Tag: Writing prompt

Natural Disasters

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Some believe in a Mother Nature who clearly has a mind of her own. If often feels that way when unforeseen things happen causing great devastation.

For example, yesterday on the news I saw footage of a huge landslide that oozed down a mountain, blocking a major freeway going up the coast of California. I also saw videos of tornadoes and flooding that destroyed countless homes. Then there are the massive fires in Florida.

We could also consider the effects of hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, to name just a few more.

Imagine your character faced with one of these disasters. What would she do? Think? Feel? Would she tremble and cower or take action, stuffing family possessions into the car and bolting away? Would she hide in the bathroom and pray or run down the street, begging for help?

How your character reacts tells us a lot about his personality.

Your task is to first make a list of possible disasters. I would stick to ones you have either experienced firsthand or know a lot about. Try to get at least five things on that list.

Next, narrow it down to the top two that you feel most comfortable writing about. In your mind, place your character in the midst of these two disasters. In which one would her reactions be most viable? Which would allow you to create the most dramatic story?

Once you’ve figured out the disaster, come up with the story line. Where is your character and what is he doing when the disaster is about to hit? What steps does she take when she knows it is coming?

What does he do right before it hits, while it is going on, and then immediately after it ends?

This is the story you will write. When you are finished, reread, looking for places where you can strengthen emotional reactions. Where the setting needs spicing up. Then edit.

Have fun with this one.

Suspense is Critical

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Story revolves around suspense. From the first page, there needs to be a compelling story developing. Tension. Argument. A chase of some kind. A search for something important. And possibly even a dead body, be it human or animal.

Recently I picked up a book that sounded interesting. The youngest daughter had been implicated in the murder of her father and the near death of her mother, but the boyfriend was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. Sounds compelling, right?

The problem is that the story moved too slowly. It felt as if the same thoughts and actions happened over and over. Worry about the youngest daughter moving back home. The accused being released from prison on a technicality. The oldest daughter, once a thriving mother with tremendous potential, now wallowing at home.

I kept waiting for something to happen. Some action that brought renewed fear into the protagonist’s life. A window found open. A bloody knife left in plain sight. A note or call that threatened. But none of that ever happened.

As a writer, you have an obligation to engage your readers with suspense, even if your story is not a murder mystery or thriller.

How do you do this? Your protagonist has to interact with others, animate or inanimate. This interaction brings up a strong emotional response. The character reacts, either by confronting the “thing” or by running away or by putting it out of mind. This leads to more tension as the “thing” comes back again and again to haunt the character, spurring the character into action once again.

Your job is to take something that you’ve written, that perhaps you find less than compelling, and reread, looking for spots where the story bogs down. Where there is a pronounced lag.

As you discover these places, fix them either by eliminating them altogether or by turning them into scenes with dialogue, action, tension.

This will not be easy as we often do not like to rewrite our pieces, but you must.

Good luck on this one.

Bigotry in the World

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Bigotry seems to be running rampant in the world. Little or no reason is necessary to hate someone. It could be the color of the skin, a disability that impairs movement, religion, the way someone dresses or even income. A bigot hates because he/she can and feels no obligation to justify the emotion.

Characters that are prejudiced are not pleasant to read about, unless, of course, the reader believes in the same ways.

Imagine that your character comes in contact with someone who is prejudiced against people like himself. What might occur? What types of hurtful things might be said?

How might your character respond? Your character might try reasoning with the bigot, giving examples to counter the misguided beliefs. Your character might simply walk away, as quickly as possible, but not be able to shake off the image.

There might be physical contact: a little pushing and shoving. One of them might have a weapon of some sort and flourish it about. There might be injury, either through a fall, a nick of a knife or a bullet.

Think about the story you are going to write. First make a list that describes your protagonist’s qualities. Then a list for the antagonist.

Choose a scene in which they are likely to come in contact with each other.

Put the characters in the scene and set things in motion. Keep in mind where you want it to go. Do you want violence? Death? Hurtful words exchanged? As you write, guide your characters in your chosen direction.

This story might feel contrived, but stick with it anyway. Bring things to a head, and then a conclusion. Then go back and rewrite, adding in details that add to the description.

Good luck with this one.

 

Transitions

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

As we grow, we pass through many transitional points in our lives, none as dramatic as those of a child. From the time of conception, the changes are rapid and dramatic. There are too many to name, but think of those that mark milestones.

For example: rolling over, sitting and crawling, first tooth, standing, running, potty training.

Once we are able to process the spoken word, then comes enjoyment of books, games, rhymes, stories.

At last we hit school age where we learn to socialize with peers outside of our home. We master puzzles, learn to draw and color within the lines, and form beliefs in magical beings. We wish on stars and dream of being astronauts.

Your task is to think of a time of transition that either you have gone through or your character is going through. This does not have to be a children’s story, but it can be.

Write a scenario in which the character, after many trials, masters the skill. Include description and emotion. There can be frustration, failure and elation.

Have fun with this one!

Good luck.