Writing Exercise 130

This week I have written a drabble about a topic which concerns me a lot at the moment. Maybe you can see my point... Any opinions on that? Please feel free to discuss this topic with me.

2018/06/09 – GDPR (drabble)

Informational self-determination is important. To be able to choose which data to publish or to withhold is a right which should be protected, even moreso in this day and age. But are all data equally protection-worthy? Does the principle of proportionality even apply if I need to ask permission to collect impersonalized data about your location and browser or the amount of clicks (which I don't even use) but am forced to reveal sensitive data like my name, address and email in order to not get a fine? Why assume a pseudonym then? And is my data excluded from protection?

Writing Exercise 129

Hi!
Originally I wanted to post this writing exercise yesterday, but due to the thunderstorm I had no internet connection. :(
But better one day late than never, right? This drabble was prompted by a buddy from my art group. Here it is:

2018/05/31 – heretic (drabble)

Do you celebrate Corpus Christi? Is it a national holiday where you live? Or do you ask yourself what this is all about and why the fuss? A lot of occidental countries are still rooted in Christianised traditions, and thanks to them we are able to have a lot of holidays – such as Corpus Christi – we wouldn't have if our nations were truly secularised or tinged in the colours of a 'heretic' credo. You may or may not believe in Jesus, but you benefit from a Christianised society as their demands are represented in for instance national holidays. Happy Cadaver!

Writing Exercise 128

Hello there!
This week I was prompted by one of my art buddies again, and the result is this short story you're about to read. Here it is:

2018/05/25 – Your guardian angel has gotten into trouble. What do you do to save them?

I had one single task.

Sure, this task involved a lot of other troublesome things. I somehow felt like a spy in those old movies as I disguised myself as a human and got close to my target. Of course I wasn't allowed to be discovered and I had to fulfil my duty unnoticed, which made it all the harder to achieve my goal. But so far it had been a pretty neat job, standing guard, making sure nothing bad happened. The target didn't suspect anything and I managed to become a 'friend', which meant I could approach my target a lot easier as we met up almost every day.

And over time my target has become quite dear to me as we got to know each other a little. Maybe a little too dear… oh, boy! What do I do?

One of the rules is not to get involved too deeply with the target, no matter what that might be. And now I'm up shit's creek without a paddle. I can't stop thinking about my charge, I can't wait to meet up during the day, and I pound the beat around the house at night. I pine for the smallest gestures of affection, a simple smile could make my day.

I am so doomed!

How am I supposed to act professionally now?

How am I supposed to act as a 'friend' anyhow?

I have no idea.

Yet here we are this evening, sitting together on the couch watching some movie as per usual, and I try to not turn a hair as I sip on my drink and eat some pizza. Then suddenly the more or less comfortable silence is broken: “You know...we always hang out together and such...”

I turn my gaze from the TV to view my target and suddenly my heart speeds up as I listen. “Of course we're friends. But I think there's more to it...you're always around and help me out when I'm in trouble. I feel just about bulletproof in your presence. And I've noticed your secret glances.”

I swallow dryly. Am I being found out here? My heart sinks as fear courses through me. I might need to wipe my charge's memory and resign so one of my colleagues can take over. I don't want that! I want to stay by my target's side forever and cherish our 'friendship'!

But then I receive the gentlest of smiles, laced with a pinch of nervousness. “So...here goes nothing.” And I'm proper surprised when suddenly soft lips are pressed to mine in a short and chaste kiss. For a good while I stare, totally flabbergasted, until my charge grows visibly uncomfortable and mumbles: “I guess I was wrong about your feelings for me. I'm sorry. Just forget that ever happened, okay?”

I shake my head getting a grip and smile. “No...you are not wrong. I was just surprised is all.” My heart is thrumming happily in my chest as I lean forward for another kiss. And suddenly, suddenly all my trouble seems to have vanished into thin air…

Writing Exercise 127

Hello everyone!
Today I have reason to celebrate. Why? You will see in this little writing exercise of mine. ;)
This week I have a poem for you.

2018/05/15 – nameday (poem)

A name of my own

Of all the saints to be known

Today is a day of celebration

And a little recreation

No frost as of today

So the summer may stay

Here's a little game:

What's my middle name?

Writing Exercise 126

Hello there!
This week I have an anti-utopian tanka for you. It was another prompt by a member of the artgroup. Here it is:

2018/05/07 – War of change (Tanka)

When the world explodes

In a distant universe

The war changes us

Humanity gone extinct

What remains is history

Writing Exercise 125

Hello again!
This week I was prompted by two of my art group buddies, so you get a drabble to read which combines both prompts. Here it is:

2018/05/02 – dark/ stroll in the park (drabble)

As he walked down the path which led him into the park, he had a strange feeling. He couldn't quite figure out what it was, but it followed him as he strolled well trodden paths. His footfalls quickened, just like his heartbeat. Familiar trees swayed in the howling wind, their branches seemed to clasp at him. So he hurried. Looking over his shoulder time and again he saw nothing out of the ordinary, yet he felt spooked. Dark thoughts haunted him. And what was supposed to be a nice little stroll became an imaginary manhunt, and he was the prey.

Writing Exercise 124

Hello there!
I recently read a good book which inspired me to write today's writing exercise. And it fit the prompt I was given by one of my buddies from the art group. So here goes this week's poem:

2018/04/23 – hollow (poem)

A gravitation so strong

That even light cannot flee

More alluring than a siren's song

Destroying every bit of me

What seems to be so hollow

Actually can never be

The truth is hard so swallow

Mass attraction is all you see

Information may or may not be lost

For what purpose if it is sole

Being drawn in comes at a high cost

The mysteries of a black hole

Writing Exercise 123

Hello again!
This week I have a little drabble for you, prompted by my dear friend and fellow member of the artist group I'm part of. Here goes:

2018/04/17 – platonic kisses (drabble)

The difference between kisses can be vast as worlds. It depends a lot on who you kiss. Your partner may receive kisses full of passion and longing or even sweet love and affection, your parents (or other family members) would get smooched with a different kind of love. Kisses between close friends would certainly be of the platonic kind, while embodying yet another type of affection – unless you are 'friends with benefits' of course. You may even kiss your enemy on the cheek, bitter and venomously. Isn't it fascinating how one and the same gesture can have so many meanings?

Writing Exercise 122

Hello there!
This week I have a German sonnet for you, prompted by one of my buddies from the art group. It is about the character of another member of this group. Here it is:

2018/04/10 – Lich King (German sonnet)

On a grim and starless full-moon night

From the graves clouds of mist arise

Haunting howls herald your demise

Glowing green eyes shine so bright

On the graveyard the Crypt thrones

From inside you hear a rattling sound

Ghastly creatures, their skulls quite round

An undead army of metal and bones

Through the halls mystic chants ring

On a throne of bones sits the Lich King

Mindless servants his will abide

His unstoppable hordes leave in their wake

Death and devastation and souls to take

He has a raven by his side

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 120

Hey there!
I know it's late (or early), but I couldn't sleep, so I decided to write. This time I was prompted by two of my new art buddies from the art community I've just joined on discord. Everyone's so creative over there. Can't wait to show you some of the art they inspire in me.
So here is this week's drabble:

2018/03/29 – it was a dark and stormy night; You got up to get coffee. I say relax (drabble)

Heavy rain pattered against the window panes and the gusts howled around the house. The room was dark safe for the screen of a laptop. Before it she sat and stared then grabbed her mug and lifted it to her lips. It was just as empty as the page before her. And she'd just got up to make some. She sighed. “Relax,” he suddenly whispered into her ear and lay his warm hands onto her shoulders to massage her gently. She leaned into the touch and felt her tense muscles ease. “You're right,” she conceded, “let's get back to bed.”

Writing Exercises 118 and 119

Hello again!
I'm awfully sorry I'm late. At least I now have two writing exercises for you. Here they are.
This is writing exercise 118:

2018/03/18 – clouds (Haiku)

A cloud in the sky

Watch it gently drift away

I wish I was there

And this is what I did this week:

 

2018/03/20 – Where's the rum gone? (Singlish poem, or is it?)

I dun have leh.

I dun have lor.

I dun have liao.

I dun have mah.

I dun have lah.

I dun have ha.

I dun have hor.

I dun have sial!

(For some reason, I don't have it. I wish I had it, but sadly I don't. I used to have it, but I don't anymore. It would help if I had it, but I don't have it.

I really don't have it.

I'm telling you that I don't have it. Don't look at me; I don't have it.

I can't freaking believe I don't have it!)

Writing Exercise 117

Hello there!
I'm a little late, but I made it in time still.
This week I wrote five Haikus for Naruto Online, one for each playable character. Here they are:

2018/03/11 – Naruto Online Haikus (fanfiction)

AzureFang

Poison and healing

Are the two sides of her coin.

Beware her Suiton!

MidnightBlade

His countless attacks –

A silent sword in the night.

Lightning strikes so fast.

ScarletBlaze

He sets you aflame

With a fierce grin on his face.

Fiery flowers bloom.

BreezeDancer

Her fan brings the storm.

The ballon of a dancer --

turn another round.

CrimsonFist

Bolster his defenses!

An impenetrable shield

will protect from harm.

Writing Exercise 116

Feeling troubled or blue? This week I have a drabble for you which might lift your mood and encourage you. Here it is:

2018/03/02 – balance (drabble)

Walk the tight rope, but don't fall off. Set one foot before the other, slowly and carefully. The distance may seem so far, but it shrinks with every step you take. You can make it to the other side. Just be patient and concentrate on the important things. Sometimes things will come your way to make you lose your footing and challenge your balance. You may struggle, you may sway to either side. But in the end you will prevail and see it through if you don't give up – no matter how hard it may seem. It is not impossible.

Writing Exercise 115

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday, so I wrote a birthday poem. Enjoy this writing exercise and celebrate with me! :D

 

2018/02/24 – happy birthday (poem)

Another year has gone by

Another year and I still try

Blow out candles on a cake

A wish – what will it take

To make it all come true?

Will I stop feeling blue?

My friends have come to play

I hope they have a pleasant stay

My family is here as well

There's but one thing I have to tell:

The score it ten times three

Today all drinks are on me!

Writing Exercise 114

It's the 14th of February already, so you can probably guess the topic of today's writing exercise. :D
This time I wrote a Haiku, which I also entered in the Valentine'S Haiku Contest in the Naruto Online Forum. Root for me, please! ;)
But let's see what I wrote this time:

2018/02/14 – Valentine's Day (Haiku)

Thinking of you and

Sending you my deep feelings –

Happy Valentine's!

Writing Exercise 113

Hello again!
This week I have a drabble yet again for you and you get to meet two of the inhabitants of my dear Neverbeen Universe, Orcneas and Jo. Find out what happens to them! :)

2018/02/06 – frame (drabble)

On the attic of Orcneas' mansion one day Jo found an old oil painting. She admired the portrait of who she assumed had been an inhabitant of this stately building. “Let's hang this up above the fireplace,” she suggested to Orcneas and the Weregargoyle readily agreed. So Orcneas banged in a nail, then lifted Jo onto his shoulders so she could hang up the picture. Suddenly, however, her grip slipped and the whole thing hit the floor. The frame came loose and with a sad face Jo picked up the pieces. “I'll fix this,” she promised and fetched the super-glue.

When they sleep at night...

...I sometimes stay awake. And the result of such sleepless nights is what you're about to see. :)
I just realized, during the past few weeks I haven't blogged anything but my weekly writing exercises. Well, today I have something different for you.
The girl in the picture is a playable character (Azure Fang) from the game Naruto Online which I have been playing for a while. And as usual I used SAI to draw and colour the picture.

Writing Exercise 112

This week I started early. So I already have a new exercise for you. :)
This double drabble is another prompt my a member of the Dead Pete Society. Enjoy!

2018/01/29 – “I swear there was a body in this coffin. You have to help me find it!” (double drabble)

“I swear there was a body in this coffin. You have to help me find it!” a protagonist in an old movie exclaims as he agitatedly wrings his hands. How I have ended up watching this movie I'll never know. But these are the wondrous ways of youtube. I remember looking for the stunning soundtrack to an anime I watched a while ago. And as I click through the suggestions at the sidebar I see so many different things. Somewhere in between playthrough videos of games I might want to play and breathtakingly beautiful speed draw recordings, which I can only gape at in awe, I watch an old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing scene and remember how much I liked to dance... And now I'm somehow rapt in a rather comical funeral story about this disappeared corpse. As I watch the characters stumble through the search of the body all the while trying to cover up the mess, I shake my head at myself. That movie is totally not what I had come for and yet I find myself watching it. Indeed, you never know where you end up browsing youtube. It's always a fun, but weird journey.

Writing Exercise 111

Today I have another writing exercise for you. Again I was prompted by a member of the Dead Pete Society, but this time I chose to write a drabble.
Here it is: 

2018/01/28 – You’ve always wondered why your brother was never in your family photos; today you found out why (drabble)

Saya liked to look at photos. They always looked fun, as if the people in them had a good time.

But she had always wondered why her brother Lyr was never in her family photos. There were photos of her parents, of her grandparents, of her aunts and uncles and cousins, but never him. Even in the more recent photos – those of her as a baby – Lyr was never to be seen. But finally today was the day when she found out why!

“Now look into the camera and smile,” Lyr said. It was him who took all the photos.