Writing Exercise 121

This week I had one of the members of the art group I'm part of now prompt me, and he asked me to write about his character, the Wood Wolf God. And this is the drabble I came up with:

2018/04/03 – “someone gets lost in the woods and a wood doggy helps them“ (drabble)

The woods were getting darker, and the underbush grew thicker. It seemed to grasp at their feet while the canopy swallowed all of the light. It was eerily quiet, no birdsong to be heard. Any rustling sound made them jumpier, scared and confused. By now they had lost any direction. Then they heard it: the ghastly howling. And as they looked about they noticed a giant wolf with glowing green eyes perched on a rock. They ran as fast as they could. Finally they reached the exit with the wolf at their heels, not knowing it wanted to help them.

Writing Exercise 080

It's time for writing exercise number 080 already. Time sure flies by! :o
This week my task is to write a riddle. Let's see if you can find out what I'm writing about. I'm sure you will. :D

2017/06/23 – riddle

I see something you don't see,

Hanging from a willow tree,

Spinning on a single thread,

Far away from a spider's net,

It is wiggling,

it is jiggling,

Waiting for the wane of the moon,

Once it turns into a cocoon,

Tell me now, what did I see

Hanging from that willow tree?

Writing Exercise 061

I'm pretty late for my writing exercise this week. Still I managed to do a little something. This time it's a Haiku. Enjoy!

2017/02/11 – Haiku

Snow flakes in the wind

How I wish for winter's end!

The first snow drops bloom

Writing Exercise 057

It's time for another writing exercise. This week's double drabble is about probablilities, about life and space. It is meant to make you stop to think for a moment so you might appreciate life on Earth more. Here ist is:

2017/01/13 – coincidence (double drabble)

There are countless stars in the sky, billions and trillions lightyears away. They are coming to life or dying or are somewhere in between. Some shine so much brighter than others; others are just like our sun. Planets might orbit them, large gas globes or tiny snowballs.

What are the odds that there are others like our Earth? Planets that circulate around their star in an inhabitable zone, neither too hot nor too cold? Planets that consist of all the necessary elements needed to create life? Planets that are encased by an atmosphere which enables life and protects it? And if such places exist, what are the odds that life would bloom the way it does on Earth?

Time made monads and protozoons evolve into plants and fish and mammals and insects and amphibians. Extreme climate changes eliminated whole populations and made room for new species.

And from them humankind emerged and spread over the world. There are 193 states in the UN, and 13 more stare-like territories exist. According to statistics there were 7.39 billion people living on Earth last year.

Then what are the odds that you and I exist at the same time – that we meet?

Coincidence.

Writing Exercise 056

The first writing exercise this year is a song, or more precisely a lullaby. It has no melody yet, but it might get one perhaps. I only wrote the bridge and the chorus once after the fist stanza in order not to bore you with a lot of repetition. But a song is a song, so imagine them being sung after every stanza. Enjoy. :)

2017/01/06 – write a song

1.
When my evening falls
And all the lights of day
Are declining to dusky shades,
I remember
All the way that I’ve come,
All the chances that have passed me by,
And all the choices that I’ve made.
And I see what I’ve become by now.

Bridge:

And I kiss them all good night,
I kiss them all good night…

Chorus:

And as the last star
Has fallen that day,
I close my eyes in ease.
May the night lead my dreams,
May darkness accompany my heart
To the promised place.

2.
There’s a mirror in front of me,
The surface of the seas
Is almost as smooth as glass.
As it flows
The waters ease
The long forgotten memories,
Just leave me silently
Within total calm of mind.

3.
A lovely breath of air
Surrounds me tenderly,
Caresses me with love,
Just makes me feel
Like flying.
It sings a sweet lullaby,
As it carries away
All the sad thoughts in my head.

4.
The tiny flame
Inside my heart
Keeps still on burning,
I can see it slightly
Shimmer in the dark.
The flickering heat
Melts away all the pain
I felt for so long.

5.
Under my restless feet
The earth is beating
With a slow pulse.
There’s still plenty of power,
It still gives me strength.
On the solid soil
That will protect my sleep
I lay my head to rest.

Writing Exercise 052

Yesterday I missed the chance to write you a Santa story. :/
But instead today I have a drabble for you about a snow day. This is just as good, isn't it? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pre-Christmas time and the cozy atmosphere of winter.

2016/12/07 – Snow Day (Drabble)

The air is cold and clear, the soil white and crispy with hoarfrost; a distinctive smell lingers and you know it's going to happen soon. As your gaze wanders towards the cloudy sky, a cold wetness hits your nose – the very first snow flake. And there they are! Silently they float towards the earth, soft and beautiful. You stop to admire the tiny flakes grow to the size of a coin. Within minutes the ground is powdered in white, but the snow keeps falling. Quietly it crunches beneath your step as you continue your path. What a splendid snow day!

Writing Exercise 050

This is my 50th writing exercise already. This means also there have been 50 weeks of writing straight. :o
If you've read all those you've come a long way, and I would like to thank you for your company along those weeks. Today's writing exercise is a drabble about the weather. Here it is:

2016/11/21 – Storm (Drabble)

It starts with a drizzle and a cold breeze. Then eventually the wind picks up, ripping leaves from the trees and hurling them along. It howls and moans ghastly around corners, rattles and tugs at windowpanes. As the heavy clouds darken the sky the rain drops become heavier; they fall like beads on a string and patter, patter ceaselessly. Strong gusts toss and tug treetops, shake them, break them. Then suddenly a blinding light illuminates the darkness, just for a second. One, two, three… Only moments later an earthshattering crack roars and rumbles from the hills. The storm rages on.

Writing Exercise 046

Are you a morning person? I clearly am not. But I got used to getting up every day at the same time. And while I always need a while to become fully awake I learnt to appreciate the quiet of morning.
This week I wrote another drabble fitting to the season as I kept this sentiment in mind. Here it is:

2016/10/25 – a morning in late October (Drabble)

It is just past seven o'clock when my day begins. Outside it is dark; night struggles to keep its grasp on the world as it fights the break of day. Lonesome flashes of light pass by; cars drive through the darkness. So still, so quiet is this place… As I grab a cup of soothing hot tea I sit by the window and watch the blackness slowly fade into the morning blues. The lake is still hidden beneath a thick blanket of mist drifting to the sky. By the time I sip my second cup there is a silver lining.

Winter is always coming

As I realised the day after tomorrow is October 1st, I understood there is but a month until NaNoWriMo. I'm really looking forward to November. It'll be a month full of writing, and I hope I'll be able to reach my goal and finish my novel on time. :D
Anyhow, thinking about November made me think about winter in general. And therefore I have a picture for you, which I drew and colorated with Oc Canvas. It is part of another picture, and those who have read my first book "The Untold Stories of Neverbeen Universe - Short Story Collection" may know it. So either read my book to see the whole picture or enjoy what you get here. ;)

Writing Exercise 039

The first writing exercise this month is another drabble. The topic is one of my favourite places -- the shore. Here is what I did with it:

2016/09/05 – the shore (Drabble)

A quiet sough – the sea breathes in and out as the waves rush against the shore. A soft breeze blows, carrying the smell of brine and spray, playing in your hair. On the horizon a pair of sails, riding the waves on their way to freedom. The sea is calm, but grey clouds are looming, waiting to drop their load. As you walk the shore waves wash around your feet. They try to lure you into the deep blue to play with the mermaids, to discover the mystery under the sea. But you resist, leaving but footprints in the sand.

Home, Sweet Home...

As much as I was enthused about the beauty of the Loreley and the landscape surrounding it, I also enjoy the place I call home.
Situated at a beautiful lake and surrounded by nature reserve my village is a place where others go on holidays. The beautiful views never cease to amaze me despite being surrounded by them every day.

As I watch the seasons come and go, nature itself paints the most amazing pictures. I just need to open my eyes and witness these moments of mesmerizing beauty. Be it the falling snow in winter that swallows everything and gently lays the world to sleep...

... a glimpse of the lake from the lush woods on the hills encompassing the lake during summer -- a place where silence reigns and you almost feel the earth breathing...

... the mysterious stillness of the lake in autumn, that makes you feel frozen in time...

...or a sunrise in the wee early hours of spring, that reflects on the surface of the lake and sets the sky ablaze.

These are things that inspire me; these are things that keep me thriving to become better at art and capture moments on canvas; these are things that make me want to write and conserve these moments in my memories. So I can share what I experience and enjoy day-to-day with you.

I know not if there is a reason...

The past weekend has been very eventful for me.
My fiancé and I went to St. Goarshausen, which is situated at the river Rhine.

As I do Tai Chi the "Tai Chi Forum International" led by Volker Jung was the place to be and learn about the five elements (water, earth, wood/wind, fire and metal) and their influence in the hand form.


On Saturday we went to St. Goar, which is situated on the other bank of the Rhine, and visited the castle ruins of Burg Rheinfels, where there was a medieval fair this particular weekend.

At Burg Rheinfels there were a castle museum, lots of booths, knights' games, bards playing minnelieds and really splendid views over the Rhine.

Isn't it beautiful? This really was a fun day (although I sprained my ankle). :D

On Sunday, before heading home, we also visited the Loreley rocks. Which is a MUST SEE when you are there!
The rocks create a seven times echo which caused lots of ships to crash. According to legend the Loreley was a maiden who sang like a siren to lure sailors against the rocks.

Maybe you have heard about the poem by Heinrich Heine about the Loreley, which was turned into a beautifully melancholic song? Here it is, as translated by A.Z. Foreman:

I know not if there is a reason
Why I am so sad at heart.
A legend of bygone ages
Haunts me and will not depart.

The air is cool under nightfall.
The calm Rhine courses its way.
The peak of the mountain is sparkling
With evening's final ray.

The fairest of maidens is sitting
So marvelous up there,
Her golden jewels are shining,
She's combing her golden hair.

She combs with a comb also golden,
And sings a song as well
Whose melody binds a wondrous
And overpowering spell.

In his little boat, the boatman
Is seized with a savage woe,
He'd rather look up at the mountain
Than down at the rocks below.

I think that the waves will devour
The boatman and boat as one;
And this by her song's sheer power
Fair Lorelei has done.

As you can see, my fiancé and I had a great trip. I wish I could have shared more impressions with you because the landscape is really breathtaking and beautiful. If you ever get the chance to go there, do so! I can highly recommend it. :D

Just a little walk...

Two days ago I hopped on the bandwagon of playing 'Pokémon Go!'. :o
As I used to play Pokémon Red, Yellow and Silver when I was younger I feel a little nostalgic catching Pokémon again. But my main reason for playing 'Pokémon Go!' is that I wanted to go outside more since my Zumba course is on summer break and I lack activity.

So this game seemed the ideal incentive -- and it is! Just yesterday I walked five times the distance I would normally have when I went for a little walk. Wow. :o

Even the hot temperature (34°C!) didn't phaze me. Instead I put on some hotpants, a shirt and my hat and off I went on Pokémon hunt. :D

Surprisingly there are a bunch of Poké Stops in my home village, and a total of two Gyms where to challenge others! As I only reached level 8 today, I'm no match for the gym leaders yet. But it's fun to try. As I caught, hatched and evolved quite a few Pokémon I certainly got to see the landscape and some sights.
Here is my catch of the day:

And no, I didn't run into a lamppost or fall into the lake...yet. :P

Writing Exercise 032

It's time for another writing exercise. :D
As I went for a little walk recently this week's task was quite fitting. And maybe it encites you to go outside and experience it yourselves? So here goes my double-drabble:

2016/07/18 – a walk in the woods (double-drabble)

As you enter the woods a whole new world engulfs you. The noise of the town is replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds; they are soothing sounds. In a million shades of green, the lush underbush and foliage whisper in the winds.

You breathe deeply and the fresh smells of flowers and wood make you feel so much alive.

As you continue further into the forest the world becomes quiet and calm. Just the light and continuous swooshing of the treetops, just a cry of a jay or the peck of a woodpecker then and there… A butterfly flutters by.

As you tread the path deeper into the forest your senses adjust to the quietness and become keener. You hear bugs buzzing around and a small bubbling brook; you smell the fragrance of firs, beeches and oaks; you see traces of deer and boars.

You realize this is how Earth was supposed to be like: so peaceful, so sublime, so mysterious. The woods feel like a living, breathing entity. And you are part of it. Just for a while.

The sun comes out and leads you out of the forest. You return to civilisation.

Writing Exercise 031

Another week, another writing exercise. :D
This time you are going to witness something mysterious, something that could have happened somewhere sometime. As an homage to the Dead Pete Society I named one of the characters the way I did and sealed his fate. Also I challenged myself to write exactly 1k words.
Have fun reading.

2016/07/11 – mystery

It all started a few days ago. The deluge and the hot weather created the ideal breeding ground for the toads. When biologist Lauri Anderson went to check up on the animals and their spawn, however, she found them gone. She waded through the swamped area around the lake and searched for quite some time, but the toads where nowhere to be found.

“This is strange,” Lauri told her colleague Pete Simons on the phone, “they should be hopping around everywhere.”

“Don't worry,” Pete tried to calm her, “they have to be somewhere. Let's come back in a few days and have another look.”

Hesitantly Lauri agreed and returned home. But she worried nonetheless; all evening her thoughts were with the missing toads. Something was wrong, she was certain. Therefore the next day she returned to the lake. For hours she waded through the muddy waters until her trousers were soaking wet and she was exhausted. The toads were still missing; not a croak to be heard. Lauri decided to take samples of the water then flew back to the lab at the mountain top and examined them.

The findings were surprising. The water seemed to have reacted to something and turned into hydrogen peroxide. Shocked, Lauri instantly washed her legs and arms so the acid came off. Luckily she wore Wellingtons, but her skin started to bleach and sting already where the hydrogen peroxide had touched her. “So that's why the toads are gone,” she murmured as she treated her fingers. “But why did the water react? What's happening here?”

She decided to stay at the lab and research some more. Maybe the samples would reveal something.

It was almost sunrise when Lauri heard the noise. A light vibration, the clincking of glass which soon grew louder into an earth-shattering sound as the cupboards and machines began to tremble. Books and vials fell over, crashed to the ground. Lauri almost fell to her knees as everything shook and violently rocked back and forth. She fled the room and hurried outside as cupboards fell and almost buried her under them. As the earth continued to shake she clung to the rocks as if her dear life depended on it. Trees deracinated around her and crashed to the ground, the lab collapsed like a house of cards. Lauri realised, she was not safe here either. Then her glance fell on the helicopter. It was parked at the cliff and it was slowly sliding towards the edge. Lauri didn't hesitate long and started towards it, ripped the door open and got inside. “Come on, come on!” she repeated like a mantra as she flicked the switches. The helicopter shook, neared the edge and was about to fall. Lauri held her breath as panic seeped in. She didn't want to die.

But then the engine roared to life and the rotor blades accelerated. At last it lifted off and ascended into the air. Lauri sighed, relieved and steered around the falling trees.

From a distance the lake seemed to boil and the village houses shook and collapsed. Here and there she could see fires. She could imagine the people scream in fright and anguish. Never had Lauri witnessed such a devastating earthquake.

Steering the helicopter with one hand, she fumbled for her smartphone and dialled Pete's number. She worried for her colleague, knowing he lived at the village. For a long while the phone rang and rang and rang. “Come on, pick up your damn phone!” Finally it clicked, as Pete answered. But before he could say anything, she gushed: “Oh my god, Pete! Are you alright?”

“Lauri!” he exclaimed. She could hear the rumbling of the earthquake and the screaming people through the phone. “I'm ok, I'm ok. Barely made it out of the house. Oh god, what's happening? Where are you?”

“In the chopper. Suddenly the ground started shaking and the lab collapsed,” Lauri cried, relieved that Pete was alive. “I-I'll get you out of there, Pete – what's that?”

She suddenly saw a veil of mist spread from the lake and roll towards the village like a wave. Unstoppable, it crawled over the already ruined village. Lauri could only watch. There was a gasp from the other end, which alerted her to Pete's situation. “Pete? What happened?”

Again she heard a sharp intake of breath. “Can't...breathe...” he rasped and gurgled. Then there was a low thud and a clattering noise.

“Pete? Pete!” she exclaimed, panicked and with tears streaming down her face. No answer. “Pete!” she cried again. Lauri's instinct told her to steer the helicopter towards the village and make sure he was alright. But she remembered the mist from the lake and the hydrogen peroxide in the water. It wasn't safe to go down there. So she circled and circled above the village, calling for Pete. But he wouldn't answer.

Finally it sunk in, that he had to be dead. Lauri wept quietly. But only hours later – when the earth had ceased to tremble and the mist had evaporated – she dared land the helicopter and assess the damage. The houses were in ruins and as she climbed through the rubble she found all the villagers and animals lay dead on the ground. Some might have escaped the falling houses, but the mist had killed those who survived the earthquake. When Lauri found Pete's body just outside his ruined house she broke down. She cried long and hard; ugly tears swept down her cheeks as she sobbed and hiccuped beside his corpse. Finally she let out a shuddering sigh and stood then trudged back to her helicopter.

She flew to the next city, where there was a university, determined, knowing she would soon return with new equipment and people to help. As the only survivor of this disaster she vowed to solve the mystery of the earthquake and the mist. For Pete's sake, for the villagers' sake, but also for her own sake – to find a closure and start anew.

Writing Exercise 030

This is my thirtieth writing exercise already. Time sure flies by. :D
As you might have noticed, I have uploaded six holiday drabbles to my new German Corner. From now on I will occasionally add content there also -- works in my mother tongue -- and you are very welcome to browse. ;)
But let's get to the point. This week's writing exercise is about a day in July. The very day I picked has a special name in German. Maybe you can find out what day it is?
Oh, and I also challenged myself to write a drabble.

2016/07/04 – a day in July (Drabble)

The weather has been changeable for these past few weeks. You can tell it's summer by the way the rain becomes warmer. Plants grow and thrive, of course, and the splendour of colourfully blooming flowers and alluring scents is just fantastic. Still… you long for the smell of sun on your skin and the holiday feeling; you long for the thunderclouds to disperse and the blue sky to touch the horizon. Instead the temperature plunges. Freshly shorn sheep shudder with cold on the meadows, bleating miserably in the rain. It is the 11^th of July, but tomorrow summer truly begins.

Addendum

In addition to writing exercise 016 I want to show you the very camellia I was writing about, so you can see for yourself. I got the plant a couple of years ago and it has grown a lot; in fact, it is now taller than me, which I find kind of impressive. :D
Here it is:

 

 Btw. in flower language camellia means perfection. ;)

Writing Exercise 016

Here we go again; it's time for my weekly writing exercise.
Today's exercise is a description of Nature. I chose the camellia, that lives on my terrace, and I additionally challenged myself to make it a drabble. Enjoy. ;)

2016/03/30 – description of Nature: Camellia (Drabble)

Gnarly roots emerge from the soil; they coil into a trunk thin as a forearm, that spreads its twigs high up. Wind rustles in the deep green leaves; waxen ovals emerging from every stem. Their light green veins feel the pulse of the earth and fill the leaves with the sap of life. New shoots are already waiting for spring to come; they unfurl and aim for the skies. Amidst all the green there are blotches of perfection: countless crowns of beautiful blossoms dance to the tune of the breeze like blood red ballerinas. The camellia is in full bloom.