Sunday, March 31, 2019

Writing Prompt: Random Words are out there!

It's time for another random word prompt.  Put together a short 500-word or less story incorporating these words.

telescope
car
clearing
light
chime

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Daily Writing Prompt: From Television

As writers we can literally draw inspiration from anything we see around us.  The entire world is a possibility.  For example, right now do the following things:

1) Turn on your television.
2) Mute it.
3) Pause it (if you have the technology)
--or just remember what you see when you look at it right ---
    NOW!

Whatever you see on your television screen right now at this very moment is your writing prompt for today.


You can extend it in any way you see fit.  For example, if a Red Lobster commercial is frozen on your screen, you can write about the people who are gathered for a seafood dinner, you can write about the lobster, or you can write about the people who caught the lobster in New England or wherever they may be.

Friday, March 29, 2019

Situation Writing Prompt: A Theft

Thou shalt not steal.  It's one of the ten commandments and it's one of societies most fundamental rules.  Yet, people still steal things all of the time.  From little old ladies with kleptomania in the costume jewelry aisle to high dollar art thieves to organized crime figures orchestrating the theft of cars for parts or for shipment to faraway lands, it seems like someone is always stealing something.  For today's writing prompt, tell us a tale involving a --

theft



Thursday, March 28, 2019

Four word writing prompt: mystery

Let's have a mystery writing prompt.  This might be a good day to write a little mystery story.  Weave us a tale of mystery and intrigue.  Write a short detective or mystery story that incorporates the following four words:

spectacles
fountain pen
fireplace
murder

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Writing Prompt: The Road Trip

When it comes to adventuring with friends, nothing spawns a thousand stories like a road trip in an old car  with character.  For today's writing prompt, get your motor running, head out on the highway, and tell us a story about a -


Road Trip


A Rolling Work in Progress



Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Writing Prompt: Tales of the Critters

Nearly everyone has had an encounter with a critter from the animal kingdom.  An encounter with an animal can make for an unusual day or night.  Use an encounter with a small creature--something like a possum, a fox, a squirrel, a snake, a lizard, an armadillo, or a raccoon--as part of a story.  For today's writing prompt, write a story of a --


wildlife encounter

A Coyote saunters down the road in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.








Monday, March 25, 2019

Writing Prompt: The Fanciest Car in Town

Today's prompt is this big, shiny, fancy, Lincoln Continental.  Write a short piece of fiction involving this big luxury car from the 1970s.


Lincoln Continental

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Writing Prompt: Personal Style

When people select clothes, shoes, hairstyles, and personal accessories, they are expressing their personalities. In most cases, the accoutrements of style make a statement about who a person is and what they believe.  In other cases, the person's dress and appearance help them strike a pose.  In these cases, a person's style choices says something about the person they want to be.

For today's writing prompt, 

describe a person.


Photo by Tim Schapker [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]


Saturday, March 23, 2019

Writing Prompt: Of Demons and Devils

When it comes to tempting and terrifying us mere mortals, there is nothing scarier than the demons and devils that inhabit the fiery planes of hell.   For today's writing prompt, write a story that features either a -

demon or devil.

An Ancient Egyption Ram-headed Demon - British Museum [Copyrighted free use]


Friday, March 22, 2019

Writing Prompt: The Mystery Aircraft

Nothing spawns conspiracy theories better than the sighting of a mystery aircraft.  Here is an old photo of an aircraft I spotted overhead one morning.  It appears to be a Short C-23 Sherpa transport plane.  It's a very unusual aircraft and only small numbers were ever made.  The appearance of this aircraft raises many questions.
  • Who did it belong to?
  • Where was it going?
  • What was it carrying?
  • Was it on some kind of mission?
For today's writing prompt, answer some questions by writing a short story involving this strange aircraft.



Thursday, March 21, 2019

Four Word Writing Prompt: A Children's Story

Writing stories for young children is a tough assignment.  You have to control your vocabulary in terms of comprehension and avoiding profanity.  You also have to make sure that the topics you address are age appropriate.  It's also appropriate to try and teach something in terms of general morality life lessons or about the world in general.  For today's writing prompt, try to write a story for children using these four words:

teddy bear
closet
toys
asleep

Photo by Jonik [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

BONUS Prompt:  If you aren't into writing stories for children, incorporate the same four words into a story for adults.  Perhaps, this story could be something in the horror genre.


Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Song Inspired Writing Prompt: Imagine

It's time for another song inspired writing prompt.  Today's writing prompt comes to us courtesy of legendary Beatles vocalist John Lennon.  Finish this sentence and complete the paragraph:


Imagine there's no . . .


Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Daily Writing Prompt: From Beyond the Grave

We are all comfortable on this simple human plane of existance where we can see and touch real things in our world.  But, what if something lies beyond?  Could there be another plane of existence inhabited by the spirits of the dead?  Is there something beyond the grave?  For today's writing prompt, tell us a -


Ghost Story

 


Monday, March 18, 2019

Writing Prompt: Tin Star

One of the most popular heroes in genre fiction is the law enforcement officer.  Whether they be called a constable, a sheriff, a deputy, a trooper, a ranger, or a cop, they are still take the lead in tracking down criminals, righting wrongs, and fighting crime.  For today's writing prompt, write us a short piece of fiction featuring a -


Police Officer


This image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this:  TXAS RANGERS-F&B-W.JPG. [Public domain]


Sunday, March 17, 2019

Writing Prompt: Set in a Diner

Diners and restaurants serve as a gathering place and as a setting for many events.  You can set anything from a relationship conversation to a robbery in a restaurant.  Today, we'll use an old photo for a vicarious visit O.K. Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia, and I'll set out a lunch meal of meatloaf, broccoli, fried green tomatoes, and cornbread for all y'all.  While I set this virtual* table, take some time to come up with a story idea.  Today's writing prompt is to write a short story that takes place in -

A Diner or Restaurant




Meatloaf at OK Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia
*Virtual means that I am not providing any actual food for writers.  I am just as broke as the rest of you.  Just enjoy the photo . . .

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Writing Prompt: 18th Century Fox

Writing can take us to any place and any era.  For today's writing prompt, take us back to the 18th century.  Write about colonial and revolutionary times in America or take us to old Europe where lords and ladies danced and fantastic ballrooms.  Write a short -

18th Century Period Story



Friday, March 15, 2019

Daily Writing Prompt: Tales of the Gun

These days no topic is more controversial than the gun topic.  In the right hands, guns can save lives, defend the home, the town, the country and freedom itself.  In the wrong hands, diabolical people can use them to kill and inflict unimaginable pain and tragedy on others.  In careless hands, mishandling  can lead to tragic accidents that have consequences that last forever.  Today the choice is yours.  Do you put a gun in the hands of a good guy or a villain?

For today's writing prompt, tell us a tale involving -


A Gun

Photo by Mcumpston (talk)Mike Cumpston [Public domain]


Thursday, March 14, 2019

Writing Prompt: Home Sweet Home

For today's writing prompt, use your imagination to travel back to your home town or a house you grew up in or lived in.  Some homes are happy.  Some homes are hell.  Today you can tell us a true story or you can put fictional characters and a fiction writer's twist on your memories to tell us a story that centers around - 


Home Sweet Home

Photo by Tammy [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]


Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Writing Prompt: Under the Sea

If you are looking for drama under the sea, then you have to look to the submarine.  It offers the thrill of the hunt, the suspense of the hidden attack, and the prospect of  a watery grave,  the submarine has inspired writers from Nicholas Monsarrat to Tom Clancy.  For today's writing prompt, write something inspired by the --

Submarine 

Russian or Soviet Akula Class Submarine

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Situation Writing Prompt: The Big Switch

Sometimes you anticipate getting one thing and you get something completely different.  It's always a surprise and it can be fuel for a great story.  For today's writing prompt, write a story where someone pulls a surprising--

Switcharoo! 

Photo by Billy Baque [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]



Monday, March 11, 2019

Writing Prompt: when you were a kid

In the movies, we that stories like "Stand By Me" and "A Christmas Story" stand the test of time.  Some of the best tales come from adventures we had as children.  For today's writing prompt,  tell us a story from


your childhood!




Sunday, March 10, 2019

Writing Prompt: Keeping a Secret

Have you ever seen the old British spy series - The Prisoner?  It starred Patrick McGoohan as a British spy who tried to retire.  

Patrick McGoohan (Public Domain)

His agency abducted him and retired him to a strange seaside community where he was continually questioned about why he resigned.  The interrogators want information and by hook or by crook they were determined to get it.  The Prisoner was an awesome show that operated on many levels.  It's also a bit of inspiration for a writing exercise.  Today's writing prompt is to write a short piece of fiction about -

a person who knows something but doesn't want to share that knowledge.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

interview Writing Prompt: A time for courage

Today's writing prompt can double as a job interview question.  You can approach the writing exercise as personal journal writing or as a fictional situation.  Tell us about a time when you or a fictional character had to be -


courageous

Iwo Jima Memorial - photo by Xephrail [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

Friday, March 8, 2019

Four Word Writing Prompt: Under Construction

When it comes to fiction, the well muscled construction worker gets a little more prose than most people.  For today's writing prompt, practice your trade by constructing a piece of short fiction involving the following four words: 

toolbelt
hammer
denim
kitten


Thursday, March 7, 2019

Four Word Writing Prompt: A Stakeout?

Today's writing prompt takes us into the world of detectives, mysteries, and suspense.  Write a short work of detective fiction that includes the following words:


binoculars
sedan
donuts
fight

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

The Writing Prompt dreams are made of . . .

Today's writing prompt involves the night and dreams.  Create a short story or flash fiction story that weaves the following bedtime words together:


sleep
pillow
alarm
moonlight
dreams


Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Situation Writing Prompt: A Funeral

Nothing brings people together like a funeral. Whenever there is a death, emotions are near the surface and people reflect upon the deceased and that person's life.  There are always questions when a person dies.  These questions can often fuel the writing process.  For today's writing prompt, write about a real or fictional funeral. 


Monday, March 4, 2019

Four Word Writing Prompt: The Boat

Today's four word writing prompt, takes us to the sea and the vessels that sail upon it.  Our daily writing prompt is all about boats and boating.  Incorporate the following four words into a short story of up to 1000 words.


Sail
Vessel
Anchor
Lines

Shrimp Boat on Florida's Gulf Coast


Sunday, March 3, 2019

Writing Prompt: Prehistoric

Today, we reach back to the long distant past for a one word writing prompt.  You can decide whether your use of the word will involve paleontologists or time travelers or something completely different.  The story is your own to create.  But, your mission is to write 500 word short story using today's prompt.  Today's writing prompt is -

pterodactyl 

Drawing by Pearson Scott Foresman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


Saturday, March 2, 2019

Writing Prompt: An Embarrassing Situation

For today's writing prompt, think of a time you were embarrassed.  Prepare a journal entry about that incident or prepare a short fictional treatment of a similar embarrassing incident.

 

Friday, March 1, 2019

Writing Prompt: Come fly with me

Nothing invites adventure more than the cockpit of a vintage aircraft.  This photo looks into the cockpit of an old DC-3.  Write a piece of flash fiction inspired by this photograph.


Inside the cockpit of a DC-3


Setting Writing Prompt: The Old Shack

America's countryside is littered with old houses, barns, and shacks.  Many of these are documented and explored in Abandoned Places pho...