BendtedWreath

Though I don't think he even meant to this time, as usual, @Lee Wilson thought outside the box with his prompt for this event. He gave us a warm tour of his place, on top of that! I feel like a welcomed guest.

The hundreds of individual items contained on each of those. Each one containing things I can use to find myself in other places, other worlds, other times. - For a moment I thought it was a book, then an entire encyclopedia. But the item was singular, so maybe a computer?? Yes, that's the one thing in this room that makes me the happiest. It can take me anywhere I want to go. I can lead others to new places with it. Anywhere and anything the imagination can visualize is possible with that one item. - A cellphone?? But, alas, it is not a room I can spend every minute of every day in. That would garner suspicion. - Ha! The folks that work from home would surely disagree. Unless you mean the kitchen, in which case, humans need to eat. I take time away to use my escape vehicle. I need that escape more and more every day, but I must avoid using it too much. Much like a drug, overuse is not a good thing and can lead to troubles. - Definitely sounds like a mobile device. Oh, the people I've met using it. Granted, they are not real, but I get attached to many of them regardless. - I object. I'm real, last I checked. (I say while patting myself down to check anyway) But there are real people that I can reach as well. As real as you or me. - Oh, I spoke too soon. Whew. I take it back. I will write until I am unable to. - DragonSpeak or other speech-to-text software will help when the arthritis hurts too much. The only downside is if you have company over, they might end up hearing a chapter of a mystery novel and would think you're plotting something! But yes, electronics and the place you call home definitely count as a favorite place during Summer. I think it worked out just well!

Much obliged! I want to read something of yours, too. Don't hesitate to ask around for others to help via beta-reading or editing (and even I can help provide another set of eyes, any time)! Though they may think they don't have much to offer, everyone on this site has so many different experiences and storytelling styles that their own personal take on the world is more than enough to help with any writing!

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!