Tag: write about a dilemma

Hurdles

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

Life is a series of hurdles that we have to jump. Or at least attempt to jump.

The problem is that some hurdles are more challenging than others, some more pleasant than others to achieve.

In track, of course, there is an event involving hurdles. Athletes run at incredibly fast speeds, clearing a series of metal hurdles along the way. That’s something I could never have done for two reasons: my short legs and my terror at jumping.

For most of us, hurdles are more mundane. It could be a death in the family, rent to pay, a search for a new job, trying to find a mate in the dating pool.

Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist is faced with a substantial hurdle that, in some way, is blocking her way forward.

Make the hurdle realistic, but challenging. Doable, but not without great difficulty.

Have fun with this one.

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.

Life Change

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            As we grow, we change many things about ourselves. Some are superficial, such as trying out a new hairstyle, experimenting with makeup, buying a completely new style of clothing.

            Other changes are more serious, such as transferring from one college to another in order to switch majors, moving out of the family home, getting engaged, and finding the first full time job.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character is faced with her first major life decision, one that will lead to a huge change in their life.

            A lot depends upon the age of your protagonist. For example, a senior in high school is choosing between colleges or trade schools. During college, she might change majors once she realizes job employment possibilities are limited.

            Adults get married, separated, divorced. Switch jobs in order to climb the professional ladder.

            Some changes work out well, but many do not.

            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.

Career Path

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Everyone wants a job so as to be productive, contributing members of society. Beginning when quite young, kids sell cookies and lemonade to be able to pay for band or a camping trip.

Teenagers have after-school jobs; perhaps in an office, at a boutique or in a shop. They might, if their family has the right connections, intern at a hospital, in a law firm or in a mechanic’s shop learning the trade.

Some of these jobs require a uniform. Some are quite ugly, loose-fitting A-line smocks in garish colors. Others might be too tight, especially for young women with large breasts. As they prepare for work, these teens must make sure they are dressed correctly or face being docked pay, and in the worst cases, being fired.

College students sometimes are employed on campus, doing a variety of jobs such as running workshops that support a particular class, correcting papers, and helping students study for tests. Some don’t need to work, and so have the time to join fraternities and sororities.

Their experiences affect how they look at life, what they do during their free time and who their friends are. They might even cause students to change their career path.

Your task is to create a scene in which your character either has a job or is searching for a job. Write about her feelings as she fills out applications and sits through interviews. Include how her emotions fluctuate as she waits for a response, and then when she gets the job.

Have fun with this one.

Lost Luggage

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            Every traveler’s biggest fear is arriving at a destination and not being able to claim your luggage. Imagine standing around the revolving kiosk as suitcase spill out of the ramp. People around you grab their bags and head toward their destination, while you wait and wait and wait.

            Eventually nothing comes out of the ramp and the kiosk stops moving.

            You pull out the tag that proves you checked a bag and head over to Customer Service. They look around wherever bags are stockpiled, but yours is not there.

            They record your contact information and pledge to call when your bags are located.

            The problem is that you are boarding a cruise ship that same day. Once the ship sets sail, you have no way to get your luggage. It means two or more weeks with only the clothes on your back.

            Of course you will have to purchase everything that is in the missing bag. But, your ports of call might not be close to shopping, you might not find shopkeepers who speak English, and since you can’t read the labels, you’re not sure if your buying shampoo or hair dye.

            Your task is to write a story in which someone’s luggage goes missing.

            Have fun with this one.

Pursing One’s Dreams

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            When you ask a little kid what they want to be when they grow up, they might say fireman, policeman or teacher. Those are the most visible careers in a child’s eyes. As their world view expands, they will dream of being a professional athlete, actor, singer, musician, and in some cases, scientist.

            Many times something happens that interferes with those dreams and the child has to put them aside to work to support self and family.  The astronaut becomes a mechanic, the athlete a coach of her child’s soccer team, and the fireman becomes a sous chef.

            Society needs all those jobs, but the individual might still harbor dreams of creating a new vaccine, curing a specific type of cancer or designing a more powerful wind turbine.

            It’s important to hold onto dreams, to cherish the reasons that the job appealed to you, to still maybe want to do something in the field.

            Your task is to write a story in which pursuing a dream career plays a major role. Any genre is possible, ranging from Speculative Fiction, to memoir, to Romantic Comedy, to thriller.

            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.

Quirky Therapist

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Therapists are supposed to provide help. If a person is grieving a loved one, they might need suggestions for moving on. If she’s faced person loss, such as a job or housing, then the therapist might listen and provide contacts for assistance.

Perhaps he’s so terrified of the dark that he can’t turn off the lights, which then means he can’t sleep. Or maybe she’s broken up with a long-time love and feels unloved and unlovable.

There are countless situations in which someone might seek professional help.

Before making the appointment, the image that most likely comes to mind is a well-dressed professional, sitting behind a mahogany desk with diplomas, certificates and professional memberships tacked to the wall.

He might smile encouragingly, lean forward, nod. And take notes. Or maybe ask permission to record the session.

But what if that’s not the type of therapist that your character sees? What might he/she look like? How might he/she act? Would useful advice be given or would the suggestions be weird, such as joining a clown school?

Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist needs therapy. First, decided the reason. Next, write a brief description of this quirky therapist.

This should be an interesting story!

Have fun with this one.