Thursday Prompt 3.16.2023

“Asking for advice about what you should write is a little like asking for help getting dressed. I can tell you what I think looks good, but you have to wear it. And as every fashion victim knows, very few people look good in everything. But in my experience, a writer gravitates toward a certain form or genre because, like a well-made jacket, it suits him.” – Betsy Lerner; The Forest for the Trees.

What is your genre? Do you know? Write a paragraph or two about the genre you are most comfortable writing in.

Thursday Writing Prompt 3.9.23

For this week’s prompt, have a character develop a pretend relationship. That is, the character may pretend to be in a relationship with a fake person (who may live in another country or just always be gone when people ask about them). Or the character pretends the real person in the relationship is someone else.

Elderly protagonist with Teens – Prompt 3-2-23

Imagine a scene with a senior citizen walking into an alley in a small town. The oldster is confronted by a gang of teenagers. You can take this scene in a predictable way or find a twist to make it unique and surprise your readers – maybe even yourself.

Why is he or she in the alley? Is she or he in a disguise? Why is the gang there? What does the gang do? Are they from the small town too? Do they know the senior citizen? Is it day or night? Rainy or snowy or dry? Is this a dark story, a morality tale, a funny fable? Let your imagination fly. Then write it in with a different ending – change the narrative, change the point of view. Work those creative muscles.

Thursday Prompt 2. 23. 2023

John Claude Bemis (a writer and instructor) recently spoke of lessons on crafting an unforgettable story. His advice is to “be wild” with your ideas. Let your idea be simple and unusual. Think of something you would normally never consider writing about. Write down that idea and create at least two paragraphs on that very unique subject–for you at least!

Thursday Prompt 2.16.23

A woman has a secret thinking spot on the roof of a nearby building. When she goes there after learning she lost her job, she discovers someone sitting there.

Examples: a homeless person with two items and seems desperate.

A friend or family member not seen for a long time.

A businessman in an expensive suit, a five o’clock shadow, white shirt unbuttoned and he is holding his tie.

Santa Claus

Or anyone else that comes to mind.

One of life’s earthquakes – prompt 2-9-23

Write a story or poem telling about something that pivoted your world from its axis, permanently or temporarily. Or develop a character who is living their best life until … the phone rings, a knock at the door, a stranger with a message is encountered, a spouse reveals a secret. Give details of the life you or your character knows and why you/ they love life even with its little flaws. Then tell how you/they react body and soul to the unexpected zig-zap in life’s path. What do they/you see, feel, hear, smell, taste? How does the earthquake change your/their perspective?

Bubble and Squeak

To our delight we have followers from around the world. As a nod to our British followers, this week’s prompt is about something very British.

Create a story or poem about Bubble and Squeak, either the 18th-century English peasant food – still a favorite, the 1940’s British cartoon about Bubble, a taxi driver and Squeak, his taxi or use your imagination to discover new diversions, characters or culinary experiments on which to apply the names.

Thursday Prompt 1. 11. 2023

I once read that even when a writer doesn’t have a pen in hand or a keyboard to use, he or she is creating sentences in their head, observing life around them, such as an argument in a grocery store, two young lovers kissing in the most unusual settings, or the recent and controversial interviews with Prince Harry. A story is being formed. The author says, “All is fodder.” Every situation you experience can begin in your mind, then released to become your next writing. What fodder grabs you—conversations, walking a country road, a Broadway play? Write about it. You might be surprised.