Category: Uncategorized

Masquerade

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

            Halloween is a time when we become someone else. Some choose costumes that mimic well-known people, while others go for super heroes and fantasy creatures. Masks play an important role, for they disguise the wearer.

            Parties are also part of the fun. Imagine getting dressed up in a costume, wearing a mask, then mingling with the crowd, no one knowing who you are. You can change your personality, your voice, and even your posture.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist and friends participate in a masquerade. It can be an elegant party that involves holding masks that cover part of the face, or a raucous affair with loud music, lots of alcohol and relationships that come together, fall apart, then unite with new partners.

            To make the story interesting, there must be dialogue. Readers want to hear what’s being said during the preparation phase, then at the party. Setting is also crucial. Include details of the decorations, the food, the atmosphere, the location, including weather.

            Imagine what would happen if it was an outdoor party and a sudden downpour hits!

            Have fun with this one.

The Book Club

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

            Many people belong to book clubs. Some are formed when a group of friends decide to meet regularly to discuss a book they’ve chosen.

            Some clubs are organized by librarians and some by organizations looking for activities for their members.

            Books are often chosen by members, but not necessarily. For example, the leader might pick out a book he/she liked then put that on the list. No discussion or chosing required.

            Meetings can go smoothly with all participants following established guidelines. Others have a harder time, especially when one member decides to hijack the discussion and turn it into their own topic, such as scams or relatives.

            Your task is to write a story in which a book club plays a prominent role. If you write mystery, a death might occur that the members, along with the police, investigate. Or perhaps a fight breaks out, either verbal or physical. Not all members will like the book, and to develop tension, a heated discussion might ensue.

            This calls for lots of dialogue. Description is important as well so that readers understand the scene, the participants and the relationships.

            Have fun with this one.

Star-Gazing

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

            Try to think back to times when you looked up and saw the sky filled with stars. Who were you with? Where were you? What did you see and what impact did it have on you?

            Did you tell anyone about those times? If so, who did you tell and what words did you use? Were they excited for you or waved it off?

            Your task is to write a story that involves star-gazing. Your protagonist might be a novice, not knowing the names of constellations or having never seen a shooting star. Or he can be an expert, someone who has studied the skies for years, perhaps even teaches others.

            No story is complete without tension, so something has to happen that prevents the protagonist from getting what he wants, or doing what he wants. Use setting and dialogue to drive the story forward.

            Have fun with this one.

Opening Line Prompt

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

Choose one of the following sentences to begin your story. You can change the name of the character, the setting, and the tense, but you must keep all else the same.

  1. Pete stepped toward the bow of the ship.
  2. A gray blob appeared on the horizon.
  3. Rain began to fall just as Sarah…”

Be sure to add at least one additional character, hopefully one that brings tension and discord. Add details to the setting, for example, what kind of ship is it, where is that blob and what was she doing before it began to rain.

Add sensory details to enrich the scene.

Bring in conflict caused by words or action.

Have fun with this one.

Early Morning Walk

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Imagine getting up before dawn, eating a quick breakfast, slipping into a warm jacket and heading out for a walk. You might hear the morning birds begin their calls, spot a cat slinking under a car, and pass neighbor’s heading to work. Day after day you walk, sometimes heading north, others south.

There are stories to tell. Why did the old couple move out? What happened to the two-story house that’s now surrounded by yellow tape? How did the single woman afford a high-end electric vehicle?

Your task is to write the story of your neighborhood. Choose one house to focus one, or several. Using your imagination, place a family inside. Give that family jobs, kids, friends, wishes.

You can write a rosy-story in which all things are wonderful, but a little tension is preferred. Perhaps a tree drops a limb, crushing that new EV. The tree sits on the neighbor’s property, and the car owner had been begging to get the tree trimmed before it caused damage.

Or maybe small children live in both homes, children who don’t always play nice.

There are tons of stories waiting to be told.

Have fun with this one.

Unusual Meal

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

            Think of a meal you planned for a group. Most likely there were appetizers, a main course that consisted of a variety of dishes, followed by dessert.

            The quantity depends upon how many invited. If it’s a meal for two, you didn’t need large dishes. But, if you invited ten, then you need casseroles, cakes, and bowls of fruits and salads.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character prepares a most unusual meal, one that consists only of desserts.

            Perhaps there are cupcakes in the shapes of stuffed mushrooms and cookies that look like crackers layered with slices of cheese. The entrees are pies that resemble different types of pizza and cheesecakes molded into meatloafs.

            Imagine what the guests will say! In your story, show your character cooking the items as he talks to someone. Through dialogue we see into the protagonist’s mind as she explains what she’s doing and why.

            Descriptions will show the setting, which includes the table, decorations, and the overall depiction of the room.

            Have fun with this one.

Roadside Meal

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            How many times have you been away from home and stopped to eat? What types of places do you normally choose? Fast food chains? Sit-down restaurants? Or something in between?

            When you scan the menu, do you have go-to preferences? Some go for hamburgers, while others choose salads. Some like sweet potato fries, eggs over-easy, chocolate cream pie.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character is traveling and stops for a meal. Depending upon the restaurant, she either reads from a menu board or from a handheld menu.

What does she order? Is it served cold or hot? How does it taste? From her reactions, you tell if it’s as she expected and whether or not she’s satisfied.

If there’s waitstaff, when someone checks in, your character responds by saying what she likes or doesn’t like, whether she’s satisfied or might like to order additional items.

To make it interesting, have someone strike up a conversation with your character. A little tension builds because this person is annoying or clinging and doesn’t take the hint that she’d like to eat alone.

Have fun with this one.

A Day at the Beach

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            Let’s say you’ve been to the beach. It could be at the ocean, at a lake, or even at a large river. No matter where, but there’s some type of beach.

            If you’re lucky, it’s soft sand. If you’re not, it’s rocks that cut the bottoms of your feet.

            Perhaps the water’s warm, but there’s a good chance that it’s not.

            There might be waves, especially if a strong breeze arises or it a watercraft motors by.

            And there are creatures in the water.

            Your task is to write the story.

            Your character and friends go to a beach for the afternoon. Or the weekend if they rent a cabin or pitch tents.

            They’re excited, looking forward to a great time.

            In your story, we want to see what they see, feel what they feel, see and taste all the things they do.

            How does the beach feel on the feet? Describe the picture of them getting to the beach. They’ll talk and laugh and maybe cry out in pain.

How cold is the water? Show us the group as they enter the water. Does one of them run and dive? Do some stand in only ankle-deep water?

Make at least one character worry about whatever might be in the water. Perhaps someone freaks out when seagrasses brush their legs.

Have fun with this one.

Outside Your Window

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            Try to recall a time when you sat by a window. Normally your neighborhood is fairly quiet. No small children live there and very few cars rush in and out during the day. One family owns a large dog, another had a small, yapping mix breed of some kind.

            On this particular day you’re supposed to be completing a work assignment. Your computer desk just happens to be located by a large window that looks out on the street.

            Something both interesting and unusual is taking place.

            Your task is to write the story. Begin by identifying the characters by age, height, color and length of hair and any other details that might make for a story. Next think about what might be happening. Are there kids playing basketball? A delivery driver trying to turn around? A dog gets loose and is terrifying adults trying to exit their car?

            How do your characters react? Is there screaming or fighting? Is one of the passengers a dog whisperer?

            Write from the perspective of the watcher. To make things interesting, there might be an open window so that words can be heard.

            Have fun with this one.

Café Talk

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

            Some people love to sit in a café, nurturing a steaming cup of coffee while talking with friends. Others go alone, but listen to what’s being said.

            When there’s disagreement, things can be really interesting…or embarrassing, depending upon POV.

            Your task is to write a story that takes place in a café. It can be a fancy one situated in an expensive locale. Imagine a busy Parisian street, where lots of people walk by. Or downtown New York City, in the financial district.

            The café could be in a war-torn city, surrounded by ruined buildings or in the heart of the low income part of a major city, a place were homeless sleep on the streets and drug-deals go down.

            Give your protagonist a colorful background, such as being a loan officer at the bank or a farmer who’d just sold her grain. To make things interesting, add an additional character. That way dialogue will help readers see and understand what’s happening.

            Have fun with this one.