BendtedWreath

Our ancestors (even those that lived in the same century) were really forced to mature faster than kids should. Every time I read stories from these time periods; I'm reminded of that. This was an amazing read that makes you think, because while this was a fictional idea of what may have happened, they were living, breathing humans once. Kids forced into situations and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's almost comforting to think that they may have had loved ones in the afterlife waiting for them.

😭Thank you so very, very much! I knew you were working on an entry, too, so I made sure not to disrupt your time. I can hardly wait to read yours, as well (I'm working my way down the whole list)!

Some of the best stories are based on role-playing games! As someone with a relatively unexciting life (I get up, I commute to work, I commute back, I eat, I sleep), there is still plenty I can draw from. Every day is a mixed bag of good moments, bad moments, and personal memories. I think it all starts with just picturing yourself in the shoes of the person the prompt is asking you to write about and how you would react in that situation, knowing that even that moment of the character's life is a mixed bag of good moments, bad moments, and their own personal memories.

I don't feel I really conveyed everything well but thank you for those very kind words! I wouldn't call it beautiful. I still have a ways to go to write anything to that degree. But thank you, nonetheless! I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm surprised I captured any of it at all, as I've never gone through something that heartbreaking. Thanks for your input! It does make sense that a couple that still loved one another would want to try again elsewhere. I hope they're doing well. The prompt did say to write something very uncomfortable, and a breakup was one of the examples. I thought about divorce and a couple that was once happy together, but I didn't think hard on the why they got to that point until @CassieQ @Thomas Wells and @LJCC gave me some guidance. This one really took a village! 😆

I can't believe my story was turned in first. 🤣

But you did it! I can't wait to read it!

I noticed that! I think it's because it's a chapter on an already chaptered story?

I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you could! We all use creative license, after all. I hope you participate with us next time.

The Mock Orange Shrub How had it come to this? Dalit wiped the beads of sweat that rolled down his forehead with a fancy kerchief pulled from his back pocket. At his feet lay a gently tied Japanese holly, its roots snugly wrapped in burlap as he prepared for another labor-intensive removal. That was the second shrub he uprooted that morning. His gaze drifted back to the eight remaining shrubs that lined the backyard, vibrant reminders of the last ten years of his life. A sharp t

Dalit's wife was welcome to the house. But as the one who planted and cared for their backyard shrubs, Dalit got to decide where they went—and that included the precious Mock Orange shrub they loved so much.

More stories to add to my list!

That's definitely on my reading list!

I'd have to learn how to play the drums. 😎

That gif was basically me when I saw the announcement. How is the cookie monster my spirit animal? 🤣

I don't know why I thought you were already a signature author, but whoever realized you were not deserves many kudos, as well! 😂 As everyone's been saying, this is more than well deserved. To me personally, you've been a shining beacon in this community in both your writing and involvement. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming from my very first days bumbling aroung the forums, and I appreciate them all. But, you are one of the few I would drop anything for, both to read your work and opinions/responses to everyone and everything...and for just about anything else. You have my most heartfelt congratulations, and this digital explosion of gold:

Confirmed that it's a very good read. 👍

@ChromedOutCortex Welcome to the forum!

Some campers get lost a little "In Too Deep" into the woods. But what resides deep within Rowan that is brought to light by his friend Ethan? Read on to find out!

Rowan Ash Willowbark - What a name! I am experiencing some name envy here, and he's a fictional character. His mother named him after the natural world, though he wasn’t fond of his initials. - RAW? Those are kickass initials! It depends on the context, but still! With a Caucasian mother and Native father, he didn’t fit well in either group. - Ah, yes. I understand that feeling well, half and half. We at least make a decent coffee creamer, don't we, Rowan buddy? His mother was one of the three teachers, growing and selling local ‘herbal’ remedies. - I have a family member just like this! I need to stop reacting to every single line. This is just the most personally relatable thing I've read so far. If you didn’t know it was there, finding it would take serious effort. They were off the grid, with limited electricity from a water turbine setup in the fast-moving stream down the valley. It was also their source of water. - That's my pipe dream home right there. Near a source of water. Off grid. Rowan ignored the people who called cryptozoology a pseudoscience. Strictly speaking, scientists have an issue with their accuracy track record. - Guy's got a point. Rowan was in the small library of the municipal building using the computer for research when the call came in for volunteers to help find three missing hikers. - Uh-oh! “I will make sure he’ll learn of the local peculiarities, Sheriff.” - LMAO! "Ethan, buddy...you might want to sit down. Ever heard of cryptoids?" The Sheriff handed Rowan a police radio, rangefinder, and handheld GPS. - Around here is when the Mission Impossible theme invaded my head. “Still looking for the unusual out here?”/Rowan returned the soft smile Ethan was giving him. “Yeah. It’s still a hobby of mine.” - Oh, nevermind. It looks like Ethan already knows about Rowan's cryptozoology. “We have lights at 2500 years north 20, from camp Seven.” - Oh, I found a typo. I'm sure you meant 'yards' here and not 'years.' “Grandmother tells me it is something I got from her lineage and would match my little friend’s needs. She could only be talking about you, but she would test my patience if I asked, so I did not.” - Grandma knew! “So when you returned a few minutes later looking frazzled, it wasn’t because you saw something that spooked you out in the woods, but because you became something that spooked you?” - That makes sense. -- Well, that was an intriguing read. I sure hope there's more to come.

That's beautiful. I really missed out on becoming one of your many friends, Carlos. I hope you realize, wherever you are, that you're still blazing a trail even after your passing. On behalf of everyone here that knew you and those that have yet to read your work and blogs, I thank you.

Spirits bemoaning spirits. This entry for the "In Too Deep" theme will raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

She was the only general manager he ever witnessed corner a district manager and explain how modern business jargon and tactics did not work in a redneck, backward town. It mystified him how a sweet and caring grandmother figure possessed a stern, spitfire energy. - Nice! The numerous times he named the moonlit receptacle the 'murder dumpster' suddenly possessed weight. - LMAO!! The man always had an issue with authority, especially management and police. - Yeah, I know a few people like that. Defying everyone and everything without any compromise, let alone sacrifice. God forbid! The ones I know are sure entertaining, though. "Dusty Coltharp," Aggie mumbled breathlessly. - Did Dusty become a Geist? No, pizza. Extra sauce and cheese. - Hear hear!

This is a more youthful take on the "In Too Deep" theme, but an entertaining one, nonetheless. Like others have mentioned, I also enjoyed catching up with the triplets.

“Bro, we need to get back at Jaden for what he did to Dustin./"DEFINITELY!” Oliver laughed. - Ha ha! True brothers right there. “B-but… your parents.”/“My dad is crazy. Ignore him. I want to spend my night with you.” - Go Autumn! The only thing I have to complain about is there isn't more. The writing's great, the characters are great...I'd just like to keep reading on when there's nothing more yet.

A set of preteen triplets are suddenly orphaned when their single mom passes away. Will they be able to accept their dad as he is? Read to find out.