Tag: prompt about an event

Pizza Time

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

            Lots of kids like pizza. Some want only cheese on theirs, while others want as much meat as possible. Some like pineapple while others want only black olives.

            No matter the differences, saying “Let’s order pizza,” generally is greeted by Hurrahs and cheers.

            Nowadays there are many options in terms of preparation. Do you want thick crust, pan pizza or gluten free? Sauce or no sauce? Or maybe a pesto sauce. How about cheese buried inside the outer edge of the crust or extra cheese on top? Chicken or pepperoni?

            When did you first eat pizza? How old were you and where was it? Did your parent make the pizza or did you go to a restaurant? Did you get an individual pizza or one for the family to share?

            Were there fights over what kind of pizza to order or who got the last piece?

            Your task is to write a story in which pizza plays an important role. It can be a sweet remembrance or a story fraught with tension and loud arguing.

            Your protagonist can be a child or an adult. She can like or hate pizza. She can throw temper tantrums if she doesn’t get her way or feel heard.

            Have fun with this one.

The Grab Bag

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            Many times events such as carnivals and fund-raising events sell tickets for an opportunity to stick your hand in a bag and pull out a prize. Imagine what emotions your character will experience contemplating putting their hand inside a closed-off bag or box.

            He might be a bit scared, wondering if he’ll touch something slimy or gooey. Or he might be in for the fun, no worries, no concerns.

            Perhaps he’s got a few friends watching. Imagine what they’d say, how he’d react. Is he the kind who accepts friendly ribbing or would he get angry?

            When his fingers touch whatever is there, what reactions does he have? Does he make a face or laugh? Retract his hand without taking anything?

            Your task is to write the story of the grab bag.

            Establish scene and circumstances through a few descriptions of setting. Identify major characters though one of two details at most. Let there be dialogue.

            Have fun with this one.

The Photo Shoot

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            You pick out a place you’d like to visit, primarily due to the awesome pictures you imagine capturing. Perhaps it’s Yosemite or Rocky Mountain National Park.

            You make reservations, pack your gear, and take off.           

            Your task is to write the story. Setting is obviously crucial, so include as many sensory details as make sense. Readers will want to see what your photographer sees, hears, smells, and possibly even tastes.

            What does she focus on? Mountains or waterfalls? Flora or fauna? Rushing rivers or quiet ponds?

            Does your protagonist use film or digital? Work in color or black and white? Maybe even sepia tone. How does she frame the photos? Is the mountain top dead center, or off to one side so she can include a herd of deer grazing at the base? Does she capture the rock climbers or big horn sheep?

            Do any passers-by interact with your character? What questions do they ask?

            Have fun with this one.

The Company Banquet

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

            Your boss loves a good party, especially when it’s held in her honor. She’ll sit at the front table, surrounded by dignitaries from the county, state, country. Praises will be sung, lots of applause after each of her accomplishments are named and a toast will be offered.

            All will go smoothly, right?

            Your task is to write a story in which a banquet is held, either in honor of your protagonist or that she has to attend.

            Identify what type of banquet, where it will be held, what type of food and drink will be served and whether there is entertainment other than an open bar. Next figure out who the guests will be and how seating will be arranged.

            If it’s a free-for-all, then guests can sit wherever they want. That might make for interesting conversations, but if you want tension (and you should!), seats should be assigned so that no like-minded people are together.

            Begin your story with a bit of intrigue: the invitation, why your character is in the select few, and the emotions that she experiences. After that, don’t forget to include sensory details as you describe the setting.

            Have fun with this one.

Startling Sounds

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            Picture yourself sitting before the television, engrossed in your favorite show. A loud boom shakes your house, rattling the windows and causing your heart to seem to skip a beat. You consider investigating, but when no sirens sound, no knock comes to your door, you shrug it off.

            Now imagine that the sound, that boom, caused things to fall off shelves, your floor to rock and roll, and sets off car alarms up and down your street. What do you do now?

            Your task is to write a story in which a sound or sounds plays a major role. First identify the source of the sound, then the effects of the cause dependent upon how close your protagonist it to the source.

            Take into consideration the reactions of your character. Some people startle easily and once shaken, take a long time to recover. Others are curious, might investigate, then do some online research to see if any reports have come in. Still others will do nothing, not wanting to get involved.

            Choose a reaction that will interest readers the most. Tension is critical, so include dialogue as a mode to illustrate what and why your character acts.

            Have fun with this one.

Masquerade

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            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.

Star-Gazing

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            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.

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

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            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

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

            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.