Calling all creative writers! This is a column run by Nathaniel Lee to inspire readers to write. The column includes writing prompts, pieces by the coordinators, and occasional submissions from readers.
This month: Short stories from Casey Leigh and Nathaniel Lee
Below are a set of prompts for different styles of writing beyond journalism. The idea is that you can create some kind of creative writing piece inspired by one of the prompts, but it doesn't have to be. You can submit any piece of writing you would like to share! All submissions should be school-appropriate. You can also suggest prompts to be featured in the next issue.
Here are some prompts to kinda get you started. They can be used for anything, though some specify poetry or short stories.
1. How to harvest grapes (in four convoluted steps) - from a reader. Whoever submitted this, sorry I didn't get it in last month's issue!
2. Write a poem where each line/sentence is about each day of last week
3. What does your favorite color taste like?
4. Write from the perspective of a sports ball.
5. Imagine you are from another planet, stuck on earth and longing for home.
If you have any prompt ideas in mind that you haven't seen on here yet or would like to see someone else respond to, drop them in the Google Form below and they will be listed in the next issue!
Lil knocked on the door to her house. Sky stood next to me in shock.
“Okay, my mum wasn’t expecting you guys, so just stay calm,” Lil said, not looking very calm. The door opened. A woman was standing there, her blond hair tied back in a ponytail. She wore a black t-shirt and jeans, and an apron dusted in flour.
“Lillian, who are they?” the woman asked.
“Mum, can we talk inside? It’s kinda urgent.” Lil pushed inside. The woman stepped aside and I pulled Sky in.
Lil turned to her mother, “So, I may or may not have killed another vampire.”
“Lillian! At least let me meet your friends. The girl looks shell-shocked.” the woman turned to me: “I’m Lillian’s mum, but you can call me Avery.” She led Sky into the kitchen and grabbed a cookie from the counter.
“Fresh out of the oven,” Avery said. Sky ate the cookie and seconds later fell asleep and Avery caught her.
“Lil, take her up to your room and put her in your bed. She needs rest,” Lil carried Sky upstairs and Avery turned to me, “So, how do you know my daughter?”
“I know her from school. We were following the other girl, Sky, on her date with this creepy guy. He turned out to be a vampire and Lil killed him.”
“Not killed. You can’t kill vampires with merely a wooden stake. You’d need more than that. Maybe some garlic. After the vampire turned to dust, you came here. Did the vampire leave anything behind?”
I pulled the tooth that I’d knocked out of Noah’s mouth out, “I kicked him in the mouth and knocked out a fang.”
Avery took it and inspected it, “It tore out some of the gums. I’ll check to see if this matches any other vampire remnants I’ve collected.” She walked over to the wall and pulled down on a light. The wall slid open, revealing a hole in the ground.
“Don’t worry about the fall. It’ll be fine. Just stay stiff and keep your arms at your sides.” Avery pulled me forward and I dropped down the hole. I did as she said and entered the water like a knife. I was about twenty feet deep and was freezing cold. I swam over to the edge and clambered out. A splash behind me told me that she’d come down too.
“What’s the water for?” I asked, shivering.
“It’s Holy Water. Vampire deterrent, but completely harmless to humans.” Another splash made us look to the water, where Lil was stroking toward us.
“I figured you’d be down here,” Lil said as she climbed out of the water. A gust of wind rushed through the large room, drying us off in moments.
Avery sat down in a large leather chair. “Allow me to explain. For the past thousand years, my family has been ‘vampire slayers’ and we’ve been hunting vampires. A wooden stake used to be enough, but recently they’ve gotten stronger. Normally in this scenario, I’d erase the events from your memory, but having an ally could help. Right now, it’s just me, and Lil when she steals my stuff.”
“I just got a vampire, mum!”
Avery ignored her. “And the other girl, who is she? Your sister?”
“She’s my cousin. The vampire showed up at school and she thought he was attractive.”
Avery laughed, “Classic! Make a girl fall in love with you, then drain her. Did he mention his name?”
“It was Noah…what was his last name?” Lil asked me.
“Palmer,” I replied.
“I don’t recognize the name, but he sounds like Julien,” Avery said. “I’ve fought him a few times. He’s bad, but not the worst. Anyways, enough small talk, are you willing to join us and become the first male Hunter?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Why not?”
I had no idea that I’d just set into motion events that couldn’t be stopped.
deer santa klauz, i wuz a gud girl this yeer, and i want lotz of toiz. pleez give me barbys and dolls. thanks yoo.
-sarah newman, age 5
Dear Santa Claus,
I know that I kinda messed up last week, but can I still be on the Nice List? Those boys were just making me mad. I learned some cursive this year, but it’s really hard, so I hope you can read my handwriting. I want a new bike, some books, and those sparkly pink shoes I like. Thank you.
-Sarah Newman, age 10
Dear Santa Claus,
This year I want a book, and a new phone. That’s all. Thanks.
-Sarah Newman, age 15
P.S. I know Santa isn’t real, I just wrote that because my little sister was telling me to.
Dear Santa Claus,
This year has been crap. My mom was fired from her job, and now she’s trying to find a new job. My dad finally stopped drinking, but now he’s starting again. If there’s anything you can do, please help.
-Sarah Newman, age 16
Dear Santa Claus,
That’s it. I’m done. A week ago my dad was drunk and drove his car into the river. Now that he’s gone, my mom has to work so much harder. I do my best, but I can’t. All I want this year is happiness. Just a little bit of joy, for once. I’m struggling in school, I’m depressed, please, all I want is happiness.
-Sarah Newman, age 17
Dear Santa Claus,
I know it’s been a long time since I wrote, but I hope you’ll read this anyway. Just about a month ago, my husband left, leaving me with two young children. Life has been tough, and I know I haven’t always been the best, but for the sake of my children, please help. Thank you.
-Sarah Newman, age 28
Dear Sarah Newman,
I’ve received and read every letter you’ve sent. When you stopped sending letters, I still kept tabs. When I got your letter, Mrs. Claus told me to write back. While I write this, she’s preparing your Christmas gift.
-Santa Claus
P.S. Check your front door on Christmas morning.
Dear Santa Claus,
THANK YOU! When I opened the door and found a bunch of food and wrapped presents waiting, I fell to my knees in tears. I needed help from one of my neighbors to bring it all in, and I invited him to spend Christmas with us. He’s single and said he was planning on celebrating alone. My kids came down and squealed with delight when they saw the presents under our tree. It was their first real Christmas. And the puppy concealed in the largest box was a real surprise, but pleasant. They named it Peppermint. I can’t say it enough. Thank you.
-Sarah Newman, age 28
Dear Santa Claus,
I’m happy again. I spent more time with my neighbor, and we got married in May. I can’t thank you enough. You have made my life better. Thank you.
-Sarah Newman, age 29
