Tag: write a story in which there’s conflict

An Old Acquaintance

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            Every now and then someone from our long-forgotten past reappears. It can be a pleasant surprise or one fraught with fear. In the first case, the two of you might go to a café, take a walk around a park, and then exchange contact information.

            In the second case, you might search for a way to disengage and escape.

            The stories about those events will be completely different: one filled with joy, the other with fright.

            Your task is to write a story in which someone from the past shows up, unexpectedly. Your character needs to show emotions appropriate to the scene you’ve chosen.

            Pepper the story with interesting dialogue, narrative and scene description.

Have fun with this one.

That Was Embarrassing

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            Some people embarrass easily. When someone compliments them, their cheeks redden. If someone likes their outfit, they blush. If they bring a well-liked dish to a potluck, they lower their head when everyone offers praise.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist finds himself in an incredibly embarrassing moment.

            Come up with a list of potential causes, then narrow it down to the one that you would find the most entertaining to write.

            Your story can be humorous, serious, threatening, even humiliating.

            Have fun with this one.

The Elusive Demon

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            Imagine buying a house without knowing that someone had been murdered in the kitchen. Your state doesn’t require disclosing such information, so you move in, ready to spend your first night.

            Houses creek and groan as they settle, and if there’s foul weather, branches might scratch windows and doors might rattle.

            What you don’t expect, however, is the appearance of a specter floating in front of the stove!

            You’ve got limited options. Who can you call to chase the demon away? Ghostbusters exist in movie-land. Priests probably don’t really do exorcisms.

            Your task is to write a story in which a demon-ghost torments the houses’ inhabitants. Make it creepy, frightening, and possibly even gruesome.

            Have fun with this one.

Awards Won

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            I was not one of those kids who won things. I never received a perfect attendance certificate or one for being on the honor roll (because I never had either!).

In the 1960s girls didn’t participate in sports, so I there were no participation ribbons for me. I didn’t play an instrument and wasn’t artistically gifted.

            I do remember the first time I did win something. I was ten. My family had gone to my father’s union picnic at which a BINGO game was held for kids.  I lost the first few games, which didn’t surprise me. I wanted to quit, but my parents made me keep playing.

An announcement was made that there would only be one last game. Numbers were called and very quickly my blocks filled up. Imagine the look on my face when I had a BINGO. I hesitantly raised my hand, convinced that I’d screwed up, but when an adult checked my game board, I had won. I was escorted to the front and was presented with a tiny piece of candy. It didn’t matter the prize. What stood out was that I had been declared a winner.

            Your character might have had a similar experience. Ribbons were earned, certificates were given, and promotions handed out. Or not.

            Your task is to write a story that involves some type of competition in which your character loses over and over. In time, though, what does she do? Keep playing or walk away.

            Setting is important so that the reader can “see” where the story takes place and enough dialogue that it’s apparent how the character feels about what’s happening.

            Have fun with this one.

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.

Feeling Ashamed

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            Imagine standing at the front of your church to lead the congregation in song. You begin off-key, get a few notes right, then go off-key again. You feel your cheeks getting hot. Respiration increases. Your pulse quickens as time seems to stand still. When you reach the last word, you make a fast exit.

            Perhaps you stole something from a friend’s bedroom. She owned a porcelain statue of a horse, when you know she hates horses. Is terrified of horses. She slips it in your pocket while she’s rifling through her closet.  A few days later she asks if you saw it, perhaps even took it, but you deny, deny, deny.

            Shame hits everyone at some time in their life. It can range from a deep reaction to a slight embarrassment.

            Your task is to write a story in which shame plays a major role.

            First decide your audience. Children react differently than adults. Children’s offenses are generally smaller in significance than something an adult might do.

            Setting is crucial, so establish it right at the beginning.

            Have fun with this one.

Seeking Justice

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            Justice is one of those virtues that society is built upon. Working toward establishing what’s right, holding people accountable, and punishing those who violate the dictates of society is based upon what is just, what is right.

            Who decides the rules? What makes one act just but another not?

            Your task is to write a story in which justice plays a central role. Your protagonist might be the one seeking justice for an act committed against him, or he might be the one sitting in a courtroom being held accountable for something he did to another.

            The offense might be small, such as stealing gym clothes out of a locker, or large such as robbing a bank. What’s important is that the act is believable based upon the age of your character.

            Have fun with this one.

Revenge

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            Little kids are excellent at exacting revenge. You touch my truck/doll and I’ll smack your face. You steal my comic book, I’ll shred your favorite t-shirt.

            As we grow, we’re taught that revenge is bad: that we are to forgive and forget. But do we really?

            What do we do about the guest who breaks your favorite goblet? Was it accidental or intentional? Does that determine how we react, how long we hold a grudge? If we believe it was intentional, what do we do to exact revenge? To even the scales?

            Your task is to write a story in which revenge is a central theme. Choose your characters wisely. They need to be able to do something devious, something that irks the other to the point of seeking revenge.

            You also need to decide what the offense is, what the act of revenge involves.

            Have fun with this one.

Coming of Age

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            Growing up is filled with bumps and bruises, both physically and emotionally. We learn to negotiate friendships, dealing with adults in power (bosses, teachers), as well as trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be.

            Most YA (Young Adult) books, whether fiction or fantasy, feature protagonists who are doing just that. There is generally a good deal of angst, tears, temper tantrums, sulking, falling in and out of romance and conflict with friends.

            Your task is to write a story in which coming of age is the central theme. Focus on the protagonist, the sidekicks, and the internal and external conflicts. Begin with an inciting incident such as the announcement of an upcoming school dance. Somewhere along the way include a surprise twist that readers will not see coming, but that impacts the story ending.

            Have fun with this one.

Awards Ceremony

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            Who doesn’t love an awards ceremony? Think of the drinks, the food, the comradery. The banners hanging from the ceiling, the cheerful atmosphere, the tension due to anticipation.

            The fancy clothes, the milling about, interacting with a variety of people, some known, some soon to become new friends.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character is invited to go to an awards ceremony as the guest of someone who may or may not get an award, thanks to the support of your character.

            Set the scene, filling it with anticipation, excitement, glory. Assuming that the characters are friends, what happens once they walk through the doors? Do they stay together? Does the potential recipient abandon his friend? When the awards are announced, what happens if he wins? Or doesn’t win?

            Have fun with this one.