Thanks to everyone who entered our Andy Griffiths Writing Challenge last week. You all wrote some wonderful stories, poems and lists and we loved reading them.
The winner of the Typo prize pack and a copy of Andy Griffiths’ book, Once Upon a Slime, is Ben Somers. We loved all the wonderful and creepy things that were behind your Twelve Doors.
Check out this awesome story that Ella wrote using Andy Griffiths’ Twelve Doors writing exercise.
THE TWELVE DOORS
Good morning, stranger, and what brings you to my door?
Ah, you need not say anything, I can guess where you are heading.
How, you ask? I have seen many young people pass my door, all with the feverish look in their eyes, all heading the same way.
But I can see in your eyes, stranger, that you are still not sure about your choice, were you pushed into this, stranger, called a coward, because you were not sure? How do I know this, as well, stranger?
Ah, I am what people call a Reader. No, I do not read books, I read people. I can read their desires, their fears, their deepest regrets, yes, I can see right in to you soul, stranger. No, I do not know your name, my gift, does not allow me to see that. Nor do I wish to know it, for it makes me remember the people who walked past my door, to their deaths.
Now, stranger, tell me the real reason, you are walking this path.
Ah, wait. Close your mouth. I am a Reader, remember. Wait, I am looking into your heart, yes… yes… It is a women, isn’t it, stranger? You are deeply in love with her, you would walk the ends of the earth for her, so deep is your love for her. Now, what has she done, to make you walk this path, hmm? Ah, now I see, it is her father, yes? I thought so.
So this is why you are walking this road to your death, you are poor, your job does not supply you much money, you have a little sister who you love dearly, but she is sick, and one day soon, you fear she will die. And this women you are in love with, she is a rich, isn’t she? And even though she loves you, and you love her back, her father, doesn’t agree to the match, yes? He does not want a poor peasant marrying his beautiful rich daughter. He thinks she should marry someone else and he has someone in mind who is very, very rich but is also cruel, yes?
And this father, he is scared that you will runaway with his daughter, makes a bargain with you. If you go to The Twelve Doors, and come back with the prize, he will let his daughter marry you and even make you a knight, so you have a position in his household. So you agreed to come on this quest.
So that is your story, stranger, and a strange one, too. I knew as soon as I saw you stranger, that there was something different about you, and now I know. You tread this path, for the people you love, not for greed, which is all the other poor souls who came this way have fallen too.
And for that stranger, I am going to give you a word of advice for what you face ahead. Now, come closer, so I may whisper in you ear.
Now, are you listening, stranger? Good. What you need to face the horrors ahead is not a weapon, but your wits. Yes, stranger, your wits. For the horrors that hide in the eleven doors, are actually spirits, evil spirits, that are desperate for fresh souls, but they can only kill the souls that are already tainted. That is why the greedy travellers that have gone before you have never came back, for their souls have been tainted with greed. Now, you, stranger, Your soul is pure, I can sense it. As the spirits try to take you soul, fight them with your mind. Think of all the good things you have ever done, and most of all think about the love you share with the women. The spirits can not battle against love for it is to pure and beautiful for them. They will slowly weaken and grow transparent and then disappear.
In each of the eleven doors, their is a spirit, and the more doors you grow through, the more evil they are…
When you reach the twelfth door, and that is if, you survive up to the twelfth door, take your treasure, and begone from that evil place. Go home and marry your lady and forget The Twelve Doors.
Now go, for I have helped you in all the ways I can.
What is it, stranger?
What is the treasure, you ask? Ah, I can not say, for it is supposedly different for everyone. Now go.
Farewell, Stranger. And… good luck.
Check out Ella’s ‘Louie’ that she wrote using Andy Griffiths’ writing prompt, 50-word Pet Story.
LOUIE
Golden gold,
wagging tail
spoilt rotten
steals the mail!
Sniffing this,
sniffing that,
finding the scent
of a dirty rat!
Snoozing by the fire,
where it’s nice and hot
jumps up barking,
when he hears a knock!
Wet pink tongue,
big brown eyes,
and big happy grin,
that doesn’t lie.
Check out Tierney’s ‘Angus’ that she wrote using Andy Griffiths’ writing prompt, 50-word Pet Story.
Angus
Five foot tall,
emerald green,
my dog Angus is
easily seen.
Neighbours complain
when they lose
their mail;
it blows away because
our Angus
constantly wags his tail.
His puppy fat
is so much that
I carry him in a wagon.
Everyone’s scared,
because they think
Angus is a dragon!
Andy Griffiths, the author of Just Crazy, Just Tricking, Zombie Bums from Uranus and The 13-storey Treehouse, has just released his book about writing, called Once Upon a Slime. In this very cool book he gives lots of tips about writing and some activities to help you become a better writer. You’re probably looking for something to do in the holidays so why not try an Andy Griffiths writing challenge.
In the box below there is a writing challenge from Andy’s book, Once Upon a Slime. Why not try it out and post your writing here on the blog. Just post your piece of writing as a comment at the end of this post, along with your name and email address. At the end of the week we’ll choose our favourite piece of writing and the author will win a prize pack of goodies from Typo.
Make the unbelievable believable
Add a made-up piece of nonsense to the end of each of the following sentence beginnings.
- Scientific studies show…
- I heard on the news that…
- Recent research findings prove that…
- Statistics show…
- Experts say…
- It’s a well-known fact that…
- Nine out of ten doctors recommend…
For more great writing ideas check out Andy Griffiths’ new book, Once Upon a Slime.
Andy Griffiths, the author of Just Crazy, Just Tricking, Zombie Bums from Uranus and The 13-storey Treehouse, has just released his book about writing, called Once Upon a Slime. In this very cool book he gives lots of tips about writing and some activities to help you become a better writer. You’re probably looking for something to do in the holidays so why not try an Andy Griffiths writing challenge.
In the box below there is a writing challenge from Andy’s book, Once Upon a Slime. Why not try it out and post your writing here on the blog. Just post your piece of writing as a comment at the end of this post, along with your name and email address. At the end of the week we’ll choose our favourite piece of writing and the author will win a prize pack of goodies from Typo.
50-word Pet Story
Tell a story about – or describe – a pet you have owned (or would LIKE to own) in exactly 50 words. See how much of your pet’s personality you can convey in those 50 precious words.
It may help to write the story first and then subtract any words that aren’t strictly essential until you have 50. Your title can be any length.
For more great writing ideas check out Andy Griffiths’ new book, Once Upon a Slime.
Check out this awesome story that Bailey wrote using Andy Griffiths’ ‘Write a Story Starring You!’ writing exercise.
The Red Stilettos
I looked over my shoulder. Miss Andrew, my new teacher, was looking down at me.
”What are you doing, Bailey?” she said in a sharp voice.
”Um, not much,” I replied, turning the page of my maths book and hiding my doodles. Miss Andrew clip-clopped in her bright red stilettos over to the grubby blackboard.
”Right, for homework you can copy out the twelve times table ten times.”
A muffled groan came from the children. They started to pack their things up. ”I will meet you at music class,” she smiled, showing off her shiny white teeth. But there was something wrong
with her teeth. They were unusually pointy, and had little red specks on them.
She stepped forward to my desk and looked around. She walked behind the desk. I could feel her breathing over my neck, then I remembered her pointy teeth and spun around. She shrieked then her eyes went black. A tall crumpled collar was supporting her head. Her black cloak was smothering the paint-stained ground. She was still wearing her red stilettos. She screamed again, then swished her cloak and was gone in a puff of black smoke. Now I know not to trust my teachers.
Check out this awesome story that Tierney wrote using Andy Griffiths’ Twelve Doors writing exercise.
The Twelve Doors
The Doors. Most people haven’t heard of them. Perhaps this is a good thing. After all, everyone who hears of the Twelve Doors is sure to go searching for them…and each journey ends in the same way.
Traveler, I don’t know who you are, or what your life is like. But I do know that it is for the better if you leave. Go- return to your life, to your family and your home. One day, you will forget all this. You will be happier knowing nothing about the Twelve Doors. You insist. I thought you would. Very well…I will tell you.
The Twelve Doors are hidden in the darkest corner of the earth, concealed in a thick jungle in South America. You will never find it on any atlas. If you wish to find the Temple of the Twelve Doors, you must use this map. Here- take it. Don’t ask me how I got it. By following the instructions on the map, you will lead yourself into this jungle, through the humid air and thick vines. Finally, if you have been careful, you will enter a large clearing. In the centre there will be a large temple, with hundreds of steps leading to the top. The climb is long, but if you wish to find the Cup, you must be willing to do anything, least of all climb these steps.
If you reach the top, you will find twelve doors, each rising up from the ground like gravestones. Inside each one is a spiral staircase, leading down into the labyrinth of horrors within. Eleven of these doors will lead you to certain doom. Only those with strength, courage and wit can escape. However, the twelfth door contains the Cup- and the Cup is the thing that tempted the unfortunate adventurers that came before you, traveler. What is the Cup? It is described only by legend, as no-one has seen it but the person who put it there, so many centuries ago. According to the myths, it is a large silver chalice, studded with precious gemstones. If you fill the Cup with water, the water will turn into a powerful elixir that can heal all wounds. When sprinkled on the ground, the water makes trees grow that bear apples of solid gold. Who-ever finds the Cup will gain a never-ending supply of this water, which brings fame, fortune beyond compare, even immortality. Of course, the odds are that you will first have to face at least one of the booby traps laid out for you.
One door leads to an empty chamber. When the adventurer enters, the door is locked, and they are entrapped until their bones turn to dust. Another door conceals a bowl of poisonous fruit, so ripe and beautiful that even the most strong-willed can’t resist taking a bite. Another door takes you to a room full of venomous vipers. The other eight hold many more horrors, from wasps to trapdoors to ancient Aztec beasts, that supposedly remain only in myths. However, traveler, if you manage to survive these eleven tombs, the Cup is yours.
You seem speechless, traveler. You have a decision to make, although I already know what you will choose to do. Oh? A question? How do I know so much about something so secret? When I was young, traveler, I accompanied several adventurers on their quest for the Cup. I refused to enter any of the Doors, choosing to watch as my friends succumbed to their greed. I will not tell you any more. There is nothing I can do to help you. You must go now. Your fate awaits you, traveler.
Andy Griffiths, the author of Just Crazy, Just Tricking, Zombie Bums from Uranus and The 13-storey Treehouse, has just released his book about writing, called Once Upon a Slime. In this very cool book he gives lots of tips about writing and some activities to help you become a better writer. You’re probably looking for something to do in the holidays so why not try an Andy Griffiths writing challenge.
In the box below there is a writing challenge from Andy’s book, Once Upon a Slime. Why not try it out and post your writing here on the blog. Just post your piece of writing as a comment at the end of this post, along with your name and email address. At the end of the week we’ll choose our favourite piece of writing and the author will win a prize pack of goodies from Typo.
Write a TO DO list
Make a list of all the things you HAVE to do in a typical week. Now make a list of all the things you would LOVE to do instead. Combine both lists to create your ultimate TO DO list.
For more great writing ideas check out Andy Griffiths’ new book, Once Upon a Slime.
Andy Griffiths, the author of Just Crazy, Just Tricking, Zombie Bums from Uranus and The 13-storey Treehouse, has just released his book about writing, called Once Upon a Slime. In this very cool book he gives lots of tips about writing and some activities to help you become a better writer. You’re probably looking for something to do in the holidays so why not try an Andy Griffiths writing challenge.
In the box below there is a writing challenge from Andy’s book, Once Upon a Slime. Why not try it out and post your writing here on the blog. Just post your piece of writing as a comment at the end of this post, along with your name and email address. At the end of the week we’ll choose our favourite piece of writing and the author will win a prize pack of goodies from Typo.
Twelve Doors
Imagine that you are standing in front of twelve doors. Behind one there is a fabulous treasure. Behind the others are eleven of the most dangerous things in the world. Describe what lies behind each one.
For more great writing ideas check out Andy Griffiths’ new book, Once Upon a Slime.
Want something to do these holidays? Enter the Andy Griffiths writing challenge and you could win a Typo prize pack.
Andy Griffiths, the author of Just Crazy, Just Tricking, Zombie Bums from Uranus and The 13-storey Treehouse, has just released his book about writing, called Once Upon a Slime. In this very cool book he gives lots of tips about writing and some activities to help you become a better writer. You’re probably looking for something to do in the holidays so why not try an Andy Griffiths writing challenge.
In the box below there is a writing challenge from Andy’s book, Once Upon a Slime. Why not try it out and post your writing here on the blog. Just post your piece of writing as a comment at the end of this post, along with your name and email address. At the end of the week we’ll choose our favourite piece of writing and the author will win a prize pack of goodies from Typo.
Write a story starring YOU!
You don’t have to be able to make up imaginary characters or exotic settings to tell a good story. A fast way to create fun, believable-sounding stories is to start with the character you know best in the whole world (YOU!). Choose one of the following scenarios and describe what you would do and what happens next.
- You wake to discover that you can no longer speak – you can only bark like a dog.
- You are in class. It’s a hot day. Your friend starts taking off their clothes…their shirt…their shoes…their socks…their pants!
- You have a strong suspicion that your teacher is a vampire and, worse still, you suspect that they know you have discovered their secret.
So get writing and see what you can come up with!
Are you a huge Skulduggery Pleasant fan? Well here’s the competition for you.
This is a new competition that HarperCollins and Derek Landy are running for all Skulduggery fans, to celebrate the release of The Maleficent Seven. There are some awesome prizes up for grabs and it’s super easy to enter. Read all about it below and enter your masterpiece.
INTRODUCING EXQUISITE CORPSE
“There are things, pieces of artwork, stories… creations. Objects that burn with an inner light. These things have power. They are fused with the magic imbued in them by their creators. They are fragments of their creators’ minds, of their very souls, fragments taken and cut free, wrenched loose, torn from them for all to see and then stitched together to form a patchwork world, a collage of dreams… an Exquisite Corpse.” Your Golden God, Derek Landy
Exquisite Corpse is our very first fan works competition!
We know you’re awesome. You know you’re awesome. We know that you know that you’re… you get the idea. But the thing is, sometimes it’s not enough to just know, sometimes you have to show everyone else. So, this is your chance. We’re looking for fan works, created by you, inspired by the Golden God himself. Derek, that is. And we’re going to have a theme. This month, unsurprisingly, the theme is Tanith Low. We love her. You love her. Get to it!
You can submit anything… well, anything you’ve created. It could be a poem, a drawing, a short story (under 1,000 words, please, we know how prolific you all get, and Derek needs a little time to, you know, finish Book 8), it could be a Haiku, a clay model, a photo montage. Anything you like, as long as it was inspired by Tanith.
Simply email it – or a picture of it – to us at skulduggery@harpercollins.co.uk.
Derek will judge the entries, and then one lucky fan will WIN the chance to be featured in our newsletter and on the Skulduggery Pleasant website, as the creator of the Exquisite Corpse Work of the Month! Everyone who enters will get an exclusive The Maleficent Seven themed poster, plus we’ll also send the winner a signed copy of The Maleficent Seven.
Do you want the chance to meet the Crusaders and win some awesome prizes? You need to join the Reading Crusade.
The Reading Crusade starts on Monday 11 March and runs until 19 April (that’s 6 weeks). It’s a reading competition that takes place every second year and is brought to you by Christchurch City Libraries in conjunction with the CRFU (Canterbury Rugby Football Union).
You can register to take part now by going to the Christchurch City Libraries’ Reading Crusade page.
All you have to do to enter is:
You can enter as many times as you like, so if you read 20 books you’ll get 5 entries in the draw. Everyone who completes a reading log (and gets it verified online) is entered into the draw to win tickets to the prizegiving ceremony on Monday 13 May, where you could meet the Crusaders.
Join the Reading Crusade now and get reading!
The Reading Crusade starts today, so make sure you grab a copy of the reading log from your library. You can also download the reading log from the Reading Crusade website. For details on how to join the Reading Crusade and what you need to do to take part, check out the blog post at the top of the page.
Happy 1000th Post!
After hundreds of book and movie reviews, book trailers, author interviews, guest posts, and competitions we’ve finally reached our 1000th post on the Christchurch Kids Blog.
Thanks to all our wonderful authors and illustrators who have joined us on the blog, all our Star Bloggers who were with us from the start (especially the cool kids from St. Michael’s and Christchurch East School), and everyone who reads our blog. If we didn’t have people like you who read the blog, comment, and enter our competitions the Christchurch Kids Blog wouldn’t be the same.
To thank you for reading the blog we’ve got a very cool competition that you can enter. We have a signed copy of the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney and Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke. All you have to do to get in the draw is enter your name and phone number or email address in the form below. Competition closes January 31st.
See below for terms and conditions Read the rest of this entry »
This is the fourth, and last, of our weekly Summertime Reading Club challenges. Each week we’ll set you a challenge and you have to comment on the challenge post to go in the draw for the weekly prize, a $50 PaperPlus voucher and a Hoyts movie pass. We’ll draw the winner on Thursday and announce the winner on Friday when the next challenge is posted.
Congratulations to last week’s winner – Sarah.
This week’s winner is Hadas.
Leave a comment telling us about a book that you’ve read in the holidays and why you liked it.
Make sure you leave your name and email address as well so that we can contact you if you win.
See below for terms and conditions Read the rest of this entry »
This is the third of our weekly Summertime Reading Club challenges. Each week we’ll set you a challenge and you have to comment on the challenge post to go in the draw for the weekly prize, a $50 PaperPlus voucher and a Hoyts movie pass. We’ll draw the winner on Thursday and announce the winner on Friday when the next challenge is posted.
Congratulations to last week’s winner – Robin.
Leave a comment telling us:
Which book character would you want as your best friend?
Make sure you leave your name and email address as well so that we can contact you if you win.
See below for terms and conditions Read the rest of this entry »
This is the second of our weekly Summertime Reading Club challenges. Each week we’ll set you a challenge and you have to comment on the challenge post to go in the draw for the weekly prize, a $50 PaperPlus voucher and a Hoyts movie pass. We’ll draw the winner on Thursday and announce the winner on Friday when the next challenge is posted.
Congratulations to last week’s winner – Ben.
Leave a comment telling us:
Which author would you most like to meet?
If you could ask them one question what would it be?
Make sure you leave your name and email address as well so that we can contact you if you win.
See below for terms and conditions Read the rest of this entry »
Join the Summertime Reading Club in 2012. This very popular summer activity starts again on 21 December and runs to 18 January 2013. Complete the Summertime Reading Club challenge and you’ll be in to win some awesome prizes including Paper Plus vouchers, an iPod, a digital camera and an iPad!
Simply take a challenge card, complete four of the challenges and then return the card to the library to be in to win.
There are two levels to choose from:
Each week on the Christchurch Kids Blog we’ll also have a Sumertime Reading Club Challenge. You can enter each week for your chance to win Paper Plus vouchers and Hoyts movie vouchers.
Keep your eyes peeled next week for the Summertime Reading Club challenge card that you can download from the Kids page of the library website.
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