tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54155400878439258952012-02-24T20:27:08.163-08:00Debra 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.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-17177514710527377142012-02-24T20:23:00.003-08:002012-02-24T20:27:08.176-08:002012-02-24T20:27:08.176-08:00

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-36747231591558348352012-02-17T19:35:00.001-08:002012-02-17T19:48:13.063-08:002012-02-17T19:48:13.063-08:00

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-77798430104808084982012-02-10T19:48:00.000-08:002012-02-10T19:51:45.006-08:002012-02-10T19:51:45.006-08:00

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-25633731338983025982012-02-03T17:27:00.000-08:002012-02-03T17:33:00.375-08:002012-02-03T17:33:00.375-08:00

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-34050831069898810062012-01-27T16:36:00.001-08:002012-01-27T16:38:21.181-08:002012-01-27T16:38:21.181-08:00

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-22972198239082075752012-01-20T18:06:00.000-08:002012-01-20T18:12:11.882-08:002012-01-20T18:12:11.882-08:00

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-59885495824191218242012-01-13T19:32:00.000-08:002012-01-13T19:37:16.415-08:002012-01-13T19:37:16.415-08:00

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-17644889656754159672011-12-23T17:17:00.001-08:002011-12-23T17:20:35.303-08:002011-12-23T17:20:35.303-08:00

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-16791828682718342442011-12-16T18:43:00.001-08:002011-12-16T18:46:14.828-08:002011-12-16T18:46:14.828-08:00

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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-62497021315583364172011-12-09T18:25:00.000-08:002011-12-09T18:34:22.745-08:002011-12-09T18:34:22.745-08:00

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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-64031723681134538352011-12-02T18:30:00.000-08:002011-12-02T18:48:22.134-08:002011-12-02T18:48:22.134-08:00

It's holiday time, and people are all looking for the best gifts to get for their favorite people.What is the best gift you ever received? Why? Who gave it to you?Write about your favorite gift in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-1036177859732833982011-11-25T19:21:00.000-08:002011-11-25T19:32:47.625-08:002011-11-25T19:32:47.625-08:00

Tis the season ... to shop. The next several days have a variety of deals at numerous online and retail stores: Today is Black Friday, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, and Monday is ... well, Cyber Monday.How do you feel about shopping? Do you go to the store with your friends or family? Or do you stay as far away from retail as possible?Write how you feel about shopping in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-85374714427700311082011-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:002011-11-18T19:06:46.205-08:002011-11-18T19:06:46.205-08:00

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, November 24th!Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? What is it? Watching the parade? Cooking together? Preparing a unique dish that is - or is not - a traditional way to celebrate the holiday?If your family doesn't have a special way to celebrate, perhaps now is the time to start a tradition.Write about your Thanksgiving tradition in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-85309309066561788202011-11-11T19:19:00.000-08:002011-11-11T19:30:50.143-08:002011-11-11T19:30:50.143-08:00

Today is 11/11/11.What does that mean to you?Answer in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-27062140507739617862011-11-04T20:57:00.000-07:002011-11-04T21:08:20.434-07:002011-11-04T21:08:20.434-07:00

November is National Inspirational Role Models Month.What makes for a good role model? What characteristics must he or she have?Who is your role model? Is it someone you know? Or a famous person? Or both? Why do you admire this person?Write about your role model in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-13160993246106615222011-10-28T18:17:00.000-07:002011-10-28T18:22:32.600-07:002011-10-28T18:22:32.600-07:00

Happy Halloween!How are you celebrating the holiday? Are you dressing up? As what? Did you make your own costume? What inspired you to dress up this way?Have fun!Write about your Halloween Adventure in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-91460413765813276342011-10-21T18:42:00.000-07:002011-10-21T18:56:15.149-07:002011-10-21T18:56:15.149-07:00

Do you play a musical instrument? Which instrument? How long have you been playing? What is your favorite song?Write about your experience playing a musical instrument in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-2998255987905779592011-10-14T18:04:00.000-07:002011-10-14T18:17:38.007-07:002011-10-14T18:17:38.007-07:00

October 16th is National Dictionary Day! Here's a great way to celebrate:- Go to the dictionary - or go to dictionary.com.- Find 5 words you don't already know. Or you can pick 5 unfamiliar words from a book and look them up.- Write down each word and its definition. Then, write five sentences; use one new word in each sentence.- Challenge your friends and family to do the same.This is a fabulous

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-57690719676271651432011-10-07T17:53:00.000-07:002011-10-07T18:00:00.950-07:002011-10-07T18:00:00.950-07:00

October is National Field Trip Month. Have you been on any field trips yet this school year? Do you have any field trips coming up soon?If you could plan your own field trip, where would you go? What would you do? Be creative. The sky's the limit!Write up your ideal field trip in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-88774695550005042312011-09-30T18:31:00.000-07:002011-09-30T18:35:41.208-07:002011-09-30T18:35:41.208-07:00

Are you a football fan? Do you like professional or college football? What is it you do - or do not like - about the sport?If you are not a football fan, which is your sport of choice?Write how you feel about football in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-31184300392831239192011-09-23T18:45:00.001-07:002011-09-23T18:49:37.752-07:002011-09-23T18:49:37.752-07:00

Today is the first day of Fall!What is your favorite part of this season? What do you like to do?Are you a football fan? Do you like to go apple picking? What you are most looking forward to in the months ahead?Write all about it in the comments section below.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-53273896231043303412011-09-16T18:31:00.000-07:002011-09-16T18:41:58.659-07:002011-09-16T18:41:58.659-07:00

The Emmy Awards are this Sunday, September 18.On Tuesday I met some amazing television writers at Sublime Primetime, the Writers Guild's annual panel of Emmy-nominated writers. It was a lot of fun hearing advice from the pros.What is your favorite television show? If you could ask a TV writer anything about his or her show, what would it be and why?Write about your TV Adventure in the comments

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-89631632828659295342011-09-09T18:34:00.001-07:002011-09-09T19:02:32.734-07:002011-09-09T19:02:32.734-07:00

What's your favorite dessert? It can be as elaborate and decadent as you want. Now describe it.Make sure you use all the senses. The reader needs to see, smell, taste, and touch it. And what sounds does your dessert make when you eat it? What sounds do you make? What are your "yummy" noises?Write about your dessert adventure in the comments.

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-41526700795743033212011-09-02T18:36:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:44:41.874-07:002011-09-02T18:44:41.874-07:00

How was your summer? What was the best thing that happened? What was the most annoying? Write a story combining some of your summer experiences into one day. Take the begiining of one day, add the middle of another, and finish it up with a third. All stories should have a beginning, middle, and end. So, see what happens when you blend three of them together. Write about your end-of-summer

Debra Eckerlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09438288743044963225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5415540087843925895.post-2648949865462187292011-08-26T19:26:00.001-07:002011-08-26T19:32:50.916-07:002011-08-26T19:32:50.916-07:00

Hurricane Irene is about the hit the East Coast. Time for some weather-related creativity. Write a short story with you as the main character, saving the people in your town from some really bad weather! Be sure to include events leading up to the storm and how your character saves the day. And, if you are on the east coast, please stay safe. Write about your weather adventure in the comments.

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