Monday, October 30, 2006

Preparing for NaNoWriMo and Research

For the month of November, prompts will reflect ways in which I keep myself writing for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). This will be my third year to participate, and I recommend the experience for anyone who dreams of writing a novel but hasn't. I'm currently researching geography and cultures and drafting a rough sketch of my next fantasy world.

Today's prompt: Research

Research a part of the world you know little about. Choose an interesting tidbit and expand it into a paragraph (fictional or not).

Donna
Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Lights Out

Write a scene that requires "lights out."

A few ideas to get your imagination churning:

  • children's bedtime
  • war time
  • power outage

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
  • Saturday, October 28, 2006

    Lunch at the Diner

    In today's fast-paced society many small mom and pop restaurants continue to dissapear. Capture a slice of lice 20-40 years ago in a local diner. Paint a warm atmosphere. Show colors, dialog, smells and sounds. While you're at it, let's see what's on the menu.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Friday, October 27, 2006

    Shy

    Create a shy character and place him or her in a new job. This is the first day. Show them making their first "friend" or "enemy."

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Thursday, October 26, 2006

    Story Starters: Coffee, Newspater and Dog Next Door

    Use the ingredients listed below to mix up a new short story:

    Cup of coffee, newspaper, the dog next door and just for fun add something wet.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Wednesday, October 25, 2006

    You're Getting Drowsy

    In an effort to show and not tell, for today's prompt strive to show a character getting drowsy.

  • How do they feel?
  • What do they think?
  • What physical reactions do they SHOW?
  • Do they fight it? If so how? Why?

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
  • Tuesday, October 24, 2006

    Out Of This World

    Do you believe in life out there beyond our planet? Do you know some people who act like they're from another planet?

    Your prompt today is to write about someone from another planet whether they are or not.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Friday, October 20, 2006

    The Search

    Write a scene about searching for something lost. Make it something as lighthearted as a misplaced love note, as frustrating as car keys, or as serious as a missing pet. Show emotion through actions and reactions, inner monolog and dialog.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Thursday, October 19, 2006

    Children's Games

    Describe children playing a game. Include dialog that represents conflict.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Tuesday, October 17, 2006

    Story Starters: Bootcamp

    Start a story ith the following sentence:

    Cold wind whistled through the barracks at the end of my first day at bootcamp.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Monday, October 16, 2006

    Thankfulness

    Design a scene showing thankfulness without saying the words thank you.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Sunday, October 15, 2006

    Fair Experience

    Write a scene from a visit to the fairgrounds for a carnival or other event like apple fest, taste of the town or best of the bands. Incorporate smells wafting from food booths, 4H projects, or vendor booths. Narrow the focus to one or two characters.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Saturday, October 14, 2006

    Exercise Ball

    Various exercise contraptions litter spare rooms, garages and the like. Any one of these make for a fun story, but today's prompt is the exercise ball. They come in various sizes and strength and require an air pump or compressor to blow them up--not too much of course.

    Create a scene where the character used an exercise ball (even if it isn't to exercise).

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Friday, October 13, 2006

    A Word - From A Word A Day

    I receive A Word A Day by email. Today's word:

    This week's theme: words that aren't what they appear to be.
    slaver (SLAV-vuhr, SLAY-vuhr) verb tr., intr.

    1. To slobber or drool; to smear with saliva.

    2. To fawn.

    noun

    Saliva dripping from the mouth.

    [Probably from Old Norse slafra (to slobber).]
    Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=slaver

    Use this word in a holiday story. It's that time of year. Halloween is just around the corner, as well and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Tuesday, October 10, 2006

    Life Of a Baseball

    At this time of year when baseball fans crowd before TV screens to see who makes it to the World Series, think about a story from the Baseball's POV. What does it feel? What does it hope for? What does it smell? How about taste? And for the conclusion--where does it end up by the end of the game?

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Monday, October 09, 2006

    School Days

    Write about school. Present, past or future.

    What was worn? Do students own books? Are students grouped by age, grade, sex or gift areas? What about students who struggle to learn? Is there one teacher or more? Do students catch a bus, walk or something else? Is the school heated or air conditioned? Does it have windows?

    These questions are prompts, not limitations. I'd love to see what you have to write on this one. If you'd like to let others take a look, post your entry in the comments.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Saturday, October 07, 2006

    Square Peg in a Round Hole

    Create a gifted character that just doesn't fit within the circumstances of today's world. Consider some of these challenges:

  • Technology (VCR, DVD, computer, fixing a car or some other mechanical device, setting the clock, making coffee, using a new appliance)

  • Manner of dress

  • Society's behavior

    Or, if the muse struck with a unique idea run with it.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
  • Friday, October 06, 2006

    Mmmm Delicious

    Describe your favorite dish. Include taste, smell, sight and the sense of hearing.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Thursday, October 05, 2006

    Always Prepared

    It's a motto, but not many people are as prepared as they hope to be. Create a scene where your character realizes she/he is not prepared.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Wednesday, October 04, 2006

    The dog, Squirrel and the Red Pen

    Write a short story including these three items:

  • dog
  • Squirrel
  • red pen

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
  • Tuesday, October 03, 2006

    Like Riding A Bike

    Some things you never forget--but it doesn't mean you don't get a bit rusty. Create an older adult character doing something they did long ago. Something they were good at. It can be anything from childhood or teen years. Before you start, ask why they want to do it. Are they proving something? To whom?

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

    Monday, October 02, 2006

    It Wasn't Funny At theTime

    High stress situations can escalate as tiny events add up to an explosive crescendo or emotional meltdown. As bad as these situations seem to be, have you ever found yourself laughing after the fact as you sit around the table sipping a cup of coffee?

    Write about one of these situations.

    Donna
    Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author