A Second Look

A Second Look
Reader's Challenge Live Write

Elements Submitted by Theresa Snyder:

A hunchbacked prince with a gift for gab, 
the imaginary land of sand and stone, 
a torturous climb, 
a sentient mute snake

Submitted by Theresa Snyder

((I will admit, this has been one of the harder ones for me so far))

Jomas had gone for a long walk.  He was the prince of a large country called Nestar.  He had decided to take a break from the ball.  It was his twentieth birthday celebration.  He had hoped for any other type of celebration other than a ball but his mother had insisted.  While his quick wit and gift of tongue insured that he did not lack for conversation, his hunched back meant that few damsels would dance with him.  Balls always reminded him that despite his status and intelligence, he would most likely never marry for love.

His father had told him that he would arrange a marriage for him.  Jomas knew that he would most likely end up with some homely princess whose father had a great deal to offer the kingdom.  His only hope in that was that if she were homely enough, perhaps she would look passed his own physical appearance.

Silence is Golden! - Live Write

This Live Write Challenge was issued by Kay Davis



Items given:  A goblin, an old well, someone has lost their way, rusty toy


Please note: Live writes are not edited other than simple spell and grammar checks.

Desrelle sat with her back against the old well.  She had been lost for over an hour, and so far she had only found this well.  Twice!  She was not sure how she managed to lose herself.  Wanderers did not get lost.  She would deny it to any that dared to accuse her of such a thing.  No, not lost, she decided. She had just found two different ways that she did not wish to travel.

Live Write - To Good To Be True!

To Good To Be True!

This Live Write Challenge was issued by Rob G

WARNING - THIS POST IS A BIT RACIER THAN MOST!

Items given: Amorous young wizard, down by the river that goes into a strangely lit waterfall, young wizard is supposed to be fetching his master's staff, and a fluorescent lizard 

Please note: Live writes are not edited other than simple spell and grammar checks. 

Picture of the Day!

Posted on Flickr by stilesathelake  CJ Stiles

Nathan sighed as he ran a hand through his short sandy hair.  He had been studying with Egbert to be a great wizard for over a year now.  Egbert, he thought, what kind of wizard name is Egbert anyway?  He tossed the book to his feet and laid back on the soft pillowing grass.  He had learned a great deal in a year, but still nothing of the great magics that would allow him to set out on his own.   He put an arm over his eyes to shelter them from the warm rays overhead.  It was early fall and while the nights were cold, causing the turning of the leaves; the days were still quite wonderful.   He sighed as he reviewed his situation.  Yes, he could cast easy spells now.  He could bring about a better crop for a farmer.  He could cast simple healing spells:  Things most hedge witches were capable of doing.    He could feel power in that center within boiling for something more powerful; longing to be cast out into the world.  Such simple spells hardly met this need. The sound of something splashing like a large boulder hitting the small cove of water echoed over the nearby waterfall.  Nathan sat up quickly and looked about.  The ripples of whatever had hit the water still shimmered out from the middle.  He looked towards the falls suspiciously.

Nathan sighed as he ran a hand through his short sandy hair.  He had been studying with Egbert to be a great wizard for over a year now.  Egbert, he thought, what kind of wizard name is Egbert anyway?  He tossed the book to his feet and laid back on the soft pillowing grass.  He had learned a great deal in a year, but still nothing of the great magics that would allow him to set out on his own.  


He put an arm over his eyes to shelter them from the warm rays overhead.  It was early fall and while the nights were cold, causing the turning of the leaves; the days were still quite wonderful.   He sighed as he reviewed his situation.  Yes, he could cast easy spells now.  He could bring about a better crop for a farmer.  He could cast simple healing spells:  Things most hedge witches were capable of doing.    He could feel power in that center within boiling for something more powerful; longing to be cast out into the world.  Such simple spells hardly met this need.


The sound of something splashing like a large boulder hitting the small cove of water echoed over the nearby waterfall.  Nathan sat up quickly and looked about.  The ripples of whatever had hit the water still shimmered out from the middle.  He looked towards the falls suspiciously.  

Calling all Readers - Challenge This Writer!

One of the things that  I am working on right now is getting my creative edge back after all the surgeries and medications.  Add to that, I really have a love of interaction with my audience.  In addition, an idea from a good friend from the book -A Wizard of Dreams (Myrddin's Heir Book 1) -by Robin Chambers- Link: http://amzn.com/B00CKKHFCO popped into my mind while I was considering the first two.  The idea is actually in the next book in his series, but you should read the first one... well first.

 Wahlah.... Challenge this Writer was born.

One of First Challenges I Wrote!

So here is the deal.   In comments, list the following four things appropriate to a fantasy setting:

1.  Character type
2.  Specific Place
3.  Situation
4.  Random Item.

Here are some examples:

1. prince                                      1.  young girl
2  secret door                              2.  pig pen
3. losing your grip                      3.  man needing help
4. small black scorpion              4.  red ruby


The sky is the limit.  This is  your input in which I must use all four elements in a story.  I will try to do one a day, but this may not always be possible. I guarantee one a week. I will have my editor keep me honest on this promise.  I will dedicate each live write to the challenging reader.    I reserve the right to delete suggestions that are obscene, deliberately offensive, or generally not in the spirit of the challenge.

Throw me your best curve balls and lets see what I can do with them.  After thirty stories, I will compile them into a book and I will send each person, that emails me an address after their challenge is written, a copy of this book signed personally on the page that your challenge elements appeared.  Let the games begin!

Please note: The writer will reserve all rights to the stories created by the four elements.