Beyond the Norm

When I was a kid my imagination often crossed the barriers reality tried to keep in place. As a writer, prompts help me cross those barriers today so I can tap into that carefree imagination. Today we're going to kindle our senses with the use of various settings.

Today's Pumping Your Muse Prompt
Use the following settings to tickle your senses. Write down the smells, sounds, and less noticeable sights you'd see.

*Fresh water lake
*The gym
*Church
*Cafeteria
*National park

When your done, make a list of possible story ideas that come to mind.

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Check out my latest interview at Stories That Read You.And my 4 star review at Teens Read Too!

First Sentence

I received good news from one of my Pumping Your Muse Prompts followers. She has had a story accepted! The only way to have a story published is to write and submit! Congratulations Amy

Pumping Your Muse Prompt:

Today we have a first sentence prompt. Use it as the first sentence of a short story. This one can take all kinds of directions. Have fun.

First sentence: Angela wanted to cry.

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Check out my latest interview at Stories That Read You.And my 4 star review at Teens Read Too!

3 Words Writing Prompt

I know I've been more sporadic than ever with posting prompts, but I must confess--the characters in my Beyond the Fifth Gate sequel have taken me captive! The working title for the new book is Lost Cantos and I'm loving the creation process--but it certainly is time consuming. In the meantime, I just have to post a prompt.

Pumping Your Muse Prompt:
It's been awhile since we've done a three word writing prompt. I have a fondness for them because such a prompt was behind one of the first stories I ever had published. The idea is to use these three words in a story:

*spark
*garden
*phone call

OR

*tooth
*broom
*television

Have fun!

Laughing at Back Trouble

Back trouble is not a laughing matter in real life, but it can be used for comedic effect in your writing. Placing a character in an unexpected situation can cause conflict, growth and all that, but if you use it right, it can make the reader laugh. Writing for comedic effect is like breathing for those who have the knack, but for those of us who like to laugh but don't have that gift, it takes some work. Today's prompt is designed to help us flex our comedic writing muscle.

Pumping Your Muse Prompt:

Place your character in a setting where they think they are asserting their independence--and then it strikes--back trouble. They can't straighten up, or can't walk. Can hardly move. You get the picture. If you don't know where to start, try one of the following settings:

*The garden
*The shower
*A public restroom
*A job interview
*Camping
*The kitchen

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Check out my latest interview at Stories That Read You.And my 4 star review at Teens Read Too!

Mother's Day Special from the Heart

One thing that's true. We all have a mother. What that means to each individual is different. In honor of Mother's Day, today's writing prompt is a story generator and the topic will be mothers.

Pumping Your Muse Prompt:

Set the timer for 10 minutes. Sit down with a sheet of paper and make a list. Write down memory snippets, whatever comes to mind with the word mother. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

Mom
homemade cookies
making lunches
the ringer washer
folding diapers
rinsing diapers
chipping my front teeth and afraid to tell you
the time I said I hate you when I was seven
putting on plays and watching you laugh
cooking for family gatherings

This list is a short example to help you see exactly what I want you to do. Once you have your list, use it over the next couple of days to write a short story. If you get it polished enough, slip it into your Mother's Day card as a Mother's Day Special gift from the heart.

If you get it done, you can submit it to Cup of Comfort for Mothers, but the deadline is May 15. You can check out the details at my Anthology News and Reviews blog.

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Check out my latest interview at Stories That Read You.And my 4 star review at Teens Read Too!

Mug of Memories

Hold that steaming mug in your hands and there's something comforting, something that carries you away to another time, another place...let's you think through things going on.

Today's Pumping Your Muse Prompt:

Today's prompt offers two choices. One for the fiction writer and one for the non-fiction writer. Both include a mug:

For the fiction writer:

Place your character at a table with a steamy mug. Use it to get him thinking, but be sure to include senses other than visual. How does the mug feel? What's the smell...or taste? What memories does it bring back?


For the non-fiction writer:

While you enjoy your own steamy mug, write down whatever comes to mind. Keep it up as long as there is liquid in your cup. You'll be surprised where it takes you. Just make a list and then use one of the items on your list to write a short essay.

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Check out my latest interview at Stories That Read You.And my 4 star review at Teens Read Too!