Sunday, June 27, 2021

Writing Prompt: Cheater Revealed

Love triangles and infidelity are the source of conflict in many a book.  No matter how they turn out, someone ends up hurt or even dead.  In some circles, it's fashionable to think that passion, attraction, and lust are irresistible forces and that they are too strong to stop. That's not my circle. For today's writing prompt, write a short story about a child who discovers -

the infidelity of one of their parents 

Charlie Chaplin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Writing Prompt: Body Parts are Body Parts

Have you ever read those tabloid stories about people getting intoxicated in far away lands and waking up without various organs?  There is something about body parts being assembled and given life that makes for creepy horror stories.  In the original Frankenstein movie, the brain of a felon (a serial killer I think) is accidentally used by Dr. Frankenstein when he is creating his monster.  The story could have been vastly different with a different brain.  The original Star Trek also used a brain transplant as a plot device when Spock's brain was stolen in order to run an alien outpost deep beneath the surface of a planet.


For today's writing prompt, devise a short story that is centered around the transplantation of --

a brain!

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Writing Prompt: An Armadillo Story

This fellow seems a little crafty and a little sneaky for an Armadillo.  Animals are always a good topic for children's literature or even as part of more adult fare.  For today's writing exercise, write a short tale that involves --

an armadillo! 


For a wonderful set of true stories about wild animals, check out The Wildest Neighbors: Nature Up Close by R.L. Mackintosh.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Writing Prompt: The Abandoned Place

Nothing is quite as creepy and alluring as an abandoned place.  Just down the road from me, there is an abandoned office complex.  It consists of three or four buildings.  One day, it will be sold to make way for extra interstate lanes, a cloverleaf, or some new community.  Right now, it is boarded up, abandoned, locked up, and the doorways are a camping spot for the homeless.  The road through the complex is a shortcut that can save a few minutes.  But, it takes you out of sight of the main thoroughfares.  In a fairly high crime area at the edge of Atlanta, it seems like a very risky way to save time.

An Abandoned Office Complex

For today's writing prompt, create a short story that involves an--

abandoned place

 


Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Writing Prompt: A Car Breaks Down

On a rural road in the middle of nowhere, a young woman is driving an older car.  It's been reliable.  But, today something happens.  The car sputters and loses power and pulls off into a grassy median.  The car won't start again.  The young lady puts on her hazard lights and digs out her cell phone.  Unfortunately, out in the sticks, cell service is spotty.  It shows no bars.  A car appears in her rear view mirror.  A car is approaching.

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

what happens next?  


Saturday, June 5, 2021

Writing Prompt: Shark!

Summer is here!  I recently encountered this fearsome shark in a drainage canal on the campus of the University of North Florida.  Students there are going to need a bigger boat!  Imagine if such a monster actually lurked in the drainage ditches, boat canals, and lakes in your community!

A large shark sculpture emerging from a ditch on the University of North Florida campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

For today's writing prompt, write a short tale that involves -

a monster shark that appears in unusual places!


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...