Hi, I'm new...

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Hi, I'm new...

Hi, I'm new... I'm writing a story right now but it's kind of blah--I was wondering if anyone here could give me some pointers? Thanks!

Sometimes, on dark and cloudy days when the rain pours freely down the window and the wind whips the tall trees, I like to think back to that magical summer. I wonder about what would have, could have happened. All of us—Lily, Violet, and me, Rose, had a part to play and a story to tell. It all began with Violet. There is no room. No room to breathe, no room to sit. I am squeezed into one tiny corner of the car with Lily singing in one ear and Rose sighing in the other. This is not my idea of a summer vacation. We should be lying on the beach, swimming in the cool sea and sitting on the sun-warmed sand. Instead we are driving eight hours to Maine. I want to scream, “Why are we going to a place we’ve never been before? Why can’t we go to the same resort in Florida where we’ve always gone?” But I do not say these words as they rush in a torrent of frustration through my harried mind. I am the eldest; I must set a good example for the others. Oh, such meaningless words. Even though I feel about to burst with indignation, I resign myself to weary, silent protestation as the engine starts. We are going already.

I quickly throw my last t-shirt into the suitcase and run out the door. It’s officially the first day of summer! Well, maybe not officially according to the calendar, but still. For me, it can’t be summer while we’re still penned up in a classroom. I burst into the car and toss my suitcase on the floor. I can’t wait. In just eight hours we’ll be in Maine! I’ve never been to Maine before, but ever since Mom and Dad said we were going, I checked all the books on it out of the library. I’m so excited and happy I start to sing the song we’re doing for choir. It starts with a chant “Lai, lai, lai, lai..” Even though Rose and Violet frequently complain whenever I start to lai, now they don’t seem to mind. With a renewed burst of energy, I bounce up and down on my seat. “Lai, lai, lai.”

I try not to look out the window as we pull out of the drive. I still can’t believe that this is the last time for two months that I’ll see my beloved home. I try to remind myself this is a great adventure; the heroins in my treasured books always are packing up and heading out to the Great Unknown, constantly Expanding their Horizons. But it’s no use; I am just as far from the courageous and bold protagonists as a mouse. And mouse-like, I retreat silently behind a cover of literature. If only it were all over now, if only I was back at home or in the library. If only.

 

submitted by Wolfgang, age 13,
(March 27, 2009 - 7:02 am)

Wow! I do like it, but just one thing; it's kind of hard to tell who is speaking. But other than that, you have very good description! :):) Good job!

submitted by MaggIe S., age 13, St. Paul, MN :D
(March 27, 2009 - 1:32 pm)

Wow! That's very good; I like! it and welcome!Smile

submitted by Mai, age 12, Milwaukee
(March 27, 2009 - 9:50 pm)

Thanks!! I'll work on that.Laughing

submitted by Wolfgang, age 13
(March 28, 2009 - 1:48 am)

Wow, this is great!!! Like someone said (I think it was Lena??? Sorry...) it is a bit difficult to tell who's talking. But your description and everything is great!!!

PS: Why am I using multiple ??? and !!!? That's really weird. Sorry...

PPS: Why do I always finish with ... or multiple ??? or !!!?

PPPS: Grr...I'm doing it again!!!

PPPPS: NOOOOOOO!!!!....

PPPPPS: OK, I should stop talking now...

PPPPPPS: Koffee, shut it....

PPPPPPPS: Yeah, I need to stop this...

Ok, shutting up.

submitted by Koffee
(March 27, 2009 - 9:56 pm)

It was me who said that!

submitted by MaggIe S.`, age 13, St. Paul, MN :D
(March 29, 2009 - 5:32 pm)

Yeah, sorry. I saw that as soon as I posted! Oops...

submitted by Koffee
(March 31, 2009 - 9:13 pm)

Yeaah, I agree with Maggie, it's good but hard to tell who's speaking.

Why don't you do it like:

 Rose:

Sometimes, on dark and cloudy days when the rain
pours freely down the window and the wind whips the tall trees, I like
to think back to that magical summer. I wonder about what would have,
could have happened. All of us—Lily, Violet, and me, Rose, had a part
to play and a story to tell. It all began with Violet.
There
is no room. No room to breathe, no room to sit. I am squeezed into one
tiny corner of the car with Lily singing in one ear and Rose sighing in
the other. This is not my idea of a summer vacation. We should be lying
on the beach, swimming in the cool sea and sitting on the sun-warmed
sand. Instead we are driving eight hours to Maine. I want to scream,
“Why are we going to a place we’ve never been before? Why can’t we go
to the same resort in Florida where we’ve always gone?” But I do not
say these words as they rush in a torrent of frustration through my
harried mind. I am the eldest; I must set a good example for the
others. Oh, such meaningless words. Even though I feel about to burst
with indignation, I resign myself to weary, silent protestation as the
engine starts. We are going already.

 

Lily:

I quickly throw my last t-shirt into
the suitcase and run out the door. It’s officially the first day of
summer! Well, maybe not officially according to the calendar, but
still. For me, it can’t be summer while we’re still penned up in a
classroom. I burst into the car and toss my suitcase on the floor. I
can’t wait. In just eight hours we’ll be in Maine! I’ve never been to
Maine before, but ever since Mom and Dad said we were going, I checked
all the books on it out of the library. I’m so excited and happy I
start to sing the song we’re doing for choir. It starts with a chant
“Lai, lai, lai, lai..” Even though Rose and Violet frequently complain
whenever I start to lai, now they don’t seem to mind. With a renewed burst of energy, I bounce up and down on my seat.
“Lai, lai, lai.”

 

Violet:

I try not to look out the window as
we pull out of the drive. I still can’t believe that this is the last
time for two months that I’ll see my beloved home. I try to remind
myself this is a great adventure; the heroins in my treasured books
always are packing up and heading out to the Great Unknown, constantly
Expanding their Horizons. But it’s no use; I am just as far from the
courageous and bold protagonists as a mouse. And mouse-like, I retreat
silently behind a cover of literature. If only it were all over now, if
only I was back at home or in the library. If only.

 

Sorry about copying the story, but I promise I won't use it, or anything like that.

You should try doing it like that; it makes the transition from person-to-person a lot smoother/ but it's your story, and I can only make suggestions. It's up to you to decide whether you want to use it or not.

submitted by Jenni T, age 12, Nowhere
(March 28, 2009 - 4:50 am)

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense. :)

submitted by Wolfgang (Wolfie), age 13,
(March 29, 2009 - 2:16 am)

I think I might have gotten names mixed up tho.

submitted by Jenni T, age 12, Nowhere
(March 29, 2009 - 1:28 pm)

Oppsy! Forgot to say welcome! Welcome to the Chatterbox, Wolfgang! I love your unique name!

submitted by MaggIe S.`, age 13, St. Paul, MN :D
(March 29, 2009 - 5:33 pm)