Twist a Movie Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Commerce

A friend told me while listening to NPR, there was something on Twitter where people were taking movie titles and making them sound boring.

Examples: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington State

A Streetcar Named Mild Interest

Singing in the Shower

So I tried it. How about:

The King and Liz

The Princess Toiletries.

Pulp Orange Juice.

One Fluttered Over the Bird’s Twig

To Swat A Mockingbird

Dial M for Milktoast

The So-So Years of Our Lives

Shawshank Perspiration

Some Like it Luke Warm

12 Discontented Men

The Wizard of Fresno

Writing Prompts:

1. You try it. It’s fun!
2. Choose one of the titles you’ve created or one of the titles above and write a story, script or poem to match. It could be a spoof or whatever you want it to be.
3. Create another art form for the title. What medium will you choose?

Short Story Contest for Midlife Women

Weekly writing contest with a CASH prize to the winner. Send us a short story—your story about an experience in midlife. No word minimum. No fee to enter. Multiple entries are allowed. If you win a $50 weekly contest, you are eligible to enter a $100 Contest, which we sponsor quarterly.

Midlife Collage sponsors a weekly contest of midlife short stories. U.S. citizens and legal residents age 40 and older may enter. The Editor selects five stories for publication on our website each week. Readers leave comments and Facebook thumbs-up likes urging the panel of Judges to choose a contest winner. Readers also send the Judges their opinions of the best story on our Closing Arguments page. The contest period is Monday through Sunday noon PT. The first-place story enters the Winner’s Circle and receives a cash prize of $50. Winners of a $50 cash prize are eligible for a $100 contest, which we run quarterly. See the Submissions Page for the Contest Rules for details. ANYONE, worldwide, age 18 or older can comment on the stories in a contest. For more information visit the following website:

http://midlifecollage.com/

Best Quotes from Children’s Books

What is your favorite quote from a children’s book you have loved?

A few of my favorites:

“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.
“Even longer,” Pooh answered.
– A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“But dying’s part of the wheel, right there next to being born. You can’t pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, that’s the blessing.”
– Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”
– E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”
– L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Writing Prompts:

1. What is your favorite quote from a children’s book? Use it to inspire a short story, poem or essay.

2. List your fifteen favorite children’s books. Do any of them inspire memories of your childhood? Write about them.

3. Choose one children’s book that has meant something important to you. Why is it special?

Here are some other great quotes from children’s books:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/15-wonderful-quotes-about-life-from-childrens-books

Nature Poetry Contest for Kids and Adults

Here’s a fabulous poetry contest for EVERYONE! Write a poem that captures a special connection you’ve experienced (or want to experience) with nature. The Muir Heritage Land Trust contest is open to Youth (5 – 12), Teens (13 – 17) and Adults (18 & up)

Entries due September 1, 2013
Submit to MHLT’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/muirheritagelandtrust

Not on Facebook? Email poetry to: angela@muirheritagelandtrust.org

For more information:

Click to access MHLT_PoetryGraphic.pdf

Elephant Seal Antics

 This past week my cousin came from Wisconsin and we played tourist, taking her places in Northern California, including Ano Nuevo, where male elephant seals are currently moulting.  Even though there are no females around, a few of the younger seals practiced showing dominance, as showed in the photo, and with their tremendous, guttural wails.

Seals flipped sand onto their backs and bellies as a cooling mechanism, as it was a warm day.  One seal became a sand mound; so he wiggled out only to start sand-flipping all over again. 

Writing Prompts:

1. Study a creature in nature.  Describe its habits, vocalizations, or body movements.  How does it relate/communicate to others?
2. Write a poem, short story or personal experience based on this being. 
3. Is your summer filled with day trips or longer travel?  Keep a travel journal.  Collect photos and paper souvenirs which can help recreate your experiences. 
4. Create art or writing based on an anecdote in your journal.