tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54155400878439258952026-04-10T16:57:06.140-07:00Debra Eckerling created Purple Pencil Adventures to help young adults learn to love the written word. The site has interviews with young published authors, as well as weekly writing “adventures:” fun writing prompts to get the creative-brain going. Debra offers individual coaching, small group workshops, and creative writing parties!Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-55492112762571303732012-08-31T20:25:00.000-07:002012-08-31T20:25:44.733-07:00

Tonight there was s full moon. Did you get a chance to see it? What did you think? Would you like to go on an adventure in outer space? To visit the moon, perhaps? The great thing about writing is you can go anywhere, do anything ... all you need is your creativity. And a pen and paper. Or computer. Write about your Blue Moon Adventure in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-83664968397199754252012-07-27T17:28:00.000-07:002012-07-27T17:28:22.905-07:00

The 2012 Summer Olympics kick off today in London! Have you ever thought of becoming an elite athlete? Why or why not? What makes the Olympics so amazing? Whether you would compete or not, what is your favorite Olympic Event? Why? What sport should become an Olympic event for Summer 2016? Share your thoughts on your favorite Olympic sport in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-84108278960354328012012-07-20T19:56:00.000-07:002012-07-20T19:56:03.411-07:00

Tuesday, June 24, is National Drive-Thru Day! Where I grew up in the Midwest, Drive-Thrus were everywhere: the bank, fast food restaurants, the dry cleaners, the pharmacy. The weather had a lot to do with people not wanting to get out of their cars. In sunny Southern California, Drive-Thru's are few and far between. Sure, there are fast food chains with Drive-Thrus, but that's pretty much it. I

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-34579140540226211952012-07-06T17:01:00.000-07:002012-07-06T17:01:54.731-07:00

July is National Ice Cream Month! There's nothing like a refreshing ice cream cone or a milkshake, especially in this hot summer weather ... What is your favorite flavor of ice cream, the best way to eat it, the most delicious toppings? Describe your favorite ice cream dish - using your senses, especially taste, touch and sight. Be sure to include how eating it makes you feel. Feel free to do

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-57977000843214265932012-06-29T16:49:00.001-07:002012-06-29T16:49:35.668-07:00

Wednesday is the 4th of July aka Independence Day! How are you celebrating? With a barbecue? Fun at the beach? A fireworks show? For this week's Purple Pencil Adventure, write about what independence means to you. If you had ultimate control, how would you live your life? Where would you live? What would you eat? How would you spend your time? Write about your ideal "independence" day in the

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-7592943341213406962012-06-15T15:19:00.002-07:002012-06-15T15:19:28.518-07:00

It's Father's Day weekend! If you have a father or father figure, spend some time with him this weekend. Have an adventure. Go to a baseball game. Play catch. Go camping. Then, write all about it: what you did, how you felt, your favorite moment. Be sure to give Dad a copy of your story recapping your adventure. It's the best Father's Day gift! Write about your Father's Day Adventure in the

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-61465114483951888582012-06-08T19:19:00.001-07:002012-06-08T19:19:11.382-07:00

Today is the 78th “birthday” of Donald Duck. Mickey Mouse's pal made his screen debut in the Disney short The Wise Little Hen in 1934. Who is your favorite animated character? If you could be best friends with an animated character, who would you choose? Why? What sorts of adventures would you have together? Would you be animated too? What would you look like as an animated version of

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-55851701156867113382012-06-01T08:09:00.000-07:002012-06-01T08:09:27.424-07:00

Today is National Doughnut Day! Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts at participating locations and Dunkin Donuts is giving away a free donut with beverage purchase. What food do you think deserves it's own holiday? Why? How would you celebrate it? And what restaurant is most likely to do a giveaway? Write about your ideal food holiday in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-83309978373121442772012-05-11T18:53:00.002-07:002012-05-11T18:53:49.824-07:00

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13th! Make the day memorable - write a Mother's Day story! You can: - Write a story as her Mother's Day present. - Take Mom on an adventure and write about it, so she has a keepsake! - Write about a dream adventure you want to take with your mom. - Or??? Have fun and write something from the heart! Write about your Mother's Day Adventure in the comments

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-63501093998659178462012-05-04T12:33:00.000-07:002012-05-04T12:33:52.925-07:00

It's Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you! Do you like reading or watching science fiction? If you are a fan of Harry Potter or The Hunger Games or  any superhero movie or comic book, the answer is "yes!" What is your favorite science fiction book, movie, or series? Why do you enjoy sci fi ... or why do you prefer other genres? Tell us your thoughts on sci fi in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-24225951282392219922012-04-27T19:27:00.000-07:002012-04-27T19:27:25.718-07:00

April is National Poetry Month, So, write a poem. If you have never written a poem before, just give it a shot. It doesn't have to rhyme, but it can. It can be funny, happy, sad, thoughtful. Just turn your thoughts into words. And go for it! Post your poem in the comments!

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-37310180534135426542012-03-30T18:17:00.002-07:002012-03-30T18:26:47.713-07:00

April Fools' Day is this Sunday, April 1st!Are you a practical joker? Do you like pulling pranks? Or are you usually the one who gets punked?If you could design a prank, what would it be? Who would you prank? You could keep it simple or make it very elaborate. The sky's the limit!Write about your favorite prank - realistic or dream-prank - in the comments section.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-13081532509493457672012-03-23T18:18:00.003-07:002012-03-23T18:23:20.603-07:00

March is Women's History Month! What woman has had the biggest influence on your life? What women currently in power do you respect? In what way(s)? What characterstic make for a strong leader of any gender?Give a shoutout to an important woman in your life in the comments section.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-71862050482211992222012-03-16T15:54:00.004-07:002012-03-16T16:14:54.275-07:00

St Patrick's Day is tomorrow, March 17th!Irish or not, people dress in green, watch parades - and basketball, eat traditional foods like corned beef and cabbage, and hope to have some of the luck of the Irish shine on them!What does luck mean to you? What do you consider lucky? Unlucky? How does being "lucky" make you feel? How do you turn your luck around when necessary?Write about your St

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-48742539376486374702012-03-02T19:56:00.003-08:002012-03-02T20:02:04.777-08:00

Today would have been Dr Seuss' 108th birthday. His books - which include Oh, the Places You'll Go; The Cat in the Hat; The Lorax; One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish; and Green Eggs and Ham - are beloved by children of all ages. Which one is your favorite? Why? Do they inspire you to write? Or to go out and have an adventure .... or stay home and have an adventure?Write about your favorite

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-17177514710527377142012-02-24T20:23:00.003-08:002012-02-24T20:27:08.176-08:00

The Academy Awards are on Sunday.What was your favorite movie of last year? What films and people do you think should win? It takes a lot of elements to make a movie. What do you like about your favorite films? The writing? The performances? The effects and costumes? The music? Or is it how everything comes together?Write about your award picks in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-36747231591558348352012-02-17T19:35:00.001-08:002012-02-17T19:48:13.063-08:00

Last night, I saw Writers Guild of America and Academy Award nominated screenwriters speak on the art and craft of writing on the WGA panel: Beyond Words.The panel included WGA-award nominees: Annie Mumolo, who wrote Bridesmaids with Kristen Wiig; Alexander Payne, The Descendants, John Logan, Hugo; Steven Zaillian - who also adapted The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - and Aaron Sorkin and Stan

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-77798430104808084982012-02-10T19:48:00.000-08:002012-02-10T19:51:45.006-08:00

Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14th!What a better gift for your sweetie than to write a story for him or her. You can also write a story, and put your special someone in as the main character.Like all writing projects, this should be fun ... and written from the heart.Write about your Valentine's Day Adventure in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-25633731338983025982012-02-03T17:27:00.000-08:002012-02-03T17:33:00.375-08:00

This Sunday is the biggest football game of the year: the Super Bowl!What sport or activity doesn't yet have it's own special championship game? Jump rope? Hopscotch? Air hockey?Pick an activity you enjoy, and then create a championship game to go with it! Be sure to name your big game ... and create some special commercials to go with it!Be creative and have fun!Tell us about your Chamionship

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-34050831069898810062012-01-27T16:36:00.001-08:002012-01-27T16:38:21.181-08:00

Monday was National Pie Day! Today is Chocolate Cake Day!If you could create a food holiday, what would it be? Why? How would you celebrate?Write about your food holiday in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-22972198239082075752012-01-20T18:06:00.000-08:002012-01-20T18:12:11.882-08:00

January is National Mentoring Month! Are you a mentor? Do you have a mentor? Why is having a mentor so important?It's important to learn from your role models ... and also to share what you have learned with others. "Pay it forward."What's the best piece of advice you have received? What's your favorite piece of advice to share?Write your thoughts in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-59885495824191218242012-01-13T19:32:00.000-08:002012-01-13T19:37:16.415-08:00

Random Writing Prompt: I love Friday the 13th because ...Fill in the blank in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-17644889656754159672011-12-23T17:17:00.001-08:002011-12-23T17:20:35.303-08:00

Happy Holidays, Young Writers!If you have a adventure, write about it in great detail, so you can re-live it! If you eat something awesome, describe it, using as many of the senses as you can! If you feel inspired, write.Enjoy!

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-16791828682718342442011-12-16T18:43:00.001-08:002011-12-16T18:46:14.828-08:00

Are you on winter vacation yet? What are your fun winter plans? Before you have an adventure, create one and write it out. Remember, there are no boundaries nor travel expenses, when you travel using your imagination.Write about your purple pencil travel adventure in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-62497021315583364172011-12-09T18:25:00.000-08:002011-12-09T18:34:22.745-08:00

It's practically winter ... The weather keeps getting colder. And winter break will be here before you know it!What is your favorite cold weather food? Do you like soup, hot chocolate, apple cider? Meatloaf? Chicken pot pie? What is it about this food or drink that makes you feel warm when it is cold outside?Write about your favorite comfort food in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0