Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Reader (04/15/10)
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TITLE: Choose Your Own Misadventure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joshua Janoski
04/22/10 -
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“Whatcha doing, mom?”
“Hi Kaley! I sat down to read this book of yours that I found in the attic.”
“How do you have energy to read after your book tour?”
“I am now officially a New York Times Bestseller of teenage fiction. The best writers read and analyze other author’s works. Besides, this is one of those old school Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books, so it should be fun. I haven’t read one of these in ages.”
“Well have fun choosing an adventure! I’m going upstairs to call Mindy.”
“Ok sweetie. I’m gonna get back to reading.”
I chose to have Johnny and Rick sneak out late at night, and I‘m anxious to see what mischief they get themselves into.
“Let’s take our bikes and ride downtown.” Johnny suggested.
Rick shook his head in disapproval. “I’d rather go over to the park and run around.”
Johnny pulled out a quarter. “We’ll flip for it.”
(To have Johnny win and proceed downtown, turn to page 32)
(To have Rick win and head to the park, turn to page 44)
Downtown sounds more fun. I’ll turn to page 32.
“I call heads.” Johnny declared as he tossed the coin into the air. The coin hit the sidewalk with head’s side up. Rick rolled his eyes and Johnny pumped his arm. “Yes! We’re going downtown!”
The two got on their bikes and headed out of the neighborhood towards the downtown district. They zipped down hills and around corners without heeding stop signs or traffic lights. It was 1:00 a.m., and traffic was nearly dead. They headed down an alley towards Main Street.
“Race you across the street, Rick!” Johnny pedaled harder. He reached the end of the alleyway and moved onto the asphalt of Main Street.
Screeeeeeech!!!
Rick stared wide eyed in horror as he watched a truck plow into his friend. He dropped his bike and ran to him.
How awful! I don’t like where this is headed! I’ll go back and pick the park option on page 44 instead.
“I call heads.” Johnny declared as he tossed the coin into the air. The coin hit the sidewalk with tail’s side up. Johnny frowned and Rick jumped. Yes! We’re going to the park!”
The two got on their bikes and headed towards Washington Park. They snuck past a squad car patrolling for late night park dwellers. They stopped at the large playground and climbed to the top of the tornado slide. Rick unzipped his backpack.
“Look what I have!” He proudly held up a can of spray paint. “Let’s tag this slide!”
“OH MY GOODNESS! This book is terrible!”
“You ok down there, mom?”
“Sorry, Kaylee. I’m fine.”
No need to overreact, Carol. It’s a silly book. Just start over at the beginning and choose a different path…
(To have Johnny stay home with his parents, turn to page 12)
(To have Johnny spend the night with his Grandpa Fred, turn to page 19)
All this mess started when I had Johnny stay home and he conspired with Rick. I’ll have him go to Grandpa Fred’s house. I’ll skip ahead and see if this was a better choice…
The next morning, Johnny got in the car with his grandpa and headed to church. When they arrived, Johnny was greeted by his friend Rick Miller.
Rick whispered in Johnny’s ear – “Let’s ditch church and go to the arcade.”
“Or we could go hide behind the building and smoke these cigarettes I found.” Johnny whispered with a devilish grin.
(To head to the arcade, turn to page 29)
(To go behind the church and smoke cigarettes, turn to page 46)
“What terrible choices I’m presented with! There’s no sit in church service option? I HATE THIS BOOK!”
“Mom! You ok?”
“Kaley, I don’t know where you got this book, but I am throwing it away! I refuse to allow my teenage daughter to read this garbage!”
“Mom, look at the author’s name.”
“Carol Lindstrom! I WROTE THIS?”
“Yes. Thankfully you have matured as a writer and learned your target audience. I have an idea. You can either accompany your daughter to the attic to toss that book back, or you can head over to the park with her and she’ll supply the spray paint.”
“I’m feeling confident about option one this time around.”
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Now, a fun little nit-pic... Is the MC's life also a choose your own path? She can either talk to her daughter Kaylee or her other daughter Kaley. Now wonder she likes the choose your path books!
Wouldn't it be great if we could do the same with our Challenge entries, modifying our stories to improve them as the comments come in!