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WRITING 101 ~ 2nd October 2015 ~ THE FUTURE

4/10/2015

Image from the Net

Writing 101 ~ Day 20 Assignment: The Future

THE FUTURE
by John Yeo

The Writing 101 challenge has run its course,
I started the journey and persevered.
Following the prompts with interest.
Creating and learning, to reinforce
My blogging skills and improve my writing.
Each section a challenge in itself.

Twenty posts, each one unique,
A different aspect to the Blogging process.
Yes I did enjoy the journey.
I will come away with a method of working.
My thanks to the designers who set the prompts
To stretch my skill and my imagination.

I have enjoyed reading people's work
There are some very talented writers out there
I liked the comments and feedback.
Some I enjoyed reading with gratitude
Enough to respond with admiration.
I have made a few friendships on the way.

Some I am sure will persevere strongly
Communicating and collaborating
Likeminded people who scribble each day
Blogging their thoughts to the world.
Valuing the feedback and inspiration
Becoming skilful writers along the way.

The here and now has sown the seeds
That will grow and flourish in the future.
For the many people around the world
Who struggle to find the words to inspire
The many children who need just a spark
To set their imagination on fire.

Yes I did enjoy completing the journey,
Meeting and responding and taking part.
Writing 101 has opened the doors
To the imagination of would be writers.
People who struggle with determination.
Sharing their thought around the world.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

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WRITING 101 ~ 1ST OCTOBER 2015 ~COLLABORATION

3/10/2015

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750 WORDS ~ 1ST OCTOBER 2015 ~ WRITING 101 ~

WRITING 101 Day 19: Feature a guest

As mentioned on Day 11, today is the day to publish your collaboration post! Ideally, you reached out to a candidate and gathered what you needed. Today, publish this post, and don’t forget to link back to your collaborator’s site.

COLLABORATION
between
KATHIE GREGORY ~ http://ataleoftwohorses.com/about/

and
JOHN YEO ~ https://johnly1607may05.wordpress.com/about/

Image © Copyright ~ John and Margaret

COMING HOME

by KATHIE GREGORY and JOHN YEO

  He wakes. It's another beautiful day, judging by the sun streaming through the window. The world is waiting for him, and he is ready to take it on. Live life to the full and seize every opportunity. That's his motto, and one he intends to fulfil. Today will bring change, a new path to walk. He can feel it. Getting out of bed, he dresses and wanders into the kitchen for breakfast.

  Walking into the building, he can barely contain his excitement. This is the life he was meant for, his purpose. But he's not there yet. He has to convince them that he is the one for the job. He has the strength, courage and determination to reach this almost unattainable goal. Will they agree? He will convince them. He has time to prove himself, as long as they give him a chance. This is why he sits here today, in front of them, for this chance to make something of himself. His whole life is in front of him, and he is ready to take it on. As he exits the room, he breathes a sigh of relief, closely followed by the biggest grin he has ever given. The receptionist smiles back at him. What a handsome young man, she thinks to herself. I wonder what he will make of his life.

I am sure I made the right impression and said the right things. If I had wings I would fly, that receptionist is very pretty, I am sure I made a good impression there. I know I am the person who will turn this business round, I wonder will they accept my new ideas? I have a unique way of looking at a problem or a situation from all angles and I am not going to allow myself to be defeated, as an ex-soldier that is alien to my thinking. When I have made the improvements I have in mind, this organisation will expand out of this sector to rule the electronics industry. I could be a wealthy man in a few years time.

  I think coffee is called for now. Is that Willie Harris over there? I will avoid him and not make any eye-contact, I hope he never saw me sitting in the corner here! Wow! What am I going to do with all the money I will be making? I have always dreamed of travelling the world, perhaps on a cruise ship. No! I think I would like to just see the other side of life, new horizons, new cultures to enjoy and experience in a new way.

I think I will have to have the courage to come to grips with the situation at home, I am sad to say that the mess we are in was due to my military travelling, and I am sure I came across as a different person when I returned. Never mind when I break the news of my new employment dimension, and the new standard of living we will enjoy, all should be well.

   'I'm home', I shout. Alice rushes up to me. 'You've been gone so long Daddy', she says. 'You're right sweetheart, but what does Daddy always say?' 'That you'll always come back', Alice replies. 'I'm glad you're home, how was your day?' says my wife Kim, looking a little apprehensive. Try as I might, I can't keep the smile off my face, or the news to myself a moment longer. 'They went for it', I say, whooping for joy, as I pick Alice up and twirl her around. She giggles. 'You got the job', Kim exclaims. 'Yes, they loved my ideas', I reply, putting Alice down and embracing my wife. 'I start next week.'

   Finally, we can put the past behind us, forget the difficult times we've been through and look forward to a happy, secure future. Kim has gone through a lot. God knows, it's not been easy for me, either. The conflict between my wife and the demands of the job. Plans changing at the last minute as an urgent mission gets under-way. The danger. The excitement. I love this life, it's more than a job, but I can't do it forever. I'm not getting any younger, and it's taken it's toll on our marriage. Life outside the Army will be different. Is different. Already I'm not so tightly wound, ready to respond. Life has a new rhythm, one I'm starting to enjoy.

My mind is racing with plans and ideas. Getting this company out of trouble and turning it into the most successful electronic company the world has ever seen is going to be such a challenge. But, they were all behind me, on board. The receptionist, Emma, I think, said it was time for change, new ideas, a different perspective. I think I'm going to like it there.

    'Shall we take this one out to celebrate?' I ask, looking fondly at my daughter. 'Yes', says Kim, 'Alice, do you want to go out for pizza, we're celebrating Daddy's new job.' 'Yesss please' shouts Alice joyously. The sensations of pure joyful love for my family flood throughout my being. Kim and little Alice are so very happy at my successful new job appointment, all the family strains of the past have vanished.

   'This Pizza house is just a short walk from my new office. I suspect I will be too busy to even think of coming here again.'
Kim shakes her head as I say this, I am sure she is about to make a wise retort. I quickly change the swing of the conversation. 'What are you having Alice? You really can have what you like now. Order something special.'
   'Ooh, Daddy can I have Pepperoni with extra cheese and mushrooms, please?' I give Alice a huge hug after our meal.

   Kim laughingly asks, 'Won't you miss your friends and the excitement of being involved in the military now you will be confined to a desk job in an office?' I hesitate before I respond as the blank black cloud that is obscuring the last days before I arrived home, descends again.
     'Kim darling, I can never remember feeling so relaxed and happily contented since the early days of our marriage. I feel as if a cloud has been lifted from my consciousness and all the stresses and strains of my past adrenalin filled existence have been relegated to obscurity. I am sure the challenge of my new job will fill the gaps.'
     Kim nods and replies, 'I will always be with you in all you do and your presence will be a continual strength to Alice and me always.'

'I am ready to face the new depth in the dimension of another challenge, Kim. Nothing can stand in the way now.' The sunlight has faded, the room is bathed in shadows and silence.

Copyright © Written by Kathy Gregory and John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Image © Copyright ~ John and Margaret

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WRITING 101 ~ 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015 ~ A MAP AS YOUR MUSE

2/10/2015

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Day 18 Assignment: A Map As Your Muse

Today, let a map be your muse. Select an area anywhere in the world on Google Maps (or your preferred online map tool), or a section on a paper map, and use this as inspiration for your post. Some ideas:

Image from Google Maps

DREAMTIME MAP

by John Yeo

My dream trip someday is to enjoy a return visit our daughter and her family who have lived in Eastern Australia for a number of years. Whenever we see the map of this wonderful land, the points of interest jump straight off the map into the minds eye, allowing the muse to wander.
We have visited Sydney and explored the city. We have enjoyed the Art gallery and museum, the famous Chinese garden and Paddies Market. I am a great bird and wildlife fan and a trip to a Koala wildlife centre was a very memorable experience. We fell in love with Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour with the famous bridge and the iconic Opera House.
We have visited Brisbane city and taken a boat ride on the Brisbane river and we have strolled through the Botanical gardens, then crossed the river and taken a swim in the outdoor natural pools under the Brisbane wheel.
We have also paddled in the high rolling surf on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

We have never visited Western Australia. Perth would be a good start, this is the capital of Western Australia and it would be interesting to just soak up the history here.

Alice Springs in Central Australia another famous destination would be a fascinating experience, reputedly the gateway to the desert and a centre for aboriginal culture, the legends surrounding Alice Springs are definitely worth exploring.

Then of course the famous Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is now known, the sacred site revered by generations of Aboriginal people. A huge impressive landmark that must be extraordinarily interesting to see.

A magnetic destination for us would be the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and to perhaps view the colourful marine life existing and thriving around these beautiful living coral islands.

Finally another new undiscovered destination down-under for us would be Melbourne in the South of the continent, in the state of Victoria. A thriving dynamic city that is a reflection of the new Australia, yet combining the new with the historic to present an interesting multicultural society.

The dreams although firmly in the regions of the muse at present.
Who knows?

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

I thoroughly enjoyed putting the above Australia post together as it brought back so many memories of our previous visits to this wonderful land. I am in awe of the diversity and curiosity of the marsupials and the incredible colourful and beautiful variety of birdlife. I can hardly wait to make a return visit.

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WRITING 101 ~ 29th SEPTEMBER 2015 ~DAY SevenTEEN~Mine your own Material

1/10/2015

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Image fro Ermilia's Blog

WRITING 101
Day 17 Assignment: Mine Your Own Material

Imagine a shopper searching for vintage items at a flea market, or an artist using recycled materials to build a sculpture. Can you dig through your online treasures and build upon old stories and existing writing? Here are more ideas:

Take a peek in the drafts section of your dashboard. Can you use unpublished copy in a new way?

~~~~~~~

I found this piece of work in my drafts section dated 02/02 /2015, I had written in response to a homework assignment for a creative writers group Margaret and I attended for a while. I am sure a version of it was presented and read to the group. I am surprised to find this draft copy still swirling around.

"Imagine Part Of Your Body Has A Voice

1) Decide on a particular part of your body and imagine it has a voice - what do you think it would have to say for itself - humorous or sensible - your foot, your mouth, your ear, your head, etc.

Your piece of writing might include detailed description, facts, names and technical details. Or just Imagine it can tell us about itself and what it feels like to be it. "

HEADLINES

by John Yeo

The nose addressed the eyes,
I will balance the glasses
You read the words.
I will sniff out the story,
Pass the result on to the brain.
The brain will interpret
The meaning of the words.

The magic of the poetry
Will be expressed by the mouth.
The ears will balance the glasses
Listen carefully to the response,
And adjust the result accordingly.

The eyes looked down on the nose
We have no need of your sniffing
We are reputedly
The windows of the soul.
The light of truth
Shining directly to the brain
A shining light reflecting
The light of creativity.

Then in unison the ears chorused
Without your glasses you are blind
We can hear the music of the words.
The mouth joined in the conversation
A very wise mouth indeed!
You must leave room for interpretation,
Each mind is unique!

Together we make up the individual
Striving for unique expression,
Guidance is just another opinion
Generated with respect.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

I have to admit that very little revision or updating was required and I submit the draft copy as the completed work.

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WRITING 101 ~ 2nd October 2015 ~ THE FUTURE

WRITING 101 ~ 1ST OCTOBER 2015 ~COLLABORATION

WRITING 101 ~ 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015 ~ A MAP AS YOUR MUSE

WRITING 101 ~ 29th SEPTEMBER 2015 ~DAY SevenTEEN~Mine your own Material

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