Author Archives: first50

About first50

Writer and teacher who benefits from following the principles of writing practice set forth by Natalie Goldberg.

Mostly Sunny

Posted on April 23, 2014

Yeah, her name is Sunny, but she’s mostly sunny at best. Many days she’s cloudy with a chance of downpours. I don’t let that stop me. I treat her the same every day no matter what kind of mood she’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, fiction, Writing prompt | Leave a comment

Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2014

Have you read Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond? It talks about specific societies such as the Maya or the Vikings and how they failed and collapsed. On Earth Day it seems wise recognize that … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Essay, Writing prompt | 4 Comments

Download

Posted on April 21, 2014

I saw the notification flick by in my contact lens. It was time to upgrade my operating system. I hesitated over the download. I’ve been happy as version 47.8, and I’m not always able to say that. I know I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, fiction, Writing prompt | 3 Comments

The Future of Sex

Posted on April 17, 2014

I’m convinced the future of sex is above the neck. Heads are everything. Brains, eyes, lips – that’s all you need. Why do I say this? Well, a couple of weeks ago Kerry Washington had a sex scene on “Scandal” … Continue reading →

Posted in Essay, fiction, TV, Writing prompt | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

It’s the little things

Posted on April 16, 2014

The tour guide said, “Mind the elephants, now,” but Harry knew the big beasts were gentle and wouldn’t harm him. It was the little things – the insects, the snakes, the nervous little bitey things that worried him. He slathered … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, Children's Writing Prompts, fiction, Writing prompt | 6 Comments

Hot

Posted on April 15, 2014

Why are you so crazy about Torchy’s Tacos? I love that burn. And the food has so much flavor. They are the masters of seasoning. Yeah, but that burn. It’s too hot. Ah, but it releases so many endorphins in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, Essay, Food, Writing prompt | 9 Comments

Flamboyant

Posted on April 14, 2014

She had more than flair. She had more than style. She was mesmerizing in her flamboyance. She was like having a flaming torch in the room, no one could look away from her for even a second because she was … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, fiction, Writing prompt | 4 Comments

Stardust

Posted on April 11, 2014

I watched “Cosmos” the first time around, and I’m watching again with Neil DeGrasse Tyson at the helm. It is better than ever and reminds me of that old Joni Mitchell song that says, “We are stardust.” Science gets me … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, Essay, music, Writing prompt | 6 Comments

Surrounded

Posted on April 10, 2014

The area of the park where the soccer players meet on Sunday mornings is surrounded by trash receptacles. But on Monday, the weeds, the parking lot, and the playing field are always littered with plastic bottles, fast food sacks, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, Essay, Writing prompt | 7 Comments

Okay, So . . .

Posted on April 9, 2014

“Okay, so is there a plan B?” she asked. She looked at the snowy slope beneath her dangling feet, her skis like exclamation points in midair. Ralph turn at yelled to the skiers behind them, “What’s going on?” “Happens all … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Writing Prompts, fiction, Writing prompt | 3 Comments