In a world where every word has a price, what will you pay to be heard? "Amazon" book blurb by Sammi Lenertz

In a world where every word has a price, what will you pay to be heard?

In her small, quiet world, Vi has condemned herself to silence. She goes to school, spends time with her sister, works at her parents’ market--- but she must be careful. A single sound means suspicion.

The smallest phrase means prosecution.

The slightest slip-up could make the accusations fly.

Because Vi has a secret… a deadly one.

Choose your next words carefully--- they may be your last.

Personal Essay by Sammi Lenertz

The Internet is home to over 1.8 billions websites. There are nearly 130 million books on Earth. There are roughly 6,500 languages spoken. Needless to say, this is a lot of information.

Scientists say that at the moment, it’s impossible to know it all. Even the content of a million websites would be extremely difficult to find out. Just fifty million books would cause a headache. And a thousand languages would be absolutely mind breaking.

You can’t ‘know everything’. It’s not only a fact, but common sense as well. You have no way of figuring out what I thought on May 17^th, 2014, at 1:03 pm.  Even I don’t know that. So, therefore, you can’t know everything.

So why do some people act like they do? Is it to annoy others? Convince them you’re smarter? Or are you actually convinced you’re the human iPhone?

I suppose for some people, it’s just their nature. To help you guys out, here are a few tips for figuring you’re not Einstein back from the dead.

Admit you’re wrong.

If you act like you’re always correct, people will just eventually become annoyed. Don’t sell yourself short, but be humble, too.

Listen to others.

Chances are, somebody knows something you don’t. Pay attention, even if you ‘need’ to.

Give others a chance.

Don’t raise your hand for the hundredth time in a row if someone else is, too. Give others time to shine—the spotlight wasn’t made for you.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, and that you learned a bit, too.

SOME THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

I learned that when you write, do not waste the reader's time by explaining something in too much, unnecessary detail, so that something that should be explained in a minute is explained in ten minutes. You do not want to lose the reader's trust this way. -- Darrel Zhao

I learned that you have to revise, because nothing is ever perfect on the first try. -- Sammi Lenertz

Something I’ve learned is, that in fantasy you can’t just make it up. You need to set up your own government. Make new type of people. Recreate democracy. I also learned that my favorite authors got rejected a bunch of times. I just can’t believe such good books were rejected!  -- by Sigalit Cassuto

I learned how to properly write journalism. -- Lauren Scherer

Severe Words by Sammi Lenertz

Tornado of whispers

hunker down,

or else be swept up

Hurricane of murmurs

throw caution to the wind,

and fight for salvation

Storm of rumors

earthquake of opinions

severe words, seek shelter immediately

Antarctica Gobbled by Giant Penguin! by Sammi Lenertz

On June 25th, 2018, Antarctica, (including a few hundred Eskimos) was swallowed whole by Dina, a colossal penguin on a rampage.

"This is so upsetting," commented an anonymous source. "Dina is out of control. Who knows what she'll mistake for dinner next?"

According to scientists, Dina is now wading through the ocean, likely searching for another meal. Government officials suspect she might choose Australia as her next victim, then eating Hawaii for dessert. Both places are in lock down.

"You've heard of Hurricane Katrina, now time for Hurricane Dina!" A passerby joked into a news camera. The death toll is already climbing into the thousands.

The animal is reported to be over seven miles tall, and growing larger each day. She's also incredibly adorable, being only a few weeks old. Who ever thought a newborn penguin may be the end of the world?

The White House released the following statement:

"Dina is currently being tracked, and we will bring her down soon. Until then, we request you all be on high alert. We suspect she may go for a more tropical country next. Please keep an eye out, and stay hopeful."

And there you have it. Until we meet again, Dina!