Welcome to day two of our Free Five-Day Writing Challenge. How did you do yesterday? Great or not so great, now it’s time to focus on an unforgettable mentor, someone who served as a trusted guide for you. Someone’s profession, hobbies, and interests reveal a great deal about who the person is, so use what they do for work or play to make him/her real. So today, pick an unforgettable mentor and bring a moment with this person to life on the page.
Remember, the maximum word count to post every day is 750 words, the equivalent of three (3) double-spaced, typewritten pages. You can write fewer words but not more, and all words count, even the little ones. If you haven’t yet watched the
If you’d like, use the handout below to create a cluster or mindmap of possible story ideas. Print out several blank cluster diagrams and use them to focus your story on a moment that involves only a few people and a short period of time. If you’ve not yet watched the Brainstorm Your Stories by Clustering video, you may want to do that first.
When you’ve settled on what you wish to write, create a draft of the story, post your work in the comments section below, read a few of your fellow challengers’ stories, and include a word or two of encouragement. Happy writing!
This is Jackie Raymond’s story.
Trying to post my story again today. Techno woes! Better late than never.
Kit, I loved this story. Well written. You put me right inside the scene and I was able to become a part of your leadership program. Thanks for sharing. I thought it was creative to use a styrofoam block as a base for a suitcase. The stickers you attached to it told another story of your want to travel.
Kit,
What a great mentor! You will never forget him or what he taught you that summer. How wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
Here’s a late post about one of my mentors.
“she smiled a lot and used her hands like cat paws when she talked” “I’ve added her to what I call my collection of “Great Crazy Ladies.” Unforgettable mentors” beautiful descriptions of Teresa. I would have liked her as a friend. I loved how you wrote this piece. It is filled with warmth and fondness for your friend, Cathy. Well done!
Thank you, Etya. I appreciate your comments. Teresa definitely walked her own path. I’m glad I got to go with her for a while.
Cathy, excellent characterization. I have an artsy friend like Teresa. But I do love her creativity and inspiration because I’m not creative. Thanks for sharing the lovely story.
Cathy,
I liked your piece about Teresa a lot. I love the way you tell us about her manerisms and voice. Sticking in that “sort of creamy” phrase, made me feel comfortable reading the piece, as if we are having a convesation together about it.
You tell us why you liked her in a series of sentences, but “celebrated me without going overboard, respected my method” was the crux of it for me. I loved how you described your friend in all these ways. We are such complex creatures!
Many thanks, Kit. Coming from you that means a lot to me. Writing about Teresa made her even more memorable. Thank you!
Day Two Challenge
“Madeleine made her way through war in France and applied stiff rigid principles thought by her parents. Five foot two she had very dark hair and bronze complexion. Her intense look set in a pair of brown eyes, an aquiline nose towering over tight well-defined lips were pure demonstration of character and strong will. She commanded respect.” A powerful description of a wilful woman. Your aunt was something else. The ending to your story shocked me. Well done, Theirry!
Thierry, I was shocked by the end of this story, as I was going along merrily thinking your aunt liked you. Very engaging story. I also liked how you kept the hawk-like descriptions throughout the piece. She sure kept her prey wary!
Hi Kit, I guess she was fond of me in her own way. I mostly think she was very aggressive with Jill her eldest daughter for reasons unknown to me but certainly not acceptable. Thank you for reading and for your support. See you soon.
Wow, Thierry. I love the way you write. You nuance with so few words: “Neglect has its way of overlooking basics” I love that. Your descriptions are freshly worded and move fast. I wish I had time to read everything you post.
Thank you Catherine. As much as I feared sharing within this challenge, as much when started, all stories just flowed. Thank you for your support, time and appreciation.
See my story below.
It sounds like you could have had none better than Herb. You described a great coach, an
admirable guy.
A well-written story, Raymond, even though I understand nothing about baseball and softball, it kept me going. Your mentor happened to be at the right time and place to teach you what you had to learn to help the girls.
Raymond, I enjoyed your story. Well written. My oldest daughter played competitive fast-pitch softball in Colorado. I’m sure we’d have lots to talk about the game! Thanks for sharing.
Only one day late – I’m catching up! I started this assignment thinking I would write about someone else, so this was a bit of a surprise.
“We had a year together in Georgia, following our return to the States, and then she was off to college in Texas, after which she returned to England like a homing pigeon.” This is my favorite line in your story, Terry. I also loved how you ended it: “…no longer best friends, we remain best loving sisters.’ I too have a sister six years older and could relate. The babies of the family are always trying to catch up with their older siblings.
I loved it, Terry. My sister is six years older, but she wasn’t like yours. I considered writing about her as my mentor which she surely was but thought I might need her for another challenge.
You write wonderful imagery flowingly. “England was the knife that cut us apart.” It’s a pleasure to read both for content and prose. I wanna’ write like you when I grow up.
The writing detoured.
Nice story, Karen. I enjoyed reading about Ash. Thanks for sharing.
After reading your story, I don’t know whether to cry or wind my watch. I liked the way you weaved religion as an addiction into the story.
Illumination is a wonderful thing and it’s even better when you have a friend that lends a hand along the way.
Very powerful, Karen. Problems unaddressed have a way to moving from one generation to the next so that eventually the origin of the problem is forgotten and only the pain remains. When the silence is finally broken, healing can begin. Thank you for sharing your story.
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE AFTER I READ A STORY?
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO SIGN IN EVERYTIME AFTER I READ A STORY—DAH!!!!!
UNFORGETABLE MENTOR-DAY 2
we need lots of Miss Moscatellis
Stella, Ms M sounds like an old-time devoted teacher. Did you go back to Greece?
Every year sometimes two and three times a year..my sister lives there.
How fortunate that you had her as a teacher. We had a teacher like that in 7th grade and then again in our senior year. His name was Mr. Kramer and we were still talking about him at our 50th reunion, which he attended. The special people in our lives are to be treasured, for sure.
Great story, Sheila. Miss Moscatelis was a teacher with a true calling. She really cared about her students.
It was fortunate that you knew the truth about repeating a year prior to going to Greece. A mentor’s role is to able to help foresee some of the bumps in the road. She had your best interest in mind. This story made me feel how important some people can be in our lives.
DAY-2 UNFORGETABLE MENTOR
we need lots of Miss Moscatellis
My unforgettable mentor.
Julie, One of the things that reading another person’s story is that it triggers personal experiences. As soon as you mentioned 105 degrees, I remembered a conference in Las Vegas where I had to go outside in my Air Force mess dress (wool formal wear) in the 116 degree heat.
Seems like Susan filled more than one role for you.
What a lovely story, Julie, and how great that your kids could grow up together.
It was great to find such a good mentor at this stage of your life. Transition to a new place, especially with a newborn is difficult. Susan was there for you. Nicely done.
Julie, those are the best friends and mentors. from your description I could feel their warmth.
Unforgettable Mentor – Day 2
Loved your story and I bet Patricia does too. You speak for all of us Thanks!
Lovely, Dar. Patricia is indeed a wonderful mentor, spurring each of us to produce our best work and to keep us committed. Bravo!
Dar, I too was going to write about Patricia. She is great! She makes it all possible for us writers to become better. The community, Patricia created is priceless and I enjoy being with everyone who is a part of it. Thanks for writing this beautiful piece, Dar.
Well said Dar. Patricia truly is a mentor to all of us writers. Thanks for sharing her importance in your journey.
I agree with you. I have just joined the challenge and already I see how Patricia can encourage, facilitate, and understand where we are going with our writing. From your story it seems like you two have found each other at a turning point in your life. A great tribute.
Ok Miss Dar, you cheated! good going thanks for sharing the definitions for mentor..and all you said about Patricia..not fair we already know what she looks like etc. hehehe..i agree the group is a great pool of friends.
glad you got the story done!
Well said, my friend.
I love your story. The thought had occurred to me also. You wrote it much better and I think you wrote it for all of us.
I have downloaded a picture where I had my first experience in a sweat lodge in Ecuador.
All these experiences fascinate me, I too have voyaged with Shamans but I didn’t go as far as you with the teachings, Wise woman, I salute you with my hand on my heart…I know we are sisters from some other time, That’s a pretty modern sweat lodge,
Kelly, a fine tribute to your mentor. You described Karmen well. I could picture her in my head. I am so glad that you took that first step to connect with the spiritual world. It is an amazing place where everyone is welcomed and not judged.
Your story reflects how people like Karmen can introduce you to a practice that can change you life. All the work that goes behind meditation makes it all worthwhile to help yourself and others. I enjoyed you story.
I wrestled with this story all day. I’ve wanted to write it for some time. Here’s the 750 word version.
It was as clear to me today as it was when it happened 30 years ago.
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will Disappear.”
― Tao Te Ching.
Steven, I’m always impressed by your extensive vocabulary, you are are a reference for me in reading stories. Strange sometimes how we need things to be revealed to us as if our daily reality keeps us blind to possibilities.
Thank you for the kind words. I find I do better working in collaboration rather than in isolation on my own. I don’t necessarily believe our daily possibilities keep us blind to possibilities, it’s simply how can you know what you don’t know. Learning and living are two sides of the same coin. As Albert Schweitzer once said, ” All true living takes place face to face.”
Maybe one day, we can figure out how to get together as a group to collaborate with personal space for each of us to delve into the depths of our true Life stories.
I think I heard you say that you have wanted to write this story for quite a long time. You have done a fine job in describing John Mason and I hope you are happy with the story you have written here, I liked it, You make me read a lot of big words strung together well, and it makes your stories very interesting to me,
Steven, nice story. I especially loved this line: As a Promotions manager, I envisioned myself as the station’s principal circus barker, outside the freak show tent with a megaphone and cane, enticing people to enter and stay. TV was glorified carnival work with panache and glitter. Priceless. Thanks for sharing.
A great story of a moment of revelation. You just needed the nudge. A quantum leap.
2nd-day Unforgettable Mentor. Tony the F.O. My Laughter Mentor. I have to laugh, roar, wipe tears from my eyes, face hurting, bend over out of breath chuckles, cross my legs and squeeze tight to try to keep from wetting my pants when I think of the F.O. Being an only child, having been kept in hiding from the age of seven, until eighteen, by my mother’s occult church. I learned to keep my eyes down, my mouth silent, and not bother the church elders or bring attention to myself. No movies. No television. No parties. No dances. No pork.… Read more »
Tony sounds like a he was a key that unlocked doors left unopened far too long. How wonderful that he came into your life. I wonder where he is now?
I’m so happy you learned to laugh. People do come into our lives for a reason.
Story of my mentor
I loved your story about Matt and his technology prowess. My son gave me my first iPhone, a hand-me-down from him. He stated, “Don’t call me every day to ask how to use it.” I googled a lot!
I chatted with Pat and she asked me not to use her last name. She said that she is in a group of three Pats at her church and the call her Pat III. Hence the title.
Your story of Pat makes me think you could have used this story for the unforgettable friend, and/or the unforgettable mentor. While you told me about her warm smile, I know nothing else about what she looked like. Just saying. I like your story but would have appreciated more detail. Also about her comfortable home, the harbour, the snapping of the fireplace. What you did there when you were invited to her home..things like that. Word count limitations I know.
John – I got the warm fuzzies reading your story. Nice story. Thanks!
John, what a delightful story. I liked the way you described your mentor and so happy that she is still around and your keep in touch today.
What a great feeling to finally get a teacher from whom you wanted to learn-love it!
Sounds like you and Pat were a great team. Look her up.
Here’s a story about my best friend, who influenced me in so many ways.
A heartfelt story. Beautiful descriptions. Friend and mentor!
Sounds like you two were quite the pair. My sympathies for a loss of a good friend.
What a heartfelt story of your friend Jan. As an early childhood educator the experience and relationship you and Jan had in the classroom while nurturing young children resonated with me. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend.
The story of my mentor:
What an absolutely amazing opportunities you experienced as a young person. thanks for sharing this story. I can only imagine what that would have been like. How great to have the recording. When was the last time you played it.
It’s been quite a few years. My sister and I shared a copy. Life happened. She had the copy when her house flooded. I’m going to contact our band director to find out if any copies are still available or if by chance, someone made it into a CD.
I can still hear strains of “Guadalcanal March” and “The New World Symphony”
Linda, you wrote a wonderful, light, and delightful story. I could picture Mr. Walheim and his rotund shape perfectly in my mind. You were lucky to have such dedicated to his trade mentor. He taught you how to be the best.
That he did.
Tah-tahdum!
Mr. Walheim was an American original Music Man.
Nice profile and recollections.
Great description of your mentors appearance and character.
As a former band kid in high school I could picture Mr. Walheim in his roomy pants. You did an excellent job of describing not only his appearance, but his behaviors and his influence on you.
Day 2-An Unforgettable Mentor
Attached is my story titled: A Light Extraordinaire
You captured the essence of what a mentor inspires:
“He ignited something within me that I didn’t know I possessed”.
Nice story with wonderful complementary graphics.
Norma, you are in a class on your own. Your talent shows. Years of being creative must have brought you much pleasure. I’m happy to be able to read the work you share.
A great tribute to your inspirational mentor and description of the influence on your art career. I love both his very colourful abstract and your black and white painting. Your gift is an inspiration.
Norma,
I think that I had breakfast with him once at the B & B restaurant at DeKalb and St. James. Not really. But he looks familiar. Even though I’m not into art, it was an interesting story and nice pictures.
Norma, what a fine tribute to your teacher. My son was told the same thing in his third year at Ringling School of Arts and Design that they cannot teach him anything new because he already knew more than what his professors could offer. I love the ending to your story and the black and white painting you did. Excellent job!
Here is my contribution. I could not tell this story in 750 worlds. Does it mean I get to skip writing tomorrow?
Its always interesting how people meet and you just described an interesting adventure. Thanks!
The power of universal energy! thanks..everything happens for a reason at the right time and right place, sometimes we don’t see it.
I enjoyed your story immensely even though you exceeded the word limit. I think you were attracted to her eyes as I was to my friend Pearl’s eyes. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. What a wonderful and powerful story you have written. I always enjoy stories of this nature…those of the spirit.
Thank you, Norma. Some stories cannot be told in 750 words. I am going to read yours now.
Hello, fellow writers. I would like to introduce you to my mentor Dennis, a former boss and someone who taught me something valuable.
Millie, a wonderful experience. love the end-Dennis is sharing his gift of a daughter and unknowingly gives you the gift of a beautiful memory.
Well painted scenes of your corporate life and the profile of the guy you were assigned to train.
Turned out to be a win-win.
Engaging story of an unexpected mentoring experience.
In this story, you showed me how sometimes people can make a Huge difference even if they didn’t know they were doing anything. Were you ever able to share this revelation with Dennis? You and I have the similar occurrence of having our father’s dying when we were four, I have no memories of my dad at all. I’m glad you do. Good story.
Great description of your mentor Dennis, physical and character. Your portrayal of how he made you feel drew me in to the story and get me engaged until the powerful and personal ending. Thanks for sharing.
Our regional vice president just told me that my boss Alan, the empty suit with little common sense and even less work ethic, left the company to pursue other opportunities. This is a great opening line, Millie. it grabbed my attention. The description of Dennis was good. I could see exactly how he looked. I especially loved the facial expressions you described in this story. The ending was poignant, yet wonderful.
Day 2 Challenge
Ohhh…got gooseberries up my arms. How wonderful for both of you…You write your stories so so well. What a gift to have a child know and love what their path is..
Great story, Rose. Your love for your son shines through. I could tell how proud you are of him. Job well done! Thanks for sharing.
Here is my story. I couldn’t do it in one moment. I also did not do much physical description of my mentor. I thought that she was a Minister and Chaplain would conjure up images. Please comment.
I’m glad you had a friend like Eleanor when you really needed them. Now you have many, many friends here at Lifewriters. thanks for sharing your story.
Orah, that is a wonderful story. I enjoyed reading it. You took me right there and I could see how important Eleanor was. God took care of your needs by introducing Eleanor into your life. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Orah, I don’t think you need a physical description, especially since you wrote about your journey and what she meant to you in times of need. Because of your relationship and the word count limit, it would be difficult to include the physical description. If you want to expand this story, you can include her description. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your story of Eleanor. Her words, shared with compassion at the right time, were meaningful to you. It confirms that our words and kindness can make a difference. You showed that she was repeatedly there for you in challenging times.
Challenge #1. Physical appearances descriptions of someone unforgettable In the summer of 1954, my mother had driven us to Wisconsin for her brother, Merlin’s birthday. Merlin was married to Evie. The most loving mommy I had ever known. I was happy that at seven years old I was almost as tall as she was. The skin-colored round growth on her cheek had grown more. It always reminded me of a round cereal the size of a cereal Kix or Trix. But that never bothered me. When she would see me, she’d hold her arms out to hug me and would… Read more »
Great story,,,children rolling out the window and peas rolling all over the floor. Thank God for Aunt Evie and you that day.
Wow, a great story told in a way that brought it to life for me. Your description of Aunt Evie and the day portray who she is and how special you are to her and how special she is to you.
Holly, who is Henry? You talk about Harry throughout the story and only at the end do you mention Henry. Intense story for sure. You described Aunt Evie well. I could see her clearly.
Quite the story. Nice use of foreshadowing in the line “Aunt Evie always had an angelic glow about her. This day was no different.”
Holy smokes, Holly! What a story. I love how you wove Evie’s physical attributes and your feelings toward her into the events of the day. It’s a beautifully crafted story. Evie’s humming is like the fringe of a colorful shawl you created. Way to go!
Holly, such a powerful story. You start with something so sweet, shelling peas, and end with illustrating the strength of Aunt Evie. She had a strong character and despite her short stature, she had great physical strength. Thanks so much for sharing.
Wow! What a story! Catching not one, but eight children in that way. Your descriptions are such that I could picture myself in the scenes.