I'm beginning to find that, in the case of some of the best, most classic stories, there is a single line, or scene, that everyone consecutively seems to remember, quote, or envision when its story is mentioned.

For example, if I were to say, "Have you heard of The Princess Bride?"

Hopefully you have, and if so, you would most probably reply something along the lines of, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Or perhaps, "A-a-a-a-s yo-o-o-u wi-i-i-ish!" (If you were really cool, you'd say, "Have fun storming the castle!" But most likely you'd say one of the other two first.)

For something like the film Castaway, you would holler despairingly at the top of your lungs, "WI-I-I-LSOOOON!"

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Wax on. Wax off."

"My preciousssssssss."

"YOU! ARE! A! TOY!"

"I think we're going to need a bigger boat."

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

I promise I'm not just indulging myself here, because all of this is getting to a point. And guess what? This is where you come in!

As some of you might know, it is November, which means this month is National Novel Writing Month or "NaNoWriMo" as they call it. During NaNoWriMo, each person sets a writing goal for themselves. In my case, 1,000 words a day. For the next 30 days, I had to crank out 1,000 words of an original story every day. To some people, that sounds really easy, and to others, that might sound terrifying. To me, it's a bit of both, but mostly, it's exciting, challenging, creative, dogged work. For the past four years, I have done it. I've only succeeded twice, but it is really fun stuff to try. Sadly, this year, I am a super busy snowflake, so I will have absolutely no time to write 1,000 words a day. However, since I still love to write and create, and I'm still bummed out that I won't be doing NaNoWriMo, I have another challenge for you guys! Here it is:

Create a scene. The type of scene that would highlight a book or a movie. Try to incorporate perhaps a time stopping line, or perhaps an ironic, or iconic setting, or maybe an inspiring speech or conversation, or action. Once you've got an idea, write it out and post it. You don't have to freak out and think that it's not as cool as you think. I worry that too. Mostly, your goal should just be to leave me, or yourself, wishing you could read more. I hope you guys have fun, and I can't wait to hear back from you!

Glass not raised but higher than stone, it remains, retains, reflects.

All seeing is all knowing, and it knows but what it sees:

A canopy composed of solid pearl, freckled with oncoming droplets of dew.

And flaming, burning, crisping, turning, delicate starlets edge the scene by

Complimenting and focusing their attention on naught but a pair

Nay double a pair, of rubbery, yellow, infantile boots.

Though without these dear boots, be it still wonderous in ways no one could define,

The view from the ground would seem incomplete.

And so mindful of this tragical, bittersweet thought,

The thin sheet of glass cannot help but hope 

And wonder if you would stay for awhile

And wonders if you will remain with the rain.

Alliteration: a stylistic literary device identified by the repeated sound of the first consonant in a series of multiple words, or the repetition of the same sounds of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables of a phrase. "Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers." See what I did there? Or one of my personal favorites, "Yaks yell." It could also seem not so bouncy, and slightly subtler, such as symphonic soundwaves swept such a summit across his superfluous eyes. If you look back, that was an entire sentence full of alliteration. 

Collocation: the arrangement of words in a sentence, specifically: the lyrical or more artistic arrangement of words in a sentence. Some words just sound delicious when spoken or read together. Some haunting, daunting, or flaunting. I also made a rhyme there, if you didn't notice. 

It is Autumn. 

And it is an actual scientific reality that our imaginations will be especially alive during the next few months. I entirely believe this, given the inspiration our Creator has given us with the colors, textures cross breezes, and sounds this season. I mean, come on, the leaves and the sky are complimentary colors!  

So! I'm challenging you to find some very autumn-y object or feeling or activity, and then describe it in as lyrical a paragraph you can, without necessarily even giving away what it is. The paragraph can include subtle poetry, rhythm, alliteration, collocation, and whatever else you can incorporate to make it sound like music, and do amazing justice to whatever you are describing. Mostly, just strive to give yourself and those who read it chills and good feelings. 

Once you're done, of course, post what you've written. Again, I'm not judging your work or anything, this is all for encouragement and creativity. And I would really love to see what you can do. Thanks so much! Happy Autumn everyone! 

All right, guys, should I color this with watercolor or colored pencil? 

Drawing Challenge of the Week: 

Who is your favorite Disney couple? Please, unless it really is, don't just blurt out Aladdan and Jasmine. I'm not just talking about Aladdin and Jasmine here. Or Erik and Ariel. Broaden your horizons here: 

I'm talking Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Alice and the White Rabbit, Milo and Kida, Tarzan and Jane, all those greats. If you're stressing about the fact that Elsa doesn't exactly have a beau, feel free to pull Jack Frost from Dreamworks into the picture.

Now that you've (hopefully) decided, you're challenge is to now draw them as you would imagine they'd look in modern day. I don't care how wild or classic you get, it's just how you think it should be, and this is for fun.

For example, I know it's digital, but here's one some lass did of Elsa, which is pretty dang accurate.

Once you've finished your drawing, please post it below. I'd really love to see what you've come up with. Also, follow up with an explanation of why you chose them, why they're your favorite couple, why you specifically gave them that style of clothing. By the way, I'd strongly encourage coloring them in, whether it be watercolor, color pencil, marker, crayon, however you like. It makes the picture that much more defined and contrasting. 

 In my case, I would have to go with Flynn and Rapunzel.

For one thing, I especially like the height dynamics for both of them, and then, I think they are two of the few couples where I adore both the girl and the boy. The other couple I had in mind was Roger and Anita from 101 Dalmatians. (I love them so much!) But they are almost already wearing nearly modern clothes, so I decided it'd be a better idea, and a more fun one, to try Flynn and Rapunzel. 

So that's what I'll be doing, if that makes you feel willing to try yourself. I really hope you do, and I'm really excited to see what shows up!

And for good measure, even though I know he's not Disney, this is just awesome: