by Len Maxwell
Member since:
December 17, 2005

Happy New Year! (Saturday Writing Essential)

January 05, 2013 12:19 AM UTC
views: 0 | 18 people recommend this | comments: 64

This far into the new year everyone should have all the partying out of their system and be able to think once again.

Well, I’ll be kind to you and not ask you to think too much. I want you to write about the month of January and, in the challenge statement, I gave you a link to a site that has all kinds of neat things dealing with this month. (Oh, in their list of things for the seventh of January, they missed one very important thing that happened in 1947.)

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Use prose or poetry to write something (fiction, nonfiction, or essay) about the month of January. Go to  The History Place, pick one of the entries, and write about it.

 

Ideas:

No way am I going to give you an idea because The History Place is packed with ideas -- you only have to pick one.

Oh, if you can figure out why I said the seventh was a pretty important day and write something explaining that -- extra points!

 

Watch Out For:

Nothing except that your submission must talk about the month of January.

 

Recap:

We had some great submissions and I was pleased to see that my ideas from last week actually worked for you.

Skating into my heart Part Six (Saturday Writing Essential: December 29th, 2012)  by Angela A.

Saturday Writing Essential 12/29/2012--My New Years Reso...  by sarah leanne

satwe this christmas--dec29/12  by karen vaughan

For Len Maxwell ( Saturday Writing Essential) ~ How To Spell Ha New Caw  ????????  by Granny Janny

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAN {Christmas or New Year's Day (Saturday Writing Essential)}  by Joann B.

 

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: Use prose or poetry to write something (fiction, nonfiction, or essay) about the month of January. Go to  The History Place, pick one of the entries, and write about 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!

Comments: 64

Irina Dimitric Jan 5, 2013, 1:07am UTC
This should be easy peasy...even I could come up with something! Happy New Year, Len!
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:27pm UTC
Thank you, Irina, and I wish you the same.
Kathryn Flynn Jan 5, 2013, 1:40am UTC
I knew I knew what Jan 7th represents! I am not telling, but I know. And I'm sure you know that I know. I know that.

So happy happy!
Greg Schiller Jan 5, 2013, 8:23am UTC
I am not telling, but I know. And I'm sure you know that I know. I know that
Ouch!! That made my head hurt. Let's keep things simple, like I dunno..... :)
Barbary Chaapel Jan 5, 2013, 9:32am UTC
Me, too! I know!
Pam Brittain Jan 5, 2013, 12:46pm UTC
Spill it you two.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:41pm UTC
Quiet, everyone -- don't give away the secret.
Kathryn Flynn Jan 5, 2013, 1:41am UTC

Featured in iT WAS THE 7TH OF JANUARY, 1947 in the Triple Name Club.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:42pm UTC
Thank you, it was a banner year.
sarah leanne Jan 5, 2013, 2:22am UTC
Wow..I am challenged..blank paper..sharpened pencil...not a word in my mind......thanks alot..=D
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:44pm UTC
We (the WE editors) frequently put up prompts/challenges that deal with inspiration. Just what gives us an idea for a story/article?

Click on the link for The History Place and scroll through the month. At some point you're going to pick up your pencil and start scribbling.
sarah leanne Jan 5, 2013, 9:40pm UTC
Yeah i wrote something...not my best by far...oh and hb!
Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:35pm UTC
You might not think it's your best, but I'd rate it up there somewhere near the top. Thanks for your response.
Bernard C. Jan 5, 2013, 5:15am UTC
January second time to be hanging on me - hit single in 1975 - Since that time a lot of newly borns carry the name January as well...to wake up the world...

Thank you for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:45pm UTC
Thanks, Bernard. January has a lot going for it.
Richard Lynn Livesay Jan 5, 2013, 4:12pm UTC
Featured on Surreal Circus
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 5:44pm UTC
Very kind of you, Richard, I'm hoping to read a lot of submissions for this one.
JOHN BECK Jan 5, 2013, 7:54am UTC
A nice wide open challenge. I'll be interested in reading the responses.
Barbary Chaapel Jan 5, 2013, 9:33am UTC
...What John said.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:57pm UTC
Thanks, both of you. It's as wide open as I ever do in my challenges.
Kerry Dexter Jan 5, 2013, 8:22am UTC
this History Place seems to have missed Epiphany and associated celebrations and traditions aorund the world...always a day to celebrate in January for me though
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:51pm UTC
Yeah, I saw that they missed several things. In the past, I've linked to other sites that list holidays in each month and, this time, I arbitrarily chose this site.

Do what I do. When I get a prompt/challenge and don't like it -- I do my own thing. Just talk about January or any holiday in this month. I guarantee that your response will be welcome.
Ed Da Head Toker Jan 5, 2013, 8:33am UTC
koool post
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:51pm UTC
Thanks, Ed.
Barbary Chaapel Jan 5, 2013, 9:36am UTC

A lot of history made that year. Bill was in the Pacific Theater.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:01pm UTC
You might consider that many of our younger readers have no idea what the "Pacific Theater" means and you could explain it.
Barbary Chaapel Jan 5, 2013, 3:56pm UTC
Okay, Young Readers -

The Pacicic theater refers to World War 2 fought in the Pacicfic region as opposed to Europe. Bill fought against the Japanese in both the Philippines and Guam and was in the hospital in Australia. He spent from 1940 to 1945 fighting.

Phil·ip·pines [fíllə pnz]
country in Southeast Asia, in the western Pacific Ocean, in the Malay Archipelago. It comprises over 7,000 islands.
Language: Filipino
Currency: Philippine peso
Capital: Manila
Population: 84,619,974 (2003)
Area: 300,000 sq km/115,831 sq mi. Official name Republic of the Philippines

Guam [gwaam]
island and tourist resort in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. An unincorporated territory of the United States, it is the largest of the Mariana Islands.
Capital: Agana
Population: 163,941 (2003)
Area: 549 sq km/212 sq mi.

Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:24pm UTC
That was so cool, Barbary; thank you.
jeanne clarke Jan 5, 2013, 9:41am UTC
My mother's birthday was Jan. 7th....mmmmmmmmmm.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 1:52pm UTC
I don't know your mother, but with that birthday, she must be a great person.
J. Reid Jan 5, 2013, 10:44am UTC
Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:01pm UTC
Thanks, Johnice. I'm late in wishing you a happy New Year.
Betty S. Jan 5, 2013, 11:27am UTC
Happy New Year.. '
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:02pm UTC
Thank you, Betty, and I'll wish you same in return.
Ms Lee P. Jan 5, 2013, 12:29pm UTC
January is the month that I was born, therefore it is an important month to me because I like my life and I like breathing and this past birthday was a very busy one for me. Woo Hoo for January.
Ms Lee P. Jan 5, 2013, 12:31pm UTC
Elvis was born on January 8th and that is a very special day. Woo Hoo for Elvis.
Pam Brittain Jan 5, 2013, 12:47pm UTC
Lee, I'm so glad you were born.
Sandi S. Jan 5, 2013, 1:40pm UTC
There is a porcelain bust of Elvis looking down at me as I type this. Happy Birthday!

(To both of you.)

Got the porcelain Elvis at an antique shop...love it! :)
Ms Lee P. Jan 5, 2013, 2:03pm UTC
LOL, gotta love Elvis. I have an Elvis bookmark in my bookmark collection and it's the only bookmark that I want let the grandkids handle when they ask to look at all my bookmarks .... LOL! It's the one where he has on the "Gold Lame" suit. I used to drive a car load of teenagers to his performances when he first started his singing career. He would appear at different gymnasiums across the south and some of the gyms were in Texas. Those outings brought back memories of crowds squealing at Frank Sinatra .... LOL! We all loved him and still do.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:04pm UTC
Ms Lee, I always admit that I have no people skills at all and readily admit that I missed your birthday. I wish you a happy belated birthday.
Ms Lee P. Jan 5, 2013, 2:16pm UTC
Would you believe that I actually forgot my birthday one year? I did, it was a very busy time in my history and I remember it until the next day .... LOL! There is no way anyone on Gather can remember anyone's birthdays unless it is deliberately pointed out and if I had been at home on my birthday, I would have deliberately pointed it out (LOL, it's true).
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:23pm UTC
Years ago, before I was a GWE editor, I asked one of the other editors whether she wrote a response and then used that to structure her prompt. I've never done that and have, frequently, wondered what I'd write for my own challenge, and you just gave me the perfect story for this week.

Thank you.
Ms Lee P. Jan 5, 2013, 2:27pm UTC
Woo Hoo. Hurry up and write it so I can read it.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 3:19pm UTC
I always try to be the last one to submit. So it'll be next Friday before I post it.
Pam Brittain Jan 5, 2013, 12:49pm UTC
Maybe I'll just wait till the seventh and see what Vj posts for her interesting facts.

Fun challenge, Len. From the comments, it sounds like you'll get lots of responses.
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:06pm UTC
I hope so, Pam. The holidays are over and I hope our writers can get back into thinking about writing.
jeanne clarke Jan 5, 2013, 2:46pm UTC
Oh, I'm thinkin' - I am thinkin'.....can';t seem to stop thinkin'....
Sandi S. Jan 5, 2013, 1:37pm UTC
Hmm...ah...what can you say about January?
Len Maxwell Jan 5, 2013, 2:09pm UTC
Hmm... ah... well, it's the first month of the year. Other than that... I don't know -- that's for you to figure out.
Angela A. Jan 5, 2013, 4:25pm UTC
What if I don't go to that link up there and pick an idea? Will I get penalized?
;)
Angela A. Jan 5, 2013, 4:58pm UTC
Well, here's my post, it is already done. Hope you like it:
NewYear'sDayPoem
Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:37pm UTC
Your first question is moot because I already read your poem and loved it. Thank you.
Angela A. Jan 6, 2013, 5:20pm UTC
He, he. Thankies
The 7th January was the day before Elvis Presley was born in 1935 - if still alive, he'd be 78 and be shaking his hip replacements as he clung to his walking frame to sing, It's Now or Never.

Happy birthday, Len. And may you have a great New Year each day of 2013.
Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:53pm UTC
So very kind of you, Magi, and I hope your 2013 is everything you want it to be.
My genuine pleasure, Len. And thank you very much.
Jan S. Jan 6, 2013, 1:24am UTC
Scrolling through The History Place made me realize how ignorant I am. Sad, because I love history. Happy, because I have a lot more to learn!
Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:55pm UTC
I get lost in those sites. I see something that interests me and I do a search on it and find another twenty or thirty sites that have different things to say. Suddenly it's been four hours and I don't even know where the time has gone. I love it!
Jan S. Jan 6, 2013, 6:07pm UTC
The Internet can be a serendipitous journey which does make us lose track of time. Maybe computers should come with a meter.
Ann Marcaida Jan 6, 2013, 12:23pm UTC
Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured yesterday on schedule.
Len Maxwell Jan 6, 2013, 3:55pm UTC
Thanks, Ann, writers always love to see that "featured" word.
Whoop. I read the post but evidently not well enough. ;P My entry is here, but as you can tell from reading it, I did not go to the History Place. ;P
Len Maxwell Jan 10, 2013, 6:57pm UTC
That was great. Thanks and don't worry about the History Place.
Thank you, Len, for the comments and the challenge. Looking forward to the next one. :)

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