Let's Cast a Movie!

Okay, so not really. Don't get all excited. I wish, but not going to happen. Not yet, at least.

Let's pretend we've got a movie deal for Escaped, shall we?  Who would you cast for the following characters?

Jamie Lynn Turner
Rob Stanton
Joel Earnson
Sam Wellington
Whitney Andrews
Lacey Martin
Todd Turner
Julie Turner
Detective Turturro


Can't wait to see who you've picked! Leave your ideas in the comments. I'm still thinking my cast over, but I'll be sharing it later this week.

XOXO,

JP

I'm totally going to use this one in something!

Today's writing prompt was to describe a notification scene at a family's home who has just been told their loved one was killed in combat, is a prisoner of war, or missing in action. (Taken from 642 Things to Write About. Can you tell I'm kind of loving this book? Want a copy? Buy it here!)

I've been working on something for the past year or so, and there's a similar scene to this writing prompt that I've just not been able to get right. Well, I think I've got it (partially) figured out. I hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think in the comments!

XOXO,

JP

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission when you click through and purchase the items. This helps me fund my writing. Thanks! :)

(As always, all original work is copyright Joanna Peterson 2015. Thanks!)



This was my least favorite part of the job. The suburban pulled to a stop in front of the next home. I slid off the leather seat, taking slow, deliberate steps toward the front door. It was open, the family waiting for someone other than me. I watched as their faces turned from excitement to dread as I walked up the front path.

I offered my deepest condolences as I read the pre-printed letter in my hand. The mother's eyes rolled back in her head as she shrieked and fell to the ground. Her daughter, tears streaming down her face, rushed forward to help her. The father stared blankly at me as he took the letter I offered him. He didn't say a word to anyone as he turned, stepped over his wife's limp body on the floor, and stormed away. The daughter glanced up at me, screaming obscenities and begging me to let them grieve in peace.

I bowed my head and retreated to the suburban, disappointed that, of all the notifications I'd done that afternoon, this was the best - if "best" was even the word you would use to describe such a grim and horrible task. I shut the door, avoiding the urge to glance back at the grieving family I left behind as the suburban sped off toward my next notification assignment.

It's Dark in Here

Today's writing prompt was to put yourself in the dark and write what happens. (Taken from 642 Things to Write About)

I had a lot of fun with this one. Let's just say I have some personal experience where this topic is concerned. haha

Let me know what you think in the comments!

XOXO,

JP

(As always, all original work is copyright Joanna Peterson 2015. Thanks!)



I open my eyes, but still can't see anything. I swing my legs off the bed and stand, bumping into the bookshelf next to the bed. Water splashes on my bare foot, and I realize I've just managed to spill my glass of water all over the floor. I shuffle toward the door, keeping one hand on the mattress to guide me. I trip and stumble over a shoe, bumping my hip into the metal corner of the laundry hamper. I reach out toward the wall, feeling for the switch with my fingers. I press the button, and blink in the brilliant light from the LED on the ceiling.

Dear Girlfriend

Today's writing prompt is: You are 21. Write a letter to your girlfriend. (Taken from 642 Things to Write About)

I decided to play off of the letter I did last night from the 13 year old girl's point of view. Let me know what you think in the comments!

XOXO,

JP

(As always, original work is copyright Joanna Peterson 2015. Thanks!)



Dear Girlfriend,

Do you realize I've kept every single thing you've ever written to me? I just found a note you wrote when we were 13. Don't get me wrong, I love you more today than I ever did back then, but you were pretty sappy. (Also, kind of obsessed with Mrs. Hamilton's ears - which I had completely forgotten about.)

I just wanted you to know how much I love and appreciate everything you've done for me over the years. You are my lifeline to the shore as I battle the waves of the unknown.

Thank you for keeping me grounded and tied to home. I don't know what I would do without you.

I love you,

Your Boyfriend

Dear Boyfriend

Last night I worked on some writing exercises. I was in the mood to write, but I had no idea what I wanted to write about, or work on. (I know, you're all going to say "Work on the sequels!" but I just wasn't feeling it.) So on a whim I pulled out my copy of 642 Things to Write About and thumbed through it.

I stumbled across a few exercises that I thought sounded like fun. The one I'm posting below prompted me to write a letter as a 13 year old to her boyfriend. Fairly easy, having written several (but never sent them - they were always kept secret in my locked journal. Aah, the days of early teenhood) as a 13 year old myself, I was able to channel past me and I think I nailed it.

If you'd like to check the book out, and get 642 writing prompts all to yourself, you can buy it here.

Let me know what you think in the comments! (And, as always, all original work posted on this blog is copyright Joanna Peterson 2015). Thanks!


Note: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission when you click through and purchase the items. This helps me fund my writing. Thanks! :)


XOXO,

JP

Dear Boyfriend,

Today at school was awesome. You totally looked so-o hot in those Lucky Jeans you were wearing.

I'm totally bummed that the only class we have together is English.

Also, do you think Mrs. Hamilton even has ears? Janie said that Rob said that Susan heard she was in a really bad car accident like 10 years ago and she lost her one ear.

Ew! Totally gross! If that's true, it totally explains why she wears her hair like that.

Anyways, I was thinking we could work on our English homework together? I started my poem assignment already.  What do you think?

Roses are dumb,
Violet's a fool
'Cuz everyone knows
In the whole school:

You belong to me,
I belong to you,
And that will never change
'Cuz our love is too new. 

I love you babe!

Love,

Your girlfriend

*muah! *

It's a Love Hate Relationship

I hate vacations. But I love vacations.

Vacations are awesome while you're on them, but as soon as you get home and reality hits you square in the face, they suck. Hard core.

After recently returning from a vacation, I feel like I need another vacation to unwind from the vacation.

Who else is with me on this one? *raises hand*

I took my laptop with me on my last vacation with every intention of spending hours writing.

I didn't.

I wrote 553 words.

But that's better than nothing, right?

Now that I'm home and unpacked (sort of), I hope to be able to get back into the full swing of writing regularly before July when the next round of Camp NaNoWriMo starts.

So, what would you like me to work on in July? Here are the options:

Escaped #2 (finish from April Camp NaNoWriMo)

The Sector #2 (rewrite draft 1)

Omega 5 (new project)

The Choice (working title, project from 2013)

Untitled New Adult Project #1 (project from 2013)

Untitled Fantasy Project #2 (project from 2014)

Leave your vote in the comments. I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions. Also, check out the poll on the Facebook page (it's the post pinned to the top of the page) and make sure to vote over there, too!

Something New

You guys! I'm working on something new!

I know, I know!

When are the sequels to the other books going to get finished?

Someday. I promise. But I'm kind of stuck so I figured I'd work on something that has been bugging me to get out onto paper (or the computer screen) for a while now.

Want a sneak peek?

I thought you might.

Please keep in mind, this is completely unedited. Like, I wrote it tonight. So be nice in your comments as far as grammatical errors are concerned. ;)

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

JP

“Community College sucks,” I grumbled as I staggered up the steep marble steps of the oldest building on campus. It was so run down and in dire need of repair that I had to keep dodging the broken steps. I dropped a book. “Son of a –”

“Need some help?” a voice called from behind me.

I turned as I bent down to grab my book, dropping the other five I held clutched in my arms.

“Apparently,” I smiled with a shrug. “Thanks.”

He ran up the stairs easily, not even out of breath when he reached me, and handed me the first book I dropped.

“Thanks,” I blushed as I gathered the rest of my things. “I can’t believe I’m such a clutz. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been up and down these stupid stairs. I should have it figured out by now.”

“The trick is to just keep going,” he said with a smile. His deep blue eyes twinkled at me as the sunlight glinted off them. “Don’t worry if the step is broken. Just keep going. You won’t wear out as easily. Promise.”

“Thanks for the tip,” I laughed. The clock tower chimed the hour and I groaned. “But now I’m late for class. I really need to get going.”

“I could help you get out of trouble,” he offered hastily. Then, as if to cover his eagerness, he added with a shrug, “Or not. Whatever.”

“And how could you get me out of trouble with my professor?” I chuckled. “It’s the first day of class, I’m already behind on my reading, and I’ve heard he’s a real hard –”

“Hey!” he objected. “I’m not that bad!”

My mouth dropped open in surprise. I swear my eyeballs practically popped out of my head. Was I seriously standing there on the steps of the oldest building on campus talking to my professor – and thinking about how awesome his eyes were, because seriously, they were awesome – and had I really just almost called him a hard –?

“Hello?” he waved his hand in front of my face, interrupting my scattered, rambling thoughts. “You still here?”

“Hi, yeah, sorry,” I blinked wildly, trying to regain control of my brain, mouth, and other necessary functions. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were my professor. Your bio made you sound a lot –”

“Older?” he offered. I shook my head. “Stuffier? Boring? Ancient? I’ll accept any of those answers.”

“No!” I objected. “The course description itself was enough to draw me in, but then when I read your bio and all the things you’ve accomplished, I knew I just had to be one of your students.”

“Smart move,” he winked at me as he turned and escorted me up the rest of the stairs. “Brown nose the professor on the first day before class. Always works.”

----Untitled Project, copyright Joanna Peterson 2015