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, chosen by Mrs Tyrrell: JJ Norton
This month: A book chapter from JJ Norton (See previous months for other chapters.)
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.
December is the month of coziness and celebration. I would love to hear some prompts about this time of year.
You might choose to write about:
Write a story about 2025.
Write something you want to do in 2026.
What is your favorite fantasy book published in 2025?
Tell me your favorite firework story.
No one really dares because of the punishments the kingdom gives out to those traitor acts. I have heard stories. I know if I show up and seem invisible, then running away will get easier the longer I last. I know they may remember me, but I doubt it. They never go for the village girls. We are here to show that we are treated ‘equal’. Everyone knows that's fake, but no one ever speaks up. Like a doll for a puppet show, for all the laughs.
“Jay?”
I look up at the familiar voice. I can’t believe my eyes at who stands before me in fine silk clothes. Her eyes are so bright and I will never forget that smile. My heart aches at just thinking about her: Adeline.
“Addy…?” I slowly stand from my spot. Both Mary and Jay watch with interest. Her hair the color of autumn leaves, and those green eyes. Adeline has two girls behind her and the sage color of her dress catches my eyes. She looks wonderful, and so beautiful. Why is she here?
“Addy, why are you here?” I say, my hands crossed in front of me, fidgeting with my dress.
Her eyes look away to the other girls behind me and she frowns. “ I am here just the same as you. I was picked in my town.”
Her friends look away from me in disgust. I flinch back, knowing what they think of me but, right now, all I care about is Adeline. Nodding, I look her in the eyes and I look away quickly, remembering our past relationship. Adeline’s eyes soften and she understands what's on my mind.
She moves to reach out her hand, stopping at the look of the others. “ I see you have friends from your town.”
I look at the other two now, taking in details of the red dress girl and her companion with a navy dress. “Georgia is the red dress and Amelia is the navy dress.” I nod going back to my seat and making new friends. I see them go to the other girls and chatter together.
As the rest arrive and two more girls join us, I already forget their names. I mean, is it even important? I don’t plan to stick around for that long.
As everyone arrives and calms down, a butler comes. He bows and says hello to us. “My name is Alexander. I am your butler for this house and will be here for all your needs.”
I smile and am about to say thank you when Georgia snickers. “Am I going to wait till I’m half asleep for you to show me to my room? I mean pick up the pace, you lazy servant.”
Her friends giggle and nod with her. I look at Adeline, but she won’t make eye contact with me.
“Yes M’lady, I will take five at a time for each floor. You will all have your own room and there will be five bedrooms with attached bathrooms for each floor.” I nod and stay seated, knowing I will be last with those girls being snappy.
“Jay?” Mary's voice makes me turn to her, sitting close to me. “What's up with you and Adeline?” Her face seems concerned but curious. The other three in our group nod, wondering, too.
I look towards Adeline. “We were old friends. Well, maybe we still are. I am not sure how her group will treat us.”
As five girls from her group leave, Adeline looks back at me. We made eye contact and she looked surprised that I was already looking at her. “Just old friends? You sure? I see the way you guys look at each other from where I sit.”
I look away from her as Jasy speaks now. I hesitate, not sure how much I should tell them. “It's a long story, with very little time to tell,” I say and Alexander comes back for the rest of the impatient girls. Mary and Jay look at each other, then at me.
“What?” I say and stand up to stretch.
“Sleepover? We are definitely going to be on the same floor and top one at that, too,” Mary says, standing up with me. And the rest of the girls follow.
