Tag: prompt about behavior

Power Corrupts

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            Politics can be a dirty business. Those with money can “buy” lowered taxes and rulings that favor their business. Those without power are often either ignored or disregarded, their needs not important to those seeking influence. A politician will appeal to those without, promising all kinds a magical thinking, but once elected, serve only those with money.

            Lawyers are often demeaned for being “criminals” themselves, especially when they take on clients who consistently violate the laws. All this is done thanks to hefty payouts and the notoriety that defending such clients falls upon the law firm.

School administrators who are supposed to be there for students and staff, can fire teachers with very little cause, as long as it takes place before the teacher earns tenure. It doesn’t take much to rid oneself of staff who ask questions, challenge decisions, and speak up against what they believe are injustices. A few negative evaluations can destroy a teachers career, if the charges are serious enough.

Your task is to write a story in which power corrupts. The wanting of power, or seeking power, or utilizing power to get what your character wants must play a major role.

Have fun with this one.

Unexpected Action

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            You’ve been reading a book long enough that you know exactly how a character is going to behave in just about any situation. Then she does something so off base that it surprises you. In a good way.

            Change can add not just tension, but also renewed interest. Change keeps a story from getting stale, keeps the reader involved, and can add twists and turns that take the story off in unexpected, while surprising, ways.

            Your task is to write a scene in which your character, who’s beloved by readers, does something so out of character that the element of surprise comes into play.

            A good way to do this is by establishing who the character is, what he likes to do, how he behaves in a variety of situations and how he treats others. A combination of dialogue and setting is important.

            Once it’s pretty clear who he is, then through in a twist. Instead of ordering vanilla, he goes for Rocky Road. He goes out to eat rather than cooking at home. He robs a bank even though it will get him disbarred when he’s caught.

            Have fun with this one.

Childhood Meal

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            Kids are often picky eaters. They might love mac and cheese one day, then claim that they never liked it the next. They dislike certain textures that only they can see, before putting the food in their mouths. Smells, appearance and even parental pressure affect how children react to food.

            Because of this, meal time can often turn into an all-out war. Parents insist the child try one bite of everything, the kid refusing to eat anything.

            But, there are happy memories of meals shared as well. Try to recall your favorite childhood foods. Were they connected to a grandparent, perhaps the way Grandpa trimmed the crusts off your bread? Were they family affairs where a variety of foods were put out on a long table?

            Your task is to write a story about eating a meal, making sure that the protagonist is a child. To make things interesting, include in the meal foods the child likes, but also those which she detests. Use sensory details to make the story pop.

            Was anything mushy? Burned? Undercooked? Who was sitting at the table and how did that affect the experience of the meal?

            Were there rules in place, such as eating everything off the plate before having desert? Carrying dishes into the kitchen when finished? Remaining at the table until being excused?

            Have fun with this one.

Lean into the Possibilities

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            Did anyone ever doubt that you could become whatever you’d dreamt of accomplishing? How did that make you feel? Did it stop you, delay your achievement, or did it inspire you to prove them wrong?

            One thing we seldom hear is that we all need to lean into our possibilities, not shy away from them. Let’s say you want to be a doctor, but can’t keep up with the grueling pace of coursework. You still want to help people, so you change paths and become a nurse.

            You’ve leaned into the possibilities, by finding a course that works for you.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist has a desire to be or do something huge, something that will define who he/she is.  Add negative or discouraging voices. Give your protagonist hurdles that have to be overcome. Setbacks add tension. But most of all, we want to see her choosing possibilities that work for her.

            Have fun with this one.

Group Dynamics

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            Call to mind a time when you participated in a group. It could be playing a sport, something that involves more than one player. Or it could be a meeting, either professional or for pleasure.

            Shortly after the group was formed, the dynamics began to play out. The leader might now really be the leader. Instead, it’s the know-it-all at the opposite end of the table who quickly spouts her opinions as gospel, overriding the actual leader.

            There are the meek, who sit with heads down, slopping shoulders, trying to blend in with the chair, hoping not to get noticed. When called upon, they offer brief, concise statements.

            And then there are those who really, really want to be recognized, but who sit with smiles and wide-open eyes, waiting for the leader to see that they have something to offer.

            Your task is to write a story in which a group meeting is held. Because dialogue will be crucial in establishing dynamics, include lots! Description is crucial as well so that readers can see how participants are acting.

            Have fun with this one.

Pizza Time

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            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 Company Banquet

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            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.

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

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

            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.