Tag: writing about setting

The Best Place You Ever Lived

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

Some people live in the same town, in the same house, their entire lives, while most move at least once over the course of their lifetime. Taking into consideration all the places you have lived, which one was your favorite? Why?

Perhaps it was because of the neighbors. They were friendly, open, and welcoming and your best friend lived right next door. Maybe it was that the location offered plenty of things to do, like roller-skating, hiking, swimming or exploring.

Whatever the reason, that place offered you something that no other has.

Your characters will have a favorite place as well. Begin by creating backstory for each of your main characters. Give them each a place and at least one reason. Those places might not appear in your story, but they continue to appear in the memories that your characters carry forward. They may even influence the things your characters say and do.

Your task is to write a story in which a favorite place appears in some way. It could play a prominent role or it could come up in discussion. In this story setting is important, but so are the memories.

Remember that not everyone in a family shares the same opinion about a given place. This could lead to some interesting discussions that create a sense of tension.

Have fun with this one.

Manipulating Time and Space

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

            Being able to jump back and forth in time is a function in many Speculative Fiction stories. Portals exist through which beings and objects can pass. What happens to the traveler can be frightening or placid, depending upon the author. The important aspect is how different the connected worlds are: the greater the difference, the bigger the impact.

            Imagine living in our contemporary world, then after passing through a portal you’re back in the Victorian ages? Or perhaps you move forward to find Earth colonized by beings from space? There might be language barriers to overcome as well as differences in available technology. Fabrics and clothing styles would be different as well as boundaries between countries, foods eaten, and types of buildings.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist discovers a portal and jumps through. Begin by establishing the normal world in enough detail that the reader understands where the character is coming from, but be careful not to bore the reader with too much information presented all at once.

            What does it feel like passing through? Does the character see colors, smell flowers or touch ice-cold barriers? When he arrives on the other side, how does he react? Sensory details will make this world come alive.

            Interacting with others before the portal and once in the new world is important. Dialogue allows readers to be immersed in the world without giving them a list of descriptions.

            Have fun with this one.