Hey!  I'm writing

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Hey!  I'm writing

Hey!  I'm writing a new story about the Ancient Greek Underworld and a Greek girl (I don't know what I'll call her yet) who was enslaved by the Romans.  Right near the beginning of the story, she dies.  She explains about the Greek Afterlife and gets stuck between her newfound real father and the corrupt ghost of her old dad who she knew all her life.  Tell me what you think! If you want a snippet, just post a request and I'll reply as soon as I can. Laughing

submitted by Megan, age 13, Alagaesia
(November 29, 2008 - 10:22 pm)

Sure, I'd love to see a bit of the story. Sounds really cool!

Smile

submitted by Mai K., age 12, Milwaukee
(November 30, 2008 - 5:29 pm)

Sounds interesting!

submitted by Paige P., age 12, Gorham, Maine
(December 1, 2008 - 8:02 pm)

Hey! I just had a brilliant idea! What if you named her Narcissa?! You don't have to, of course, it's just an idea.

submitted by Brynne, age 13, A magic carpet
(December 3, 2008 - 9:47 pm)

Hey, Brynne.

I thought of that name, but I decided not to call her that because of the Narcissus myth. (You know, the one about the guy who is so full of himself that he dies of starvation because he can't stop looking at his reflection in the water?)  The names I've been considering are the 3 that follow:

Corinna- which means maiden

Elpis- meaning hope

Zoe- meaning life

I'm not saying that Narrcissa isn't a good name; as a matter of fact, it's totally beautiful. It's just that I don't want my main character named after an egotistical guy.

submitted by Megan, age 13, Alagaesia
(December 5, 2008 - 10:20 pm)

Good name choices! :):) I don't know if I'd choose Zoe, because it doesn't sound quite right for the time period, no offense to the Zoe's on this site. Laughing

submitted by Paige P., age 12, Gorham, Maine
(December 6, 2008 - 7:42 pm)

Hey, Paige,

Thanks for the compliment, but I have to correct you in the fact that Zoe is a Greek name.  I found all my names on a baby-naming site.  If you Google "Greek names," the link pops up.  I'm not trying to offend you; in fact, I'm not too sure about Zoe myself, because Zoe means life and the girl, well, the girl is dead. Again, don't think that I'm insulting you or being defensive, I'm just giving you my opinion.  I'm sorry, I inherited that trait from my mom (giving my knowledge even when it isn't wanted, that is).

To those waiting for the exerpt: please be paitent!  I tried to post it before, but it didn't come through.  I'm going to repost it after I finish this.

submitted by Megan, age 13, Alagaesia
(December 7, 2008 - 9:06 pm)

Oh!  Now that I think about it, Zoe does sound Greek.  Thanks for correcting me!  And, umm, don't worry about that trait, because I, hee hee, have it, too.......  All the eight-year-olds can tell you that....... :):):):):)

submitted by Paige P., age 12, Gorham, Maine
(December 8, 2008 - 7:20 pm)

I agree 100% about not using Zoe.  It's a really nice name, but not right for ancient Greece. 

submitted by Laura M., age 15, Santa Rosa, CA
(December 24, 2008 - 5:03 pm)

I think you should name her Elpis, because that seems more greeky.

submitted by Meadow, age 11, IL
(January 28, 2009 - 11:13 pm)

I would LOVE to see some of it!:):):)

submitted by Kimberly B, age 13!:):):), California
(December 31, 2008 - 12:12 pm)

First of all, sorry that I didn't get back sooner.  I've been pretty busy the past few days.  Secondly, this is only my rough draft.  Please give criticism on this.  I am very open to new ideas and helpful comments.  I love having people help make my writing better.  Well, here goes:

The door flew open.  A ghostly solider with a long, bushy beard and fierce eyebrows that framed his disdainful eyes stood in the entrance to my new home.  Though he did not cast a shadow, his presence darkened the feel of the room with an ominous sense of doom.  His dark eyes briskly glanced over the room before landed on my huddled form on the wooden floor, trembling with a newfound fear of this formidable ghost. 

The solider barked at me, "Are you________, the sole occupant of this household?"

I gave him a shaky nod.

"Good.  Lord Hades has requested your presence  in his throneroom.  Now.  You are to respond to his questions with a 'Lord Hades and speak respectfully.  Understood?"

The man did not wait for my response.

"Right then.  Follow me."

Then he marched me out of the door to what I was sure was my last sanctuary and hope for a normal life- or Afterlife, if you will.

 

My mind reeled for a possible answer to the curious behaviors I had encountered as of late.  First my death, then the crazy old man predicting that I would make a choice that would decide the outcome of the entire Underworld, my new home that was a replica of my old home before I had been enslaved, and now Lord Hades, King of the Underworld, wished for an audience with me, a lowly newly-deceased slave girl.  I mean, how messed up is that?  But the question that pulsed in my mind was this: What was the reason for these queer happenings?  Why would the judges of the dead be given orders that I was to go to the Elysian Fields?  Why had my luck seemingly turned around?  Why? Why?  Why?!?  I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. 

"Sir."  My voice was came out barely a whisper, a croak.  I cleared my throat (how does a spirit clear it's throat?)  and tried again.  "Sir."

If the guardsman heard, he showed no sign of it.

"Sir.  Mr. Guardsman-Solider-Person.  Why does Ha- I mean, Lord Hades wish to see me?"

"I wouldn't know.  I'm a solider, nothing more.  I don't meddle in the Lord's business."

"Oh.  Well, Mr.,"

"You may call me Primus." Primus said in a softer tone.  "I'm sorry, but we have no time.  Lord Hades insists that those who are important enough to meet with him must be punctual, as his time is precious.  Therefore, we have only enough time to get to the palace.  Again, I am sorry, but we have no time."

Primus led me through alleyways, across bridges built above creeks more silt and sorrow than water, and finally past the tormented figures of those poor sinners in Tartarus.  Tanatalus, Sisyphus, and many other wretched figures, doomed to enternal torment in order to pay for the sins of their mortal lives.  In my opinion, it seems slightly harsh to force a soul to be tied to a burning wheel that is then pushed of a hill that goes on for enternity. Just for the crimes of 40 or 50 years of life!  I was greatly relieved when we left those figures behind, but my relief was soon replaced with dread and fear of the unknown as the castle of Lord Hades loomed into my view.

 

submitted by Megan, age 13, Alagaesia
(December 5, 2008 - 11:04 pm)

If you do name her Zoe, maybe you could do the little -*Blanking* TNÖ-ey thing she soes on the O.(I can even make it, but what is the bleeping thing called?!?! AUGH!    *bangs head* *again...*

submitted by Willa C., age 12 5/4, HERE
(December 9, 2008 - 9:01 pm)

Willa, it's called an umlaut. ö

submitted by Old Cricket, age Old, The den
(December 9, 2008 - 11:35 pm)

umlaut  That's a funny word!     ö ö ö ö  They look funny, too!

submitted by Paige P., age 12, Gorham, Maine
(December 10, 2008 - 4:14 pm)

HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE THINGS??????

submitted by Pirocks
(March 15, 2009 - 12:58 pm)