Editing Cliffhangers 18/5/7 (section)

= Cliffhangers =


Cliffhangers Welcome to Cliffhangers!


Hey there! Welcome to Cliffhangers! I'm Carolyn. In this column, after an interview, I'll be writing a cliffhanger with a monthly guest writer. You'll get to vote on your favorite story each month and find some writing prompts here too! I hope you enjoy reading our story, and don't forget to leave feedback! --

This month's writer is... *drumroll* Samantha Aquino! Don't forget to check out her Creative Writing folder and leave feedback on her writings.



Q&A with Samantha


'''Carolyn''': How long have you been doing creative writing, and what do you like most about it?

'''Samantha''': I probably started doing creative writing when I was five or six. My favorite thing about creative writing is getting to come up with new ideas and characters. -- '''Carolyn:''' Do you write stories, poetry, or both?

'''Samantha:''' I write both, but I prefer writing stories. -- '''Carolyn:''' Have you ever collaborated with someone in writing before?

'''Samantha:''' No, but that sounds like a lot of fun and I'd love to do it someday!

'''Carolyn:''' Well, you are going to this month! ;D -- '''Carolyn:''' Have you done any writing contests, workshops, classes, or training of any kind? 

'''Samantha:''' Nope, though I'm hoping to take NSA's Creative Writing course at some point. I'm also really hoping to take part in NaNoWriMo next year!

'''Carolyn:''' Cool! I haven't done either of those yet, sadly. -- '''Carolyn:''' Do you have any writing tips (it can be anything!) to give to other writers that you've learned with your experience of writing?

'''Samantha:''' I think that my advice would be not to compare yourself too much to your fellow writers. It can be easy to feel like you aren't as talented as someone else, but everyone has different writing styles, ideas, and interests. So embrace what you enjoy writing about!

'''Carolyn:''' That is honestly so true about comparing ourselves to others. Great advice. :) -- '''Carolyn:''' Have you ever thought of writing for the Nav? ;)

'''Samantha:''' Yes, but unfortunately, I am slowly being crushed by a mountain of schoolwork. <_< I'd love to do it if/when I had more time!

'''Carolyn:''' Sad... but understandable. <_< You appeared this month in Cliffhangers though! -- '''Carolyn:''' Thus ends the official interview. u_u Shall we move onto... THE CLIFFHANGER?!! >8D

'''Samantha:''' Yes. u_u Prepare yourselves! >:D


Alicia


The sound of bells tinkled as Aaron opened the glass doors of the cafe. He stood for a moment, scanning the room for an empty seat. His eyes fell on a booth in the corner, and he quickly walked over to it and sat down. A waitress walked towards his table.    "Hello sir, what can I get for you today?" Aaron looked up at her. She had on a big smile.    "Oh, just a latte will do," Aaron replied.     The waitress nodded. "Sure!" She scribbled something on the piece of paper in her hand and hustled away hastily.    Aaron nestled comfortably in the cushioned seat and let out a sigh. Inside the shop it was warm, unlike the air outside, which was awfully cold.    Aaron put his hand into his coat pocket and felt something metal. He pulled out a necklace with a key pendant, the word "hope" engraved onto it. Mom, I've been missing you. He smiled sadly at it. The day when his mother took her last breath... it was years ago, but the memory was still fresh in his mind. It seemed as though it had happened just yesterday.


"Aaron, take this." Aaron's mother took his hands in her frail ones and placed the glimmering necklace in his.    "Mom... don't go yet," Aaron sobbed. Tears dripped from his eyes and onto his mother's hands. The life in her pale blue eyes was fading. Slowly, but it was fading.    "Wait, there's something else I have to give you," she whispered hoarsely. Retrieving a photograph, she slipped it into Aaron's hands. He peered at it. It was a picture of a young girl with brown hair and green eyes, wearing a bubbly smile.    "Please, whatever you do... find Alicia..." Aaron looked at his mother.    "I will, Mom, I will," he said, his voice quivering.  "But... why?" The sound of an exhale came to his ears. His mother's eyes closed.     "Mom?"     Nothing.     "Mom!"

The photograph. He hadn't looked at it in a long time.    Sorry, Mom. I should have tried harder. Aaron dug into his pocket again and fished out his wallet. He pulled the photograph out. The pretty girl in it smiled brightly at him.    "Sir? Here's your latte." Startled, Aaron dropped the photo and whipped his head up. The cup of coffee in front of him was spewing steam.


"Oh, yeah, thanks," he answered. The waitress smiled and walked away. Aaron found himself watching her as she did so, and quickly shook his head.    He stooped down and picked up the photo, examining it again.    Wait a minute.    Aaron looked back at the waitress who was standing by the bar. The brown hair, the green eyes, the dimple when she smiled, the prominent features...    Is it her?    "Excuse me, miss?" Aaron called. Immediately the waitress turned and walked over to him.    "Yes?" she asked as she reached his table.    Aaron shifted in his seat. "Sorry if this seems like a weird question, but what's your name?" he asked.    The waitress smiled at him.    "Alicia."



'''Voting Arena''' It's time to vote! Every month, readers will vote their favorite between the current month's and the previous month's story. This month, you'll be voting between: this month's story "Alicia" with Samantha Aquino, and last month's story, "Down" with Caleb Muhling. To do that, head to the Navigator Jabber, find the "Cliffhangers" thread posted by me, and just type an X down the story you like the most!


'''Writing Challenge!''' Having writer's block and need some suspense in your writing? Head over here for a cliff-hanging prompt! Here's your prompt this month:

There are two dates written on your palm -- one that says when you'll meet your soulmate, and the other one says when you'll die. The earlier date is labelled as the day you'll die.

Have fun using the prompt! Email me your story, and you could get featured in the next article!




That's all for this month! I hope you enjoyed reading the cliffhanger. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, let me know in FirstClass through email or by posting in the Navigator Jabber. I'd love to hear your feedback! 

Stay tuned and see you next month!

- Carolyn

Special thanks to Samantha Aquino, Nastassia Naskov, Cody Johnson, and Ruby Maxson for making this article possible! 
[[Category:Navigator Articles]]
[[Category:Nav 17-18]]