YYY

4 reads

My hero

As my world burned he came. Angelic in feature, unscathed and unharmed by the flame. He looked at me, our eyes met he winked Than flew away. "oh come on", I yelled "not again..."

Challenge

In 15 words, capture a recurring moment in your life.

Happy, sad, funny, mundane, frightening. Anything goes.

YYY in Stream of Consciousness

15 reads

Writers block

Pen in hand,

Staring at the paper

Anxiety doubt,

No words amount

Close the page,

Dawn brings a new day

Challenge

National Haiku Day was April 17th ... the object of course - write a Haiku!

A Haiku is usually about nature and beauty as well as all things natural -- It is three lines long and the syllables run as such 5 - 7 - 5 ... give this your best shot and be sure to tag me in the comment box as @Danceinsilence, otherwise I may end up missing a good read. I have shortened the normal deadline of 30 days to 14. There will be a Haiku Sensei Award.

YYY in Haiku

22 reads

Hail the fridge

Haikus are easy

But sometimes they make no sense

Refrigerator

making the word count count

47 reads

A Harmony of Sound and Silence

Dawn comes bells are rung

alarms sound chirping abound

wind cascades childen play

the bustle of another busy day.

streets sun-lit, laughter and glit

young lovers hopes and dreams

the day ends moon descends

The air is filled with

Silence

A star filled sky

day gone by souls ascend

young love found now hidden.

streets lamp-lit strength and grit

the harmony of a somber evening

winds abate, children asleep.

stillness abound a silent sound

Dawn comes bells are rung

Challenge

What has reading taught you about navigating the world? What is one story that has most impacted your worldview or way you move through life?

Bestselling author George Saunders will read and critique 25 pages of his favorite entrant's work, which will also be promoted on Random House's social media and newsletter.

YYY

19 reads

Shadows Under The Sun

I have ridden on the wings of dragons, destroyed armies, and loved princesses. I have experienced crushing loss and deep despair. I have loved many women, lived a multitude of lives, and been called many names. All this I have achieved, and my journey has only just begun.

A story allows you to be someone else. Watch his life flow, witness his hopes and dreams play out as he toils and sweats before you. You see him at his best and worst, you watch him succeed and fail, with the aim to learn from that man’s tale.

A story that has impacted me greatly is the Count of Monte Cristo.

I witnessed the sudden and crushing destruction of Edmond Dantès’ life. I stood beside him horrified when we heard the judge’s verdict, and I labored with him in prison digging to make our escape.

I found the treasure of Monte Cristo with glee, and immediately began plotting our revenge. I watched the young Maximilian Morrel strut about in his naïve youth and sought to teach him the painful lessons that were seared upon me.

With Edmund Dantes I’ve learned the harsh truth that everything in life is relative, and if one wants to experience the greatest of joys, they first need to experience the worst of defeats.

Dostoevsky has taught me a great deal about the human spirit.

In his crime and punishment, I stood beside Rodion Raskolnikov as he murdered Alyona. I watched Rodin fall apart as his perfect crime slowly unwound. His brilliant mind too clever for the police but alas no match for his withered soul.

Dostoevsky gave me insight into why it is people feel the need to make themselves suffer. Through the suffering of Rodion, Semyon Marmeladov, and other immortal characters I have received much insight into my own life.

I have lived many lives and been called many names,

This is some of the bounty I have received from the written word.

Challenge

Tell an emotional story in under fifteen words

Keep it clean.

YYY

19 reads

those who wait

Silently waiting, he answered the phone.

His son was alive

Now he was to.

Challenge

Opening Sentence

You know how they say the first few lines of a novel or short story are the most important ones, as they should grab the reader's attention? Well, here is a challenge for you: share with us no more than 3 sentences of your either already existing or soon to be written novel/short story, and let us guess the plot. The most impactful one will be crowned the winner. (Please no more than 3 sentences & remember to have fun!)

YYY in Fiction

10 reads

those who lived

After pain comes bliss and after screams silence. he could hear it, a silence so sharp it hurt. A soldier saluted him, He just nodded in acknowledgment. He walked through the city alone, a living thing in a giant corpse.