tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74447020222801141222024-11-08T08:42:43.874-07:00The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-79542038877134321782013-06-30T10:52:00.002-06:002014-02-09T16:33:40.789-07:00

You are trapped on an island: there are many other islands standing in the ocean all about you, yet there is no way that you can reach those other islands. Thankfully, you have all that you need on your own patch of land in the water: fresh mangoes and coconut grow in great bounty in the jungles, while crabs line up at the shore, ready for you to cook. Yet you simply cannot quell your desire to

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-17312855466685991912011-03-22T08:40:00.000-06:002011-03-22T08:40:30.869-06:00

Last night I had a wonderful surprise. My lens on Squidoo, 10 Ways to Keep a Great Diary, was chosen as Lens of The Day. For those who are unfamiliar with Squidoo, it's a platform like Hubpages where you can write pages (lenses) about your interests, etc. It's not quite the same as blogging but it's a lot of fun and it's a good way to make some extra money from home. It's such an honor and a

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-61218482992570926422011-03-02T16:33:00.000-07:002011-03-02T16:33:31.475-07:00

When I was nine, there was nothing I loved to read more than those Dear America books for kids. My adventure-loving mind gobbled up every bit of the supposed diaries of real girls throughout history. A compulsive diary writer even then, I loved the thought of reading actual girl’s diaries. What a fascinating thought that their journals had been preserved so long. Your life is nothing but a lie,

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-86933227544822550542010-12-25T11:02:00.000-07:002010-12-25T11:02:41.070-07:00

This Christmas finalizes a hard year for Blue Pencil Diaries. I didn't write much as I was concentrating on my other blog, Longer Eyelashes. Longer Eyelashes, though, wasn't my calling. I don't care half as much about something minuscule like eyelashes as I do writing. After re-reading this blog, I promised to resume posting on Blue Pencil Diaries. I did write one post but it

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-61737755996759949282010-11-08T11:45:00.000-07:002010-11-08T11:45:25.586-07:00

For those who have been reading my blog all along, I'd like to announce that it is about to have a big change. Since the old theme of my site wasn't working for me I have changed it to a regular "blog blog" where I talk about my life and thoughts instead of telling people how to write.

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-4618264982612347302010-08-01T07:12:00.001-06:002010-08-02T10:18:13.877-06:00

Congratulations to the winner of the A Day to Remember Contest. Eileen's heartwarmingly simple story of a cat adoption struck me the moment I read it. I love how she delivered the story in such a sweet, loving way. I loved the way she closed the entry. Perhaps she really does finish her entries with "See ya later." Also, the enclosed photos of her cat added a personal touch. Congratulations,

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-63256984025481453402010-07-19T11:37:00.002-06:002010-07-19T11:39:18.132-06:00

The "A Day to Remember" contest is almost over! Click to the contest page above to enter. The contest will close on July 31st.

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-31567144406049928942010-06-17T14:07:00.006-06:002010-06-17T14:38:52.307-06:00

If you noticed, I added my signature to the bottom of my last post, and to this one as well. Tell me if you like it! Oh, and to make one of your own, just click my signature and you'll be directed to the signature website.

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-21605623251391970152010-06-14T11:40:00.006-06:002010-06-17T14:06:23.897-06:00

If you're waiting to get published and don't know how to get there, the best way is to submit a short story or essay into a contest. The easiest way to get started is to search "writing contest" on Google. The best contests to enter are ones with no initial entry fee. That way, if you don't win anything, you won't feel like you lost money. Choose your contest carefully! If you pick one that is

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-25914087435326685742010-06-07T18:39:00.003-06:002010-06-07T19:24:05.850-06:00

Keep a writer's notebook at all times!!! I will admit that I am really bad at keeping up with my notebook. The main reason for this is that most of my ideas come to me in the evening when I'm too tired and lazy to write it down.This is horrible!!!!! If I have an idea in the middle of the night I usually think, "I'll remember it until the morning, then I'll write it down. "I forget it over the

The Blue Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821903740853711812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-13717046208078871672010-06-01T15:08:00.001-06:002010-06-01T15:11:34.147-06:00

When I was six years old, my sister in law gave me my first diary. Since then, I've been dedicated to my diary and have written nearly every day. It's very interesting to read my old journals. In a way, I can relive my past, and feel like a kid again. My 6-year-old self is embodied in my writings. Here's a diary entry I wrote at the age of seven. I hope you

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-15170451490735433542010-06-01T15:00:00.002-06:002010-06-01T15:00:09.834-06:00

Blue Pencil Diaries now has a new look. Hope you like it, and remember that although my blog looks different, all your favorite entries are still here.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-53705758547157308622010-05-04T14:45:00.003-06:002010-05-04T14:53:17.159-06:00

May is National Short Story Month! In 2007, the Emerging Writers Network kicked off the very first National Writers Month. “There’s a national poetry month, and I think there should be a national short-story month, too. It’s a very American form," says Larry Dark, director of The Story Prize, and one of the first people to initiate the month long event. So how should writers and readers

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-58950201449045388242010-04-28T12:53:00.001-06:002010-07-27T15:36:58.450-06:00

I have a writers block right now and that's why I'm writing an entry about it. I've tried two different ideas for an entry but can't write anything that sounds halfway intelligent. I'm so aggravated with myself that I have no motivation to write a blog post. But it's been nearly a week, so I have to write something.I had a chronic case of writers block in 2008. The affliction just kept getting

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Kalispell, Mt, USA48.18808 -114.30617448.073664 -114.5396335 48.302496 -114.0727145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-81114861002578500822010-04-22T15:03:00.005-06:002010-04-22T21:31:25.102-06:00

A ghostly white form with craters for eyes is walking toward you. All you did was decide to start a short story, and this bony humanoid is telling you it's a necessary part of your writing experience. Don't scream in horror, it's only the skeleton of your short story. Everything substantial has a skeleton, and a short story is one of them. A story's "skeleton" is merely the fundamental

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-77991150545448341692010-04-13T16:33:00.003-06:002014-02-09T16:22:07.088-07:00

Short stories are my expertise. They're quick, easy, and the plot is easily and speedily developed.  A short story is any story under 7500 words in length. My story Goodbye Earth is 1700 words long, and is a very short story. If you enjoy writing and don't feel like writing a 200,000+ word epic novel, maybe you should try writing a short story. Anyway if it gets rejected by publishers you

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Kalispell, MT, USA48.200531 -114.31510248.086115 -114.54856149999999 48.314947 -114.0816425tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-22322679255232065842010-04-06T18:03:00.004-06:002010-04-06T18:07:49.182-06:00

The other night, I had a dream which kept pestering me. I couldn't get the thought out of my head and it was driving me batty! I tossed and turned in a half-awake state for about an hour. I decided that maybe this was "inspiration knocking", so I pulled out my journal and wrote it down. The dream disappeared. A lot of my short stories started out as dreams, and scenes in some

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-65677745294979244632010-03-28T17:16:00.003-06:002010-07-27T15:43:10.985-06:00

Are you an avid diary writer? If you are reading this blog right now, I am guessing that you have some interest in writing. Writing in a diary is the best way to get out your feelings on paper and to stimulate your writing brain. I am obsessed with diary writing. When I write in my diary, I am making myself immortal through my life in writings. I am passing on a legacy through the pages of

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-41307971119432862772010-01-28T09:40:00.002-07:002010-07-27T15:32:01.134-06:00

Yesterday I found myself reading a website which I had in past months determined to be only suitable for elderly folks. I had the impression that the articles were created for relaxing inspiration. Upon reading two of the site's columns I was surprised to discover them surprisingly witty.One was written by a man, the other by his wife. The woman's column shocked me with its lack of sugariness,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-21425860907308700392010-01-25T07:22:00.000-07:002010-01-25T07:22:49.029-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Thirteen The final part! “You’re sweet too,” I smiled, in a kind way, as if I was talking to an old woman who was down on her luck. “Come on Star,” she said, “Let’s go swimming." 4 days passed, full of strange news coverage, sadness, and a sweet sprinkling of fun with Moon. December 21, 2012 I awakened the morning of the polar shift with dread in my heart. That day,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-28615696943141844862010-01-22T13:32:00.000-07:002010-01-22T13:32:38.816-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Twelve “I don’t believe I got your name; what is it?” I asked. “My name’s Moon, what’s your name?” she replied. “Star," I responded. Moon wore a stylish red camisole with green bra straps sticking out. On her legs, she had a flowing long white skirt. Her shoes were cute black espadrilles. Her hair was long and blonde, like Taylor Swift's. “Hey Moon, let’s go to the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-24534105282126899422010-01-21T09:20:00.000-07:002010-01-21T09:27:39.906-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Eleven December 17, 2012 I suddenly woke up to find myself plastered to a seat with such great force I felt I could not breathe. Where was my bed? Where was I? Then I remembered, and tried not to panic. My head hurt so badly, I felt as though an elephant was lying on me. Those were the longest three minutes I have ever experienced. After two minutes of pain, I was able to

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-77887600669710287202010-01-20T08:41:00.000-07:002010-01-20T08:41:37.929-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Ten Peace and I rolled our eyes. Jerri whispered, “Is your dad always that weird?” “Yeah,” I responded. At last, we arrived at NASA. I left the car first and slowly walked towards the watch tower. Luckily, we were the first to arrive in the glass room high in the air and could reserve the good spots. I stood there for a moment. Mom rustled up behind me and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-12623825680370006882010-01-19T08:18:00.000-07:002010-01-19T13:39:01.010-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Nine This page, like several others prior, include two days. Recall this throughout reading to avoid confusion. Peace hugged me. I was beginning to feel like there was a hugging overload going on lately. The doorbell buzzed. On the porch stood Jerri, clutching her suitcase. “Come right on in, Jerri,” I said. She stepped inside the house, beaming, and put down her

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444702022280114122.post-49486896433734119842010-01-18T09:38:00.000-07:002010-01-18T09:38:59.660-07:00

Goodbye Earth Page Eight “Huh?” Jerri answered. “Can you come over today? Maybe you can sleep over. I just want to have as much fun with you as I can until I leave!” I said bravely. “Oh thank you so much Star! My mom and I were saying I should sleep over! My dad will drive me over because he has to go to the bank by your house. I’ll be there in ten minutes!” Jerri replied. “Okay, Jerri!”

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0