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Viewing Blog: Matt's Adventure, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 9 of 9
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My thoughts, ideas, and stories
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1. Why did the chicken cross the road?

This question is the inspiration for my latest story.  However, I have put a little spin on it.  There are many reasons why they cross the road.  The real question is how!  Check out my sample...




A story of how the chicken crossed the road

            Manypeople ask and wonder why the chicken crossed the road.  That’s easy because there are many differentreasons why chickens cross the road.  Thisparticular chicken needed to cross the road simply to get a foul ball hitduring the game.  This is his story.
            “Foulball!” yelled Frog.  “It’s your turn toget the ball, Chicken.”  Everyonelaughed.  “That is, if you’re not toochicken!”  Everyone laughed even more.
            “HaHa!  Another chicken joke,” said Chickenwith sarcasm. 
            “HeyFrog!  Why did the chicken cross theroad?” Bird asked.
            “Toget the foul ball,” laughed Frog.
            Chickendid not think any of this was funny. Chicken is definitely a chicken. He is also a chicken who is too chicken to cross the road.
            “It’seasy, Chicken.  All you have to do is getacross before any cars come,” explained Frog.
            “Yeah,it’s easy if you’re a frog.  You're across in two hops.  Wechickens don’t hop very well,” replied Chicken.
            “Giveit a try.  Let me show you.”  Frog tried to explain and show Chicken how tohop like a frog.  No matter how hard hetried, Chicken could not move forward. Only up and down. 
            “Trythis pogo stick Chicken.  It will helpyou hop,” said Bird.
            “Goodidea!” said Chicken as he got on and began to bounce.  He bounced and bounced and hit a rock.  Chicken crashed to the ground without makingit across the road.
            “Dowhat I do, Chicken.  It’s much easier toslither across the road.  And you don’thave to worry about falling down,” said Snake.
            “I’mnot sure that chickens can slither, Snake,” said Chicken with a worried look onhis face.
            “Thereis only one way to find out,” replied Snake. “Just run and slide like you’re stealing second base!”
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2. A book from my youth and a book of my own

Recently I have been checking out books that I enjoyed in my youth.  I have a nine year old daughter that I have been sharing them with.  The most recent is The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary.  I remember reading this book when I was in second grade.  I enjoyed it so much that I talked my parents into buying the series.  So, our nightly routine consists of us reading it together.  When it's time to go to bed she begs to keep reading!  It brings great joy!

It's great to go back and enjoy stories that I grew up with.  But we have also been checking out the more recent series.  Junie B. Jones has been one that Rachel enjoys a lot.  Another favorite is the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! 

Reading is very important to us!  It's awesome to be able to spend that quality time together to end the day.  So, I am including a short story that I have recently written.  I am putting this up a little early, which means that there hasn't been much editing, but I'm doing it anyway.  I hope you enjoy the silliness of it and maybe read it to a little one you know.  Spend that quality time together!  There's nothing better!

 

Patrick Python Can’tStop Laughing

One eye opened,then the other.  It couldn’t behelped.  A teeter here…and a snickerthere.  It rumbled low and slowly workedits way up.  Then, when it couldn’t becontained anymore, KABOOM, itexploded like an active volcano!  PatrickPython sat straight up in bed and let out the biggest hoot you ever heard.  “AHHH HAHA HAHAHA HAHA!”
It was earlySaturday morning and Patrick had the snickers. No, he had the giggles.  Well,actually no one really knew what it was. 
Patrick snorkedand chortled as he got ready for the day. He hee haw’d and ha ha’d.  Hecouldn’t go more than a minute or so with a straight face.  Patrick had it bad. 
He shot milk outof his nose when he tried to eat his breakfast.
He sprayedtoothpaste all over the bathroom mirror as he brushed his teeth.
He annoyedeveryone on the bus as they headed to school.
Patrick even madehis best friend, Molly, feel sad because she thought he was laughing at her newhair cut.
When class startedPatrick still couldn’t stop laughing.  Sothe teacher sent him to the office. 
When the principalgave Patrick detention, he still laughed…only harder!
Principal Quillsdid not like how Patrick was acting and called home. 0 Comments on A book from my youth and a book of my own as of 1/1/1900
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3. A new story-rotting logs

Since I have "completed" my first two stories, I have been looking for inspiration for new stories.  I recently read on a website about writing for magazines.  So, I looked up several magazines.  I came across Highlights, which we are a subscriber to.  They discussed a need for several genres.  One of them that I came across was animals and their habitats.  Since I am a science teacher this immediately caught my attention.  I thought about what I already knew and what would be a little out of the ordinary but interesting.  Rotting logs!  I love ecology and little "critters."  I haven't researched what type of books/stories are out there at this moment on this topic.  It can be a non-fiction sort of story or fiction with real and relevant information.  I have some ideas but not sure yet.  I think I may pursue this one.  I also came across a blog "The Nature of Robertson" which shared some information about rotting logs and the creatures inhabiting it.  Thanks!

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4. JacketFlap

I've been trying to connect and network with other authors, aspiring authors, publishers, etc. and came across Jacketflap a couple of years ago.  I haven't really taken the time to do so but I'm slowly getting back into it.  Know of any good sites for children's writing?  Let me know!

http://www.jacketflap.com/mcline04

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5. My first story-sample


Sid’s ImaginaryAdventure
“It’s not here,” Sid sighed, pulling an overdue librarybook and candy wrappers out of his backpack.  
     Sid noticed the mailman when he gotoff the bus.Pleasetell me you have something for me, Mr. Stanley?”
     “What?” Mr.Stanley asked, confused.
     “Ms.Feathers wants us to use our imaginations to describe ourselves, but I can’tfind mine.  Did she mail it?”
     Mr.Stanley smiled.  “I don’t think so. We’ll check tomorrow, Sid.” Sid took the mail.
“I hope so.  I alreadylost the dinosaur Mom and Dad got me for Christmas.  They can’t find out I lost my imagination,too!”
“Mom might haveput my imagination in the boxes in my closet!” Sid said racing inside.  Sid opened the door…
SWOOSH!  A hot flameshot out from a dragon’s mouth barely missing Sid.  “Out of my way dragon!  I’m here to find my imagination!” 
As Sid ran toward the boxes behind the dragon, he spotted asuper-duper marshmallow blaster on the ground. He picked it up and fired.  Twomarshmallows bounced off the dragon’s nose as Sid leaped over its tail andpicked up the boxes.  Sid turned to run.  THUMP! He tripped over the dragon’s tail.
Sid’s legs got tangled and the boxes spilled everywhere.  “Let go of me!” he yelled and kicked hislegs.
 Sid looked back andrealized the dragon did not have him. He was lying on his bedroom floor with hislegs wrapped in the pajama pants his mom told him to pick up that morning.  Whew,that was a close call!”
Focusing on his imagination again, Sid looked through thescattered items from the boxes. “I wish I knew what my imagination looks like!”
6. Ideas for a new story

I just finished up my second story.  I previously showed a sample of it.  Several things have been changed and I feel that I have added more feeling and excitement to it.  Now I have some free time on my hands, several story ideas, but don't seem to be moving forward.  I have a lot of ideas that seemed to have potential but I am struggling.  Suggestions on the Internet are that I observe children in their natural settings, read lots of picture books, and use experiences.  Yeah...not helping at this moment.  Any ideas, feel free to give me a shout!

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7. Christmas Break

We have finally made it!  Christmas break!  No more school, no more lesson plans, no more d-hall's!  Now it's time to enjoy family and friends and enjoy the holidays!  This is our first Christmas at home together.  We usually are traveling around visiting family and friends!  This year we are going to take it easy! I'm excited to see the girl's expressions this year!

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8. Sample writing...

The Great Monster Hunt

“Daaaaad!” Sam and Tucker yelled when they finished brushing their teeth.  It was almost bedtime, but not before for the great monster hunt.
            “Climb on,” Dad squatted and they climbed onto his back.  “Flashlight?”
            “Check,” said Sam.
            “Monster blaster?”
            “Right here,” replied Tucker.
            “Let’s go hunt some monsters!” Dad said walking towards the twins’ bedroom.
            “Wait, Dad!  I heard something moving around!” Tucker pointed to the door that led to the laundry room. 
            “Strange,” said Dad.  “The light is on.  Shoot anything that moves with the monster blaster when I open the door.”  Dad opened the door and Tucker squirted the blaster.
            “Aahh!” Dad, Tucker, and Sam yelled.  “Uh-oh,” they said next.  Mom stood at the door with a basket full of clothes and a wet, soggy face.
            “Sorry honey.” Dad handed Mom a towel.
            “Sorry, Mom,” Sam and Tucker said and kissed their mother goodnight. 
            “We better keep moving,” Dad said and hurried to the kids’ room.

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9. Taking off...

Hey!  I'm Matt and this is my adventure!  I am currently an 8th grade Science teacher, father of two girls, and a husband...to my wife!  I'm working really hard toward becoming a published children's author.  Sid's Imaginary Adventure, is the title of my first completed book and inspiration for my blog title!  I have sent it off to Boyd's Mill publishing and currently awaiting a response.

This blog is going to be focused on my writings, ideas, thoughts, and interaction with you.  I will be sharing some writings, asking for opinions, and occassionally asking for ideas on new topics that you would like to see in a picture book.  I would also like some experiences that are humorous...after all, most stories come from life's adventures!  Please leave comments and enjoy!

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