Tag: Needing help

Needing Help

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

            We often need the help of others. I’m short, so if there’s something in a high cabinet that I can’t reach, my husband helps. Or if my hands aren’t strong enough to open a bottle, he does it for me.

            When I taught, I often consulted with peers on how best to present a text or how to initiate class discussions. As an older adult, I look to peers, or if they can’t help, I’ll go online.

            What if your character was forced to rely on another person for something important? Choose something impactful, such as installing a new database, or climbing a mountain. Helpmates can be friends or office-mates. Other teachers or someone in a store.

            Have fun with this one.

Quirky Therapist

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

Therapists are supposed to provide help. If a person is grieving a loved one, they might need suggestions for moving on. If she’s faced person loss, such as a job or housing, then the therapist might listen and provide contacts for assistance.

Perhaps he’s so terrified of the dark that he can’t turn off the lights, which then means he can’t sleep. Or maybe she’s broken up with a long-time love and feels unloved and unlovable.

There are countless situations in which someone might seek professional help.

Before making the appointment, the image that most likely comes to mind is a well-dressed professional, sitting behind a mahogany desk with diplomas, certificates and professional memberships tacked to the wall.

He might smile encouragingly, lean forward, nod. And take notes. Or maybe ask permission to record the session.

But what if that’s not the type of therapist that your character sees? What might he/she look like? How might he/she act? Would useful advice be given or would the suggestions be weird, such as joining a clown school?

Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist needs therapy. First, decided the reason. Next, write a brief description of this quirky therapist.

This should be an interesting story!

Have fun with this one.

Hiring Help

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Let’s face it: things break. Sometimes, if we’re talented and skilled enough, we can fix it on our own. Many of us, however, are not so fortunate.

Water backs up into the shower. We call a plumber.

The car makes terrible noises: we take it to a mechanic.

We can’t tell the difference between a flower and a weed: we hire a gardener.

The roof leaks: we hire a contractor.

And on and on and on.

The same must be true for our characters. Problems arise that he cannot fix, so he turns to outside help.

Begin by making a list of things that your character cannot fix. Come up with at least ten. Then narrow it down to the one that would make the most interesting scene.

Your task is to write that scene. Begin with a peculiar noise or water where it shouldn’t be or bushes growing to abnormal sizes. Set the stage by letting us experience the problem through the character’s eyes. Remember to use the senses.

Once the problem has been discovered, what does she do? Does she call a relative to come over or try to fix it herself? What steps does she take in the attempted repair? Does she stand around and watch or pick up the wrench and tighten the pipes herself?

Think about how many attempts to give your character before he calls for help. If it’s more than one, show us each, allowing us to feel the frustrations that he feels.

At one point does she give up and call for help? Is it at the first sighting of problems or after many leaks sprout through the roof? After the car quits working or the tire falls off? Let us experience the attempts as well as the resignation.

Once the decision has been made to hire help, what does he do? Does he troll the neighborhood asking for recommendations or look up contractors online? How many does he call and how many proposals does he gather before deciding on the one to do the job?

Then, as the problem is being fixed, what does she do? Sit inside and drink a cup of coffee or hang around making sure that the worker is steadfast and honest with his time? Pick up the detritus as the job is being completed or watch a movie?

Sitting around would not make for a very interesting story, so be careful with this one.

Once the job is done, what does the character do? How does he feel? Does he haggle over price and the quality of the job or simply pay? Does she inspect the work and nitpick over every little thing?

You must decide, based upon you character’s personality.

So, get started with your list of potential problems, then write the scene.

Have fun with this one.