Surprising things happen. Sometimes they turn out to be good, oftentimes not-so-good.
Perhaps you had a hint that it might happen, but many times you don’t.
Some people believe in miracles, in divine intervention, while others think things just happen, on their own.
Your task is to write a story in which something unexpected and uncontrollable happens.
Have fun with this one.
Someone must die.
We don’t like to kill our characters unless in a thriller, but people die in real life.
Good people and people with nefarious backgrounds. Kind people who give of themselves as well as their money. Evil people who rob banks and gas stations.
Your task is to write a story in which someone dies.
Have fun with this one.
The protagonist, of course! That’s what readers expect. She wins the lottery, pays off her parent’s mortgage, donates tons to charity, and opens up the retail shop of her dreams. He buys himself a home in the suburbs, moves in his brother and two kids. He enrolls in college, rents an apartment nearby, and puts money into college accounts for those two kids.
Good things for good people.
What happens if the antagonist wins? Unexpected twist, for sure.
In this case, what does she do with the prize? Build a secret castle high on a mountain? Adapt her personal vehicle with advanced protections in case of attack? Hire a cybersecurity hacker to steal money?
Your task is to write a story in which an unexpected person comes into a great deal of money.
Have fun with this one.
There are several charitable organizations who grant wishes to those with terminal conditions. We often hear about the recipient, whether young or old, but seldom learn almost nothing about the people behind the scenes.
These are the heroes. They find a way to fulfill dreams, despite cost, in many cases. They organize neighbors, communities, store owners, the police and fire, and many other citizens.
Your task is to write a story in which someone fulfills a person’s dying wish.
Have fun with this one.
Most people enjoy opening gifts, excited about what surprise hides under the wrapping paper. Big or small, young or old, eyes light up when a gift is presented.
Not all gifts are equal, however. Imagine getting a doll at age seventeen, not a collector’s doll, but one geared for a ten-year-old. Most teens would politely smile in front of the giver, then return it to the store at the soonest opportunity.
Imagine, on the other hand, being given an expense-paid trip to Italy! New York City! Yosemite!
Or tickets to a Broadway play, or concert, accompanied by dinner at a high-end restaurant.
Your task is to write a story in which your character receives an unusual gift, preferably one that isn’t wanted. Emotional reactions are key.
Have fun with this one.
Imagine your character is a child attending camp or the camp counselor. The summer camp is supposed to be idyllic, nestled in a forest with a swimming hole, trails, horses and fun activities.
Instead of a serene setting, however, the camp turns out to be a horror situation.
Campers often write letters home, telling families about various activities they have enjoyed. In this case, however, very little fun activities take place. Your character writes home, talking about the strange happenings at camp.
It might be interesting to include a bit of humor.
Have fun with this one.
Imagine Cinderella on Mars or Pinocchio as robot. How would their stories change? What experiences might they have that differ from the original versions of their stories?
Would Cinderella still be human and Pinocchio a puppet? What other options are there that would make for an interesting story? Perhaps Cinderella is the Good Witch instead of the beneficiary of the Good Witch’s spell? What if Pinocchio had wings and special powers?
Your task is to select a fairy tale character and rewrite their story giving them different characteristics, powers, and even appearances.
Have fun with this one.
Sometimes the smallest thing can bring great joy.
Imagine being a child, someone who loves butterscotch candies. A visiting adult hands that child two pieces, to enjoy right now! The delight will be visible and a pleasure to behold.
Or, consider an adult who is feeling down and out. Piles of clean laundry await, to be sorted, folded and put away. Meanwhile there’s dinner to prepare and the dog needs a walk. Someone rings the doorbell. There stands the next-door neighbor, offering help.
Small delights can bring great joy to both giver and receiver.
Your task is to write a story in which something quite small is given, bringing smiles all around.
Have fun with this one.
There was a time when keeping a diary was an every-day occurrence. Young girls, yes, it was always girls, were given journals in which to record personal thoughts, wishes and dreams. They were encouraged to write anything that came to mind, even the most personal thoughts.
Then, years later, many of these diaries were discovered, some by famous individuals.
Imagine reading the thoughts of Marie Antoinette or Madame Curie! What might they have been thinking as they went about their normal day?
Your task is to write a story in which a diary plays a key role. It could involve a character writing her thoughts, or a letter from your character’s POV.
Have fun with this one.
Our cat makes a lot of noise. In the early morning, when she’s decided it’s time for breakfast, she sits outside our bedroom and meows, loudly and pathetically. She keeps it up until I finally get up, walk into the kitchen, and feed her.
Around noon she wants her snacks, so tells us in her most pathetic-sounding voice. Of course, then sometime after four, she repeats the performance, this time demanding dinner, which won’t be served until five.
She burbles walking down the hall, screeches when a foreign cat crosses our back deck, and makes a sad sound when she feels the need for loving.
If I wrote a story from her perspective, she’d paint us as being terrible owners, neglectful owners, but at the same time, loving owners.
Your task is to write a story from an animal’s POV.
Have fun with this one.
Have Fun with This One 