I noticed it was filled with diplomas, degrees, and official looking certificates.
3)  Her smart gray suit belied her chosen profession.
4)  The squirrel in the tree sat extremely still with his eyes fixed on the stealthily moving cat below.
5)  Gasping for air, I literally thought my lungs would burst!

It's fun to see what everyone comes up with!  And how many of us chose the same line to start with!  Here's hoping that you will participate and ENJOY!