Tag: prompt about fear

I’m Scared!

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

            There are so many things to fear: spiders, heights, flying, eating out, strangers. Sometimes those fears are crippling. The subject can’t leave the house because of the possibility of encountering his/her worst fear.

            Then there are those who fear nothing. It must be terrifying as a parent to watch your child climb high into a tree or scale a pole or ride a bike down a steep hill when you’d never do those things yourself.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has a hidden phobia, which is revealed in a dramatic fashion.

            Have fun with this one.

Phobia Time

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

            You need to introduce some spice into your story. One way to do that is to let your protagonist’s phobias pop out unexpectedly.

            For example, he’s in the shower when a large, brown spider drops on his shoulder. If he’s okay with spiders, he might try to catch it so as to release it outside. However, if he’s terrified, he’ll jump as he brushes it away. He might scream, dance about the shower, even call for help if his partner isn’t afraid.

            What would make this even more interesting is if this display happened when during a gathering. Imagine what her colleagues would say when a normally calm woman bursts into hysterics when a tiny mouse scampers across the floor!

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has kept his phobia hidden from others. An occurrence happens in which his fears are revealed in such a way as to change perceptions of the character.

            Set the scene, populating it with business coworkers, old classmates or fishing friends. Let there be fun happening, or a solemn meeting, or a class reunion. Introduce the bee, spider, mouse or snake.

            Have fun with this one.

Something to Fear

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

            Everyone is afraid of something. It might be failure or of being left out. It could be heights, spiders, or driving on freeways. Some are terrified of crowds, especially after the pandemic.

            Using fear as a trope can lead to interesting stories, especially when the antagonist is quite terrifying to behold in terms of appearance as well as behavior.

            Your task is to write a story in which fear is the predominate emotion. Begin by creating a list of possible things to fear, thinking outside the box: nothing triggering, such as a fear of clowns. Then imagine the setting in which the story takes place. It could be the principal’s office, a cabin in the woods, a crowded shopping mall.

            Consider first person POV so that readers will experience everything through your character’s emotions. Next, think about changing perspective, writing in the voice of the person who causes the fear. How does this alter the story? Or, perhaps write in the eyes of a bystander who witnessed the event.

            Have fun with this one.