Freestyle Saturday (Saturday Writing Essential)

Last Monday was the second anniversary of my lovingly taking care of the Saturday challenges. Because of that, I thought it only fitting that I give you a freestyle day. Freestyle typically means that you can write whatever you want. But...

Those writers who have followed SatWE for any length of time know that I’ve only given, I think, two pure freestyle challenges. I nearly always throw some wrench into the swimming pool. And that’s what I’m going to do today except that the swimming pool will be frozen.

This Week’s Challenge:

Write something (prose or poetry; fiction, nonfiction, or essay) about anything you want. Any historical period, any location, and any topic -- as long as it has either snow or ice in it.

Ideas:

Pay attention to what I said in the challenge -- it has to have snow or ice in it. That could include a sno-cone or ice cubes in a glass of Jack Daniels.

It’s Christmas Eve, 1776, and Washington is pushing his army across the Delaware River. History paints it as a very difficult time, but what isn’t known is that the river was completely frozen and the troops had only to push the boats across the ice like sleds.

Once again the history books have failed us. The first winter Olympics was not in 1924 -- they were in 1777! Washington’s troops at Valley Forge did not suffer that winter; they were skiing and ice skating the whole time.

It’s 65 AD and you’re a servant of Roman Emperor Nero. You are sent to the mountains for ice so the Roman court can enjoy one of the original forms of ice cream. Where did you go, how much snow or ice did you carry back, how did you keep it cold on the return trip, how much did you lose on the trip, and what was your reward for such a trip?

Watch Out For:

The only wrong thing to do is not include snow or ice in your submission.

Recap:

This was such a great week. If we published a SatWE anthology, all of these would be in there. Makes sense that you might want to read each of the following.

A Combination (Saturday Writing Essential 2-18-12)  by Stacey (Jesus is coming soon-are you ready? ) U.

A Step Back In History ~Sat WE  by Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen

A Taste Of Ambrosia ~ SWE  by Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen

Fan fiction-restaurant review-satwe  by karen vaughan

I'm Going To Miss The Sardines: Saturday Writing Essential  by Richard Thuss

Life Without Choices or Variety (Saturday Writing Essentials)  by Ms Lee P.

My Visit to Milliways, Four Quintillion AD (Give or Take a Few Quadrillion Years) (Saturday Writing Essential)  by Len Maxwell

Pomegranate and Pecan Salad in Saint Paul : Saturday Writing Essentials  by William Dotani

Saturday Writing Essentials The Leaky Caldron  by Patricia J.

SatWE Combination ~ Saturday Writing Essential - Fan Fiction and a Restaurant - Cap'n Jack, Katy and Elvira Fortuna in Romania  by Kathryn Esplin

The Pinque Clogue ~ for Saturday Writing Essential  by JOHN BECK

Weekly reminder: Don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!). Also, try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece. Tell the author what worked and what needs work.

The Rules:

• Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do.

Challenge: Write something (prose or poetry; fiction, nonfiction, or essay) about anything you want. Any historical period, any location, and any topic -- as long as it has either snow or ice in it.

• There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.
• Post to Gather Writing Essential.
• Tag your submission with SatWE.
• Include (Saturday Writing Essential) as part of your title.
• I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Friday afternoon.

Good Writing!