Category: Uncategorized

Unexpected Action

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            You’ve been reading a book long enough that you know exactly how a character is going to behave in just about any situation. Then she does something so off base that it surprises you. In a good way.

            Change can add not just tension, but also renewed interest. Change keeps a story from getting stale, keeps the reader involved, and can add twists and turns that take the story off in unexpected, while surprising, ways.

            Your task is to write a scene in which your character, who’s beloved by readers, does something so out of character that the element of surprise comes into play.

            A good way to do this is by establishing who the character is, what he likes to do, how he behaves in a variety of situations and how he treats others. A combination of dialogue and setting is important.

            Once it’s pretty clear who he is, then through in a twist. Instead of ordering vanilla, he goes for Rocky Road. He goes out to eat rather than cooking at home. He robs a bank even though it will get him disbarred when he’s caught.

            Have fun with this one.

A Careful Look into the Past

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Storytellers must keep in mind that events from the past can affect how a person looks at the present. Traumatic experiences, long buried, might appear worse when brought into new light. Angry words, a spanking, being accosted, hurt back then, but can still cause pain today.

Even so, the writer might find a sense of catharsis through the writing, and so telling those stories becomes a valuable experience.

Your task is to write a story in which your main character revisits past occurrences that caused some degree of emotional distress, whether the offenses were committed against her or if they were directed toward others.

You might consider looking at family dynamics. For example, in many families, the older brother who is worshiped by the mother and a younger sister can do no wrong. The middle child, no matter how hard she tried, you could never garner the mother’s attention.

In your story, show what the character did that got him in trouble, as well as those things that he could not control but that shaped who he became.

Include dialogue to touch on emotional issues and to build tension.

Have fun with this one!

Thanksgiving

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            There are times to celebrate all the good things that have come our way. Times to rejoice, to laugh, to pray, to give thanks. To remind ourselves That we might have more than others, and to be grateful for what we do have.

            Thanksgiving Day has become a huge commercial enterprise. There are gift cards, decorations, themed toys and gifts, cookies in the shape of turkeys and pilgrims. Schools have Thanksgiving celebrations where students make pilgrim costumes and share themed candies.

Commercials show happy families welcoming guests. For many, television mirrors their family life. But, for others, family gatherings are times of extreme stress and so they choose to eat alone.

            Your task is to write a story in which Thanksgiving plays a major part. Your character might be the type who celebrates alone, in which case you need to show how this is handled. For example, does she cook a turkey breast for herself? Volunteer at a local food bank? Go to a restaurant that serves a typical dinner?

Or does your character celebrate with others? That time doesn’t have to be free from stress. In fact, to make the story more interesting, a bit of high drama might be fun.

Remember to include emotional details so that readers walk in the minds and hearts of the characters.

            Have fun with this one.

Comfort Zone

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The vast majority of the time we stay within our comfort zone. At our jobs, we feel comfortable when we understand our job duties. After work, we have safe places to go where we feel respected.

When we venture away from home on a vacation, many of us return again and again to the same place because we find comfort there. Sometimes opportunities arise to go somewhere new, and we might, at first, want to go, but as the departure time approaches, we get nervous.

Stepping outside our comfort zone can cause a great deal of anxiety. We check maps over and over, wanting to make sure that we know the way. If we venture overseas, we might choose trusted tour company so as to ensure a clean and safe place to spend the night.

Your task is to take a character outside of his comfort zone. Send him to places unknown, have him try out new restaurants, or visit countries he’s never seen. Along the way have him encounter strangers, deciding in each instance how he will react.

What impact does journeying have on your character’s personality? Does he feel emboldened? Frightened to the point of desiring only isolation? Proud or timid?

Write a scene that challenges your character to step outside of the norm.

Have fun with this one.

Halloween Prank

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            Many comedy shows have kids running up to houses, ringing the bell, then when no one answers, throwing eggs at the door or tossing rolls of toiler paper over tree limbs.

            Or there’s a home invasion, where a scary somebody, like an evil clown or a deranged murdered, sneaks up on a group watching a scary movie on television.

            Some pranks are downright funny, causing no permanent harm. Eggs can be washed away, the friend who dressed up as a criminal will be forgiven, and many laughs about it will be shared for years to come.

            But what it the prank turns out not to be funny or to have lasting impact? What if it causes poor old Mrs. Hubert to have a heart attack or breaks a bunch of windows that the home owner can’t afford to repair?

            Your task is to write a story that features a potentially dangerous prank, that can cause harm to either the doers or the receivers.

            Begin by making a list of things that can logically be done. For example, climbing on the roof might not be possible to seven year olds, but teens could certainly do so.

            Create at least two characters. One might be the instigator, the other hesitant, but goes along with the prank anyway.

            Think of things that can go wrong. Narrow it down to no more than three.

            Write your story, incorporating the fear of Halloween, the mystery of the night, the costumes and the adventure.

            Have fun with this one.

Fantasy Worlds

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Some writers find it easy to create worlds from the ground up. They design mountains, valleys, forest, rivers and lakes, cities and villages. They populate their worlds with people who are like us, as well as with those having superpowers.

There are languages and clothing and foods that suite that world, perhaps even as identifiers of their position in society.

Just like in our world, some in the new world will be peaceful, others warlike. Some meek, while others aggressive. Some are masters of yoga, while fight with weapons.

Your task is to design a new world. Draw the outer borders. The seas and mountains. Inlets and ports. Where resources are found. Where are the farms and ranches?

What type of government is there? How do individuals get in power? Are they compassionate rulers or despots? What are the main rules that impact ordinary citizens?

How do the different peoples get along? With understanding or with conflict?

When you are finished, look back at your design, paying attention to what should be added as well as what won’t work or those things that need to be change.

If you have a storyline, start writing!

Have fun with this one.

Phobia Time

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            You need to introduce some spice into your story. One way to do that is to let your protagonist’s phobias pop out unexpectedly.

            For example, he’s in the shower when a large, brown spider drops on his shoulder. If he’s okay with spiders, he might try to catch it so as to release it outside. However, if he’s terrified, he’ll jump as he brushes it away. He might scream, dance about the shower, even call for help if his partner isn’t afraid.

            What would make this even more interesting is if this display happened when during a gathering. Imagine what her colleagues would say when a normally calm woman bursts into hysterics when a tiny mouse scampers across the floor!

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has kept his phobia hidden from others. An occurrence happens in which his fears are revealed in such a way as to change perceptions of the character.

            Set the scene, populating it with business coworkers, old classmates or fishing friends. Let there be fun happening, or a solemn meeting, or a class reunion. Introduce the bee, spider, mouse or snake.

            Have fun with this one.

An Old Friend

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            You’ve got your protagonist planned out. You know your setting and the premise of your story. Perhaps you’ve written a good portion, with tension and a perfect adversary.

            Then you bogged down, not knowing where to go next.

            One way is to insert an old acquaintance from the character’s past.

            This person needs to be a bit quirky or argumentative or a bully. She could have stolen the protagonist’s love interest or bested her in a competition.

            Perhaps he’s the ex-boyfriend or husband, moving back home.

            Write the story of what happens as soon as your character is aware of this person’s reappearance.

            Use narrative and dialogue. Include emotional reactions: think sweaty palms, heart palpitations, trouble breathing.

            Ramp up the tension. Perhaps there’s a nasty interaction, or your character overhears him saying nasty things about her.

            Have fun with this one.

The Phone Call

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            We’ve all been surprised when someone that we haven’t seen in a while calls. At first there’s a bit of shock. You shake your head in wonder, asking yourself if this is an imposter or the real person?

            Once the identity has been verified, you might be annoyed, thrilled or scared, depending on how the relationship ended.

            Stories of former friends finding each other and discovering they’re still in love, warm the heart.

            Your task is to write a story in which someone from the past calls your character. Establish, in your mind, what the relationship was like. For example, if they weren’t best friends, the reaction might be quite different than if they were. Or if there’d been tension between them, then does that tension still exist?

            Have fun with this one.

Fictionalized Story

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            Taking something familiar and turning it into a fiction story can make for some interesting writing. Imagine placing Aunt Myrna in a bit of historical fiction or in a cozy mystery. She might be uptight or laidback. She might have a brilliant co-partner or a funny sidekick.

            If Myrna lived in the country, have her visit the city where she’ll discover something disgusting or heinous. If she’d never stepped foot outside of her place of birth, sending her on a journey might make for a fun story.

            Make your character believable with wants and goals. There must be setbacks along the way, perhaps unusual sightings, or a runaway bull.

            Give her a someone with whom to share the adventure.

            Write some scary parts, some funny parts, some description, some dialogue.

            Have fun with this one.