Category: Writing prompt

Hurdles

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Life is a series of hurdles that we have to jump. Or at least attempt to jump.

The problem is that some hurdles are more challenging than others, some more pleasant than others to achieve.

In track, of course, there is an event involving hurdles. Athletes run at incredibly fast speeds, clearing a series of metal hurdles along the way. That’s something I could never have done for two reasons: my short legs and my terror at jumping.

For most of us, hurdles are more mundane. It could be a death in the family, rent to pay, a search for a new job, trying to find a mate in the dating pool.

Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist is faced with a substantial hurdle that, in some way, is blocking her way forward.

Make the hurdle realistic, but challenging. Doable, but not without great difficulty.

Have fun with this one.

Unexpected Action

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            Your character lives in a rut: the same thing practically every day, at about the same time, with the same circle of friends. Then something changes, which is unexpected and not in character.

            The others in the story have no idea what’s going on. They don’t know what triggered the change.

            There’s a mystery that needs to be solved.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character does something so far out of character that no one understands what’s happening.

            Hae fun with this one.

Flight or Fight

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Tensions have been brewing for some time. Meetings are quite unpleasant, with members shouting over each other, ridiculing each other’s ideas, jealousy abounds and the boss does nothing. Instead, he sits back, with interlaced fingers resting on his ample stomach.

Your character has an important decision to make: stay and fight, loudly voicing her opinions, risking the wrath of coworkers and possibly the boss, or submitting a letter of resignation.

It could be a schoolyard confrontation. Your character is a mild-mannered child who is being bullied by a much larger classmate. At some point in time, your character has to decide whether to fight back in some way, such as reporting the abuse to an adult, or slinking away.

Your task is to write a story in which conflict is center point.

Have fun with this one.

Without a Trace

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            Imagine making a phone call one afternoon to a best-friend cousin. Since you were small, you’ve shared everything: food, stories, adventures, dreams. One day, you call him: the next, he calls you. And it’s been this way for over thirty years.

            But this day, even though you’ve called at four-thirty, the designated time when both of you are generally free, he doesn’t answer. You are frustrated, but decide to leave a voice message. Except that his box is full.

            That’s never, ever happened before.

            You can’t just hop in your car and drive to his apartment because you live in California and he lives in West Virginia.

            You don’t have numbers for any of his friends: in fact, you’ve never met them since you’ve never had the time to fly there.

            Your cousin seems to have disappeared, something completely unheard of.

            Your task is to write a story in which a character disappears. Begin by establishing the character’s normal day. What she does, where she goes, who her friends are.

            Readers need this so that the fact of the disappearance is shocking.

            Have fun with this one.

Running from the Devil

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            Almost everyone fears something. It might be spiders, ants, or heights. When confronted with our fears, we attempt to run away as if being plagued by the Devil.

            Our characters have flaws: in order to seem human, they can’t be all goodie-two-shoes or all serial killer zombie. The sweet little boy might love chopping up worms and spraying ants with hair gel, while the zombie might have a fondness for guinea pigs.

            Your task is to write a story in which a character’s fears are reveled while in a frightening situation.

            You’ll need at least one other character. This might be a good friend or a cranky store clerk. The two must interact, not just once, but frequently, with each meeting becoming more and more intense. Bring out the horror element.

            Have fun with this one.

An Old Acquaintance

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            Every now and then someone from our long-forgotten past reappears. It can be a pleasant surprise or one fraught with fear. In the first case, the two of you might go to a café, take a walk around a park, and then exchange contact information.

            In the second case, you might search for a way to disengage and escape.

            The stories about those events will be completely different: one filled with joy, the other with fright.

            Your task is to write a story in which someone from the past shows up, unexpectedly. Your character needs to show emotions appropriate to the scene you’ve chosen.

            Pepper the story with interesting dialogue, narrative and scene description.

Have fun with this one.

Check the News

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Politics makes good fodder for storytelling. Think about what’s happening in the news right now.  There must be something intriguing that you can turn into a story.

For example, if writing about war and conflict is your thing, choose any of the war-torn countries as the setting. You will most likely need to do some research to sort out the issues, but once you have an understanding of what’s going on, create some characters and put them in action.

If natural disasters interest you, then seek reports that cover those topics. For example, right now parts of the United States are being pounded by storms that are causing flooding, road collapse and fallen trees. Think about the stories you can tell!

Your task is to find something that piques your interest. Do some basic research. Then write a short story that has your characters responding to or causing whatever storm you have brewing!

Have fun with this one.

Life Change

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            As we grow, we change many things about ourselves. Some are superficial, such as trying out a new hairstyle, experimenting with makeup, buying a completely new style of clothing.

            Other changes are more serious, such as transferring from one college to another in order to switch majors, moving out of the family home, getting engaged, and finding the first full time job.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character is faced with her first major life decision, one that will lead to a huge change in their life.

            A lot depends upon the age of your protagonist. For example, a senior in high school is choosing between colleges or trade schools. During college, she might change majors once she realizes job employment possibilities are limited.

            Adults get married, separated, divorced. Switch jobs in order to climb the professional ladder.

            Some changes work out well, but many do not.

            Have fun with this one.

That Was Embarrassing

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            Some people embarrass easily. When someone compliments them, their cheeks redden. If someone likes their outfit, they blush. If they bring a well-liked dish to a potluck, they lower their head when everyone offers praise.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist finds himself in an incredibly embarrassing moment.

            Come up with a list of potential causes, then narrow it down to the one that you would find the most entertaining to write.

            Your story can be humorous, serious, threatening, even humiliating.

            Have fun with this one.

The Elusive Demon

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            Imagine buying a house without knowing that someone had been murdered in the kitchen. Your state doesn’t require disclosing such information, so you move in, ready to spend your first night.

            Houses creek and groan as they settle, and if there’s foul weather, branches might scratch windows and doors might rattle.

            What you don’t expect, however, is the appearance of a specter floating in front of the stove!

            You’ve got limited options. Who can you call to chase the demon away? Ghostbusters exist in movie-land. Priests probably don’t really do exorcisms.

            Your task is to write a story in which a demon-ghost torments the houses’ inhabitants. Make it creepy, frightening, and possibly even gruesome.

            Have fun with this one.