Gather Writing Essential's Tuesday's Child: Complicit Children

Greetings Gather Writing Essential Members!

We had good (but not great) participation with last week's Halloween prompts, but I'm delighted by the work turned in by our fellow Gatherers.  For those who would like quick satisfaction, here are links to each of the participant's work:

No More Short Cuts For Me by Elsie Duggan

Old Derby by Janice F.

The Halloween of Nine by Marilyn is Looking for Whatever There Is N.

Halloween Night by Cheryl W.

Trick or Treat by John Beck

Two Different Perspectives of Halloween by Richard Thuss and

Trick or Treat by Xtabber

There are some other Halloween related pieces published to the group, but since they aren't tagged with Tuesday's Child, I hesitate to include them since I'm not sure of the authors' intents.  Remember, if you participate in prompted work on Gather Writing Essential, make sure to use the tags so the editors can include you.

As always, if I've missed something, please shoot me a note and I'll revise this accordingly.

Now, on to this week's prompt.

As you may know, 6 year old Falcon Heene was reported to be trapped inside a runaway mylar weather balloon last week.  International attention was turned to the pursuit of the balloon and its wayward passenger, until it was revealed that the boy was hiding in his garage attic all along.  Subsequent attention turned to his parents, and then it was revealed that the entire thing may have been staged by the boy's father -- an elaborate hoax.

Discussion about this topic is found all over Gather this week, but our prompts are inspired by these events:

1. Write a story, poem, essay or other prose featuring:
   • a child,
   • his parents or other adults, and
   • some incident involving them
2. Make the child willingly or unwillingly complicit in this incident
3. Include the word "balloon" anywhere within your piece

This challenge is open through next Tuesday, and the best pieces turned in today will be featured.  Make sure you tag your work with: "gather writing essential," "tuesdays child," and "balloon."

I look forward to reading your submissions!!