Writing Challenge: Running

Marathon Month

How is marathon month going? Are you still at it? Keeping up? Hitting your wall? Haven’t really started yet? I was hoping to get A LOT done this month and things have been slower than I anticipated. Much slower. But that’s okay.

For today’s writing challenge, take a long hard look at #357 up there. If the MC in your WIP was in the same race, how would they be feeling right now? Would they be catching up to Mr. 357? Would they be ahead of him? Would they be panting after a few feet? Hitch a ride with someone?  Write a brief scene with your MC at a marathon. Play around with it. Think about why they’d be there; What would be the motivation? How would they prepare? Would they prepare? Who else would be there to cheer them on/compete with them?

Post your piece here and let’s see if in just one scene we can get an idea of the kind of person your MC is.

Fantastic Interview by Cherylynne Bago

Today I have in interview with the lovely Ginger, a 12 (and a half) year old who is in the sixth grade and has read over 300 books in the past two years.  As far as I’m concerned, this is our audience.  This is the reader we all dream of.  And so I wanted to know what she thought.

1. What is your favorite genre to read?  Why?

I love fantasy because it makes me feel like I can go anywhere and dream up anything without people telling me “no.”

2. Who are your top five favorite authors right now?

My favorites are Rick Riordan, Bree Despain, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare.

3. What is it that makes you decide to pick up a book? Is it the cover? The title? The description?

Well, it’s more like steps. If it has a cool cover and name I look at the description and then I read the book.

4. Can you tell in the first chapter whether or not you’re going to like the book?  What decides it for you?

Well, normally I’m very openminded about the first chapter because maybe you need to give it a chance and it will get better.

5. Is there anything that you often see in books that annoys you?

What annoys me is when by the fifth chapter it still has a slow pace or the chapters don’t make sense.

6. Are there any books that you absolutely refuse to read?

I absolutely refuse to read math books or political books. They drive me mad.

7. What kind of books do you think there is “room on the shelf” for?

I have no room on my bookshelves. I always try and find room somewhere. I love books and rarely ever turn them away.

If you want to know what else Ginger is reading, check out her blog at http://book-siren.blogspot.com/