Posted in Ben / Adam Drama Prequel Writing Challenges

Vows and Loopholes (by DJK)

Summary:  Adam is determined to know why Ben Cartwright always refused his sons’ requests for a family dog.  This was written for the 2026 Lorne Green’s Birthday Challenge which required the author to write a Carwright story that included a dog in honor of Lorne’s love of dogs.  
rating: teen  word count : 2843 

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Posted in Hop Sing Prequel Writing Challenges

Bringing Harmony into the World (by DJK)

Summary:  Alone at the ranch, Hop Sing and a young Little Joe assist a mare in delivering her foal.  Written for the 2026 Hop Sing’s Chinese New Year Challenge.  rating: teen   word count: 2633

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Posted in Drama Prequel

The Animals Talk at Midnight (by DJK)

Summary:  Truth or myth, it would be wonderful if they did. 
Rating:  G  (120 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Posted in Drama Prequel

In Loving Memory (by DJK)

Summary:  The longing of Christmas past memories.
Rating:  G  (100 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Posted in Humor Prequel

Timber! (by DJK)

Summary:  Oh, what fun there is on the Ponderosa at Christmas
Rating:  G  (110 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Posted in Drama

Merry Christmas, Clementine! (by DJK)

Summary: A blizzard leaves the Cartwrights with an unexpected guest for Christmas- the formidable Widow Hawkins.
rating: k+     (2,225 words) 
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Posted in Action/Adventure Chaps and Spurs Family Prequel Writing Challenges

Mr. Adam and Them Boys (by DJK)

Summary: Adam loses a bet and must take Little Joe and four friends hunting in the high country. His fears of catastrophe come true in an unexpected way.  This prequel was written for the Chaps and Spurs Quarter Four Challenge.  The five mandated words were: percolate, earthquake, pipeline, surgeon, amendment.  Rating: teen        Word count: 7373 

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Posted in Joe Cartwright Writing Challenges

Making Hay (by DJK)

Summary:  Little Joe does not understand why Roy Coffee is keeping him in jail.  This story was written for the Micheal Landon Birthday Challenge 2025.   rating: rating: T/PG13   word count: 2306 

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Posted in Brothers Chaps and Spurs Prequel Writing Challenges

Fireworks, Friends, and Innocent Prayers (by DJK)

Summary:  Little Joe and friends managed to arrange “the grandest sight the town has ever seen”, and it only required a little deceit and disobeying.  This prequel was written for the 3rd Quarter 2025 Chaps & Spurs Challenge.
Rating: Teen  Word Count: 5822

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Posted in Action/Adventure Family Writing Challenges

High Stakes in Ragtown (by DJK)

Summary: The Carwright brothers stopped in Ragtown for a bath, food, and a trip to the saloon.  They picked the wrong saloon. Of course, Opal did not think so.
Rating: T/PG13 Word count: 12,217

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Posted in Brothers Humor Prequel

The Surprise (by DJK)

Summary:  Little Joe should have known pranking his father was a bad idea. 
word count: 1,220    rating: PG/teen

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Posted in Alternate Universe Brothers Drama Prequel Romance

The Old Man (by DJK)

Summary: Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright started calling their elder brother “the old man” shortly after their father died and Adam took over the running of the Ponderosa as well as helping his stepmother raise his brothers. Marie decides that Adam has lost too much of his youth and decides he needs a little romance in his life to make him feel young again.
rating: T/PG13   word count: 46,771

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Posted in Adam Cartwright Prequel Romance

Adam’s Lady: A Romance in Ten Glimpses (by DJK)

Summary:  During his last year at college, Adam falls in love with the sister of a classmate and friend.  Can he convince her that she would make him a “good wife”?
rating: T/PG13     word count: 5049

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Posted in Chaps and Spurs Joe Cartwright Prequel Writing Challenges

A Lesson in Art Appreciation (by DJK)

Summary: Little Joe and his friends just wanted to see the new painting in The Red Dog saloon before the ladies of the town could have it destroyed, and all they needed was a watertight plan.
Rating: T/PG 13     Word count: 4,414 

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Posted in Brothers Chaps and Spurs Prequel

Just a Prank (by DJK)

It was just a boy’s prank, so why did it cause such a rift between brothers. This story was written for the Chaps and Spurs 2025 First Quater challenge.
Rating: K+ word count: 5279

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