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!

JOP Link Party

(This is my submission from one of the first lines provided in last weeks JOP post.)

The squirrel in the tree sat extremely still with his eyes fixed on the stealthily moving cat below. The all black feline's eyes were trained on a little blue bird hopping along the pine needle covered terrain.  A petite looking bird, cute with her newly formed azure feathers, pecked among the needles here and there, not aware of any onlookers.  As she continued hunting and pecking, the cat drew closer and closer.  The little bird disappeared for a moment behind the pine tree's trunk, but soon reappeared on the other side and hopped under the blackberry fronds. Certain of his next meal, cat had inched forward, hidden from the bird's view.  From the high limb, squirrel was now twitching his tail back and forth in a jerking rhythm, but remained quiet and alert.  Sounds of the little bird scratching the ground and flitting from the low branches was all that filled the air. As the bird began to approach the open ground below the tree once more, and the cat prepared to pounce, the squirrel let out a loud piercing chatter. The air filled with the startling sound of fluttering wings in full flight as the cat's jump missed the mark.  Continuing his chatter, I wasn't sure if the squirrel was rebuking the cat for his unacceptable behaviour or the young bird's careless inexperience with life.  Either way, I turned from the window with a smile and hoped that I would again see that smart squirrel again soon one day.  -- lpruitt    

Well, that's my submission for the JOP party today!  Wonder if anyone else used that particular sentence to start their writing? Practicing our writing skills, is what this party all about!  This is your opportunity to 'Just WRITE'! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome.  Challenge yourself.  START with one of the first lines provided for you 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 ELEVEN--the September 9th JOP Linky party. 

1)  Over the river and thru the field of wheat, the carriage raced for it's destination.
2)  Her face was wrinkled with a furrowed brow that looked like a full life had been lived.
3)  It was an eerie sound, a  high pitched skreech and then a chilling silence.
4)  Mom and daughter entered the room with a wary look on their faces.
5)  I recognized the picture.  

It's fun to see what everyone comes up with!  And how many of us chose the same line to start with today?  Link your submission below so we all can read it and ENJOY!

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!

JOP Writing Party - Week nine

Jumping Off Places Writing Party!!

WELL, look at me, I haven't written anything all week!  What is that?  I advocate practicing our writing and I don't write anything!?  It's been a crazy week.  And I have had writer's block.  I am writing a story about Abby, (see the tabs above) and I am stuck!  Been mulling over some angles but have not decided which way to go with it.  I guess you could say that it is all part of writing. 

So, don't feel bad and go away  if you don't participate for a week or so.  Keep coming back, read what everyone has written and enjoy!  Maybe it will stimulate your creative juices! 

Now for our Friday linky party! Practicing our writing skills, is what this is all about!  Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome! Just WRITE!

First lines for writing something this week were found in my April 15th post.

A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab. If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness!

First Lines for Next Week --Week TEN--

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!

JOP Writing Party - Week Eight

Just 'jump right in!'

(when it comes to our writing, that is!)

Jumping Off Places Writing Party!!

Well, I  got the formatting right this time!  I upgraded my blogger editor and that worked!!

Now for our Friday linky party! We hope you might choose to join us! Practicing our writing skills, is what this is all about!  Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome! Just WRITE! First lines for writing something this week were found in my April 8th post.

A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab. If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness!

First Lines for Next Week --Week NINE--

1) Discovering my unique gifting, opened my eyes to new possibilities.
2) The bee flitted from blossom to blossom in an erratic pattern.

3) Zzzzzzzzz was the only sound I heard in the frozen ice land.
4) The first line of my favorite novel is . . . .  

5) I turned to take the path to the left, but it was another dead end! 

Don't forget to come back next Friday and link in!

Jumping Off Places - Week Seven

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing, that is!) I am so bummed! I'm having trouble with blogger. It is not formatting anything correctly! Sorry, everything is all smunched together in one paragraph! I have tried everything! It is not spacing correctly! It shows correctly when I am writing it, but when I publish the post, it is all together with no spacing! Arghhhh!!! If anyone has any suggestions, please leave me a comment! Now for our Friday linky party! We're off on week 7! We have had several faithful bloggers enjoying this party. We hope you might choose to join us! Practicing our writing skills, is what this is all about!Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome! Just WRITE! First lines for writing something this week were found in my April 1st post. And don't forget our Saturday FUN! My "Common Writing Errors" post should be informative and FUN! See you tomorrow. A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab. If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week EIGHT-- 1) A hand full of the most awesome set of cards is what she was dealt. 2) Out the door she went, sporting a new haircut. 3) The inward journey is a lifelong pilgrimage. 4) But with rumors flying among my co-workers, I felt like running away. 5) "That's fine," Faith said, waving good-bye. Don't forget to come back next Friday and link in!

Conclusion--?

A door slammed and someone ran down the stairs in an obvious hurry! As Roberta went to the window, she thought to herself, "What is going on? This is such a quiet complex!" As she pulled back the curtain, she was shocked to see a flashing light and a fire engine in front of the garage! The apartment manager was standing in the crowd talking to someone. "Oh, no, not one of my neighbors!" As she continued to watch, she spotted Mr. Perget's grandson talking to a fireman. Mr. Perget had been ill, but he had been feeling better. Her downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Graham, who looked in on him occasionally, had told her just this morning, that he was recovering nicely. "What could have happened?" Roberta rushed down the stairs and thru the carport to see if she could help in any way. As she got closer, she could see that everyone was laughing and visiting and she just didn't understand. "What's going on here?" she asked. "Oh, sorry to startle you, Roberta, nothing's wrong, we just got a cat out of the tree! Everybody's just enjoying seeing the engine!"

Firetruck Personalized T-Shirt by Sweet3leafprints on Etsy

JOP - Jumping Off Places - Week #6

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing, that is!) OK! A linky party! We're off on week 6! Join us! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome! Just WRITE! that's what this is all about! Practicing our skills! First lines for writing something this week were found in my March 25th post. And don't forget our Saturday FUN! My "Common writing errors" post should be informative and FUN! See you tomorrow. A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab. If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week SEVEN-- 1) Panic filled my being as he moved swiftly toward me. 2) As I watched the ants carrying one their tasks, I pondered the events of my day. 3) At the concert, we had to scream in each other's ears just to talk. 4) A door slammed and someone ran down the stairs in an obvious hurry! 5) I could hear music, was it from the apartment next door? Don't forget to come back next Friday and link in!

Thoughts

This is for 'Jumping Off Places.'

The coupon fluttered out of her hand and landed among a sea of legs. She looked desperate-- every penny important. As she scrambled down on the floor, reaching frantically for the elusive little paper, the clerk looked from his supervisor and back to the cash register avoiding the irritated looks on faces of people waiting in line. He thought to himself, "Why doesn't anyone help this young mother? Are they so calloused that they just don't see her plight? Are they so in a hurry that they are only concerned with their own situations? Are they embarrassed for her?" So many questions.

As the young woman rose, coupon in hand, baby whimpering by this time, the clerk, while finishing the sale, could be heard to say from behind his counter, "Mam, I'm so sorry that no one saw it fitting to help you. I sure hope you have a better day!"

Cranky Men art by KieferClayworks

You ever want to speak up and didn't? Or thought to help and didn't?

JOP - Friday Linky Party - Jumping Off Places

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing, that is!) Our linky party is continuing!! This is week 5! You can still join the fun! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome on your blog! Just WRITE something! That's what this is all about! Practicing our skills! NEW: Also,introducing a new continuing post, starting tomorrow: My new column will post on Saturdays. It's called Common Writing Errors. I'm sure that if you are like me, you struggle with some English grammar. I don't have all the answers, but will promise to do my research. It ought to be fun and informative! Review of our party works: 1) First Lines provided here (for next week--Last week's post is the basis for today's links.) 2) Write a post on your blog anytime next week using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) OUR PARTY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT! Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in with the URL of your post! (Not just your blog address, please.) 4) On Fridays we'll read each other's work and Enjoy a creative moment! If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link portion of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week FIVE-- 1) "How near are the horsemen right now?" 2) It was like a scene from On Golden Pond, with lunes on the pond and the serene surroundings. 3) Chatter was everywhere around me, at the next table, over the counter, and walking past my table. 4) The coupon fluttered out of her hand and landed among a sea of legs. 5) Smoke filled the room like a cloudy day. Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in on Friday!

Jumping Off Places- Friday Linky Party #4

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing, that is!) OK! A linky party! We're off on week 4! Join us! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome! Just WRITE! that's what this is all about! Practicing our skills! First lines for writing something today are found in this post! Also, next week, I will be adding a post about common grammatical errors, should be informative and FUN! Watch for it either Monday or Wednesday! A review of our party works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post on your blog next week using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) OUR PARTY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT! Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in with the URL of your post! (Not just your blog address, please.) 4) On Fridays we'll read each other's work and Enjoy a creative moment! If you have written something for this week, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. Then everyone who visits will be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week FOUR-- 1)Shoreline waves were getting larger by the minute. 2)Careening down the hill . . . 3)A bead of perspiration rolled from my temple down across my cheek. 4)The view outside the window had been gray for days. 5)The room's tropical decor revealed her past and her love of color. Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in on Friday!

Jumping Off Places -reprint of week 3

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing, that is!) Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone! I am feeling better and will re-post last weeks first lines. I appreciate you all! A review of it works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post on your blog next week using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in with the URL of your post! (Not just your blog address, please.) 4) On Friday's we'll read each other's work and Enjoy! If you have written something please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. We'll then be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week THREE: 1) On the top of the piano sat a beautiful gilded frame with a yellowing . . . . 2) All I could hear was the flapping of the sails. 3) A diploma! I thought I would never see one in his hands. 4) The floor creaked, a light flashed, and my fellow actor was lowered down on a rope. 5) She stopped me in mid-sentence. Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in on Friday!

Jumping Off Places - Delays and Disappointments

Friends- I am sorry to say that there will be no post for "Jumping OFF Places" today. My hubby and I have had a huge disappointment, and I really don't feel like posting anything. We are taking a few days away. I felt an obligation to let you know why it is not here today. Can you let me off the hook today and we'll pick up where we left off next Friday? Thanks! Linda (Abby)

Jumping Off Places - Week Three

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing). Our first week was very interesting, the second week had a couple of glitches--Hope everything works just right today! A review of it works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post on your blog next week using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in with the URL of your post! (Not just your blog address, please.) 4) On Friday's we'll read each other's work and Enjoy! If you have written something for week two (list of first lines in last weeks post) please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL. We'll then be able to come read your creativeness! First Lines for Next Week --Week THREE: 1) On the top of the piano sat a beautiful gilded frame with a yellowing . . . . 2) All I could hear was the flapping of the sails. 3) A diaploma! I thought I would never see one in his hands. 4) The floor creaked, a light flashed, and my fellow actor was lowered down on a rope. 5) She stopped me in mid-sentence. Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in on Friday!

Jumping Off Places - Week Two

Just 'jump right in!' (when it comes to our writing). Our first week was very interesting, to see what each writer/blogger chose as their jumping off place! Today I'll provide a new list of first lines for you to write about next week. If you have written something for week two, please drop down to the link part of this post and add your name and your URL so we will all be able to read your creativeness! A review of it works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post on your blog using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in! 4) On Friday's we'll read each other's work and Enjoy! First Lines for Week THREE: 1) As he sauntered down the hall, he dropped each page one at a time. 2) A man in a pin striped suit with a bright blue paisley tie, walked thru the lobby and pushed the elevator button to the penthouse. 3) The texture of the fabric was intoxicating, I knew it was expensive. 4) It was bright this morning, the first sun shinny day of this week. 5) Two glittering little eyes shined out of the hole in the baseboard at me and . . . Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in! Note: I'm having a bit of trouble with the html and it looks like last weeks posts are listed from 1-4 I will try to get that fixed, but go ahead and link in anyway. Thanks!

Jumping Off Places - Week ONE!

We all need a place, a reason to just 'jump right in!' when it comes to our writing. This blog provides a list, on Friday's, for you to Jump Start our writing skills. I provide first lines, you "jump right in" and try your hand at creative writing! Any exercise of your writing will help you improve your creative thought processes, inspire you and others who read your piece, and it might be a significant discipline in creativity! Here's how it works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in! 4) We'll read each other's work and Enjoy! 5) If you like, you can add First Lines for Week TWO: 1) She was sitting, all crouched down, in the corner of the room, staring at the side wall. 2) A flock of squawking birds flew overhead, but I I heard nothing. 3) Gumballs hit the floor with a crash, scattering everywhere, under the bureau, atop the rug, and rolling into the spare room. 4) Like steam rising from a dryer vent, it seemed to be rising from both his ears. 5) I quickly jotted down the address and ran for the door with my purse and keys in hand. Happy CREATIVE writing! Don't forget to come back and link in!

Hazelnut Swirl

Remembering vanilla being her favorite ice cream flavor as a second grader, Amy wondered why her taste had been so unadventurous. This grand opening first day in her Gelato shop was a long way from her unadventurous life as a child. As she worked on a new batch of Pistachio Cream, out front, Robert served the hoards of new customers on this warm day. She could barely take in all that was happening. A Gelato shop! Not plain old vanilla, but a healthy, Italian traditional treat! Gelato! Different from ice-cream not only in the process of production, but also in flavour, structure, nutritional values and appearance. Different also than the flavors of her youth! Amaretto Black Cherry Cream, Cinnamon Dulce le Leche, Raspberry Lavender Swirl, and Lemon Custard Fig! Yes, she had stepped whole heartedly into her grand new adventure--Hazelnut Swirl Gelato Shop! (This is my first submission for "Jumping Off Places"-- join us, won't you?)

Jumping Off Places

New Series for Fridays! Jumping Off Places (for your writing, that is!) Sometimes, we all need a place, a reason to just 'jump right in!' I want to provide a list, on Friday's, for us to Jump Start our writing skills. I will provide first lines, you "jump right in" and try your hand at creative writing! Any exercise of your writing will help you improve your creative thought processes, inspire you and others who read your piece, and it might be a significant discipline in creativity! Here's how it works: 1) First Lines provided here. 2) Write a post in your blog using the first line of your choice. It doesn't have to be long, just a few thoughts or a paragraph. Anything. Who knows, it could become a story! 3) Take your time--One Week--then come back next Friday and link in--listing the URL of your post! 4) We'll read each other's work and Enjoy!

Today's FIRST LINES: 1. A pencil, a tape measure, and a stack of old newspapers sat on the conference table as we entered. 2. A calender is a funny thing, with it's blank spaces and numbered days. 3. Remembering vanilla being her favorite ice cream flavor as a second grader, Amy wondered why her taste had been so unadventurous. 4. My eye was caught by a book on the shelf, pushed back from the others with a tattered orange dust jacket and white letters. 5. I watched the wind in the tree tops and thought . . . Now . . . . . . . Go For IT! Be sure to come back on February 11th and leave the link to your post!