Submit Your Short Story!

If you're waiting to get published and don't know how to get there, the best way is to submit a short story or essay into a contest. The easiest way to get started is to search "writing contest" on Google. The best contests to enter are ones with no initial entry fee. That way, if you don't win anything, you won't feel like you lost money. Choose your contest carefully! If you pick one that is geared toward a subject you have little or no aptitude for, there's a good likelihood that you won't win. Also contests with prizes that motivate you are also good choices. If you are motivated, you'll write as well as you possibly can.

I've entered my short stories into contests and magazines many times, and have won. Winning contests is wonderful! You will feel confident, and you'll believe that you really can write well!

There is the possibility that you will lose a contest. Finding out that you haven't won is painful and one of the most discouraging things that can happen to a writer. It's like being told that you can't write well at all. What must be understood is that there are hundreds of entries, and yours may not have met the criteria exactly. It doesn't mean that you wrote poorly, it means you didn't write what the judges wanted.

When your short story is rejected, don't give up. Submit your work to other contests, and maybe you'll be lucky.

Some tips on submitting your short story are:

• Make your first sentence capture the judges. I read in a writing book that judges read the first sentence, and either consider it or toss it.
• Keep the judges interested all the way through your short.
• Follow the rules! This rule is critical.
• If you write a cover letter, don't bribe or beg the judges to publish your work.
  Be polite.

Good luck!

The Importance Of a Writing Journal

Keep a writer's notebook at all times!!! I will admit that I am really bad at keeping up with my notebook. The main reason for this is that most of my ideas come to me in the evening when I'm too tired and lazy to write it down.
This is horrible!!!!! If I have an idea in the middle of the night I usually think, "I'll remember it until the morning, then I'll write it down. "
I forget it over the course of the night. How frustrating can you get?

Why should you keep a writer's journal?
I'll give you some reasons why.

1. When having a writer's block, you can go and dig up an old idea.
2. You can use your writer's journal for your short story skeleton.
3. You won't ever forget those amazing ideas again!
4. You won't have to use pages of your everyday journal on your writing notes.
5. Your life as a writer will be ever so much simpler.

Enjoy your writing journal!

National Short Story Month

May is National Short Story Month!
In 2007, the Emerging Writers Network kicked off the very first National Writers Month.

“There’s a national poetry month, and I think there should be a national short-story month, too. It’s a very American form," says Larry Dark, director of The Story Prize, and one of the first people to initiate the month long event.

So how should writers and readers celebrate?
Write a short story of your own!

• Get together with friends and family and have a writing celebration. In the first week of May, prepare your short story skeleton. Make your plot fun and exciting, because you're going to share your story with others. You don't want them to fall asleep.

• Write your short story during the remainder of the month. Have fun; don't concern yourself too much about the quality. On May 31st, have a party. You can eat hors' d'oeuvres, bake a cake, and celebrate.  Read your short stories to one another, have a laugh, and enjoy yourself! Since it's springtime,  I'll leave you with this gorgeous photo of apple blossoms.

Happy National Short Story Month!! 
And Happy Cinco De Mayo!

A WRITERS BLOCK

I have a writers block right now and that's why I'm writing an entry about it. I've tried two different ideas for an entry but can't write anything that sounds halfway intelligent. I'm so aggravated with myself that I have no motivation to write a blog post. But it's been nearly a week, so I have to write something.
I had a chronic case of writers block in 2008. The affliction just kept getting worse until the end of '09. Happily, this year it is mostly gone.
Sometimes the products of a frustrating writer's block turn out to be popular articles. Read A Revolting Week for a great example of a success story.
I listen to music to not only calm my rattled nerves, but to help me write. Most writers agree that some types of music are helpful when you write. I recommend Yanni's Nightingale unless you're writing a fast- paced action scene.



If you try to begin a short story, but don't write a skeleton first, you may suffer a writers block. I experience this all the time because I often sit down at the computer with the intention of writing a story for no reason other than I just feel like it.

Sometimes it's hard to be patient with a writers block. I nearly gave up writing during my chronic writers block. If you just persist the writers block will go away. If you have true ardor for writing, you can beat the block.

Write a Short Story

Short stories are my expertise. They're quick, easy, and the plot is easily and speedily developed.  A short story is any story under 7500 words in length. My story Goodbye Earth is 1700 words long, and is a very short story. If you enjoy writing and don't feel like writing a 200,000+ word epic novel, maybe you should try writing a short story. Anyway if it gets rejected by publishers you might not feel as bad. I only type at 38 wpm (errors deducted), so it would take me a long time to write a long story. I was astonished at how quickly people write long novels. I take about a month to write 25 pages. That's pretty sad.
So, if you're sick of trying to write a long novel, try writing short fiction.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before attempting to write a short story.
Have I written numerous very short stories?
Am I comfortable with typing?
Do I love to write?
Am I ready to edit my short story honestly?

If you answered yes to all those questions, then the answer to the question "Can I write a short story?" is YES! Also I recommend taking a test to see how many words per minute you can type. Leave me a comment about your results!
http://www.typingtest.com/

If you want to get your start in magazines, it's good to know how to keep your first draft short. Isn't it horrible to leave your story frail and dying from page removal just to get it short enough to enter into a magazine or contest?

Dream Diary

The other night, I had a dream which kept pestering me. I couldn't get the thought out of my head and it was driving me batty! I tossed and turned in a half-awake state for about an hour. I decided that maybe this was "inspiration knocking", so I pulled out my journal and wrote it down. The dream disappeared. A lot of my short stories started out as dreams, and scenes in some of my stories are extracted from dreams.
Stephenie Meyers dreamed up Twilight, and Mary Shelley dreamed the idea for Frankenstein. Both of these novels were huge successes and later, movie franchises.
 The wonderful thing is that when you're young, you'll dream more than your grandparents do! At the age of 19-30 years old, one has their peak percentage of REM sleep. Guess what? Mary Shelley was 19 years old when she dreamed about Frankenstein, and Stephenie Meyers was 30 when she dreamed of Twilight.
I read that people should keep a tape recorder next to their bed and record their dreams vocally. This way that inspiration can be preserved. Often, you think that you'll remember the dream all night and when you wake up you can't remember it.
The sleeping state really helps to get your mind working. As soon as you wake up, write random things, and surprise yourself at what amazing things you thought of.
I'll leave you with  five common dreams and their interpretations.

1. Being chased means that you are afraid of something in your real life, and that you're trying to escape a consequence or something that is happening.
2. Help!!!! You're in the middle of the grocery store, look down and realize you're not wearing clothes. Being naked in a dream means you're afraid of being seen for who you really are. Also it could mean that you want to be seen for who you really are.
3. Water is a common symbol in dreams. A few drops of water signifies forgiveness. Murky water signals problems ahead. Waterfalls mean abundance in your future. Calm smooth water is a good omen.
4. Dreams of your teeth falling out reflects a lack of self esteem and a bad body image. People who fear of getting old and ugly may dream that their teeth are falling out, or crumbling in their hands.

Journal Journeys

Are you an avid diary writer? If you are reading this blog right now, I am guessing that you have some interest in writing. Writing in a diary is the best way to get out your feelings on paper and to stimulate your writing brain.
I am obsessed with diary writing. When I write in my diary, I am making myself immortal through my life in writings. I am passing on a legacy through the pages of my diary. I imagine futuristic societies reading my diary and using it as a portal to enter the past. I make sure to refer to popular music, fads, and fashion in order to preserve the essence of my day and age. One of my mom’s Facebook friends has the right idea. Back in the 80’s he took video of parties and other social gatherings. He captured not only a time, but also a completely different era through his videos.
I try to do this same thing with my diary. It is so much fun if you have a leaning for writing, and if you do not like writing and would like to start, diary writing is a great beginning. I am working on my sixth diary, and have been writing in my diary for seven years. Currently I have just started a 400 page one with large pages since my last one only lasted for about 2.5 months. It was about 90 pages long. To make your diary writing experience more fun, here are some of my favorite boredom busters:

• Tape photos into the pages.
• Do not write when you do not feel like it, but consider writing a commitment.
• Read your old diaries occasionally. Sometimes you have to realize how you love reading your diary before you can write.
• If you haven't had children yet, write for your future offspring. I know that I would love to have read my mother's childhood diaries!
• Also, imagine archeologists brushing dust off your tattered diary, reading it and turning it into a movie.

If you do the last one, just remember that you will be dead by then (hopefully), and the movie will not humiliate you eternally. At least I hope not.

Don't lose another moment of your life-record it all today!

Pea Brains Not Allowed

Yesterday I found myself reading a website which I had in past months determined to be only suitable for elderly folks. I had the impression that the articles were created for relaxing inspiration. Upon reading two of the site's columns I was surprised to discover them surprisingly witty.

One was written by a man, the other by his wife. The woman's column shocked me with its lack of sugariness, and the man's was incredibly fresh and smart. I know what I am-I'm critical and close minded about everything which doesn't apply to me. I was glad I'd finally read these articles.

What a disadvantage it is to be narrow minded! Reading can enrich our lives and minds, but this can't be achieved if you don't accept new things. It's often hard for me to read a book due to the mere fact that my younger sister was enthralled with it. It was a long time before I finally read Lord of the Flies. I was shocked to find it an intriguing and moving work of art. Just recently, my sister read Anne of Green Gables. I was dubious of the book at first. When I read it at last, I found myself completely taken with the detailed characters and vivid descriptions. I only wish to be as talented and vibrant a writer as Lucy Maud Montgomery. I may have never read some of my favorite books if others hadn't inspired me to keep an open mind.

Don't postpone reading new books and different genres. It is the key to writing in new ways. When I was around ten, a librarian introduced me to Sharon Creech's works. Her books weren't at all what I was accustomed to. They didn't match my R.L Stine criteria. But there was something about Sharon Creech's books that inspired me to change my writing. In my pre-Sharon Creech writings, there was always a Goosebumps-style tone. I learned the power of dialogue and close character portrayals through Walk Two Moons. I learned to reveal things delicately and slowly by reading Chasing Redbird. I'm always discovering new ideas from reading things which step out of my boundaries. Isn't it wonderful to be flexible and have a variety of tastes?


I'm beginning to sound like something that isn't my type, so I'll go now.


Read some new books on your Kindle. Buy on Amazon from $169.99

Goodbye Earth, pt. 12

Goodbye Earth
Page Twelve

“I don’t believe I got your name; what is it?” I asked.

“My name’s Moon, what’s your name?” she replied.

“Star," I responded.
Moon wore a stylish red camisole with green bra straps sticking out. On her legs, she had a flowing long white skirt. Her shoes were cute black espadrilles. Her hair was long and blonde, like Taylor Swift's.

“Hey Moon, let’s go to the pool and swim!” I said, trying to make light of the awful situation.

“That’s a good idea, but I’m kind of tired right now,” Moon said nicely.

“Okay, then lets watch some TV,” I suggested.

We sat down on the sofa and I turned on the television. News footage screamed at us like banshees warning of death.  A newswoman held her microphone closely to her face, as she stood hunched in her parka.

“This is a news report. Worldwide floods are destroying civilization! Please, take shelter in your attic or on your roof! Do anything to keep safe! Please, take shelter from the floods and keep away from oceans!” she screamed. The wind blew off her hat and the news report ended. All that existed on the screen was static. I cringed. Our house is probably in one of the tsunami zones. I wondered if worse was to come on the day of the polar shift. Moreover, I knew the truth. This was merely the beginning of the horrors. Moon looked at me.

“I live in Florida!” she moaned, and burst into sobs.

 I tried not to think about how she was feeling. I knew that I, too would feel that dread.  I do not think my family will die until the polar shift. However, I cannot be sure. The Tarantelly’s might be dead too. Moon looked up.

“I’m going to get some food at the cafeteria. Do you want to come?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m totally starved!” I exclaimed.
I walked with Moon through some halls to get the food at the cafeteria. The unusual part about the food was that it was all vegetables, because astronauts got it from a nearby planet which vegetables could live on but not animals.

I munched on my salad, thinking about my family. I wondered if anyone was thinking about me right now. Had Peace had fun seeing the Jonas Brothers? Perhaps the concert had been called off due to storms. My appetite was ruined by thinking of what my family was doing, and what Jerri was doing too. I looked up at Moon. She was thinking too, and I could see that she had little appetite as well. I reached out and tapped her hand.

“Moon, I think your family is just fine. Probably they evacuated,” I said, smiling.

Moon looked at me and shook her head.

“My dad says he wouldn’t leave his store if anything happened. He wants to die in that old store. I swear my parents wouldn’t do anything to save themselves,” Moon explained.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said, and gave her a smile. Moon started to bawl. I had seen so many tears; it was starting to drive me paranoid.

“I don’t have anyone in the world!” Moon moaned.

“You have a friend in me,” I said. Moon looked up and wiped away her tears.

“You’re a sweet girl, Star,” she said.
 
I had never thought of myself as sweet, but I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.
 
Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com on Monday for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 10

Goodbye Earth
Page Ten

Peace and I rolled our eyes. Jerri whispered, “Is your dad always that weird?”
“Yeah,” I responded.

At last, we arrived at NASA. I left the car first and slowly walked towards the watch tower. Luckily, we were the first to arrive in the glass room high in the air and could reserve the good spots. I stood there for a moment.

Mom rustled up behind me and whispered, “I do believe this is the end, Star.”

“Oh Mom, you don’t have to think like that,” I said, turning around.

She smiled and hugged me. Mom wiped a tear from her eye.

“I wish it wasn’t like this, sweetie pie,” she said. I looked downward and tried not to think about it. My grandma walked over and held me tight with her soft, saggy, bony arms.

“Now you don’t ever forget your grandma! Grandma’s old and she don’t care when she dies, so she’s happy you’re going to live!” she said, kissing me.

Grandpa kind of patted me and said, “Bye bye little astronaut!” I stood there looking at everyone in the knowledge that they were going to die while I was up there. I was kind of leaning on the wall when Peace came up to me.

“Star, I’m glad you’re going to live and I die, because you’re the greatest sister anyone could have,” she murmured.

“Really, Peace? I wish it was me to die,” I said, giving her a huge hug.

“Thanks for the tickets,” she said.

“No problem," I smiled.

Dad came walking over, looking strangely mystified about the situation, almost as if he had realized that he was going to be killed. Then that look disappeared.

"You-just- don't get it, Star," he said.

“Star!” called Jerri from across the room as she leaned on the wall.
I glanced at Dad, then walked past him to Jerri.
“Goodbye, Star,” she said, “Hope you have a great time up there.”

“Bye, Jerri,” I said.

Mom turned toward the windows. A large noise came over the intercom.

 "All boarders of the rocket, please come to the lift off station," a voice boomed.

“Goodbye!” everyone called.

“See you soon!” Dad grunted.

In the sea of people who had since arrived, the only ones distinguishable were those related to me. I slowly walked down the stairs, desperate to preserve the vision of their faces.

I walked along the pavement towards the line of people heading into the rocket.  After about 20 minutes, I was finally at the front of the line. The rocket was not yet upright so everyone got in his or her seats the same way as in a train. 
 
"You'd better wave goodbye one last time," the man said, looking up at the tower.
 
I looked up and waved at the tower, but I didn't see anyone recognizable. 
 
"Please get into your seat."
 
 I settled into the soft blue seat, buckled my seat belt, and took a deep breath. The man pulled a syringe out of his pocket, pushed it into my arm, and squeezed.

Then there was nothing. There was nothing at all.

Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 7

Goodbye Earth
Page Seven

The guide was in tears.

"Everyone, we just can't allow pets!" she exclaimed, waving her arms in despair. Then she looked up. “I'm going to be left to die. So, for me, stop complaining about your animals. It just makes me feel terrible. Anyway, there will be animals on the ship raised for livestock,” she murmured, and left the room. I silently gave everyone a glance, and in an effort to make friends, I said to the girl, “I’m sorry about your bird. What’s his name?”

She barely looked up, and grabbed me in a hug, just as Jerri had done.

“His name’s Kakos,“ she said, wiping her tears away.

“My cat’s name is Chunky and I saved him out of a gutter,” I said.

“Oh really?” she forced a smile, “I saved my bird from a gutter too.”

“That’s great," I said sadly.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” said the girl. Quietly, I walked out of the complex and jumped into the backseat of the pickup.

“How’d it go?” asked Peace, turning toward me and trying to appear comforting.

“Horrible, just like everything else surrounding this. Everybody was sad and mournful,” I replied.

“I’m so sorry about that, Star. I really am,” she said, wrapping her arm around me. I leaned on her back.

My dad then brought up his 2 cents on the situation.

“It's not going to happen!” he shouted, and pounded the dashboard.

I looked down and thought in my mind angry phrases about my father’s weirdness. He was only trying to comfort himself by convincing himself that nothing was going to happen. I sighed and leaned back in my seat. A very quiet ride ensued. At last, we arrived back at home where Chunky walked up to me meowing happily. I petted him and pretended to be happy about seeing him. I mean I was happy, but it felt like I was seeing him for the last time. I went inside and swaggered into the small kitchen. I looked in the phonebook for Tarantelly. I dialed the number.

“Hello?” answered a woman’s voice, sounding strained and slightly angry.

“Hi this is Star Arusta and can I talk to Jerri? I think you met me at track,” I said.

“Oh yes, Star, I'll get her,” Mrs. Tarantelly replied, her voice sounding a little uplifted.

“Hello?” Jerri’s voice asked

“Hey Jerri, its Star,” I said.

“Oh hi, Star! Guess what? I can see you tomorrow! I’m so happy, even though I won’t see you again,” Jerri said excitedly.

“Yeah. Okay. Just come to my house at 9 in the morning so we can have time to hang out before a limo comes to pick me up and bring me to the lift off station at 12 P.M, okay?” I said.

“Mom! Can I walk over there for 9 in the morning?” she yelled. There was a pause.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll be there tomorrow,” Jerri said.

“See you later Jerri,” I said.

“Tra la!”

I put down the phone, and then hit the redial button.

Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 6

Goodbye Earth
Page Six
Again, 2 days of Star's life are included in this page. Remember this in order to avoid confusion.

Jerri eyed me in the strangest way and I almost thought I had made a fool of myself. Then she grabbed me in a huge hug and said, "You know, you are my best friend, and I'm glad you're gonna live."


For the first time that day, I felt happy and carefree. I never would have thought that I would have a best friend. The best I could expect in my life was a person who did not just pretend to be my friend, because they wanted to use my badminton net, or whatever.

So that day I finally became real friends with Jerri Tarantelly, but also that day I did other things.

I learned the true meaning of what is going to happen in ten days.

I realized that I was best friends with someone.

I became a VERY stressed out girl.


Saturday, December 12, 2012

I walked through the parking lot of the NASA facility. My family was not allowed to enter the headquarters. I wore my hair in an excrutiatingly shiny style. I wore clean jeans, and a soft sweater. Upon my feet were my mom’s high-heeled black leather boots. Usually, I was not allowed to wear them, but this was a special occasion.

Upon entering the building a receptionist greeted me, saying,

“Miss Arusta? I am so happy to meet you! You are ten minutes early for the tour, but you should go into room 433 and wait for your teacher. There are two other people in there already, so just make yourself at home! These will be your friends and family when you go on the station!”

I smiled weakly and walked into the room. There was a teenage boy with glasses and a young blonde woman wearing a blue dress. I said hi, and they responded. I sat down on a hard metal folding chair. People poured in, mostly teenagers, scattered with a few toddlers. At last, the tour guide entered. She was a woman wearing a suit, skirt, and tie.

“Hello everyone. As you all know, you were chosen to live on a space station far away from home. Tomorrow you will set out on your journey on a rocket. You will be shot with a tranquilizing drug that will last you for most of the trip, up to the last 3 minutes. The journey to the station will take 4 days, and then you will cross a vacuum-sealed bridge. Some people find the trip across the bridge frightening, as it is made of clear plastic. You will be wearing a space suit of course so you can breathe. Space suits will be very heavy and you may feel exhausted and hot. However, after you cross the bridge, you can board the dock and strip of your suits. In the space station, there is a video arcade, bedding quarters, a cafeteria, a pool, and various other places to pique your interests. I’m going to pass out some papers telling what you can do at the dock,” she said, and passed out the papers. I felt excited for a moment, and then felt deep sorrow because my cat was going to die, my parents, my sister, my friend…” I could go on and on about all the people whom I was betraying. Then the woman continued.

“I must remind you that there are stem cells in a special room. When we are certain that everyone is comfortable in the space station, we will give birth to these children. In addition, there will be marriages in the space station. Everyone is required to, at some point, marry and reproduce. I understand some of you may already be married. Nevertheless, since your spouses will be dead, you will be a widow or widower. Every one of you married folks will definitely be widowed by April.” At that point, a sort of sad gasp emanated from the group. One woman started crying. The sound of her sobs made my eyes water.

The guide cleared her throat. “Soo that is our lesson. Go back home and say goodbye to your loved ones. A limousine will come to each of your houses tomorrow morning and pick up you, your family, and who ever else wants to watch you leave. Questions anyone?”

A teen boy spoke up. “Can I bring my dog?”

“No sir, we have size limits. Your dog cannot come.”

I felt the urge to ask if Chunky could come. “Ma’am, I think it’s absolutely unfair not to allow people to bring any personal belongings. I truly cannot leave my cat alone to die!” A chorus of yells came up in the group.

“I want to bring my pet rat!” one little girl shouted.

“My bird!” yelped a girl my age.

Soon the group was aloud with shouts of what pets they wanted to bring.
 
Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 5

Goodbye Earth
Page Five

“Hi!” I exclaimed, as I jogged onto the track field.
I looked at Jerri Tarantelly, a girl who I hung around with at track.
“Hey, Star!” she said, her infectious smile beaming, “Today is game day at track and we just play soccer and tag!”

“Wonderful!” I said, rubbing my legs, “I’m exhausted!”

“I had a tiring day too. I went swimming all day at the Nautilus!” Jerri replied as I grabbed a soccer ball. Jerri’s friend Deckard came running over and the two girls danced a weird dance.

“I have got to go back to my team Jerri!” Deckard breathed between giggles.

“I'll call you later, Deck!" Jerri called.

“Umm, Jerri?” I asked.

“Yeah?” she answered with that same huge grin on her face.

“Have you heard of the Mayan calendar?” I inquired.

“Yeah. And it ends on December 21st this year, right?” she asked, rolling her eyes and kicking the ball between her legs.

“Yeah. Guess what else happens on that day? A planet that is usually far away from Earth will pass through our solar system, close and cause awful things to happen, like fires. People think that when it passed a long time ago, it may have caused Noah’s flood. There will also be a polar shift that will make people, like, drop down dead!” I said.

“Oh my gosh!” Jerri exclaimed, “That is the weird huge star I have been seeing lately? I thought it was Venus!”

Then she laughed. "It is Venus, isn't it?"

I shook my head with foreboding.

“Well, Jerri, there is a part that I haven’t told you about yet.”

"What?" she asked quietly, making the ambience one of bizarre horror.

“I’m going to live while everybody else dies,” I said, shrugging.

“What, did some wacko tell you that?" Jerri asked, regaining a smile to her face.

“No, NASA did. You see, a group of people is going to live on a space station way up in the sky where they can survive! You have to be invited to go, and I was invited.” I explained.

“Is that really true?” Jerri asked doubtfully.

“Yes! If you want proof come the day after tomorrow to see me go off in a rocket!” I said.

“You’re inviting me?” Jerri asked excitedly.

“Yeah, sure, why not?” I replied.

“Oh, thanks so much!” Jerri exclaimed.

“No problem,” I said.

There was silence out there on the field at George Wythe High School.

“Star?” Jerri asked, “Are you just going to abandon your family, and your friends?”

I had a sinking, disgusting feeling in my gut.

“Yes, I am.”

Jerri looked at me strangely as if I were doing something wrong.

“I guess I’ll go to heaven before you!” Jerri forced a smile.

Then suddenly I realized something. For the first time in my life, someone thought of me as a friend. Jerri really thought of me as her friend and I only thought of her as the girl I talk with at track.

“Jerri, you are such a great friend!” I said, smiling, “I won’t forget you. I’ll never forget you.”

Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com  tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 4

Goodbye Earth
Page 4
She was in the basement doing laundry.

“Mom, I have to tell you something,” I said.

“I’m not going to hear anything about the end of the world, Star,” warned Mom, glancing into my eyes. I felt annoyed, as if she was denying my intelligence or bravery or some silly presumption of stupidity. Nevertheless, I needed to do this.

“I am not talking about that. I wanted to tell you that, well, I am a woman.” I suddenly felt flushed. How could I have said IT?

“Star, Congratulations!” she yelped, spreading her arms to embrace me.

“Well, Mom, I don’t have it right now. I wanted to tell you something else,” I said gravely.

“What, sweetie?” Mom asked tenderly.

“Well, this has been for almost two years,” I muttered.

Mom looked aghast.

“But you didn’t even have…a chest then!” Mom whispered.

“I know,” I said, feeling strangely guilty.

“And you didn’t tell me?” Mom asked. I think I saw tears in her eyes glistening.

“We went to shoot the .22 that day,” Mom murmured, her eyes looking far off.

I remembered that day with dread.

“You probably didn’t even have sanitary supplies!“ Mom yelped, hugging me. She brushed aside one gray hair, and tenderly smiled.

I wondered if I was red, green, or white.

“I'm proud you told me about it, Star,” she smiled, and let go, “I don’t mind.”

“Mom,” I whispered, “Can I go take a bath?”

“Oh, I guess I am crowding you! Sorry!” Mom smiled nervously. I started walking upstairs.

“Star?” Mom called. I looked back. “Star, remember. I love you!” she called.

I nodded and walked up the stairs. I drew a deep, hot bath and slipped in. I tried to envision myself wearing a bulky space suit, and living in the same place forever. Well, not forever, just until I died. Whatever. Peace suddenly barged into the bathroom, her 11-year-old face looking disgusted.

“Mom told me the good news!” Peace said, with fury.

I could die. If mom had told Peace WHEN I got it, I would so totally shoot myself. Because you know what Peace would do? She would scream her head off and be all like, THAT WHOLE TIME YOU WERE HAVING THAT? What can I say? I do not want that to happen.

“Umm, yeah isn’t that nice news?” I said.

“Oh yeah it is! First I find out you’re going to live while I suffer and die and then I find out you’re a menstrual monster!” Peace exclaimed, “I hate you! I really hate you!”

I burst into tears.

“Y’know Peace, I have been having a really stressful time with this whole thing, okay? It has not been good for me. Do you think I enjoy the thought of you, Mom, Dad and Chunky dying? I am not completely brutal! I’m really sorry about this!” I shouted.

“Okay, Star. I guess I am being a little unfair. However, I feel like I deserve to live. I do not want you to abandon me. Star, we have been so close in the past years. I don’t want you to leave me to die,” Peace sighed, her arms still crossed.

“Apology accepted,” I said, “Now can you leave?”

“Sure,” Peace replied, with a giggle.

I pulled some shampoo off the rack and squirted a pile of it on my head. I could not believe that tomorrow I would be visiting the NASA headquarters for an orientation, and that the day after that I would be boarding a rocket to the space station. I sank back into the bathtub, and tried to relax.
 
Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 3

Goodbye Earth
Page 3
This page will include two days of Star's life. Keep that in mind to avoid confusion.

Shocked, I put down the letter and held it pinned to the bed. What should I do? Perhaps it was a joke. I ran my fingers over the letters precariously. Picking up the letter, I ran into the basement. Everyone was putting away the groceries and replenishing our winter storage. Swallowing tightly, I handed the letter to my mom.


“Read this,” I muttered.

Dad sauntered to Mom's shoulder, a grocery bag in his hand. He looked over Mom’s shoulder at the letter. Mom placed her hand over her mouth and tossed the letter on to the floor. She grabbed me, and pulled me close. I put my head over her shoulder and then tugged my self out of her clutch.

“Oh Mom! I don’t want it to be this way!” I sighed, holding her svelte shoulders at arm's length.

“Star, it just isn’t going to happen,” she smiled, shaking her head, “there is not going to be an end to the world! It’s all just silly nonsense.”

"But, Dad said, "You can go to get it out of your system."

I had a horrid feeling in my stomach, as if nothing was going to be the way they said. I just felt it in my gut that life was not as good as they all assumed. I sneaked up the creaky green stairs into my bedroom and grabbed the cell phone my sister and I shared. I dialed the NASA phone number, and took a deep breath.

Friday, December 11, 2012

I sat down quietly on my circle chair, my little "comfy cove". However, that day, I was not feeling comfortable. I opened up the internet on the laptop and typed in, Niburu. A representative from NASA had recommended it. Scrolling down the blue hyperlinks, I clicked a link to Youtube. All the videos I saw were generally disturbing and they altogether filled me with sorrow and pity for everyone who I had to leave behind. My cat, Chunky leaped onto the chair and climbed under my legs to get warm under the computer. He was a cute furry white cat whom I had rescued off the side of the road one stormy night when I was nine. I had run outside to grab my coat to keep it from getting wet when I heard a cat meowing from somewhere in the street. I looked around and finally saw two furry white paws clawing from inside of a gutter. You know those gutters without grates that kind of go under the sidewalk? Well that is where the cat was. I crouched down, grabbed those paws tightly, and pulled him out. He was a nasty little cat, all wet and ugly. However, I dried him off and the next day he was dry. He was wearing a little jingling collar, and a tag. He belonged to the people of the house down the street, which a dreadful fire had consumed. All the people had died in the hospital. That little cat has been my lovely pet for 3 years now. Could I leave him to die while I lived on a space station somewhere in space? Most certainly not! That would be absolutely worse than being abandoned out on a stormy night. I put down the laptop and just cuddled Chunky. He squirmed and jumped out of my clutch. I just lie back and let out a sigh. I looked up at the ceiling and thought, “Oh my gosh.” It seemed just so weird to be actually witnessing the end. This must be the end of life. This must be the end of the world. Perhaps it is wrong to survive. If God wanted me to live, he wouldn't have made the end of the world. I then realized that I had ten more days to live on Earth. I would make the rest of my life the best of my life. I placed the laptop on the floor, stood up, and went to the basement. There was something my Mom needed to know.
Return to bluepencildiaries.blogspot tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 2

Goodbye Earth
Page Two
“Oh my gosh, are we going to die?” Peace asked.

“Your mother said it isn’t going to happen!” shouted Dad, appearing  nervous.

“Is this the thing with the Mayan calendar?” I asked, “Mayans are very intelligent and are never wrong. If they said the world was going to end, they would certainly be correct!”

Peace looked at me with incredulous blue eyes.

“I think the Bible says that you won’t know the day or the hour!” she said.

“So? As if the bible is right about everything?” I yelped.

“Yeah, it is!” Peace shouted.

“Holy roller!” I screamed in annoyance.

Dad screamed, “Shut up!"

“Fred, calm down,” Mom murmured, holding Dad's arm, “Children can be very excited about this kind of thing. It can really worry them.”

I shook my head, amazed that my parents didn't believe. My entire life, I'd spent a lot of time reading history books and reading about the ancient Mayans. How could they be wrong? The calendar ended there.

“You see, girls, I don’t believe the world can ever end. It goes on and on because there is no way anything really can exist or not exist. Asking if the world exists is like asking how many monks it takes to put in a light bulb. The answer is one and not one. The world exists and not exists,” Mom lectured.

“Please Mom. I happen to know that’s a crock of bull!” I said sarcastically. By then we were pulling into the driveway.

“Why is it a crock of bull, Star?” Dad asked, looking cold.

“Because…because…I don’t know but it just seems like every principle I’ve been taught turns away from my life. Nothing really holds true for me!” I said, tears in my eyes, “The world is ending. I feel it in my blood. The animals are not flourishing as they used to. Everything is ending. Everything is going to sleep. The Earth is dying.” I looked outside at the bleak, cold landscape outside our small, cold Virginia home.
Mom sighed.

“Well, you know, maybe it is all coming to an end. Whatever will be will be!” Mom said, quoting an old song.

We all got out of the car and walked inside of the drab white house. I tossed my keys on the kitchen table and crawled onto my bed. Then I heard something pushed through the mail slot. I got up to check it, hoping for a letter. Instead, I found only one parce.  It was something from NASA. I was about to call my mom when I saw to whom it was addressed. The name on the envelope was mine. I read it over again. Yes, Star Arusta was the name imprinted upon the envelope. Why would NASA be sending me a letter? Why, they could not even know I exist. I slowly walked into the kitchen, and grabbed the letter opener. I sat down on my disk chair, my prized possession. Upon pulling out the letter, I read:

Miss Arusta:


A select group of young individuals has been chosen to live on a special space station where they can survive the events of the Niburu fly by. On December 21, 2012, there will be a polar shift that will cause unimaginable effects to the Earth. Twenty selected persons between the ages of 2 and 30 have been chosen to live upon a ship. These people alone will live through the effects of the flyby. These people are only the most talented people in the world; these people can make our new world complete. You, Star Arusta, are one of the people who have been chosen to leave your family and survive. Please remember, if you stay on Earth, you will not live. If we do not receive your response by telephone before 10:00 P.M tomorrow, we will renegotiate and get another person to fill the spot.


Sincerely,


General Peterson
Return tomorrow to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Goodbye Earth, pt. 1

Goodbye Earth
Page One

Thursday, December 10, 2012
I collapsed to the grass exhausted after the exercises at track.

“I am no track chick!” I panted to Jerri, who sat next to me likewisely bushed.

“Me either,” Jerri replied.

“I can’t tell that. You do hurdles so well,” I responded, smiling at Jerri. She rolled her eyes.

My teenaged coach sat up. “Okay girls, you can all go home now,” she said in her husky voice as her brawny boyfriend wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.

“Eww,” Jerri whispered.

“The sky looks like it is going to snow, maybe track will be called off tomorrow,” I said, looking up at the cloudy sky.
"That'll be a relief," sighed Jerri, standing up.
I lifted myself off the ground with a grunt and plucked up my bag.

“Bye!” I said to Jerri, noticing my family waiting on the bleachers.

“See you!” called Jerri, running across the field.

I walked back to my parents. My mother stood wrapped in blankets, looking chilly and tired.

“Let’s go home now!” she whispered, puffs of steam emanating from her mouth.

“Awww, Mom. It isn’t that cold,” I said, “I’m wearing a T-shirt”

“A cup of hot chocolate awaits me at home!” Mom murmured as we walked back to the car. Our rusty pickup shivered as Dad turned the key. Mom turned on the heater. I realized how cold I was and snuggled next to my sister, Peace. Peace pushed me away.

“Geez, it’s not like I want to be near you!” I exclaimed.

“Okay, okay. Just don’t act so lovey,”

“Umm…That wasn’t lovey.”

Peace sighed. “Whatever.”

I sat back in my seat, and tried to keep warm. Mom turned on the radio and out blasted the noise of a talk show. I heard the word apocalypse and turned my ears to the noise. At the words, “December 21 is the day! Prepare to see the Messiah!” my dad turned off the radio. Silence filled the car.

“Uh, what does that guy mean?” I asked quietly.

“Nothing, sweetie,” my mom said, “It’s just something people think is going to happen. It is just a silly rumor.”

“Well, Mom I think I should know about this!” I yelped.

“Well, people say that a planet will pass Earth on December 21, 2012 and cause cataclysmic occurrences. That probably won’t happen, though.”

Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com tomorrow for the next page of Goodbye Earth!

Just a Reminder!

Tomorrow I will begin posting my short story, Goodbye Earth. One page will be posted per day so that you, the reader, can enjoy this book in bite sized peices. The book will be complete in 18 days, continuing from Monday, January 11th, to Friday, January 29.
Goodbye Earth is a family-friendly tale about a 12 year old girl directly experiencing the end of the world. One cloudy December day, she finds out that she has been selected to be spared from the wraths of the Nibiru fly-by. In the few short days before she leaves her family, she realizes the deep values of family, friends, and life.
So, remember to keep watching Blue Pencil Diaries! Don't worry, if you miss a day, you can always check the blog archives on the sidebar ------>
Have a great Sunday!

Ramblings

I realized something last night that I think might help me with my writing. It's that I should write how I think. I imagine up glorious stories in my brain,  with fiery dialouge and thrilling events. The things that I write just don't have that pizazz! (At least not usually.)
Most of my family and I visited the grocery store yesterday.Most people, I imagine, find a trip to the grocery dull and uninteresting. I, on the other hand think of it as an adventurous way to watch people and think of what may be happening in their life. To watch strangers going about their lives has much scope for the imagination to wander and think up a long tale on their imagined lives.
Writing about this reminds me of a game my sister and I used to take part of very often as children. It was called "the Brothergame." We'd pretend to be people living in our imagined land-there were the towns of Honkersville, Babysville, and even Madysville. This game could occupy us for hours. Writing about Sally, Henry, Bob, Mary, Miss Violet, and many other characters was one of my favorite pastimes.
My younger sister created many drawings of the characters, and I struggled to draw things as well as she did, but she had  a gift even at 5 or so which enabled her to draw better than even children older than her.
A few years ago, I read about the Bronte sisters and discovered that they, too, made up their own world to write stories about. Perhaps this is the start of all creative minds- maybe someday I will have writing success such as the Bronte sisters!
Well I'm tired of this now so I'll go!

Welcome to Blue Pencil Diaries!

This blog's purpose is to exhibit my works so that others can enjoy my writings. I hope that anyone who wishes to will read my postings, which will vary but all show a main theme of writing. My first project will be to post 1 page of one of my short stories on this blog per day until the whole story has been posted. This will begin next Monday, January 11th,  so keep your eyes peeled!
Oh yah and about my name. I think the color blue symbolizes me fairly well, and then the pencil part-I use a pencil to write. Why is it diaries? Because I love writing diaries, of course!
Be the first to leave a comment on this entry and I'll give you a copy of Nothing But a Fire, my latest short. It's about a young girl struggling to hold onto hope, while the odds seem to all be against her. Her father is gone at war, and she now has to start 7th grade even though she's been homeschooled her whole life. When her freinds start rumoring about her father, it seems her world is turning upside down. Aprox. 20 pages long.
  Hurry! Time is running out! Leave a comment!