The Rockstar Writers’ Workshop
WASGR8
Plan B Isn’t Always So Bad I was so excited to go to California with my family. Our rental house had a pool with a waterfall, and we were going to spend a day in Disneyland. And then . . . COVID. The day my parents cancelled the trip, I felt rebellious. I was tempted to drive myself to the airport and get on the plane anyway. But I’m too young to drive so I would probably crash my mom’s van and spend my vacation in the hospital instead. Here I am, a few weeks later, trudging through the sand toward the still blue water of the bay. My rubber boots leave a footprint behind me in the sand. The taste of the sea air touches my tongue. I step into the water and feel a blast of cold through my rubber boots. Suddenly, I see the flash of a big orange crab as it strolls sideways next to my foot. I take my rake and slowly slide it through the soft, sandy floor. I pull it up out of the water to find a tan and brownish white clam called a cockle. I run my thumb over the hard ridges of its shell. I think to myself, “This plan B trip isn’t so bad after all.” Thunk! I drop the clam in the bucket. Suddenly, it hits me—I have to eat this thing?!
GirlStoryMag.com • Yearbook 2021
22
BETHANY age 10, WA
Dear Bethany, I can only imagine your disappointment at having your vacation to California cancelled because of COVID. A getaway to the beach seems to pale in comparison to a pool with a waterfall and a day in Disneyland! You helped me to feel your frustration and understand the reasons for your rebellious thoughts. I love the beach, so it was fun to walk with you through the sand, rake in hand to search for clams. I could see the blue of the water, taste the salty tang of the spray, feel the cold on your toes through your rubber boots, and hear the clam hitting the bottom of the bucket. You embraced Plan B and, even though the thought of eating the clam was disgusting, you found that a change in plans can actually be fun! Please continue writing and using vivid words (like blast, slide, flash, Thunk!) to help your readers experience all that you are seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling. Keep up the good work! Karen Poppen, retired English teacher and sometimes writer, Huntersville, NC
