The Beginnings Of A Story

I do not know what this will lead to, since I am not really a story writer, but even a poet can dream of writing books…

Otherwise Entertained

She was married, and happily, but being married at seventeen sometimes presented a problem. There were other guys who seemed just so tempting and after all, she had never had many boyfriends. How could she? She was only seventeen.

Sometimes the situations in the game brought her character in close proximity to the other guys. As the only female there, sometimes the characters naturally flirted. Dungeons & Dragons was only a game… She kept reminding herself it was not really real. What happened in Ambazzar could not bleed over into the world she lived in every day.

She had always been the bullied one, the outcast, the last picked for the game. When suddenly one guy began to pay attention to her, she had lost her head. She fell deeply and madly in love with him immediately. She did not know what he said behind her back, like “I put a flag over her head, and did it for my country.” When he asked her to marry him she accepted, no questions asked.

Now she wondered if she did the right thing. When someone else spoke to her softly and caught her eye, she thought perhaps she had made the choice too quickly. Little did she know what the future held, none of them did, or someone would have changed it.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Otherwise Entertained (2)

She knew what some of them were thinking… She did not blame them. She would have probably had the same thought about someone else, but she was not pregnant. She was simply in love. She begged her parents to sign for her to get married even though she was only sixteen. In fact, she threatened to kill herself if they did not allow it. She was a child, acting as a child, but she believed herself an adult.

The wedding was beautiful, not well attended, but beautiful. Only later when she looked back on the photographs would she notice one contained a wasp on her veil. She would then think of Shakespeare, but that was later.

Her husband doted on her at times, and other times he was not so kind. The unkindness could be overlooked because after all, they had wonderful times. The concerts, the name brand shoes, the books he bought, all made her feel special. No one outside her family had ever done such things.

There was alcohol, fast flowing and wild, that made her reckless and subdued her conscience. There were things they did she had never imagined.

Magic users, fighters, thieves, paladins, halflings, and orcs became a big part of their lives. After she finished graduation requirements they moved out of her parents’ house. The apartment was a little place, but she made it a home the best she could.

Time passed enchanted and the future beguiled her…

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Now I am wondering if this is worth pursuing. I would love to hear your thoughts and any suggestions you may have.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 123

Journal entry:

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The following poem evolved into a revelation of personal truth. It tells a story and I hope you like it.

Where Memory Leads

He does not know, and
I suppose that is better,
I thought of him once
Again today, as happens
Often when I am alone.

I really should not
Let him linger taking space
Within my thoughts, but
Occasionally I miss
Him still, though I ought not.

He moved on, and so
Did I, but his memory
Haunts me at times when
Loneliness overtakes me
With its cruel clutching claws.

I am prisoner
Of the love we shared in days
That still glow brighter
Than they have permission to
Within my wayward conscious.

He was always much
Better in my brain than in
Reality, so
I will just compare the truth
With the image and forget.

It was my success
Which imposed a golden hue,
For I was doing
So much better then than now,
Money flowed without restraint.

I made those times my
Own perfect fairytale days
Because I was on
Top of the world with reason:
My grand outstanding efforts.

That experience
Can be mine once again if
I will only try
And go beyond the edges
Of my dissatisfaction.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 11, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I was once a publisher in my own right.
2.   I have the ability to do that work again if I so choose.
3.   I have the equipment to do most processes.
4.   I have the software to complete many vital tasks.
5.   I can usually accomplish what I set out to do.

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My Saturday went very well. I hope your day was filled with smiles. Now I want to encourage you to lay aside your other concerns and make an effort to do some creative work. You have a vivid imagination and that is all required to make something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about a personal truth that you rarely reveal to yourself or others. You might do this in a poem, as I did, or you could write a story or journal entry. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below. I would love to read what you create.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back often. If you have comments to share don’t hesitate to leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

 

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 111

Journal entry:

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Trust In The Lord

Life is not always kind,
But God always cares.
Life is not always fair,
But God is always just.
Life is not always pleasant,
But God is always good.

Don’t depend on life
To fulfill your needs,
But put your faith in
The Maker of your life,
For He can make something
Beautiful of all you go through.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Monday, April 29, 2013

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Safety In The Storm

Make God the captain
Of your ship, and though
You may be tossed about,
You will surely make
It through the storm.

Harm may come,
But you will see your
Way to a better day,
God will never forsake you
Or leave you to survive alone.

Jesus will guide you
Through all difficulties
If you will only place
Your trust in His great
And providing hands.

Have faith in Him
Who owns your destiny,
For He will surely
Lead you through this
And every other day.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 29, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I have some wonderful creative friends who encourage me.
2.   I stayed up all night and accomplished a lot.
3.   I was able to take care of some necessary business this morning.
4.   I am finishing this very early.
5.   I will be able to watch WWE Monday Night RAW without distraction tonight.

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I am having a wonderful Monday. I hope your day goes exactly as you expect. I encourage you to invest some time exploring your creativity. I know you have the talent required to accomplish great things in your life. Every time you exercise your imagination you enrich the world.

As a prompt, write about a difficult crossing in your life. You may wish to center your poem, story, or journal entry on how you overcame the obstacle or on its significance. Just write… If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed your time here and that you will visit again often. You might wish to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. I would love for you to leave a comment should you have any thoughts to share with me.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 96

I wrote a beginning, not a great one, but the idea holds some promise. Maybe I will come back to it sometime, but most probably not:

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This poem was brought to you by the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. Granted the super-hero is implied and it is not a regular sonnet, but I think it may work in a sideways sort of way. If you care to try your luck with the prompts, visit those sites…

Super-Woman

Your common hello
Does not thrill others like his
Deep throaty bellow,
They could most certainly miss
Your much more subtle approach
Making statements clear
Marking you as very dear
With no real encroach.

Political overtones
Drip from his lips like kisses
Lavished on babies
Which he imagines atones
For boos and hisses
From the violent maybes.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, April 14, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I have an imagination.
2.   We have freedom to think as we like.
3.   I have a wonderful Mom.
4.   My back was marginally better today.
5.   I stayed home and got some extra rest.

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I have enjoyed a restful Sunday. I hope your day was also peaceful. If you can muster your inner resources now, I encourage you to work creatively. Use your wonderful imagination and make something delightful to share with the world. I have no doubt that you have the ability to do it, because if I can, so can anyone else.

As a prompt, write about a situation real or imagined of which you would not want your closest friend or family member to know of your involvement. Write a poem, story, or journal entry giving the details. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. I hope your experience was enjoyable. Please come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. Your comments are welcome and help me ascertain if I am doing this right, so please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 87

I do not have a journal entry for you today. Instead I have the beginning of a story. One that could happen to any of us. My character just happens to be the unfortunate one…

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My poem is in answer to the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. I combined the challenges, but you certainly do not have to do as I have done. Just follow the links for inspiration.

Ample Prospect

I am
Plus sized in more
Ways than you even think
Body, mind, personality;
Plus sized.

You might
Think me a bit
Unattractive, but just
Give me an opportunity
To shine.

I will
Really surprise
You with intelligence,
God given talent that exceeds
Belief.

Take heart,
I will never
Disappoint you because
I am more than you expected;
God blessed.

I am
Plus sized in more
Ways than you even think
Body, mind, personality;
Plus sized.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 5, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I stayed up all night working, just lost track of time.
2.   I finished the new Sweetwater Camera Club Featured Members page for the May issue of the Chapel Hill News & Views.
3.   I designed this page from a blank template in InDesign CS6.
4.   My mentor was pleased with my work.
5.   The publisher was happy with it too.

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This is the page. The blank space at the bottom is for advertisements that the publisher will add.

I have had an extremely long Friday and am late getting this done, but it has been very rewarding. I hope your day was good. I encourage you to engage your imagination and create something to amuse the world. I know you have the ability if you will only use your creativity.

As a prompt, write about a situation in which words could go amiss. You might write a poem, a story, or a journal entry. This lends itself to tragedy or humor, which will you choose? Please leave a link to your work in the comments below should you use this prompt.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I apologize for my lateness with this entry. I could blame it on my mile walk with my puppy dog, Hope, except it was a tremendous joy. I hope you will find your way back here again, but you might want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 86

Today I wrote a bit of story, instead of journaling:

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I combined the prompts from NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides to create my poem. If you need a little nudge to get your muse in action, please visit those sites.

Hold That Jaundiced Outlook

Don’t look at me with
Envious accusing eyes,
I have just as much
A right to express myself
As do you loftier ones.

You may still believe
Your advantages will buy
You a greater share
Of everyone’s attention,
But I own a voice as well.

Keep those unfair thoughts
Within your own shuttered minds,
Without spreading your
Bitterness throughout this our
Fair social environment.

My experience
Is worthy of chronicling
Just as is your own
With great creativity
And wild imagination.

Remember freedom
Belongs to each one of us
No matter our wealth,
We are fortunate people
Who can achieve all our dreams.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, April 4, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I got up in time to go to town today.
2.   The CHN&V magazines were available at the mall.
3.   I had my Droid and was able to call Mom at home.
4.   Wal-Mart still had Easter candy and I was able to get some at half price.
5.   It did not rain on me while I was out.

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My Thursday went quite well. I hope your day was pleasurable. If you are not too busy, I recommend you engage your creativity and make something you can share with others. It can be writing, photographs, crafts, art, or anything you can imagine. The point is to use the multitude of talent that lies within you.

As a prompt, write about an unexpected meeting with someone from your past. You might want to write a poem, story, or journal entry to explore the subject. It does not have to be someone you were romantically involved with. It could be a teacher, a friend, a classmate, a business associate, anyone really. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you will return often, but you might also want to enter your email in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles to receive future updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 18

I gave a friend of mine a prompt, and then decided I would use it as well:

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I used the prompt at Wordsmith Studio to help generate the following poem:

An Absolute Moment

I reckon I should
Have known better than to bring
It up, but maybe
I was just running my mouth
Without much actual thought.

I deserved the jab
I suppose, despite attempts
To explain myself,
She said I should be able
To rise early once a week.

Sunday morning is
A time I hardly ever
Manage to awake
Before missing Sunday School,
She said I should try harder.

My excuses did
Not mean anything to her
And her opinion
Should really have no meaning
To me, yet I find it does.

Maybe I will get
Myself up again before
The breaking of dawn
So I can once more attend
My church on Sunday morning.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, January 26, 2013

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I am grateful:

1.   I woke up around 11:00 this morning despite going to bed at 3:00.
2.   I was asked to write a poetry prompt for Wordsmith Studio once a month.
3.   Mom ate some of the grits I bought for her last week.
4.   We have soap and warm water in which to wash dishes.
5.   Our freezer and refrigerator preserve food for our meals.

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This has been an extremely enjoyable Saturday for me. I hope your day has been relaxing and refreshing. You can take a few moments to engage your imagination and produce something creative. You may find working like this gives you a great deal of satisfaction. I know it enriches my days.

As a prompt, incorporate some or all of the phrase- He wished he loved her as much as the dog did…- into your poem, story, or journal entry. I know this prompt has already helped generate two stories, so it might also help you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It means a lot to me that you took time to read what is here. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment. You might enjoy receiving updates by email so consider subscribing to Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 363

Journal entry:

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Two Worlds

There is a magic
To real life interaction,
Person to person,
Which cannot be captured by
Digital relationships.

There is nothing like
Looking into the eyes of
Another, seeing
The little gestures they make;
Text cannot express it all.

Technology is
Pleasing in ability
To connect us at
A distance, but it does not
Fully replace face to face.

If we are lucky
We have a life filled with both
Intimate friends and
Those we know only online;
Both worlds are very special.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, January 6, 2013

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Hope seems to be feeling okay.
2.   Hope and I walked a mile this afternoon.
3.   Penny appears to be gaining a little weight.
4.   I have warm clothes to wear when it is cold.
5.   I can see, and so can read and write.

It has been a quiet Sunday here. I hope your day was relaxing. Now I ask you to put your imagination to work and do something creative. This day will be immeasurably enriched by your contribution. I know you have the ability to make whatever you choose, because I believe anyone can produce as I do.

As a prompt, write a memory from your childhood. Any memory will do, just make a poem, story, or journal entry of it. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your time here. If you have a comment, please share it with me. You can easily subscribe to Chronicles should you wish to receive daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 281

Some story starters:

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I used the prompt from Carry On Tuesday to help me develop the following poem. If you need a few words to inspire you, please visit that site.

Simply Magic

I have no reason,
But it’s a kind of magic
Drawing me to you –
I am moved even across
All these years passed between us.

I do not forget
Many days happily spent
Within the circle
Of our arms wrapped so tightly
Around each other’s bodies.

We lived in a dream
Better than we expected,
A kind of magic
Filled each and every of our
Hours spent in love together.

I often miss you,
But life continues onward
Without your presence –
I make good my every day
And it’s a kind of magic.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Hope is a wonderful puppy dog.
2.   I uploaded my photos.
3.   My pajamas are comfortable.
4.   Days are getting cooler.
5.   I had an extra monitor I could use when I needed one.

Tuesday is usually a little less hectic than Monday for most people. I hope it has been a good day for you. If you have not already engaged your creativity today, do it now. You have abundant talent you can use to make something wonderful to share with the world. Do not underestimate your abilities, but have confidence in your gifts.

As a prompt, write some starting sentences for stories. You don’t have to develop the stories now, but you may if you are drawn to do it. Follow your creative impulse. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for spending your time reading this blog. I am so happy you found your way to my home in cyberspace. I hope you will share your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism with me by leaving a comment. Please consider following Chronicles if you would like to receive daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 223

Instead of the usual journal entry, I wrote a story scene. I hope I might come back to it sometime and write more…

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The poem today was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. The words found there are in italics. You might like to try your hand at creating something from the prompt, if so visit the site.

Making Of A Poem

Insidious waves
Nick the tinted drifts of thought
Spreading so gentle
Among the split decisions
Making preludes to poems.

Creativity
Reaches out to fix words in
Vivid arrangements,
Not appearing tinny on
Tip of a soft lisping tongue.

Every fading hour
Disengages from its limbs
Minutes filled with words
Circling about a point
Written down for the ages.

The poet creates
Lines to be long remembered,
At least by virtue
Of sentences etched on
Pages lasting forever.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, August 19, 2012

Photographs:

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My great-niece, Edith Leigh…

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My niece, Carrie Leigh, and great-niece, Edith Leigh…

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Another shot of Edith Leigh…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up at 8:00 this morning.
2.   My niece, Leigh, and great-niece Edith Leigh visited.
3.   They brought my books back.
4.   They took off the garbage.
5.   Mom cooked cabbage for lunch.

I hope you are relaxing this Sunday, but now is the time to create something wondrous. I know you have great things in your imagination just waiting for the opportunity to appear before the world. You are able to do whatever you set your mind to, so get busy.

As a prompt, write about a character in a difficult situation. This often leads to all sorts of ideas. See what happens when you try it. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so happy you chose to read my blog. I would appreciate your thoughts or suggestions, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann