Finding Creatvity After NaNo

It's not easy switching gears after working with characters on a long term basis. You get to know them, care for them and they haunt your dreams and waking hours. For today's exercise, write a scene where you say good bye to one of those characters.

Donna
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NaNo Day 29 - This Is The Day

Today I confirmed my "winning" word count with NaNoWriMo and thus officially have another NaNo Race under my belt. This year, I outlined the end of the story so that when I get back to this project, I'll have direction.

Today's Prompt:

Draw up a brief outline of a story tumbling around your mind. Get it onto paper so you have it handy when you have time to develop it.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 50,351

Nano Day 24 - Heading Toward the Climax

As we reach toward the end of the story, it's time to put pieces in place. Build tension and head toward the climax.

Today's Prompt:

Create a scene that builds toward the climax but doesn't quite reach it.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 45,070

NaNo Day 23 - Arrived Back Home

Needless to say, I didn't find access to the internet an easy thing during my travels. But now I'm back home as we enter the home NaNo stretch. I can smell the finish line approach this next week. Hard to believe it's almost been a month. The unforseen purchase of a house has added moving to my month, so I've upped my goals to prepare for days when I may not write.

Today's Prompt:

Move your characters to a new place on the map within your world.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 43,081

NaNo Day 19 - On the Road

It's not easy keeping up with a blog while on the road because internet access it not at my fingertips. However, the NaNo words keep marching forward. I had worked ahead to create a buffer in my word count with travel and time with family and friends ahead. Today I only added a few hundred words, but 500 or so words is better than nothing and keeps the characters and plots actively growing in my thoughts.

Today's Prompt:

Consider window characters in your story. (Characters that see into the main characters' lives.) Write a short scene through the eyes of a window character that sheds new light on the storyline.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 34,680

NaNo Day 18 - How Evil is Your Antagonist

This morning I woke, turned on the computer and started to type. I had no idea how long I'd have before my hostess or husband stirred. I had worked ahead so that I have one day's word count in reserve, so even if I wrote half the words I needed, I'd be making progress.

It worked out that I typed in the morning and again at night just before bed. I learned that my antagonist wasn't as evil as I thought. Is that a change of heart I see coming, or is he really regreting his actions?

Today's Prompt:

Write a scene from your antagonist's POV.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 34,076

NaNo Day 17 - On the Road

Writing takes time. Sometimes life wants us to use the time other ways. When I started NaNoWriMo this year, I didn't know I'd find a house and be moving--which requires a trip to another state.

I have a plan--that's how I get through NaNo and complete the project. However, a plan can't be rigid. If it was, the unforseen would thwart the plan and leave it in the past as an unaccomplished project.

Today, I still wrote. I used time in the car (no I wasn't driving).

Today's Prompt:

Write. Even if you don't have time.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 32,316

NaNo Day 16 - The Challenge

If you are trying to write a novel in a month following the NaNoWriMo schedule, you are now past the halfway mark. What creative trouble spot do you see? The climax should be coming into view, but what tension needs to build? This is the spot that stops many writers from finishing a novel. Don't let that happen to you. Choose a challenging scene and develop it.

Today's Prompt:

Write an active scene that serves as a stepping stone to the climax of your story. Choose the one you've been putting off. Once it's done, you can always rewrite or revise, it's the actual first draft that is the challenge.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 30,501

NaNo Day 15 - Dream Weaver

Writing a novel in a month is a dream. Breaking it into pieces and writing a little each day makes it attainable. However, when you've already written 20,000 words and come up with a fantastic idea you wish you'd had earlier--it's time to add the idea and weave threads back into the 20,000 words so the newly formed idea makes sense.

Today's Prompt:

Take and exisiting scene and expand it. Word backwords and weave threads of logic to make the new detail work.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 26,890

NaNo Day 14 - Building to the Climax

Writing the first draft of a novel in a month is actually a great measuring tool. The first half of the story is down and it's time to build toward the climax. Consider your possibilities. Tomorrow is the mid-point. Where is the story heading and why?

My word count passed the halfway point today, and my story is right at the middle. Using the days of the month is actually a great way to measure where you should be in the storyline.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 25,134

NaNo Day 13 - Go For a Walk

Writing for NaNo isn't just a challenge of time, but also of the creative process. Your fingers type until you run out of one or the other. More time is just beyond the horizon...and believe it or not so is creativity.

When you feel you've drained the last idea from your mind, slip outdoors and go for a walk. Even a short walk. Away from phones, computer, chores and lists of things to be done. Walk long enough to let your thoughts wander.

Today's Prompt:

Go for a walk. Walk long enough to let your mind wander away from concerns and responsibilities. Once you get the spark of an idea, turn around and head home. By the time you get there be ready to write it down.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 23,204

NaNo Day 12 Dig a Little Deeper

Today I used an existing scene as a springboard to delve a little deeper into not only the past but how the characters feel about that past, what they learned from it, cherished and even feared.

Today's Prompt:

Choose an existing scene and look back. Use it for one or more of the following:

Develop a new scene that reveals how the characters feel about that past.
Develop a new scene that reveals what the characters cherish about the past.
Develop a new scene that reveals what your characters fear about the past.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 21,375

Nano Day 11 - Learning Your Way Around

My characters have bascially washed up on the shore of a new land. Now they need to learn their way around on foregin soil.

Today's Prompt:

Teach your characters something new. Of course, if you make it relevant to the plot of the story, you'll be able to use the scene later. But either way, when your characters learn--you learn. It may offer you a bit of backstory to help you know your character better.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 19,875

NaNo Day 10 - Stepping Over the Threshold

I've had a bit of a bug and although I didn't post here yesterday, I did get my NaNo words written. My characters crossed the threshold and entered the quest phase of the story. Everything is new, a bit uneasy and now I'm ready to learn about where they are...I've chosen Maine--a place I've always wanted to visit. That means I'll have to do a bit of research, even though my fishing village is fictional.

Today's Prompt:

Create a new place for you characters to visit. What sounds do they hear that are familiar. What's noises might stir concern? What time of day do they arrive? Don't tell--show it. What time of year is it? Who do they meet first?

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 18,096

NaNo Day 9 - Create a Question

Today's NaNoWriMo scene started out with describing a new area of the world developing within the pages of Firesnake. It carried my protagonist to a rocky cliff and rough seas where she meets with the Threshold Guardian. Big change is on the horizon.

Today's prompt:

Write a scene that leaves questions in the reader's mind? How will the character survive? How will they live day to day with the current set of circumstances? Will they be alone? For how long? Or are they craving quiet personal time? What have they lost? What do they need? Make the reader care--about the character and about what happens next.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 16,309

NaNo Day 8 - The Tie That Binds

Today I wrote a new scene with a secondary character as the main character. Her interaction with other characters provided elements of back story that tie to the main character. In my case, it's part of what makes the magic in my fantasy world work.

Whether you write fantasy, mystery, historical or a contemporary novel, plot threads have to tie together uniting in a logical way that makes sense to the reader.

Today's Prompt:

Write a scene with a secondary character as the main character. Move them around, have them talk or interact with other characters.

What did you learn about your protagonist?

What's important to the secondary character and why?

What do they experience that ties them to the main character?

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 14,103

NaNo Day 7 - Another POV

Today I broke from my protagonist's POV and told another part of the story. What fun to put foundational backstory into place, not as narration but as an active scene.

Create a new scene written from the POV of a secondary or window character.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 12,257

NaNo Day 6 - Above and Beyond

As I go to sleep at night, I read a bit about geography or other cultures to feed my thoughts and imagination as I drift off to dream about the land coming into being within my NaNoWriMo project. This morning I awoke, and decided to take my character to a new place. This new location introduced her to a character she knew about, but had never met. Bringing my characer to a new location taught her all kinds of pertinent details. Before I knew it, I'd written over 2,000 words and didn't really want to stop. But, I had to. Can't wait until tomorrow.

Give yourself a word count goal. Create a new location and place your character there. Is it a secluded place with trees and rolling hills? Perhaps a lake? Or on a waterway with busy docks and rough window characters? Or maybe it's a new home. Wherever you take your character, develop it enough to incorporate smells, sights and sounds.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 10,335

NaNo Day 5 - Knowledge and Growth

Today's 1,700 words carried my protagonist a step beyond the threshold. She's growing and doesn't realize it. Why? Because she's gaining new information that will affect who she is and what she must do.

Today's Prompt:

Place your character in a scene where they learn new information. Make it something specific and important to the plot thread but present it in a way that the character doesn't realize it. As they ponder what they learn, create growth in your character as you plant the seed of change.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 8,890

NaNo Day 4 - The Threshold

NaNoWriMo is quite the challenge. I start out wondering how on earth I'll write 1,700 words and by the time I've finished I love the new information I've learned about my characters. Today, my protagonist stands at the threshold of the real story. She's heard the voice of her guardian. But where is he? I'm not sure. Guess I'll learn more about it in future days.

Today's prompt:

Place your character at the threshold of a new world. Now what? As they take a step, what do they see? Is the world friendly? Does it look like earth or is it different? What about smells? Did they expect to arrive here? If not, what happened? What do they have to learn? Have fun. Create a new world.

I'll be answering some of these questions in tomorrow's 1700 NaNoWriMo words.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 6,981

NaNo Day 3 - Fear

This morning I ran past my NaNoWriMo writing goal by about 100 words. I don't limit the high end, just have to meet the minimum. Today I placed my character in a situation that frightens her.

What scares your character and why? Sometimes writing a scene like this not only gives us insight to what makes the character tick, but it also opens up possibilities to write backstory. We fear things for a reason, and so do our characters. In today's scene answer these questions.

What does your character fear?

Why do they fear it?

Now don't tell it--show it.

For more NaNoWriMo tips visit the Reader's Station.

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 5,252

NaNo Day 2 - Wedding Day

This morning my 1700 words took on a mind of their own. My original plan was to follow the next item on my list of scenes, but my imagination settled on a wedding scene (which was not on my original list).

The wedding in my story is not traditional. Do research on weddings in other cultures and bring one element into a wedding scene. Research is a great way to add a unique flavor to your writing.

Donna
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NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 3,427

NaNo Day 1

Last night before bed I jotted down ideas for my NaNoWriMo novel. These were just quick one sentence ideas. I numbered them. This morning, I started with #1 and started writing. The first was a marriage between the falcon and the otter. Sounds wierd, I know. But these animals represent qualities that bear meaning within the plot.

This morning, I wrote through the first 7 ideas and have that many for tomorrow's 1,700 words. I carry my trusty notebook with me to harvest new or evolving ideas as my mind has time to wander in the car or while waiting.

1. Jot story ideas down.
2. List four main characters.
3. Now write a two-paragraph scene (or more)

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

NaNoWriMo Current Word Count: 1,707

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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
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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
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Children's Games

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

Donna
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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
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Thankfulness

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

Donna
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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

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
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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
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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
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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

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
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Mmmm Delicious

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

Donna
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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
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The dog, Squirrel and the Red Pen

Write a short story including these three items:

dog

Squirrel

red pen

Donna
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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
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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
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Death of a Dream

Create a character who lives an unfulfilled life. They have a dream. What is the dream? How long has it laid dormant? Did they set it aside or was it ripped from them? How do they feel at the start of your story? Do they still dare to dream or is the spirit of hope crushed?

Donna
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The Blanket

As the weather gets cooler, thoughts turn to snuggling and keeping warm. Recently we received souvenir blankets at a baseball game. As a child, I remember the quilt my great-grandmother made for my father with his initial at the center in red, his favorite color. I've also known children who can't go anywhere without their blankie. Recently, I learned of electric blankets that have dual controls.

Write a story about a blanket.

Donna
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Clutter, Clutter Everywhere

Develop a scene full of clutter. Feet shuffling through discarded containers, papers, garbage or clothes. Sinks piled with dirty dishes or laundry heaping on the bedroom floor. Add some smells for fun.

Donna
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Hidden

Expose something hidden.

A bird flies into a lush green tree and hides in the branches. A wife pours herself a drink to calm shattered nerves behind the doors of her million dollar home. As you walk or drive down the street consider the possibilities. Write a short story or scene based on something hidden.


Donna
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Story of Teeth

Our smiles say a lot, but what about our teeth?

Write a short story about teeth. Include one of the following:

Braces

Over whitening

Missing teeth

Rotten teeth

Getting a crown

Tooth fairy

Life On the Run

Take a character that loves routine and thrust them into life on the run. How do they grow? What do they learn? And do they change for the better?

Sound and Setting

Daylight brushes the horizon and bird calls pierce the silence. Crickets sing a chorus under the shade of the front porch. Sounds add dimension to setting. Write a scene or short story 1,000-1,200 words. Include at least two sounds. If your stumped, stop and listen.

New Shoes

Write a story about new shoes. It can be anything as long as the shoes are new to the character. Remember, shoes can show part of the story.

Blue-Green

What does the color blue green bring to mind? No hints, no other prompts. Just write about something blue-green. Can it be associated with a sound? A taste? A feeling?

Story Starter - Hummingbird

Today's prompt marks the return of the hummingbirds to my feeders. I get so much enjoyment from them. The way they move is a miracle in my sight. In research I did for my novel, Windwalker, I came to realize that hummingbird are associated with healing, wisdom, endurance. This tiny bird is also thought by some to be a messenger sent from heaven. So today's writing prompt includes a hummingbird, but how you use it...what it means is up to you.

 

Photo credit:  pixabay

Today's Writing Prompt

Before you start, I want you to look up the meaning of hummingbirds. You'll find plenty to choose from. Then with the meaning you choose in mind, start a story with this blurb: 

I drifted mindlessly back and forth on the glider. I just needed to get out of the house for some fresh air. Away from the machines beeping and buzzing. The buzz of hummingbird wings pulled me from my reverie..

Aquarium

Write an underwater or aquarium scene. Present vivid images, but remember to include how it feels and sounds.

Expectations and Reality

Children look forward to reaching a new destination. Their imaginations run with details they've gleaned from adult conversations. They chatter in the car, study brochures and then reality hits. "We're here? This is it?" or "We're here, we're here."

It's no different for adults. Write a short story based on someone's expectation, and bring it to conclusion with the reality.

Tired

Write a description of what it feels like to be tired without using the word tired.

Pest

1. an annoying or troublesome person, animal, or thing; nuisance.
2. an insect or other small animal that harms or destroys garden plants, trees, etc.
3. a deadly epidemic disease, esp. a plague; pestilence.

Create a scene involving a pest.

Haircut

A good haircut can make a person feel good--a bad haircut can ruin special plans. Children dread sitting in the chair. Women like to go to get pampered. Some hair salons now offer spa services. Men go in and shoot the bull as they get clipped.

Write a scene including a haircut.

Gateways

Gateways, portals, wormholes, star gates, and other such passageways leading to fantasy worlds usher a reader's imagination into realms beyond our imagination.

Create a gateway. What does the person entering glean about the world beyond as they make their approach? How is it activated? How does it feel to step up to the threshold? Does your character enter or does something make them change their mind? If they step through what's the first thing they smell?

Trends and Traditions

Describe a family tradition (good or bad) or a new trend you'd like to see in family life.

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.

Heated Words

Write a short scene consisting of verbal conflict between two characters. It can be two adults, a child and an adult or two children. Here's the catch. Don't TELL how they feel. Show it.

Chores

Mundane chores can be boring--until you change the POV. Write a scene depicting a chore from the POV of an object involved. For example: A dirty garment as laundry is being done (or the washer or dryer)

Ideas:

Dusting
Cleaning the bathroom
Cleaning up after a pet
Washing the car

Sticky, Dark Droplets

Follow a trail of sticky, dark droplets and write about what you find.

Use of Light

The use of light within writing can offer information. Used correctly, it can show time, a presence, a warning....

Use light to describe: (for example if sunlight comes from the east we know it's morning, dew glistening on the branches will further confirm time of day without telling the reader it is morning).

A line of trees
A mountain range
A bed

Now, rewrite the same scene with light coming from a different direction. It doesn't have to be the same source, but it does need to be light.

The Dreaded Birthday

Every person's different. I knew someone that dried up about age 30 thinking he was old and others who love life at 60. Develop a short scene around an approaching birthday. Make it one of the biggies marking a decade. Write it from one person's POV but involve two characters. One that wants to make the birthday special and one that would rather pretend it isn't happening.

What Do You Get When You Take the Family Hiking?

Characters: Grandpa, Grandma, Couple in mid to late thirties, and two children (you pick the age). Have this family make a plan to get away from TV, video games, loud music, etc. and get back to nature. Take them anywhere in the world. They can plan to pack a tent and rough it, or they can plan to start by hiking a mile on a local trail. Have fun with it.

The Smell of...

Incorporate one or more of the following smells into short story.

rain
fresh cut hay
lilacs
wet dog
dirty socks
raw sewage
skunk
rotting garbage
Thanksgiving Day

Dirt Road

When you read the title to today's prompt what picture flashed into your mind? I'm working on a story for an anthology and want to paint an image of a country road winding under a canopy of trees. If that same scenario was presented in a desert scene it would be entirely different, but both would be dirt roads.

Write a description of a dirt road and use it in a scene.

Impatience

He sat there impatiently.

This is a passive, telling sentence. Rework it to show impatience and bit of the surroundings.

Body Sounds

Our physical being processes food, aborbs stress, needs rest and most of the time we don't give a second thought to the fact we breath in and out and that our heart beats without being mentally conscious of it.

As the body goes through the day it makes noises that most of the time we ignore or don't even here. It's not until we sit in a quiet place that we notice our stomach rumble with hunger, or feel our hiccoughs might be disturbing the person beside us.

Write a scene that takes place in a quiet setting. Include a body sound or two.

Idea starters:

a church

courtroom

blind date

middle of the night in bed

Berry Picking

Put a country boy and a city girl in a blueberry patch together. What do they learn from each other?

Change of Plans

Have you ever planned a picnic, hiking trip or some other outdoor activity only to have thunder in the distance warn that you might have to change our plans? Place your characters in such a situation and show their creative side as they work through the unexpected. Include conflict, tension and resolution.

Mmmmm Popcorn

Certain scents stimulate our appetites. On the other hand, some activities stimulate our appetites. For example, going to a ballpark. If you walked into a ballpark today what would you expect to eat and drink? What about a movie theater? How about your favorite restaurant?

Choose one of the following scenarios and develop a short scene describing what you want and what you do.

ballpark

theater

favorite restaurant

Flexibility of a Child

Children bend, jump, stoop and run with natural ease. As adults, our brains tell us we can still do all those things, but reality dictates we change our ways. Write a story about an adult who slips into thinking they can still move with the agility of youth, but soon learn things don't work quite like they used to. Add the element of pride, and make it funny.

Snakes, Bugs and Things that Go Bump in the Night

Describe the experience of fear. Setting is your choice. The object feared is your choice. Make the exerience real. Include the sense of smell, taste or touch (choose two). Have fun, and sweet dreams.

The Old Woman and Her Cat

The old woman shuffled along the moss covered stepping stones with an orange colored tabby walking in her shadow. The woman bent to pull a weed from between the cracks...TAKE IT FROM HERE

An Animal's POV

Describe the world through an animal's POV. Choose one of the following:

fish
old dog
puppy
cat
parrot
rabbit
raccoon

Close Your Eyes

Close your eyes and think back to your childhood. What games did you play? What dreams did you hold dear? What difficult situations did you face? Who was your best friend? Did you own a pet? Take music lessons? Write a paragraph or two describing an element from your childhood.

Thorn Prick

A thorn can leave an almost imperceptible prick. Use this small wound as an integral part of the plot of a short story.

Stump busters:

Poisonous or other substance that causes a change in the character.

Reminder that time has not passed as the character is led to believe.

Used as part of a bridal ritual.

One of your own ideas.