Tag: Vacation

Deciding Where to Vacation

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

            Some of us are influenced by the countless brochures that flood our mailboxes. We turn pages, and then, a yearned-for trip appears! Perhaps we’d never thought of a cruise around the Cape, but the pictures look awesome.

            We also take advice from friends and family. If someone brags about a trip to Nepal, we might investigate and then go. Or not.

            And then there are those of us who look at a map of the world, drop a finger on a spot, and then that’s where we’ll go.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist decides to go on a vacation. She might investigate using a variety of methods, but the old-let’s-spin-the-globe and see where it lands might make for an interesting story.

            She would have to research the best time to go, the expected weather, things to do and see and accommodations, including travel.

            To make it more interesting, she invites someone to come along. This could be a parent, best friend or casual acquaintance. Maybe she finds a class being offered on the area, meets a group that’s going, and joins them.

            Make something unexpected happen so that there’s drama. If could be a sudden downpour that wipes out the main road, a romance that goes wrong, a heated discussion of where to go and how did we not find the way.

            Have fun with this one.

Vacation Woes

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

We make the best plans. We coordinate departure dates and times so that someone can get us to the airport. We do the same for when we arrive.

We select the best rental car from the provider that we like, and depend on them to have the vehicle ready when we are.

Our hotel choices vary from location to location. Many of us rely on specific brands, or avoid specific brands, or choose neighborhoods we know are safe. Maybe we select a B & B in an old Victorian home, or now, with AirBNB rent someone’s house, condo or cottage.

Our characters must approach travel with some degree of finesse. Unless, of course, they are novices or nonchalant.

What happens when things go wrong? The flight is cancelled or seriously delayed? There is no rental car waiting, no hotel, no B & B, no safe neighborhood. Think of the stories to be told!

Your task is to write a scene in which your character goes on a trip. In order to make the story interesting, there must be tension, so things have to go wrong. It might be too much to create problems with every part of the plan, so be careful. Enough problems to provide interest, but not too many as that will pull the readers out of the story.

Have fun with this one.

Going Home

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Your character has been traveling to new places and having interesting experiences, but has she been thinking of home?

Does he miss his dog, wondering how lonely the poor animal is?

Does he dream about home? Being among her possessions and having a variety of clothing options?

It’s time to bring her home. Plan her route home.

Think about what goes through his mind. The emotions he experiences.

Write the story of her longing for home and how she gets there. What goes through her mind as she nears home.

Describe the emotions he feels when he walks through the door and is greeted by his cat.

Have fun with this one.

On Vacation

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Since I am on vacation, it got me to thinking about our characters. They go places, do things, see things.

Why not send them on a trip? Design the vacation to fit her personal interests.

For example, if she loves Shakespeare, why not go to London?

If he’s into wine, then off to California’s Napa Valley.

Your task is to write a scene in which your character travels. Choose a location that you’ve been to so that you can speak with authority.

Have fun with this one.