500-word challenge 2018 – February/March term
The year 8 creative writers shall be aiming to write a 500-word story over the next three weeks which shall be entered into a 500-word challenge which is being endorsed and judged by David Walliams. The student’s stories shall be posted on this page within the next few weeks.
100 – word Stranger Sagas challenge 2018 – February/March term
Here are some completed pieces of work which will be entered into the Stranger Sagas competition.
Jonny the Hero
Jonny had no mother nor a father so he went to go live with his Grandparents. Jonny had teenage angst but he dreamt of being a superhero.
One day his Grandmother was in a car crash. He saved his gran from a car crash by stopping the traffic and helping to get her out of her car. He went to save the other person in the crash, he went to the old man’s car. His car was upside down. Jonny bravely marched to the car. He picked up the car and flipped it over. The old man was safe.
You’re not alone…
Once there were four people called: Bella, Jacob, Sophia, and Luke. They were traveling on a school trip when suddenly there was a loud bang. Uncertain footsteps, snapping sticks and leaves… fallen. What is it? Bella and Jacob go to look right while Sophia and Luke go left. Suddenly Bella and Jacob see a dark mysterious figure. Bella exclaimed, “guys come quick!” “What is it, Bella,” Sophia questioned. “I swear I can see someone in the distance look can u see it”. Jacob fearfully said… “Jacob, what are you talking about?” Luke questioned. “G….guys,” Jacob cried “
arghhh!” they screamed…
The prison break
I remembered his last words: “this is the beginning of the end” John kept on mumbling to himself ever since he has been in prison. James came to John’s cell with Graham and started talking about what they are going to do when they get out. Suddenly, Graham came out with “what if we escape” then Jon whispered, “how the hell we going to do that, you nutter”. Graham muttered his plan. They waited till after dark to faintly Sneak out the back of the prison. They were finally out… Until they were chased…
Anonymous
I run out of the crumbling building as fast as I can, clutching the white flag tightly. Now all I have to do was get to the third meeting point… the bunker. I haven’t been back there in years. I start to run, my throat dry and my legs aching. I desperately want to stop, but I know that there’s nothing to do. Except keep running. I feel myself trip on a stray rock, and a sharp pain rushes through my already agonised head. My vision goes black, and I’ve never felt more alone.
Just a Signature
They call me a traitor, but they don’t know. They think only of their fallen brethren- lying in blood, their democracy forlorn with their souls. I remember the paper, stained with ink and tears. I didn’t want to, the thought of bloodstained bedsheets froze me. It was against everything we stood for; back then liberty had a meaning. But I knew they could forge my signature. Either way, our national integrity would be coated in red.
I remember the cold steel pressed against the side of my head, followed by…
Nothing.
I’m not a traitor.
The haunted girl
“Ouch!” Instead of blood, there were wires. When I woke up, I realised I was laying down in a hospital bed it was dark and scary. I got up, it was hard to see but I managed to get out of the room. I looked down the dark creepy corridors when a light started flashing down one of them. I was scared but also curious, I decided to follow the light. I heard a scream. A little girl stood staring at me, she looked sad and angry. Running towards me she screamed. I froze and closed my eyes. She disappeared.
Beneath the inky sky
The sky’s heart was ripped apart leaving a thick downfall of rain. Mist crept in between the gnarled, doubled over trees. Their branches’ crooked fingers beckoned and lured the night’s sounds into the wood. Trees swayed in whispering whistling secrets. Birds swept in the dark as a musty smell twirled in the crisp wind.
Suddenly, an undying sound echoed through the breaking, bear breeze. It crept up the trees’ shivering spines. It was an abnormal echo, not an echo heard before an echo which lasted for too long. It was the sound of a heart as loud as a lecturer.
Stranger sagas
“Ouch!” that hurt, the sound of pain the sound of hate, the sound of people getting hurt I don’t like it, I feel insecure it makes me feel sort of anxious I am sort of scared in a way, I want it to stop! Please help me, help me make it stop and help me feel better in my self I really would appreciate it, have you ever been in this situation before because I bet you would understand how I am feeling at the moment so please help.
Echoes
The cushioned room faded around me, the voice around me being drowned out with silence. A cloud of frost appeared before me, a thin layer of cold cotton, crunched beneath the sole of my black leather boots. Smiling to myself as my phone buzzed, a message from my roommate, informing that he wouldn’t be back, pushing the phone into my deep green Parka. Screams filled the dim street, my heart sped up. Ba-Boom ba-boom ba-boom. My heels hammered against the floor as I ran… The screams echoed as did the gunshots… I didn’t turn to help… Why didn’t I? Why?
Death
The mist began to clear and my name was plastered on the moss-covered gravestone… I shot my head up in fear, no longer looking at the floor. Then a deafening scream filled my ears. It was my own. My head shot to the back of me but not knowing where to look, I took a gulp of air whilst stepping back. Silence… the only noise I could hear was the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet. A breeze gushed towards me while sending a tingle up my spine. Suddenly an ice cold hand rested upon my shoulder whispering “Death…”
Immortal
3,763,490,761 years ago
“You only have one choice.”
The low, grumbling voice echoed through my room. I sat up.
“You can either keep your own short life or choose to be immortal.” I stumbled out of bed, desperate. Why did I have this choice? But, eventually, everything slowed down. The voice silenced. I had to make a choice.
Present day
After Earth was destroyed, I floated in space. But then the universe collapsed in on itself and disappeared. Now, there is nothing. Just black. Silence. I float around aimlessly, in a place that ceases to exist. I now regret my choice.
Poetry January – February term
These two poems are written by two different students but they are inspired by the same book. Interestingly, they discuss similar themes and share the same melancholy. However, these two individuals have their own individual style and which shines through. Both poems are shown below.
The first poem is a wonderful example of an AABB rhyme scheme. Something which the students have learned about in class and put into practice. A real feeling of loneliness and reflection is wonderfully described in this poem.
This poem really is written by the other student, as mentioned it has similarities. However, it wonderfully continues where the last poem leaves us. It is very reflective, I’m sure you will agree.
A loving and tender poem by a student who dedicated her poem to the memory of her late Grandmother. Some good language techniques in the form of repetition and metaphor which adds to the emotive langue used to create this sweet little poem.
What is a door? This poem I believe is deep and rich in meaning whilst also very mysterious. The question is what is a door? Is it more than what it seems when we see it from our first impressions, or is it more. What is a door? More than just face value, but what exactly? Towards the end of the poem, it reminds me of a poem by the late musician Jim Morrison, “there are things known, and things unknown, and in between are the doors”. I wonder what’s on the other side!
This student is a real poetry machine she has written a series of poems about relationships and interactions with others. Some excellent work which shows a great deal of maturity and the ability to craft personal pieces of work with rhythm and rhyme.
The first poem is a poem about the struggles of a child who is going through and pain of being victimised by bullies. Some well used linguistic devices in this piece such as the use of repetition, I feel shows that the harassment of bullies is something follows you everywhere.
The second poem about the student’s relationship with a late pet whom she dearly misses.
The third and final poem about the importance of friendship. Very emotive with use of analogy.
A cute tale about a young boy and his best friend, his dog, Well done to our student for making a poem with a narrative.
An excellent piece of work written by BBG’s very own war poet. I’m sure you will all enjoy reading this beautifully crafted poem. It’s engaging rhythm coupled with descriptive and unapologetic imagery, might persuade you to read it again and again.
A very sweet and sincere acrostic poem written by one of our students about friendship and the importance of having good friends.
Something a little bit different. A student wanted to share her love for the famous narrative of Disney’s The Lion, by creating this piece inspired by ‘Silencio‘ by Eugen Gomringe.
A dramatic and passionate poem based on characters from an independent American movie and inspired by the poem leaf by E. E. Cummings. I’m sure you agree that this shows flair and creativity.
A really beautiful heartfelt poem written by one of our students in memory of his Sister. This poem is certainly one from the depths of the soul, written by a year 8 pupil, which no critique could do justice.
Poetry
19/01/18
Strat of a new year and the creative writing team decided to start the year by writing heartfelt poetry.
I put the question to my students the day we returned back from the Christmas break and a term on poetry gained the best response, as voted in by key members of the team.
Some really beautiful and also some hilarious work from the students to be posted soon.
Festive Christmas Stories
15/12/17
The light of Christmas story (part 1)
The unusual restaurant experience
8/12/17
Exploring Style and introducing Story Board That
03/11/17
This term we have been researching how style is important for creating a unique identity which makes you as a writer recognisable and different. In our researcher, we looked at the style of Tim Burton and how he uses recurring ideas, themes, and techniques in his work. From the inspiration of our research, the creative writing team have been encouraged to discover a style of writing which is uniquely theirs, this is something we hope to develop over the coming weeks.
Last week students were asked to create a story in their own ‘individual style’ using Storyboard That. As you can see the students have produced some excellent original pieces. We hope you enjoy our first few submissions, there will be plenty more to come watch this space!
The Mad Worker < (click to open)
Unnamed Story < (click to open)
Metrodome Story < (click to open)
The Haunted Family < (click to open)
BBG Creative Writing Team 
