Category: Writing prompt

Animal Antics

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            There are animal lovers and those who’d prefer they stay far away. There are creatures that make good pets and those that should remain in the wild. Taking into consideration your attitude toward animals, if your character feels as you do, what would happen if an animal suddenly appears in the story?

            Your task is to write a story in which, somewhere along the way, an animal plays a starring role. Imagine the villain rescuing a stray kitten. The hero sweeping down from the sky to pull a donkey out of a quagmire.

            Have fun with this one.

The Twist

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            Picture yourself on vacation, somewhere you’ve always wanted to see. You stand in line, with hundreds, waiting your turn to enter. You bought your ticket online. Planned everything, including how best to get there, where to stay, restaurants you’ve been dreaming of visiting.

            Something catches your eye. Something so tempting that you jump out of line and chase after it.

            Twists in storyline provide unexpected thrills. The reader is plodding along, following your character, perhaps even becoming a tad board because she is so predictable. When the cautious character follows a sketchy looking individual, or buys a thousand-dollar watch, or decides to jump out of a plane, readers read on, wanting to understand why the change.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character does something quite unusual and unpredictable.

Have fun with this one.

Lost and Not Found

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            Imagine what might happen if your character lost something important, such as a wallet, passport, or credit card. How would she react? What would she do?

            Would she search through her purse, possibly dumping the contents onto the floor of a store? Retrace her steps? Call a friend to come help?

            There are countless numbers of scenarios to play out!

            Your task is to write a story in which something is lost.

            Have fun with this one.

Antagonist Wins

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            Most writers understand that their protagonist must change in some way, perhaps in many ways, as the story progresses. Event cause affect, which leads to the character growing or changing as a result.

            A good antagonist also changes. Give this character a new skill, strength, or personality trait. Perhaps make it something positive, something that might alter the antagonist’s outlook on the world.

            What if a kidnapper gets kidnapped? Might that give her a new perspective? What if a bank robber gets robbed? Or a thief had her house burglarized?

            Your task is to write a story in which the antagonist changes, just as the protagonist does.

            Have fun with this one.

Divine Intervention

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            Very often unexpected things happen. It might be a check in the mail, a phone call, a visitor that dropped in. Depending upon the person, such things might bring great joy, or, they might be quite upsetting.

            Many don’t like surprises as they upset plans, while others ‘go with the flow’ and enjoy precious moments together.

            Your task is to write a story in which something unexpected occurs.

            Have fun with this one.

Free the Monster!

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Oh, dear! Monsters are outside. They’re walking down my street. Stomping on cars and bikes. Breaking down walls. Wreaking havoc.

What do you do? Who do you call?

Your task is to write a story in which a city or village faces a threat…the kraken is loose! The ogre is stomping down Main Street! The toddlers are tearing down the backdrop!

Have fun with this one.

I’m Scared!

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            There are so many things to fear: spiders, heights, flying, eating out, strangers. Sometimes those fears are crippling. The subject can’t leave the house because of the possibility of encountering his/her worst fear.

            Then there are those who fear nothing. It must be terrifying as a parent to watch your child climb high into a tree or scale a pole or ride a bike down a steep hill when you’d never do those things yourself.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has a hidden phobia, which is revealed in a dramatic fashion.

            Have fun with this one.

My Old Friend

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            Nothing adds interest like an old acquaintance showing up.

            Imagine standing in line t buy theater tickets when a voice from the past interrupts your thinking. You don’t recognize them at first as it’s been quite a long time since you last saw him/her. What happens? Who speaks first?

            What does your character do when recognition blooms?

            Your task is to write a story in which someone from the past, hopefully a long lost friend appears.

            Have fun with this one.

Set the Monster Free

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

            Every good fantasy story needs a monster. It could be a kraken, huge shark, vicious hounds, or even destructive children.

            They terrorize the village, devour pets, take bites out of boats, glom onto airplanes, and, if children, smear food all over walls.

            They leave destroyed evidence in their wake. People hide inside when they are about. Some will refuse to fly or swim or sail. Some will refuse to bear children of their own.

            Your task is to write a story in which there is at least one monster. The level of destruction should be sufficient enough to cause terror.

            Have fun with this one.