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!
Team 1 Reepicheep!
Waves
So this is what drowning feels like. Dylan stood on the edge of the churning ocean. The rain was pouring down in torrents, obscuring his tears.
He gasped for air through heavy lungs, his emotions threatening to suffocate him. Dylan bit his tongue, holding back a scream.
The one thing he had promised would never happen had, and he was left falling. The image of Lynn slipping from him and into death was forever burned into his memory.
Guilt and pain clouded his vision and he was stuck repeating the same questions over and over in his head. Why? Why me? Why now? It was as if a hurricane or a tsunami had come through and wrecked his life.
He and Lynn had been diving when her air tank sprung a leak. They were deep and there was no time. All he could do was watch as the love of his life drowned. The panic in her eyes hurt him more than anything in the world could.
Then the lifeguard was there tearing him away from her as a strong undertow sucked her under. He watched as she sank, her hair drifting like a sea flower. The beauty of the ocean turned to decay as it took away his love.
So here he stood at the sea, hating the greedy waves that lapped at the shore. Hating how those waves were eating up his life.
A wave of pain washed over his broken heart, he cried out in pain from its salty touch. The sky cried with him as he fell to his knees in the sand. I am so sorry Lynn. if only I could change what happened. Why can I never keep my promises?
He drove his fist into the ground, sand spraying everywhere. His hurt turned to anger as he pumelled the sand, wishing that he could bring her back. Why not me? Why did it have to be you, Lynn?
His eyes cried waterfalls until there was nothing left in his well. Dylan stood and turned his back on the sea.
He started to walk away but another wave washed over his shattered soul. He turned and yelled across the ocean.
“Give her back! If you can’t give back her life, at least give her back to me!”
In no way did he expect the ocean to respond. But by some trick, the ocean brought her body back. Its waves gently rolled her until she was at his feet. Having returned her, its waves pulled away.
No, no, no! This can’t be happening! He questioned his sanity as he gazed upon the seaweed that was wrapped around her dead body. Something snapped inside him and he felt himself splinter farther than he thought was possible. He fell to his knees beside her, wanting to cry but there was nothing left.
So this is what drowning feels like. I wonder when it will kill me…
Wait so if we like accidentally post our stories as a comment here, will it count or be ignored?