Welcome to Week Three! Can you believe we’re at the halfway mark for the challenge?
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the third week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have aliens? Zombies? Maybe it’ll have a dragon in it! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Three Prompt – The Starting Sentence Prompt
Write a story that starts with the
following sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
Wait…what’s a “Starting Sentence” prompt?
A sentence prompt is a prompt that uses a particular sentence. It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must start with this sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Will you notice if someone is like 1-25 words over the 1000 word limit (asking for a friend hahaha)
what if i accidently posted my story as a comment last week lol? does it still count?
Hey Izzy and Ava,
If you accidentally post your story as a comment instead of an answer, you should get an email to alert you! It will still count for points for your team, but no one will be able to vote for it.
And, to answer your question for your friend 😉 As far as word count, for your story to count for the challenge, it does need to be 1,000 words or under. Great questions!
Peace
By Leah Criss (Team 1)
So this is what drowning feels like.
Peaceful. Tranquil. Like I can finally let go of everything I’ve been desperately trying to grasp.
Until now, I had plans. Plans A through Z and then some extra as a side bonus. None of them appeal to me now, nor did they help me avoid feeling stuck in my life, so maybe it’s time to try something completely new: I’m going to move on without knowing what is going to happen next.
Last Sunday, I had a strong urge to let go, trust God, and see where He leads. Deciding to act upon it made my drowning shift from a slow death of purpose to a new chance at living a meaningful life.
This morning, I look around at the cubicles as I stand outside the door to my manager’s office. The sound of keyboards with the slight fluorescent buzz of the overhead lights fills the main room as my colleagues work industriously trying to meet the mountains of deadlines we have from our clients. Memories rise to the surface as if I am in one of those movies where the main character relives moments from their life before they leave. I can see myself hand Anna a pink-wrapped gift for her first baby shower in the breakroom, and since that time, she’s had three children. By Ted’s office, I think back to the time a couple years ago when he was going through his divorce and some of us naively tried to cheer him up with a sunflower and chocolate, which tasted incredibly bitter because Kevin bought baking chocolate by mistake. In the reception area, I remember the time Sara’s boyfriend, now husband, convinced us all to decorate the office with flowers before he proposed to her in the center of a rose petal heart. Everywhere I looked, I could see an interaction I had with one or more of my colleagues that I have gotten to know over the past few years. We really have walked through life together.
Seeing these memories, I can’t help but ask myself if I am making the right decision. Suddenly, I don’t want to leave the community I’ve built here. It’s not too late to stop yourself from enacting your plan. A voice inside my mind whispers doubt while my heart urges me to take the risk.
Knocking on the door, I hear my manager say, “It’s open. Come on in.”
Taking a breath, I turn the knob and step inside. I refuse to turn back now. As soon as I enter, he tries to start the usual exchange. “How can I help -”
“I quit,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.
My manager stares at me and bursts into laughter. “I wish I could, too. But here we are. With the economy, none of us ever will. What are you really here for?”
I hand him an envelope with the letter.
“What’s this?”
“My letter of resignation.” I could have sent an email, but the letter felt right when I printed it earlier. An old fashioned method for a workplace with occasionally archaic practices.
His laughter dies as a look of shock replaces it. “You’re serious?” Horror eclipses the shock as he realizes I am serious. “Hold on. Maybe we can work something out? Is it our competitor Real Financial? I can talk to our HR office about getting a counter offer.”
I give a half-smile and shake my head. Tempting, but no. No counter-offer they could make would prevent me from taking this next step. For once, it’s not about money. A newfound confidence whose origins I couldn’t be sure of sweeps through me, solidifying my conviction that my choice is the right one. “Thank you for the offer, but no.” Feeling bad for him, I add, “Don’t worry. I am not working for Real Financial.” The relief on his face would be comical except I know how real the concern is for him after Jason left our team for their company last year.
My manager studies me. “What’s your next step? HR will want to conduct an exit interview.”
I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. “I’m not sure yet.”
He looks at me with an expression of pity mixed with condescension and derision. “Best of luck, Katie. If at the end of two weeks, you change your mind, I’m sure we can find a way for you to stay on.”
Walking out of the room, I know I made the right decision even as I close my eyes to take in the enormity of what I just did. Nothing. Just peace.
Soon, I would have to job hunt again. But first, I needed to finish the next two weeks and then spend some time figuring out where God is leading me.
The next couple weeks pass in a blur. Some of my colleagues cast admiring looks at my choice. Others whisper behind my back that I am being foolish, not unlike my parents when I told them what I did.
Nonetheless, at the end of the two weeks, much to my manager’s disappointment, I have not changed my mind. In fact, I feel more convinced than ever that this is the step God wants me to take.
When I step out of my office for the final time, I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. The job search will begin soon, and until then, I have time to pray and spend time with the Lord. I may have nowhere to go tomorrow, but I’m no longer drowning. Instead, the feeling of peace overwhelms me. This must be what it feels like to be alive.
Very cool story! There’s a lot of emotion, good visuals, and relatability that comes through the scene–and I like your take on the prompt! Great job!
Thanks for sharing, interesting take on the prompt. Sentence starters can be tricky!
Wait so if we like accidentally post our stories as a comment here, will it count or be ignored?