Long Time No See

Write a story about a reunion. It can be happy, sad or funny.

Idea joggers:

adopted child and parent
hightschool sweethearts
army buddies

Hungry, Thirsty and Poor

Write a scene with a character that is hungry, thristy and poor. Here's the catch. Don't use those words (or a root of those words) within the text. Instead show the hunger, thirst and poverty.

Plateau, Fallen Tree, Blanket

Develop a short story or scene including these three items:

plateau
fallen tree
blanket

Planet and the Turtle

You pick the planet, real or fictional. It can be hanging in a sci-fi or fantasy sky, or your characters can be walking on the planet's surface. A turtle-like creature is flipped onto its back at the opening of your scene and struggling to get upright.

Build a Character

Build a character from head to toe. Don't offer additional information about personality--just phyical detail. With that detail show that your character is one of the following:

Procrastinator

Proud

Poor

Efficient

Vain

Childhood Memories

Write a short story about a childhood game where imagination was the magical ingredient. Did it take place outside or indoors? Be sure to include the sense of smell to help travel back in time.

Stubbing A Toe

Describe the pain experienced when stubbing your toe and use it in a short scene.

10 Years 10 Pounds

Create a character--place them in one of the following situations:

Taking the garbage out

Getting ready to exercise

Carrying groceries into the house and putting them away

Now, add ten years and 10-20 lbs. to your character and have them repeat the same activity.

The Curtain Falls

Create a character in a dressing room after "the show." They read a review of their performance in the local paper. Show them taking off their makeup. Are they happy, sad, contemplative? What do they smell? What do they think.

Letter Home

Write a fictional letter from a character away from home. It can be from the past, present or future. Include details of everyday life, such as my horse threw a shoe, my car had a flat, or my transporter block blew a circuit. Pick one of the following reasons for your characters absence from a home they long for:

war
school
marriage
business

The Lake

The Lake
Write a story based on this photo.

Walking in the Rain

Sometimes simple things like weather symbolize something else in writing. For instance, walking in the rain can be the setting to hide a character's tears or represent a cleansing in theirlife. Place you character in the rain--the season is up to you. Make it pour, or make it sprinkle--that's up to you. Whatever the amount of wind and rain, make it means something in your character's life.

School Days

What do you remember about the first day of school? How did you feel? What did you wear? Did you carry a lunch or did your school have a cafeteria? Perhaps you were lucky enough to go home for lunch. How about waiting for a bus? Write a short essay about the first day of school from a child's POV. (Any grade)

Missing Day

Have your character awaken to learn they have somehow missed an entire day...or have they?

As Small as an Eyelash

Something as small as an eyelash can provide enough evidence to place someone at the scene of a crime. Develop a short scene based on a small piece of evidence complete with DNA.

The Screen Door

First impressions can be misleading, but nevertheless we all tend to make them. Today's exercise is to write about a screen door.

Is it new or old?
Does it make a sound when it is opened?
Does is make a noise when it closes?
Is it dirty or clean?
What color is it?

What impression does the screen door make upon the person walking up to it? These are the kind of details that show the reader what to think rather than tell them. Go on now, write--and don't let the door hit you.

Getting to Know Your Character

Invite your character to have a seat and offer them something to drink.

Where are they?
What are they sitting on?
Do they have a selection of what to drink or where to sit?
One they sit, what will you talk about? Add a bit of dialog.

Two Swords

Write a scene involving two swords. They may be used in a clash of steel as to swashbuckers fight for some booty, or hang on a while in a showcase. All that's required of you is to put together a scene using the two swords.

In-law Visit

An in-law or two will arrive this afternoon from out of town. Write a scene describing the build up--getting the house ready, dialog between family members as they get ready. The in-laws will be staying for a week. Have fun with this one.