Attention, creative writers! Every month, Creative Corner hosts a contest for the highlighted writer of the month! Submit your writing to Creative Corner and you will be immediately entered to win a journal. Congratulations to last month's winner, JJ Norton! For those of you who would like to see someone other than the author of this page win the prize, then please submit your work here.
This month: JJ Norton
Below is 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.
March is the month of good luck and new beginnings. You might choose to write about:
Write a creative story about a good luck charm for St. Patrick's Day.
Write a mystical story from the point of view of your favorite spring flower.
Write about a favorite holiday memory.
Write a story featuring your favorite spring treat.
By JJ Norton
As Alexander leads us up the stairs to our rooms, I think over what Mary suggested. Maybe a storytime sleepover tonight wouldn’t be so bad. I wanted to escape after dinner, but I can try tomorrow. I don’t know when I will see them again, or even if I will. Tonight, I’ll just find the stables. A horse will be less suspicious and faster. Thinking of horses, I remember that horse from the forest the other day. It's been a few days, yet I wonder how he is doing. We reach our floor and I snap out of my thoughts, looking around while smiling. It's so beautiful and I get why so many girls wish to marry a prince. You get to live in a happily ever after fairytale. I just don’t want that for me. I want my quiet and peaceful cottage back.
One by one, we are shown to our rooms. I have the last room at the end of the hall. Mary is to my left and Jasy to my right. As I walk in and shut the door behind me, my jaw drops. The bed sits in the middle of the room with silk covers hanging around it. Two huge windows with doors stand near each side of the bed, leading out to a balcony that overlooks the garden in the courtyard. To the left side of the room is a walk-in closet, and to the right is a bathroom with a tub. This room has it all. I can’t get too attached to it, though.
An hour later, I step out of the bath and wrap a towel around myself. Okay, maybe I will enjoy myself while I am here, at least. I walk towards my trunk, which I dropped off earlier, before I was shown to my room. I stop and look at the half-open closet door. There is another door leading to a room with a desk, couch, and a small bookshelf. I see a note on the desk and walk over, grabbing it. It's addressed to me, so I take an opener and break the kingdom's seal.
Dear Lady Jayla,
As a welcome gift, we have selected nightgowns, morning dresses, evening dresses, and also a tea dress. A few ball dresses are being ordered and we will get you measured for them soon. Along with the outfits are jewelry, shoes, and makeup.
-King of Bevians
I set down the letter and walk to the closet. There they are-- all the things he promised. I know by the way he said it in the letter that he would prefer us to wear these clothes while we are here. This is stupid because I don’t want the attention. If I don’t wear them, then I will attract more attention, though. So I guess these stupid clothes are what I have to wear. I pick out a dark blue dress with a mini V-neck. I also grab matching white shoes to go with it. After slipping on a petticoat and underskirts, I slip the dress over my head. Sitting at the desk, I look in the mirror. I don’t look like myself. I see a small jewelry box by me and reach out towards it.
“Now presenting: Lady Jayla.”
I am announced as I walk into a large room with side tables and a huge dance floor. There is a small balcony with a table and fancy chairs. It overlooks the room. I know for sure that it is the Royals' table. The curtains covering the back suddenly move and my eyes lock onto a brown pair, making my breath catch. We stare at each other for only a second before I am patted on the shoulder and I look away.
“This way, M’lady,” a small voice says.
