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!
Spring Writing Challenge Week 3 by Constance W. on Team 1
“So this is what drowning feels like?” Peter’s mind raced – cutting and pasting together what undoubtedly would be his final thought. The briny water filled every orifice of his flailing frame. His arms, legs and head thrashed against the waves, instantly exhausting his otherwise fit young self. But not even his post-pubescent physique was a match for that unapologetic formless thug. Glug! The first brackish mouthful turned his stomach. To be in water while guzzling water was otherworldly. Peter needed air. Glug! Glug! Two chugs more. The water ignored his mind’s protest and insisted, penetrating his nostrils, ears and mouth. It violated his dry spaces and they willingly betrayed him, accepting its presence and creating room for more. His body rejected every gasp for oxygen and RSVP’d “Yes, of course” with every swig. The dissonant symphony of beating waves and unleashed fear impaired his senses rendering him useless.
“What to think? How to do? Why this? Why now?” Like a hurried jazz trumpet’s novice scat, rapid fire succession questions exploded in Peter’s mind … until he decided to look up. That glance transported him back in time, to the minute before that led to now.
After a long day with the fellas, they set sail at sunset for the next leg of their journey. Just then a squall and rogue waves beat against the vessel. Too far out to turn back to shore, Fear, Doubt and Panic climbed aboard from the deep blue to join in the harvest of ideas on what to do next.
“You guys’ll never make it out of this alive.” Fear sang.
“Abandon ship.” Panic interjected. “Throw yourselves over and die like men!”
As the ideas continued the boat rocked, rose and fell with the disorderly current. As the guys (and their three lady visitors) began narrowing options they noticed a figure in the midst of the waves, walking on the sea.
“But how?” asked Doubt.
“That’s a ghost!” Andrew and James yelled in tandem. Then Panic and Fear had their way with the sailors. They began conducting cries in the key of their own conceited selves and every one of the boys joined the chorus. Everyone but Peter.
“Be of cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.” The Voice boomed above the storm and they knew it was Jesus.
“Well, if it IS Him, tell Him to let you join Him for a stroll out there.” Doubt decided it was time to expose the lunacy of trusting a man operating as God. And the timing of this latest stunt would play out beautifully to His own end.
Peter piped up, “If it is You, LORD, bid me to come to You… on the water.” With much less sass, Peter echoed Doubt’s request.
Standing atop the stir with quiet assurance Jesus said, “Come.” One word spoken with absolute power and the action that followed matched every wattage of its energy. “Well, if Jesus is bold enough to walk on this storm then so should I be. Right?” Peter grabbed Doubt’s hand, hurled her overboard then followed with his left leg. With a thoughtless jolt, his whole body jerked up and over to join the two person parade into the sea. But into the sea they did not go; rather they landed erect on the boisterous waves. The place that should’ve drawn Peter in and under instead held him firmly still. Doubt quickly perched herself on Peter’s back so as not to get wet and began squeezing him to secure her position. She knew the time would come and did not want to go down with Peter. She had warned him. Why should she be collateral damage for his stupidity? Peter locked eyes with Jesus and stepped his right foot forward pulling him one step closer. He stepped again, then again. Peter dropped his eyes to confirm the surface’s deception.
“This element has no business holding you up.” Doubt snapped. “You swim here. You cannot walk on water.” Peter shook himself. She screamed louder. “This is where you swim and fish, you fool! You can NOT walk on water!”
Peter was reminded of the impossibility of this moment. He agreed with Doubt’s logic. “No, I can not.” As those words were spelled out across the canvas of his mind he yielded his agreement, snatching it from Jesus and placing it in Doubt’s possession. She sneered. As gravity began changing Peter from dry to wet, Doubt swiftly leapt from Peter back onto the boat to rejoin the onlookers. She looked for her two sisters but only spotted Panic cowering in the corner. She turned seaward to find Fear had already joined Peter on the sea and the two of them were going under.
“So this is what drowning feels like?” Peter thought.
“Do something!” Fear begged. Her quivering voice was shaky but sure.
“LORD, save me.” Peter asked and without hesitation Jesus stretched out His hand and pulled him up.
“Why did you doubt?” asked Jesus. Hand in hand, the two made their way back to the ship. As they climbed aboard the winds ceased and the sky cleared.
Peter turned his head searching for Doubt but instead discovered that Fear had been with him. He sighed and coughed up what sea water remained in his lungs.
“You are indeed The Son of GOD.” Peter whispered with what strength remained. The fellas agreed and worshiped Jesus.
Wait so if we like accidentally post our stories as a comment here, will it count or be ignored?