Prompt Place: The Devil and A Soul

As Halloween approaches and the divide between the living and the dead grows narrower and narrower, every soul is in jeopardy.  Some souls stay in the light and others head for the dark.  Some say that our actions here in the realm of the living determine the fate of our souls.  Some sell their souls to the devil in order to achieve something here on our earthly realm.  Some gamble their souls away.

For today's writing prompt, write us a short tale about a person who has -

lost his soul!

Here's a little music to go along with your word fiddling.

Four Word Prompt: A Whole Basket of Horror

Four today's writing prompt, let's weave four unlikely words together in a dark tale of horror.  Let's write a short story that uses each of these words:

Basket
Sandals
Dress 
Cobra

Cobra Profile Picture - by Boris  Smokrovic borisworkshop [CC0]

Four Word Prompt: Shadows and Darkness

With the chill in the air and evenings getting darker earlier, it's time to write of dark topics.  For today's writing prompt, pour yourself a cup of caffeine and write a story that uses the following four words:

Coffee

Shadows

Sedan

Click

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

Writing Prompt: A Campfire Tale

In some parts of the land, an autumnal chill is in the air.  It's the kind of cold that brings people together to huddle around a campfire or firepit and tell stories.  While the hands of the audiences may get warm, sometimes the stories can chill their souls.  There nothing spookier than a campfire tale.

For today's writing exercise, write us an intimate tale that will shock and scare and horrify.  Write us a truly terrifying --

campfire story

If you are looking for some tips, check out this great article on The Write Practice that gives some great advice on "How to Write A Scary Story."

Writing Prompt: A Vampire Story

Vampires always impress the ladies.  Is it because they are well-dressed, suave, debonair, and have hypnotic eyes?  Is it because women like a sophisticated older man?  But no October would be complete without an appearance by a blood-sucking denizen of the night.

For today's writing prompt, write a short story featuring a --

Vampire!

Count Dracula - photo by Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Writing Prompt: The Grotto

Sometimes the most sacred of places can be the spookiest of places.  For example, the grotto in an Atlanta area cemetery is in a hidden on the backside of  hill.  It's a place that not many people go.  For Easter it is the site of sunrise ceremonies.  But, during the month of October, it isn't a place I'd want to visit.

For today's writing prompt, spin us a short tale of something that happened in -

The Grotto

Photo Writing Prompt: A Table Full of Skulls

Having trouble with writers block?  Here are some skulls to help with that.  There are so many scenarios that I can think of for this one.  But, that's not why these skulls are here.  The creepy skulls are to prompt your writing.  For today's writing prompt, write a story inspired by  this photo of --

a table full of skulls.

Four Word Prompt: An October Story

The seasons are changing.  Fall is coming and so is Halloween!  There are plenty of things to write about this time of year.  So for today's writing prompt, let's bring a few elements together that could be used to weave a nice October story.  For today's writing prompt, use the following words in a short piece of fiction:

 

Jack-o-lantern
Leaves
Chill
Axe

Jack-o-lantern - photo by I, Machvala [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Photo Writing Prompt: The Reading Skeleton

One of the coolest things about October is that the stores are filled with Halloween decor.  Some of which can certainly inspire a story or two.  For today's writing prompt, write us a story inspired by this photo of a smiling reader!

Four Word Writing Prompt: The Path

Nothing raises possibilities like a path.  Where does it go?  How long is it?  What lurks along the path?  As writers, we get to set the tone and the atmosphere surrounding the path.  Is it a path to danger, romance, both, or something completely different?

For today's writing prompt, use the following words to create a short story:

Moonlight

Forest

Path

Lantern

Writing Prompt: Scared in the Air!

Creepy, spooky, situations can happen in many different environments.  Check out this warning on an airliner door. 

There are even opportunities for spooky situations at 30,000 feet.  For today's writing exercise, create a short story that involves a terrifying, ghostly, or otherwise spooky situation on an aircraft.

After all, when you are aboard an aircraft high above the countryside, there is no place to run!

Four Word Prompt: Let's write a spooky tale!

As we enter October and fall, we realize that Halloween is just around the corner.  That makes this a great day to spin a spooky tale.  Incorporate the following four words into a short story of up to 1000 words.

grave

shovel

raven

shoes

Writing Prompt: The Dia de Muertos Artifact

Welcome to October!  For much of the northern hemisphere, the leaves are turning and the air is cool and crisp.  For those of us in the writing community who write ghost stories, spooky tales, and horror tales October means that Halloween is just around the corner.  If you are a writer of tales of terror, this is your month.

For today's writing prompt, imagine this fanciful juxtaposition of a jack-o-lantern and Día de Muertos Calavera.  Is it possessed by the spirit of a deceased family member who has come visit and celebrate?  Does it represent something more sinister?  You make the call.  For this first day of October, write us a spooky tale that incorporates this sculpture in some way.