Shadows

Sometimes shadows offer shade, other times they might be mysterious or scary. Many times, they may misdirect. A character may see a shadow and think they are being followed, when in fact it is something else. Shadows are dark areas or shapes produced by something between rays of light and a surface. What that shadow portends depends on the writer. Whether it is something good or bad, shadows can be used to strike strike an emotion in the reader.

Light and shadow are devices used to create mood in writing. It's a way to engage your reader emotionally as people tend to respond to light or a lack of light in a feral way. Well lit areas are deemed safe, while dimly lit areas give people the creeps. Shadows bring with it a sense of sadness, gloom, or even an ominous feel promising something to dread.

Today's writing prompt

For today's writing prompt, introduce a shadow. If you don't know where to start, have a character spot a shadow twice. They think someone might be following them. Here's what you need to include:

• Why do they think they are being followed? (Facts)
  
• What do they think is the reason someone may be following them? (Backstory)
• What do they do about it? (Plot)
• Add conflict (this can be internal or external)
• Resolve the conflict.
• Reveal the shadow.
  

 

Emotions

Write a scene describing the emotions experienced when a long awaited piece of mail arrives. It is an acceptance or denial?

Possible scenarios:

Student hearing from a college
Writer hearing from a publisher

Blessing or Curse

Write a scene where the character gets what they've always wanted, but not with the result (or perhaps in the way) they were expecting.

You may write it as general fiction. For example: a young woman longs to be married and her desire is fulfilled. However, the reality of everyday life makes her wish for the days when she had more freedom.

Or, you can take more of a fantasy, thriller, horror route. I think of Stephen King's Thinner.

Notice in Your Mailbox

Write a short story about receiving a notice informing that a package awaits your character at the post office. Why couldn't it be delivered in the mailbox? Did it require a signature, or perhaps was too big to fit into the mailbox. Build the anticipation and bring the story to a close with opening the package.

Essay Contest at the Dabbling Mum

ESSAY MUST START WITH THIS BLURB:
"Standing out on the deck, observing the birds in flight, and admiring the view..."

All entries must be received by July 1, 2006, no later than 8 p.m. Central Time Zone.
A new contest will be posted by the 10th of the following month!

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A Bell Tolls

In the steeple of a little village church a bell hangs, but doesn't ring as often as it once did. Tell the story of this bell.

Forbidden Fruit

Way back to Eden, humans desired what they should not have, taste, touch, or look at. Write a scene with a character lusting after something off limits. If you can't think of something, choose one of the following:

dieter--a food they are not to eat
man or woman--someone else's date
teenager--a father's '69 Corvette

Natural Inspiration

In my book Pumping Your Muse you'll find an exercise called "One Inch Tall." In that chapter, I explain how a drainage ditch inspired a whole new world. That world not exists as the soon-to-be-released Windwalker. As I went for my walk this morning, I snapped a picture of the drainage ditch where it all started. Imagine yourself one inch tall, and see where it takes you.

Battleship

Create a scene involving two ships at battle. These can be seafaring ships, space ships or any other type of ship your imagination conjures up.

Low Battery

Write a story about a low battery in one of the following:

Cell phone
Flashlight
Camera
Car

Story Starter

The young girl huddled in the shadows of the pub. Her dark, disheveled hair hung in her eyes.

"She ain't talkin'," the barkeep said as he swiped a dirty rag over the worn wood counter. "Don't know where she's from...who's her people." He shrugged.

Favorite Dish

Describe your favorite dish. Entree or dessert. Smell it, taste it, feel it. Mm. Make the reader want some.

Hamburger Joint

Depict a visit to a hamburger joint back in the 50's. What's the floor look like? Is there a counter with stools? Is music playing? Is it crowded? Have a blast with the past.

Comic Book Story

Comic books tell stories in frames. Dialog shows in balloons and sounds are written out in letters like ZONK. Write a story in Comic Book Form. Make each short paragraph a frame.

Home Improvement

Write a scene depicting a home improvement project. It can be a small task or a large refurbishment job. Write the story from one character's POV.

The Boat

Place your character in a charter boat leaving the dock for a day of fishing. A small group of people and one charter captain head out to the great unknown. Describe the day. Be sure to include the sense of smell and sound.

Missing Day

You character opens their eyes and blink in the early morning sunlight. What time is it anyway? Have them start their morning routine and discover they've missed a day.

Blurred Vision

Your character rubs their eyes. They strain to focus, but their vision is blurred. What are they trying to see and why?

The Gym

Place an overweight, middle-aged character at the gym among fit twenty-somethings. Music blaring, face paced instructions and the latest equipment create a frenzied pace. Write a humorous piece from this character's POV.

One More Thing

Create a scene where your character is trying to get out the door for an appointment, but has one more thing to do first. Do they get side-tracked, run late, experience a mishap?

Can That Be?

You're running late. A pickup hauling a trailer stops, blocking traffic. Your blood pressure flares and then you notice the driver getting out. Can that be who you think it is?

Nursery Rhyme

Think of your favorite nursery rhyme. What did you like about it? Incorporate that element in a short scene.

One-Sided Conversation

In this day of cell phones, it's not uncommon to overhear someone speaking on the phone. For this exercise, let the reader hear one side of a conversation. Mislead the reader to think one thing only to hit them with a different reality at the end.

Smoke

Smoke, the smell of can evoke good feelings or bad. It warns us to run, or it can invite us to the cookout in the back yard. Use the scent of smoke to usher your reader into a scene.

That Old Song

Sitting at an outdoor cafe, your character listens to the musician strumming a quiet song. It's that same old song . . ..

Write about the memories and where they are today.

Point of View

I sat at a traffic light watching an Osprey fly overhead, carrying a fish in its talons.

Tell this story from the driver's POV, the Osprey's POV and then the fish's POV.

Animal Talk

Animals communicate with a language of their own. I have one parrot that squawks if I'm at the other end of the house because he thinks he's being left out. Cats purr when they're happy and hiss when they what to frighten us. Dogs wag tails, bark, whine, snarl and bare teeth.

Write a scene involving an animal trying to get a message across to another character (animal or human).

(For those of you old enough to remember: Think of how many times Lassie saved the day! Or in the same era, the horse Fury who also saved the day. Or, Rin Tin Tin!)

Christmas Memories

Most publications want seasonal stories 6-9 months in advance. So what better time to think of Christmas. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you'll have a story to tell. This can be a fictional story based on a true story, or a slice of life vignette from your past.

Wood Stove

Do research on wood stoves, learn how they work and incorporate one into a scene. It can be present day or a blast from the past.

It's Time

Some people go into labor and make it to the hospital with little drama. For today's prompt, write a scene about a woman in labor. The baby's coming. Where is she? Will she make it to the hospital? Are there other children involved? A husband or boyfriend? The scene you write should be filled with drama.

A Cup of Coffee

Write a scene involving a cup of coffee. It can be the first cup in the morning, a meeting with a friend at a local coffee shop, or coffee on the run. Anything is fine, as long as it includes a cup of coffee. Be sure to include the senses of taste and smell.

Long Time No See

Create a scene that reunites two or more people after years. However, this is not your typical reunion. Let it ignite anger, horror and similar negative emotions.

Hungry

Write a scene that shows your character is hungry. Don't tell it--show it.

TV Commercials

Pluck a character from a TV commercial and build a story around them. Surf the channels and find one that works for you. Can you imagine the lady that's "got to go, got to go, got to go right now" running in your imagination to or from the situation of your making? Have fun.

Crossing on the Ferry

Do a bit of research on ferries to find a tidbit or two you didn't know. Incorporate the new information in a short scene.

A Walk in the Park

Take your imagination for a stroll in the park. What do you see, smell and hear?

Sounds of Morning

Describe the sounds of morning as the world around you comes to life.

Last Sentence

Write a scene or short story making this the last sentence:

A pair of pelicans glided over the glassy sea reflecting the fading orange halo of the setting sun.

Failure

Failure, whether real or perceived, can make people stronger or send them spiraling into the depths of depression. Write a scene depicting a character dealing with failure.

I'm Late, I'm Late

Remember the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland? Always in a rush, disruptive and late. Base your character on a fictional character from children's literature. If you can't think of one, use the rabbit.

World War II - Rations

Write a scene depicting life when rations pushed people to make due with what they had. Make it a story of a special day when family gathers.

Mmmmm, that Looks Delicious

Write 1-3 paragraphs about a favorite dish. How does it smell, taste and look?

This Day Couldn't Get Any Worse

Imagine one of those days. Nothing goes right. You know the ones I mean. Like when you spill coffee on your shirt on your way to an important interview. Write a scene where one incident after another builds into a perfectly horrible day. But here's the kicker. Write it with humor.

Bubbles, Butterflies and Falling Leaves

What do bubbles, butterflies and falling leaves have in common? They gently ride air currents. Watching them initiates a calming, and more peaceful mindset. Choose a character mindset below:

irate
depressed
worried or anxious

Now position this person in a place where bubbles, butterflies or falling leaves catch their attention. What happens?

Gravestone

Place your character in a cemetery standing before a worn gravestone. What does it say? Use the inscription to create a flashback to the real story of the person buried there.

Waiting for the Call

Write a scene with a single character waiting for a call. Let us see the anticipation. Will they experience butterflies and sweaty palms, or does dread stir nausea, dry lips and a pale pallor?

White Roses

The lights dimmed and with the hoist of the curtain a sparsely furnished stage blurred as Angela focused on the vase of white roses on the small table at the back of center stage. She’d ordered white roses. Did they actually get them? Could this be her ticket back stage?

What led to this moment?

Or?

Who does she hope to meet backstage…and does she meet them?

Creaky Floorboards

Twilight scattered charcoal clouds scuttling along the horizon. The old house took on a surreal quality as shadow swallowed the diminishing sunlight. Floorboards overhead creak. Your character thought they were alone? Who or what could be upstairs?

Dreaded Bug

Showing fear in our writing can be a challenge. Choose your least favorite insect and write a scene where you come in contact with the varmit. Write it from the bug's POV.

Cough

The doctor asks her patient to cough.

You hear a cough from another room.

The man in the park takes a drag on his cigarette and coughs.

Coughs tells a story. Write yours.

Where Are You?

Describe what's around you. Furnishings or landscape, smells and sounds. Provide a sense of space. Are you crowded by stacks of paper or sitting on a park bench beneath a magestic canopy of oaks.

Sunburn

Sunburn tells a story. Does it ruin a vacation, or prove your character went on vacation to a sunny place? Did your character in fact get it on a vacation get away or standing on the beach for a wedding? Use sunburn to introduce your character and tell the story of how they gained their telltale sunburn.

A Visit with the Dabbling Mum

Today is my son's wedding, so I'm scurrying about like a mad woman. Instead of a writer's prompt, today I'm taking the opportunity to share a mini interview with Alyice Edrich, a successful writer and stay at home mom. I've received her newsletter for years and wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit of her expertise with my readers.

Donna: What amount do you think is realistic for a first year income of a stay at home mom initiating a freelance writer/editing business?

Alyice: That truly depends on the mom’s “get up and go.” It’s really hard juggling mom duties with working out of the home. There isn’t a boss keeping you on your toes and most deadlines are self-perceived deadlines or deadlines given to the writer from a client that he/she usually never sees.

If mom has never been published before, she’ll need to learn the ropes of the industry and fine-tune her writing skills. If the mom has been published in the past, and knows the industry ropes, she’ll have an easier time jumping in and making an immediate dent in her annual goal.

I have a colleague, Shirley Jump, who wrote for both business clients and magazines. Today she is an award-winning romance author. When I first began my writing career, I told her how frustrated I was with the way magazines work: query, wait forever to get a response, get rejected, send out another query, finally get an acceptance, wait weeks (sometimes months) to get your piece published, and only then do you receive a check from that publication. I knew there had to be another way and I was determined to find it. She told me to join the local chamber of commerce, introduce myself, and start working on business materials. She said, “businesses are my bread and butter money.” What wonderful advice for anyone starting out as a freelance writer.

She gave me a wonderful article to share with women starting their freelance careers. It’s a blueprint to help women earn $1,000 per month from their writing. You can read it
here:"

You don’t have to stick to writing magazine articles or articles for trade publications. There are so many ways you can use your writing talents.


Donna: Do you schedule your work time/family time?

Alyice: I am a big “scheduler” but over the years I have learned to tone down quit a bit. Sometimes, things that are scheduled get cancelled and if you schedule too many things you can feel so overwhelmed with your “to do list” that nothing gets accomplished.

On my desk, I have a large calendar. When open flat, it shows me a week at a glance, with each date having time slots from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. I use this calendar for both my business and home life. I schedule in doctor’s appointments, school functions, business meetings, business deadlines, personal deadlines, and I even pencil in “wish I could do” things like attending the theatre (penciling those in allows me to erase if I can’t afford them or something else comes up).

When my children were younger, I worked around them. As they got older, I could tell them, “this is mommy’s work time” and ask that they play quietly until I was done or watch a video in their bedrooms. Now that my children are both of school age, I try to do my work when they’re at school. Sometimes, I can’t complete everything so I’ll work when they get home from school, too. (Which is more than I care to like since I am a bit of a work-a-holic.)


Donna: How do you measure the effectiveness of your marketing?

Alyice: I am terrible about measuring the effectiveness of my marketing tactics, and even worse at measuring the effectiveness of any ads I place.

Some businesses use special extensions on their phone numbers, special toll free numbers, special post office boxes, or special landing pages to measure the success of specific marketing and advertising tactics.

When working with online media, you can measure the effectiveness through your stats counter. The key is to get a stats counter that counts more than the last 100 entries (which most free stats counters do).

A good article to read on this topic is:

Making Marketing Measure Up
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_50/b3912109.htm


You can visit Alyice Edrich at Dabbling Mum Press (http://thedabblingmumpress.com to order a work-at-home e-book, or visit her online publication for BUSY parents at Dabbling Mum (http://thedabblingmum.com/busness/index.htm).


Catch up with Alyice by making another stop on her blog tour… here
Here.

Garage Sale Treasure

Bring your character to a garage sale where they find a special item. Why is it special? Do they share the fact with the person selling it, or try to hurry up and buy it before the seller changes their mind? Write this scene from the first person POV. Convey the emotions your character feels and include at least one other sense.

Here Comes The Bride

The big moment, the organ plays and the entire congregation turns to watcth the bride head down the aise. Write a scene depicting events leading up to this moment.

Babysitter

Inviting a stranger into the home is uncomfortable, but the babysitter in your story was recommended by the grocery clerk. Write a scene from: (choose one)

the mother's POV as she opens the door and sees the babysitter

the father's POV as the babysitter steps into the kitchen

the child's POV when they first lay eyes on the babysitter

the babysitter's POV when meeting any of the above

Write the piece in first person and me sure to include sensory information. What dose the character see, smell, taste, and hear?

The Toy Room

Growing up, my cousins had one room for all their toys. At first I thought it was a great idea, because it contained the picking up process. However, we were not allowed to step foot over the threshold with a toy in hand. I felt sorry for the toys.

Write a scene from a toy's POV, either from your childhood or the toy room above.

Pets

People love pets or find them distasteful. A few even walk the fence of Pets are okay as long as they stay outside mindset. Write a scene involving two characters--one that loves animals and one that thinks they are okay as long as they are served in hot grilled portions. For fun, add a pet or two.

Cleaning the Garage

Place your protagonist in a garage full of junk. He/she has just purchased a new car and has resovlved to get it into the garage. What happens? Do they get lost on memory lane as they come across old momentos, or do they get fed up and toss everything to the curb?

Long Time No See

Write a scene depicting a reunion between two people that haven't seen each other for at least 25 years.

Broken Tooth

Your character has an important meeting planned. Business, romantic or something other--it doesn't matter. Right now, they're in a hurry, stop for a quick bite to eat and break a tooth.

Write a scene showing the preparation for the appointment, the broken tooth details and how or if the meeting takes place.

Story Starter

Start a story with this sentence:

The full moon spread cascading shadows across the newly fallen snow like a patchwork quilt.

Flirting

Body language says a lot. How do people know if someone is flirting? Paint a scene where two characters interact. Show flirting (either blatant or innocent), and the response. Does it lead your character to a romantic encounter, or an emotional tangle that holds them in a black-widow type web?

Sportsmanship

Write a scene where athletes participate in a contest or game. Choose one player and show his sportsmanship qualities, good or bad.

Dare

Create a character living a mundane life, but doesn't realize it. In fact they live day to day satisfied with their rut, until a friend dares them to do something. The acceptance of this dare will change the rest of their life.

Choose one or create your own:

accepts a blind date

goes to a spa for a week

attends a Star Trek convention dressed as a Klingon

The Road

Roads and streets are part of every world. Set a scene along an unpaved road. Show the time of year without telling the season. Incorporate smells and sounds to create a vivid image of the era.

Creative Excuses

Your character is expected to attend: (choose one)

a wedding

party for work

Dinner at the neighbor's

or the event of your choise

Write a scene showing your character creatively trying to get out of the above obligation.

Stranger than Fiction

I'm a fan of Sci-fi and Fantasy. Did you ever wonder where writers come up with ideas for their mythical creatures. How do they make them believable? Take details from one or more of the following sea creatures and put them together to make your own. I'd love to see what you come up with on this one. Don't bother with extensive research. Grab interesting facts and use them. For example, the smooth dogfish can change color.

Sea urchin

Octopus

Eel

Smooth dogfish

Spiny dogfish

You Smell Smoke

The smell of smoke can trigger good thoughts. The aroma of pine burning in a fireplace after Christmas or around a campfire. But, if you're in your home and the odor of an electrical fire permeates the house and panic shoots through your limbs it's a different story. You run to warn others that fire is a real threat. Write a scene based on the smell of smoke. Is the smell of smoke a good thing or a scary thing. Show the reader what to feel.

Important Phone Call

The scene opens with a phone ringing. Your character doesn't quite get to the phone before the answering machine kicks on. An unfamiliar voice announces exciting news.

What happens next? Do they grab the phone and talk before the machine clicks off? Do they miss the call? Can't quite understand the phone number on the tape? What else could possibly happen?

Dream Comes True

Your character wakes from a dream (good or bad), and the following day sees it unfold in reality. Do they try to change the outcome? Can they change the outcome? Or, does trying to change it actually fulfill the prophetic dream?

Sounds of Winter

I grew up in the Midwest, north of the windy city. Winter winds howled and snow crunched under my feet. Snow plows blades scraped to the pavement trying to keep up with what Mother Nature decided to deliver. Today I'm in Florida. Winter sounds mean crowded restaurants (as the snowbirds flock for their annual escape), children playing basketball in the park and voices calling to each other over the surf.

Write a scene that includes at least one sound showing the time of year is winter.

Wet Dog

Write a scene from a wet dog's point of view. What the dog's doing, where it's headed, and what it's thinking are up to you. Have fun with it.

Benchmark Birthday

My sister turned 50 years old yesterday, and her friends at work decorated her cube with all kinds of "over the hill" memorabilia. Birthdays can be special, depressing, or something to be ignored. Write a benchmark birthday scene, showing how your character feels as they go through their special day.

Weather

Write a scene showing the weather. Choose one of the following:

picnic

football game

walk in the woods

driving down a country road

First Impression

Write a scene leading the reader to develop a first impression of a character. Close the scene with a twist that shows how wrong first impressions can be.

It Gives Me the Creeps

Write a scene that takes the reader by the hand into a setting that "gives you the creeps." If you feel stumped, use one of the ideas below:

You saw a cockroach, but it scurried into your bedroom before you could kill it.

You're home alone and heard an unusual sound outside the house.

You've taken a wrong turn and find yourself in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

Aches and Pains

A person with back problems moves differently than an athlete in peak condition. When a person subs their toe, the pain may or may not go away. If it doesn't, they will hobble until the toe heals. Write a scene showing aches or pains. Don't just tell about it. Let the reader feel it.

Ethnic Look

Red hair, freckles, green eyes, fair skin.... When you hear this description what ethnic background comes to mind? Create a character's outward appearance. Place them in a scene with surroundings that correspond to their heritage.

Games People Play

Growing up in the 50's people sat around the table playing games for entertainment. My dad's side of the family played penny poker, while mom's family played pinochle. Grandpa took bidding seriously and expected his partner to count meld; Grandma liked to chat.

Paint a scene showing a game in progress that takes interaction, complete with dialog. Let us feel the emotion involved.

The "Odd Couple" Approach

The "Odd Couple" movie and television show were popular. They portrayed two extremes. An compulsive neatnick and a slob who didn't notice the rotting banana under the dirty clothes in his bedroom.

Write a scene with two characters with opposite personalities. It doesn't have to be clean verses messy. It could be anything. Energetic/lazy, big eater/picky eater, bold/fearful...you pick them. Here's the key; be sure to show it.

Running

People run for exercise, children run for fun, people run in fear. Write a scene with a running character. Show the reason they are running.

Excitement

This past week, I went to visit my daughter's family in another state. The anticipation of seeing my grandkids and spending time with all of them gave me something to look forward to. As the day to leave drew near, excitement mounted. When writing, we don't want to use phrases like "excitement mounted" because it is a "telling" statement. Instead, we want to show the emotion.

For today's writing prompt, write a scene involving a character excited about something. Let us feel the emotion build.

Mistakes

As humans, we all make mistakes. We gain wisdom and learn not to repeat them, but sometimes mistakes work out to our advantage. Write about a mistake that turns out to be a blessing.

House Hunting

I just returned from house hunting in Georgia as we prepare to leave Southwest Florida and move to higher ground where hurricanes will not threaten us with such turbulent summers. As I walked in these different homes, I realized what a ripe assortment of details sits at our fingertips in magazines, model homes and houses for sale. For today, take a peek into an existing home and write a description that "shows" the reader what you see.

A Weather Event

I grew up in Illinois where blizzards, tornadoes and rain storms could be counted among weather events. Since I've been in Florida, I experienced the reality of hurricane Charley. No matter where your story takes place, weather of some sort will be there.

Write a scene describing the weather event of your choice.

What Was I Doing?

Most of us have experienced lapses in memory. We walk into a room and pause to recall why it is we stepped foot into the room in the first place. A certain amount of forgetfulness is normal, but how do you know when it crosses the line? Write a scene that shows a character struggling with memory loss and the affect it has on the people around them.

Pets See It Differently

Write a scene from a pet's POV. It doesn't matter what the pet is--dog, cat, bird, snake or other reptile. Pick an animal and write a scene from their POV.

Routine

Routine is part of everyday life. Write a short scene describing a routine in your life. What do you do in the morning? How about when you walk in the door from work? What do you do to relax? Giving your characters routine, makes them real and gives you something from which to veer when your plot takes them in a new direction.

First Job

A first job is a pretty big deal for most. Money to buy what you want! And then the reality sets in. Responsibility, schedules, expenses...write a scene about your first job.

Emotional Evidence

Writers are continually reminded to show and not tell. For today's prompt write a scene that shows a depressed character. Remember to include the senses.

The Accident

As a fairly young bride, I was in a car wreck. It wasn't my fault, but I feared my husband would be upset that I'd smashed up the car. He shook his head and said, "That's why they call it an accident. It's not an on purpose."

For today's prompt write a scene including an accident that's planned.

Halitosis

We've all been there, trying to keep our distance from the stinky breath of the person talking to us--or worse kissing us. Write a scene that shows the effects of your main character's halitosis on the world around him/her.

Playoff

Write a scene involving a boyfriend that talks his date into going to a playoff game. She doesn't really have an interest, but goes because it means so much to him. They arrive, find their seats, and he runs off to get some refreshments. While he's gone the seats around theirs fill in and an ex-boyfriend takes the seat beside her.

Short and Sweet

Write a complete story in 100 words. Yes, a complete story. That means a beginning, middle and end.

Write a Query

Have some ideas for articles or a story? Sit down and gather your thoughts into a query letter and send it off to possible markets. When you hear back and they want to see the piece, you'll be motivated to see it through to completion.

Hints that Show

Today, I sit home with the start of a head cold. I felt it coming on last night. This morning I considered the hints that warned me of the coming inconvenience. In the back of my sinuses, a familiar burning I've come to recognize over the years warned me that by morning light I'd feel less than ideal. Before bed, I experienced aches in my legs brought on by a low grade fever. I tossed and turned, fought chills and sweats and sure enough crawled out of bed feeling rather poorly.

Give a character a cold, flu or some other ailment, but don't tell how they feel, show it coming on. Give details making it real to the reader.

Test the Nose

Have you ever played the game where someone blindfolds you, waves something under your nose, and you guess what it is without seeing it. Scents trigger emotional responses. Today, I smelled the scent of freshly turned earth and it brought memories of my dad tilling the garden.

Choose one of these scents and incorporate it in a scene:

bread baking
stinky socks
perfume
wet dog
hospital room

Tie the scent with a memory or emotion.

Eye on the Birdie

As I went for a walk this afternoon (yes, I live in Florida), birds of all kinds called to each other. Suddenly a flock of doves took flight. Imagine yourself walking through the woods when a flock startles you. What frightened them? Are you in danger? Where do you go from here?

Have fun, and let your imagination take flight along with the birds.

New Year, New Perspective

Write a short first person scene about a character bringing in the New Year. Once you've completed the scene, write it from another perspective. It can be third person from the point of view of another character, a narrator, a pet or even an inanimate object in the room.

Once you've done that, consider what the new perspective taught you.