Tag: Alone time

Do Not Disturb

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

            There are times when we want to be left alone. We’re stressed out after a hard day at work or we’re working on a project that demands our complete concentration.

            When someone intrudes, we might get angry, upset, frustrated.

            We wish for the “Do Not Disturb” sign, to post on our computer desk or in our study. That way our kids, spouse, phone callers will leave us alone.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist wants nothing more than to be left alone.

            Give him a task that requires concentration. It could be yardwork, repairing an appliance or tool, writing a report or reading a book.

            Bring in characters who try to break into the solitude, then make sure that the protagonist reacts appropriately. Obviously, there should be serenity at first, the intrusion, and then the feelings of anger or frustration.

            Setting and dialogue are critical here.

            Have fun with this one.

Secret Places

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Most of us have places where we go when we yearn for quiet. For young mothers, it’s often inside the locked bathroom.  At work, it might also be the bathroom or a bench outside the office.

For writers, it could be a coffee shop with free internet access. For readers it might be a quiet corner of the library or an unused room in the house.

Think of one of your established characters. Imagine him seeking quiet. Where would he go? What would he do there?

Make a list of possibilities. On one side, list the places. On the other, the activities. Match up a few of them, putting the information into a sentence.

For example:

Martha loved to read, but seldom found a quiet place when her busy children were awake, so she kept a book in the bathroom.

See how it works?

Your task is to come up with a few plausible secret places for your character, then turn one of them into a scene.

Have fun with this one!