Category Archives: Creative Writing

Tribute to Altria, Goddess of the Great Sea

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My name is Zemis. I am the Chieftess of the Tribe of Sea. We worship the gods and goddesses of the Great Sea. Those gods and goddesses are Lord Nautilus, god of Sea creatures, Lady Altria goddess of the Great Sea, Lady Tamor goddess of Sunken Ships, Lady Lirel goddess of Water, Lady Esther, goddess of the said to be Mythical sea creatures called the Umbrae, and Lord Rlira, husband of Lady Altria and god of the Great Sea. All said to live near Blue Bay, where the Tribe of Sea resides. Lately the goddess of the sea, Altria, has been restless. We hope that if we give her a tribute, then she will become calm. If that does not work, we will give her a handcrafted trident, embedded with gems. It’s good to have a back-up plan right?

~*~

Our tribute is our finest fruits, a chest full of jewels and silk, enchanted armor and weapons, as well as a volunteer, Iris, to protect Altria when she herself cannot. If something goes wrong, hopefully the trident will tide Altria over. The trident has been in my family for centuries. Adorned in diamonds, emeralds, and amethyst. My messenger, Lilly, sent this letter to Lady Altria and Lord Shyros.  

Lady Altria and Lord Shyros,

I, Zemis, Chieftess of the Tribe of the Great Sea, request your presence in Blue Bay for a Tribute Ceremony. 

Jewels, silk, our finest fruits, and a guard, Iris, volunteered to be given as well.  I hope you will come.

Timok,

Zemis

Hopefully they will come. We need to be able to receive and send out ships. Tsunamis are very dangerous. After the letter is sent, I wait patiently for Lady Altria and Lord Shyros to arrive. If they even come. Suddenly, a loud ringing sounds throughout the Capitol of the Great Sea. The bell for when an imperial being arrives. Imperial beings are gods and goddesses. 

“MS. ZAMOE!” Yelled a new trainee as Guard of the Bell. Whose name I think is Tarlock.

 “Dear, it’s Zemis,” I replied. Tarlock blushes profusely. “Sorry miss,” He says apologetically. 

“It’s quite alright,” I reassure him with a warm smile, “No harm done.”

 He nods in thanks. “I came to inform you that Lady Altria and Lord Shyros have arrived,” He says. 

I smile again. “Thank you for informing me,” I tell him. 

 I then run up to my room to change. I change into a white dress that goes up to my knees with flared out sleeves. Then slip on some black boots with heels and I leave down to the harbor. Everything is set up perfectly thanks to my sister, Evumeimei, but everyone calls her Mei or MeiMei. I bow down low to Altria and Shyros.

 “What is this? We were promised something grand,” Altria spoke. Was what was in front of her not grand? 

~*~

I sighed. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. 

“In the letter I informed you of jewels, silk, and fruits, your imperial beings,” I tell them.

 “No, this is not acceptable,” Shyros grits out, as if our very presence ails him.

 “If this is not acceptable to you, I have another offering,” I inform.

“Oh?” Altria asks, intrigued. 

I nod. Then gesture to MeiMei to bring the trident. Once she hands it to me, I kneel and present it.

“The Trident of Prosperity, passed down in my family for eons. I offer it to you, Lady Altria and Lord Shyros,” I solemnly say. 

Altria raises an eyebrow. “The Trident is powerful, the aura of magic is strong. Thank you, Zemis. We will treasure this tribute and the Great Sea will return to calm,” She says.

I bow. “Thank you, Lady Altria, Lord Shyros,” I say. 

I had hoped silks, jewels, and fruits would be enough to satisfy them but the Trident did. Like I said, it’s always good to have a backup plan. 

The Forest- A Short Story

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I was 10 years old when I got lost in the forest. My brother, George, and I were at the park after school running around with the other kids we met that day. I was it and I was chasing one of the other girls in the group, I don’t quite remember her name but I’m pretty sure it was Jade. Anyways, I was chasing her and she kept on running without looking back.

The park we were at was surrounded by forest with not a single house in sight. Usually, we would run until the trees and turn around, risking getting tagged but at least we wouldn’t be lost in the woods. Instead of turning around like Jade was supposed to, she kept running. I tried to tell her, “Jade! Turn back we’re gonna get lost!” but she kept on running. I was getting tired and the sun was going down so it was our signal for George and me to get home.

When I stopped running, I looked around to see if Jade might’ve stopped too, but she was nowhere to be seen. I felt a sense of panic come across me as I loudly yelled her name hoping I would hear a response. Silence. I realized that not only had I lost Jade, but I was lost too. The logical thing for 10-year-old me to do was turn back and try to trace my steps but instead, I kept walking. Still panicked, I kept looking around with the very little sunlight I had left. I knew there was no way anyone was going to be able to find me so I lost hope in trying to call for help. If I found Jade then at least we could survive the night together.

Many urban legends go along with this forest since it’s the biggest one in our state. It’s said that there is an old man who lives in the center of the forest and traps people who are lost. I know better and I choose not to believe the lies but a part of me always wonders “what if?”.

As the sun goes down and the moon shows its face, it’s getting colder and colder and I’m only dressed in a bright pink t-shirt and leggings. The deeper I go into the forest, the more I cry out for her name “Jade! Can you hear me?”. All of a sudden I hear a crunch, assuming it’s my foot stepping onto a branch, I carry on without a second thought. By this point, it’s at least 2 in the morning and I’m starting to get dizzy and I can hear my stomach growling.

Listening to hints as to where Jade might be, all I hear are owl hoots and the leaves of the trees rustling. I turn the corner and all of a sudden I see a figure moving. I thought it was my vision tricking me since I left my glasses at home and was kind of blind at the moment. That also could be why I lost Jade, I couldn’t see her from the beginning.

As more time passes, I stumble upon a shed, I think ” Oh no maybe the legend is true”, but since I was already headed for disaster I opened the door . When the door was opened, I felt a sense of relief. I guess I won the game, I found her huddled next to a fire, shivering. I slowly walked over trying not to scare her. I whisper to her, “Jade? Are you ok?” She was startled but when she realized it was me, she burst into tears. Sobbing she said, “Julie! I’m so happy it’s you. I thought I was going to die here alone”. I hugged her and asked her to explain everything that happened while I was lost in the forest. Although we were both starving and exhausted, the sky was slowly getting brighter and I knew everything was going to be alright. 

7 Worldbuilding Element Ideas

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Whether you want to write a story, draw some art, make a game, and more: worldbuilding is the core of your creative energy. But where to begin? Here are seven ideas to inspire you on your journey!

  • Urban Fantasy

Using the best of both worlds, in a setting like this you can have a character who texts and performs alchemy, who goes to college and also goes on quests. The possibilities are endless!

  • Floating Islands

Need I say more? The land of this world is locked in a stagnant, floating position above the ground. Cities are connected by bridges. The ground world is overrun with poisonous flora and fauna. Will anyone ever leave?

  • Timezones…Literally

In different parts of the world, time moves slower and/or faster compared to other regions. Going on a week-long vacation in one region can mean a 2-year disappearance in the other…

  • Dragons with Different Hoards

In most fantasy worlds, dragons hoard gold and treasure fiercely, fighting off intruders who come to invade. But what if they guarded other things: a library of books, a garden of precious fruits?

  • Gravity Seasons

As our weather patterns change over each year this world’s gravity changes. It may become more or less intense, or even switch directions…?

  • Energy Parasites

Taking the form of a firefly, these sap the energy from people, causing them to become increasingly demotivated, tired, and pliant. Hopefully, the characters notice before it’s too late…

  • Raft Cities

In this world, a flood spilled over the land thousands of years ago. From the materials of the plants and animals who have adapted to this water world, the humans of today survive on rafts floating on the endless waves. They are no longer the apex predators: what is beneath the surface is far more powerful…

Hopefully one of these inspired you to create your own fantasy or sci-fi world!

Next Year Jitters

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Whether you’re going into high school, Junior year, or Senior year, then obviously it’s going to be scary. As a sophomore who is going into Junior year, there are so many nerves that are just happening all at once. Especially now that you have to try harder in your academics for potential colleges and careers. One thing I’m glad I know though is that I’m not going through this whole feeling alone, so it gives me that sense of comfort. I asked a lot of my friends these questions about what they’re going to be doing for their classes next year and every response I get makes it seem like they have it all figured out, which I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous of.

It’s not that I know what I’m walking into next year in terms of academic courses, but it also runs down to the fact of how I’m going to handle it. One thing I tend to notice about myself is that I don’t know how to handle pressure, which is a skill I desperately need to work on, but at the same time, how does that benefit me for next year? Because I know that this year (or whatever grade you’re in now) determines a good portion of your life. I know everyone has their way of coping with certain situations, but there would also be a lot of doubt when I feel the walls closing in. Maybe it’s because of fight or flight reaction..?

I know a lot of schools right now are getting out for the summer right now, but thinking about next year kind of makes you think in a new light. How everything in your school career has gone into this very moment of now. Moving into the next grade and all that good stuff, embracing new and old peers, learning new subjects, it all seems a bit surreal. I could probably just be ranting here but the whole moving up to another level of school is very dawning, it just occurred to me that I’m entering junior year next year and mentally, I am not ready in the slightest.

But, I also think about the new things I will be enduring too, because high school is an experience that you can experiment with both the good and the bad at the same time, so it gives that good reflection too! I would say I’ve enjoyed these past two years so far, and it’s also nice to know that I’m in the same boat with a lot of people too. It’s sad but true, school does get harder as you go, but the only way we can actually persevere through the trials and tribulations is just to dive in head first and put in the work to make it all worth it.

FREE Writing Workshop

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Have you ever had to write a short bio about yourself? If you haven’t yet, you will!

Join us this Saturday at 1 pm for a free writing workshop led by local author and editor Cassandra Rendon. Learn how to craft an informative and compelling bio that you can use on social media and elsewhere.

If you can’t attend this Saturday, the workshop will be held again on Friday, March 29 at 5:30 pm. Hope to see you there!

Water- The Key to Our Futures

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As the famous French proverb goes, “We never know the worth of water until the well runs dry.”

In the 21st century, there is not a single thing that we take more for granted than a sip of water. After all, it’s always there for us: we take our flasks with us to school or work, enjoy cups upon cups while at home, and if we ever get thirsty during the night, a soothing glass of water is only a kitchen’s walk away.

Scientists say that humans are 70% water, but water is 100% essential to human life. But if water is so essential, then why is it so hard to come by in some areas? The reality is that clean, drinkable water is still a luxury to many, especially in the continent of Africa. For you it is just a kitchen’s walk away, but for many it is an arduous, several mile long journey.

Many children have forgone their education due to a lack of access to clean water, which has resulted in them falling ill and being bedridden while they should be at school. This perpetuates a cycle of sickness and poverty that actively works against sustainable development across the globe, stagnating the progress of these third-world nations. And while we may like to think that this issue does not affect us, that we live too far-removed from the most underprivileged countries that we cannot be gripped by the issue of clean water insecurity, I would like to remind you that over 2 million Americans do not have access to clean drinking water. This number, when averaged out with the rest of the world, amounts to 1 in 4 people not having the basic right to quench their thirst and nurture their bodies as every human should.

Water is further essential in that it grants people dignity, allowing them to be clean and present their best themselves in a dignified manner. I refuse to live in a world where something as simple as water can stand in the way of people’s futures, which is why we must take action to provide clean, drinkable, accessible water to every person on this planet. Every mother and son, every father and daughter, every grandparent and grandchild, every professor and student, every aspiring engineer and passion-driven child who dreams of a future that is not crippled by a lack of water needs our help to give them the opportunity of life they deserve. It is time to make waves in the lives of countless people, and it is time to give them the water that they deserve.  -Forrest F.

Hugo’s Thanksgiving – A Short Story

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They say you are what you want. This became true for 12-year-old Hugo Stevens as he became addicted to eating mashed potatoes. The addiction began Thanksgiving Day at 4:17 pm on November 25, 2022. Hugo’s Uncle Aleck (who lived with him) was allergic to potatoes. However, he did not attend Thanksgiving Dinner and stayed in his guest house, as he was suffering from a hemorrhoid. 

The doorbell rang, and Hugo opened the door to his new cousin, Willa, who recently married into the family. In her hands was a large pot filled with mashed potatoes. Willa carefully lifted the lid and showed him the dish that he made. A savory, buttery scent wafted into the air, and Hugo’s mouth watered. Unable to have self-control, he stuck his finger into the mixture and promptly licked it. “HUGO,” Willa said as she scolded him. Before she could say anything else, Hugo took the pot out of her hands, grabbed a spoon, and started devouring it. Willa and Hugo’s other family members gasped and began shouting at him. His mom reached over to grab the pot, but Hugo turned the other way. Eventually, Hugo’s dad commandeered the pot of mashed potatoes and sent him to his room.

Hugo lay on his bed and sighed. I want more mashed potatoes, he thought. Suddenly, he heard a tap on his window. Hugo recoiled at the noise and slowly approached his window. An old woman stared into his eyes, and Hugo yelped. He started to back out of his room, but she held a pot with mashed potatoes and smiled, pointing to the pot. Immediately, Hugo opened his window, thanked the woman, and grabbed the mashed potatoes. She hobbled away, and Hugo began to dig into the pot.

5 minutes later

Hugo scrapped the last bits of the potatoes from the pot and sighed in satisfaction. As he slowly walked to his bed, he felt a popping sensation on the surface of his skin. Mashed potatoes oozed out of his skin, and Hugo yelled and ran out of his room to the dining hall. Everybody screamed when they saw Hugo. Curiously enough, Uncle Aleck decided to pop in for a visit. Uncle Aleck dropped to the floor at the mere sight of mashed potatoes. Hugo’s parents, cousins, and grandparents rushed to the floor. During all of the commotion, Hugo tripped on the floor rug. The mashed potatoes from his body flicked and fell on Uncle Aleck’s leg, which grew swollen. Uncle Aleck’s breathing grew shallow, and the light in his eyes dimmed as he breathed his last breath.

Eventually, the mashed potatoes embedded in Hugo’s skin went away, and he lived the rest of his life in a rehabilitation center that attempted to end his potato addiction.

THE END.

When does it end

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Have you ever told yourself this will be your last time? Only for it to be just the beginning. The beginning of your new addiction.

For some, it be hard to imagine. Others not so much. Addictions can and will come in all different forms, and shapes. Along with various problems. It’s something that will continue to straggle behind you throughout life. Unknowingly or knowingly. Acknowledging the issue is our first step to moving on. Then what. Action. Then you are cured! That’s what it looks like on the outside. Who knows what’s right! In your situation, the people you’re surrounded with may have no idea you’re even struggling to begin with! What does one do then? Some may suggest reaching out for support! Or going to therapy right? Because therapy can heal you. For some. My truth is it doesn’t. Well if therapy cured someone else then it’s bound to work for you as well too right? I wish. I wish I could fix the shattered pieces that seemed to puzzle me. I want to find what I’ve been searching for all these years. I do believe one thing. Finding some sort of purpose. While struggling against an addiction all on your own it will drain the life out of you. There’s no way to sugarcoat that.

It can and most likely will be scary to slowly stray away from your addiction. You know what I found fascinating is how people are addicted to the feeling of sadness. Some find comfort. It’s so much more than sadness. We find comfort in our addiction! That’s why we do what we do. It’s the last thing (or things) that we resort to that “fill” our emptiness. It’s like watering a seed. You only have one chance to help this seed grow. You can give it the love, support, and nutrition it needs. Or you can simply leave it alone and ignore the issues this seed faces throughout life. It comes to the point where you stop realizing about the things you do and the way you influence yourself is the problem. It’s like you can no longer see the reflection you wish to seek. Your mind is past your body. As if you’re no longer there. You are just sitting back and watching a life that was once yours.

Don’t be spiteful. I am not stating “addictions can’t be beaten”. There is one thing you must realize. You don’t always FULLY overcome your problems. Many of us just replace one with another.

What we do need to realize is that eventually our time will come.

The Spot – A Short Story

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 “You’re fired,” my boss for the past 2 years says.

Those words made my gut tumble into a knot for so long it felt like years had passed.

“W-What?” I stammer out.

“You heard me, Clay, you’re fired. You come in late every day, you fall asleep at your desk, you never finish your work on time, and you enter some sort of trance that lasts for almost the entire day. You no longer benefit our company. We can’t have someone that daydreams all day working for such a huge business. Pack your things,” my now ex-boss, Walter says.

Without responding, I tread to my poorly decorated cubicle. The only thing on the walls is a photo of my mother and me when I graduated high school. I smile before quickly putting a straight face back on when I realize my current situation. I have no job.

How am I going to take care of myself? How will I afford a bag of food for my cat? How will I pay my rent?

Although I live in Florida, the rent here still isn’t cheap; especially since I live alone. I have no financial help from anyone but myself.

As I gather my very few things into a box, I remember the important meeting I was supposed to have today. I guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore.

After I gather a small box filled with all my belongings, I say goodbye in my head and walk to the elevator. As I go down to the lobby, my mind goes blank. What just happened? My parents are going to be so disappointed in me.

Since I live right down the street to my office, I walk home. I think about what I will do to make sure I can pay my rent. Do I get a roommate? Do I move back home?

After about 5 minutes, I get to my apartment. I turn the key, unlocking the door, and my cat, Patches, comes up to me; she rubs her face against my leg. I can feel her purring as she brushes up against me.

Ever since I moved to this apartment a few years ago, there is this one spot on the roof I just love sitting at. I can just chill and sometimes I take Patches with me too. My phone buzzes with a text from my best friend, George.

It’s a photo of him and his cat. I smile and send a selfie back.

I change into some sweatpants and a hoodie, pick up Patches, and head up to the roof. During the winter in New York, it can get pretty cold. I brought Patches a blanket as well.

As I walk up, I hear my phone begin to ring in my pocket. I take it out and look at the screen. The caller ID says George.

I give myself a confused look, wondering why he would be calling me at this hour. He lives in England, so usually, he would be asleep around this time.

I decide to decline the call, not wanting to go on my phone. But, before I press decline, I hear the sound of a phone ringing. A different phone.

I walk over to my usual spot and see a boy sitting there. It’s a cloudy day and I can’t really make out a face.

He stands up and walks closer to me. I become slightly frightened, unsure of who the strange man is.

On his third step over to me I recognize the face. I could find that face in a crowd of one hundred people. I could recognize him in a mosh-pit at a concert. It’s George.

“George?!” I question, slightly excited, but mostly shocked.

“Surprise?” he says.

10 Tips to End Your Writer’s Block For Good!

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These tips have helped me get out of writer’s block and start writing again, and I hope they’ll do the same for you. If you need help, try following some of these suggestions:.

  1. Take breaks: Sometimes, the best way to overcome writer’s block is to step away from your writing and do something else entirely. Walk your dog, watch a movie, play with your cat, or read a book.
  2. Change your environment: If you feel stuck, try changing your writing environment. Move to a different room, go to a park or a coffee shop, or simply switch up your sitting position.
  3. Free-write: Set a timer for a specific time and write whatever comes to mind. This can help get your creative juices flowing and overcome any blockages.
  4. Brainstorm with a friend: Talking to someone about your writing can help generate new ideas and spark inspiration.
  5. Write a different part of your story: If you’re having trouble with one particular section, try writing another aspect of your novel or story.
  6. Use prompts: Try writing prompts to get your creative mind working again. These can be found online or in writing prompts books.
  7. Try a new genre or style: Experimenting with new forms of writing can help you get out of your comfort zone and find new inspiration.
  8. Keep a journal: Writing in a journal can help you reflect on your life and experiences, providing a wealth of material for your writing.
  9. Reading other authors’ work can help you get new ideas and improve your writing skills.
  10. Reward yourself: Lastly, it’s essential to recognize and reward yourself for making progress. Make sure you celebrate your accomplishments with a treat or a relaxing activity.

If you struggle with writer’s block, don’t worry – you’re not the only one. Writer’s block is a common problem that can occur at any time. However, the tips above should help you start writing again and maybe even wholly eliminate “writer’s block.”

Bella H.