Sunday Drive

Take your imagination on a Sunday drive. What does that mean to you? For me, it reminds me of my childhood when my father would divert from our trips to grandma's house and take an extra half hour or so to drive along country roads just to enjoy the scenery. Write a scene that takes a character on a Sunday drive.

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What if...

If you were a piece of furniture what would you be? Sounds like a question from the Newlywed game doesn't it? For today's prompt, decorate the room of your choice with authentic detail. But that's not all! Take the same room when you finish and decorate it in another time or era.

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Distraction

Distractions side track--sometimes from the mundane and other times from things important. Write a scene based on distraction. If you're looking for ideas, use one of the following writing prompts:

phone ringing

a news announcement

baby crying

dog scratching at the door

buzzer on the dryer goes off

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
or my fantasy blog for writers

Training

Boot camp is a training place--strict training.

Potty training is a process.

On-the-job training teaches new skills.

Drivers education allows stuents to learn how to drive.

Develop a character in a training scenario. Write the scene from either the POV of the one doing the training OR the one receiving the training. Either way, weave in elements of emotions and feeling involved.

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or my fantasy blog for writers

Fire

The powerful element of fire destroys, warms, and works as fuel. Write a short paragraph describing fire. Include color, movement and heat.

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Take 2

Take an action scene from one of your favorite movies and write it out to practice writing movement with an active voice. Here's the one rule. Don't use the word was

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Story Starter

Start a story with this dialog:

"Did you hit something?"

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Waking Thoughts

For the next week, take the first five or ten minutes of the day to jot down waking thoughts. The ones running through your mind before your feet hit the floor. These thoughts are the fibers that connect our sleep world with everyday reality. They can be creative, retrospective and future looking. Writing them down provides nuggets of inspiration unsoiled by the day's busyness.

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or my fantasy blog for writers

Ate Too Much

Remember the old Alka-selter commercial? The "I ate too much; I ate to fast" slogan was one than many people related to then and today. For today's prompt, create a setting ripe with the opportunity to eat too much--but your character is on a diet. How do they do?

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or my fantasy blog for writers

First Person POV

Write a short scene using first person POV. Choose one of the following subjects or choose one of your own:

Christmas memory

Playing a sport

Finding the perfect pair of shoes

Buying your first car

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
or my fantasy blog for writers

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
or my fantasy blog for writers

Ice Cream--Hot Day--Action

Part of learning to show not tell deals with showing action. Today's prompt places an ice cream cone in the hands of a character. The weather is hot and humid. Show them eat the treat.

Here's the challenge: Use the following character possibilities to practice difference techniques and results.

3-year-old--chocolate ice cream
14-year-old--chocolate chip mint in a sugar cone
35-year-old--stressed woman looking for comfort food
83-year-old--reliving his childhood through a special treat

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Animal Behavior

Writers strive to show not tell. One way to accomplish this is behavior. Don't tell the character is angry. Show it. For today's prompt we'll have fun with animal behavior.

Choose at least one of the following:

bird
dog
cat
horse
or choose another animal

Now SHOW that animal:

angry
relaxed
happy
hungry
moody

Keep these tidbits in a journal where you can find them later.

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Story Starter--The Falls

Ice storms, snow and unseasonable weather combined with a friend's recent vacation highlights after a hike to Zapata Falls inspired today's story starter. Use the following sentence as the first sentence of a short story.


The falls froze into an undulating 30 ft high silver and white sculpture with clear cold water running behind it.

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A Long, Long Time Ago...

The 70's tune American Pie is an 8 1/2 minute song loaded with snippets of life as the author Don McClean saw it at the time.

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.

Lyrics for the entire song are loaded with story ideas. Pick a line or two and use it as a story starter. You can have characters shivering in February, or good ol' boys drinking whiskey and rye. Who knows, maybe you'll get more than one story from this prompt. And while you're at it, a nice tune will be rolling around your head.

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or my fantasy blog for writers

Picture Worth 1,000 Words

Find a snapshot of people you don't know. Write a short story inspired by the photo.

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Clouds In The Night Sky

I stood on the back deck and looked out at the overcast sky. Faint back light defined fluffy gray clouds as if looking up at dirty cotton balls spread across a glass top table.

Take the time to look at the night sky. Gather some descriptive tidbits to have on hand when writing. Not every night sky is black. Studying the sky as a writer is what inspired my book Pumping Your Muse. You never know where it will take you.

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Juggling

Create a busy character juggling an overwhelming list of things to do. Write it with humor as things spiral out of control, but bring the scene to resolution.

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Your Favorite Writing Experience

Today's prompt is more a journal entry.Write about your favorite (or one of your favorite experiences as a writer. Is it when you figured out the missing piece to your plot? When an editor contacted you with an acceptance letter? A phone call? A fan telling you how much they liked your writing? How about your first publication?

Here's the challenge. Write it as a piece of creative non fiction.

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
or my fantasy blog for writers

P.S. You know there's a market for these stories.

My Town

Create a scene in the town where you live, but change a few things including the name:

Add one or all of these items:

• A grove of trees
• A body of water
• A new business
• An apartment complex
• Demolition of an old building

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Stomach Ache

Describe a stomach ache without using stomach or ache more than once in the scene.

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Unpacking

Recently I moved to another state. I stored boxes for months. Opening these boxes later, memories of other times flooded my mind as I handled things forgotten.

Today's Prompt:

Have your character find a box that's been packed for 100 years or more. What's inside? How do they feel about opening it? Where did they find it?

Donna
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Crossroads

Wooden plaques nailed to a post point to nearby towns or villages at a fork in the road. Take your character down one of these roads only to find out they made a wrong turn. But here's the twist. It's a good thing.

Donna
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Nerves

Writers craft words to convey emotions. It's so easy to say a character looked nervous, but that's the author telling information. Write a sentence showing each of the following acting nervous without using the word nervous:

1. a young boy as his father pulls in the driveway
2. a woman waiting in the doctor's office
3. a man waiting to meet someone

Once you complete your sentences, choose one and use it as the first sentence in a short scene or story.

Donna
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Tricking the Senses

My husband and I drove along a country road running between my daughter’s home and ours. The pungent odor of skunk leaked into the car. Our headlights shined on the small dead animal, but it was gray. An opossum. We rolled down the window and let the fresh air clear out the smell.

The following day we drove by the same smelly dip in the road. I studied the animal one more time—I was almost positive it was an opossum. By the third day, it became the topic of conversation as my husband and I both said it looked like an opossum but sure smelled like a skunk. I hate to admit it, but the fourth day we were wondering if GA had a different kind of stripeless skunk.

Finally, I saw the real culprit wedged between the tall grass and blacktop. But the smell almost had me convinced that the opossum was a skunk.

For today's prompt, generate a scene that seems to be one thing but is not.

Donna
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Naming Your Character

Pick out a name for a character based on meaning. If the name means warrior--create a warrior. If the name means chosen one, put your character into a setting where they fulfill a prophecy. Research names, find the meaning and write the scene.

Donna
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Death of a President

With the death of President Ford filling the news, take time to write down your feeling, the facts as you known them and preserve a bit of personal history.

Donna
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Huddled in the Cottage

Today, we'll keep it short and sweet. I call it a first sentence prompt. I'm not giving you the whole sentence but offer three words as a creative writing prompt to be used as part of your first sentence.

Today's creative writing prompt

"huddled in the cottage" 

Sample first sentence: They huddled in the cottage listening to the wind howl, hoping they wouldn't lose any more roof tiles. 

New Year's Eve

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone...speaking of which:

Today's Prompt:

Write a story about a New Year's Eve experience involving you or someone you know.

Idea joggers:

• too much to drink
• special outfit
• snow storm
• plans that changed
• meeting someone
• other unique happenstance

Donna
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Bio Bits

Write a short bio about yourself. Keep it to 100 words or less.

Donna
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New Year Writing Goals

Today's prompt is a bit different. I want you to consider your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve within the next year?

I set writing goals each year. From these goals, I set monthly goals and weekly goals.

Take the time to write down at least three writing goals for the new year.

Donna
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Bad Christmas Gift

I remember back in the 70's when I wanted a sunlamp for Christmas. One package under the tree met the bill. I just knew it was the aswer to my pale palor--I was excited. Christmas morning when I ripped the wrapping away, I stared at a box of new pots and pans. My heart sank--but I couldn't let the giver know how disappointed I felt. So I plastered a smile on my face and thanked him. Over time, the pots and pans proved to be the better gift, but at that moment on Christmas morning I expereienced an inner battle.

Today's prompt:

Develop a scene where a character opens a "bad gift." It can be serious, ture, fictional, or filled with humor.

Donna
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Two By Sea

Place two passengers in a boat and put them on the water. Add any two of these elements:

a ring

gusty wind

music

fie along the shore

a big fish

Donna
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Driving Down the Street

It's easy to overlook details in familiar territory. Today's exercise draws these details into focus. Imagine driving down your street on July 4th. How would that be different from Christmas Eve--or when the fall colors are at their height? Develop a scene that picks up the details--you pick the season, day and time.

Donna
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A "B" Story

Write a scene including these three items:

1. Bubble
2. Book
3. Board

Donna
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Did You See That?

Create a character waiting to see something--but just when the time comes they aren't paying attention. What distracts them?

Some ideas for things to watch for:

a baseball player up to bat with a full count and bases loaded

the bride and groom to come out of the church

someone in a crowd

Donna

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How to Make a Cookie

Holiday time can drain our engergy and zap our time to nill. To keep writing even through the frezy have fun with this one. Describe making your favorite cookie. Keep it to no more than three paragraphs.

Donna
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Religion In The News

Take a media bit from the news that deals with religion. Now develop a scene from the flip side of that news story. If religion portrayed in the news is strict--create it tolerant. If forbidden, allow it. And of course if war breaks out because of religion create peace. What news piece you select will determine the flavor of your story.

Donna
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Shopping When Hungry

It's easy to get caught up in running errands and skip lunch--or just plan to eat when you're done, but ohhh those delicious smells in the grocery store.

Today's prompt is an effort to include smells and aromas in our writing. Create a hungry character drifting through the aisles at the local grocery. What do they smell and how does it affect their actions?

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

Snap Shots

Put a camera into the hands of a grandmotherly character. Does she know how to use the technology? Is it an old fashioned camera? Does it need a battery?

Once you decide on the type of camera, put her into a family mix for the holidays. And one more thing--she likes to snap photos.

Donna
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Comfort

People find comfort in small things. To create believable scenes, small realistic details offering sensory information readers (as well as the character) process to equal comfort. Develop a character seeking comfort in one of the following:

a hot cup of coffee or tea

a chocolate sundae

looking through a scrapbook

walking in the woods

pick one of your own

Donna
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That's Not Music

Describe the noise others consider music. Here's the twist. Write it with a sense of humor.

Donna
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Show Off

Develop two young male characters vying for a girl's attention.

Idea starters:

athletic contest or game

hanging out at a local mall

offering help in a store

Donna
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Vermin

What gives you the creeps? What sneeks into your nightmares? Write a scene with swarming vermin surprising or chasing your character.

Donna
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Snack Time

Develop a snack time theme around one of the following:

Super Bowl

after school

PMS time

Donna
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School Days

Create a classroom setting. What do you smell? Hear? Maybe even taste? Don't tell the grade--instead show it.

Donna
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Mistaken Identity

Have you ever called to someone in a crowd and then realized it wasn't the person you thought it was? Write a scene where mistaken identity evolves into a relationship.

Donna
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The Interview

Develop a character that's after a job. Include the following:

a scent

papers scattering across the floor

an unusual sound

Have fun with this one!

Donna
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Going For a Ride

This is a reasearch prompt. Look up one of the following modes of transportation and learn enough detail to take a character for a ride.

motor bike sidecar

sports car from 1935

pullman train

covered wagon

Donna
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Comfort Food

We all hear about it. Most of us even turn to it during times of stress. But, not everyone finds comfort in the same foods. Develop a scene describing the perfect comfort food.

Donna
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Like the Wind

At a recent writers group meeting, we discussed the incorporation of description in writing. What's the right amount and when is it necessary?

I recommended "The Sky" exercise from Pumping Your Muse which offers promps that train us to practice writing description in one sentence.

Today's Prompt:

Show the wind in one sentence (each) using the following items.

dry leaves

long grass

snow

water

Donna
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Breaking the News

Create a scene with two or more characters. One or two of these characters has news to share with the others. Is it good news or bad? Develop the exchange between characters. If you're looking for a springboard for your ideas consider these:

Someone is:

in the hospital

moving

going to have a baby

promoted

Donna
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Take Over

Write two scenes involving the same character. Here's the twist. Take over the character's mind for the second scene and place them in the same circumstances but acting opposite the first scene.

Prompts to include:

Unexpected visitor

Fire

Storm blowing in

Donna
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Bathrobe

Write a scene involving a bathrobe and one or more of the following:

rose petals

a pipe

newspaper

sticky lock

big toe

Choose a piece you've already written. Polish it up and submit.

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

Submitting your work to the right markets

I know it's not easy for new writers to let go of their writing and send it into the cold world of publishing, but if you don't you'll never see your name as a byline. Some people are afraid of rejection, so their desire to be published wars with their desire to be published. For many, this leads to avoidance. Others just aren't sure where to submit. Searching out the right market is a big part of the submission process, and then making sure your piece is in line with the market's submission guidelines is another important part of the process.

Check the writer's guidelines

Every market has their own set of writing guidelines. If you have a market, publication or publisher in mind, you can find their submission guidelines on their website. If you can't find them, use the search tool. Type in "guidelines" and that should bring you to what you need. These guidelines work as a writing style guide. They offer information from how to format your document, to how much the market pays. If your new to searching for markets I'm happy to tell you there are some handy resources to help you out. One of the best is, Writer's Write. Here you'll find a wide-range of submission guidelines from publications seeking short story submissions, poetry submissions, nonfiction articles, manuscripts and they even offer writing contests links at times. The site is easy to navigate, and they even offer a link for paying market listings to help narrow your focus. 

As you look for markets, know your genre. If you write flash fiction, you can search for "flash fiction submission guidelines" in your browser. Be specific. It will help cut the time you spend browsing for markets. And as you check the guidelines be sure to see if they accept simultaneous submissions. If they do, you can submit the same piece to multiple markets at the same time. If not, you have a choice. Submit and wait to hear from them or look for a different market. If it takes six months, you can't submit elsewhere.  And if you receive a rejection, it can feel like a waste of time. That is not truly the case, it is part of the process, but something you'll want to weigh as you pour over a variety of guidelines deciding who will have the privilege of  reading your work. 

Include a brief cover letter

Be sure to include a brief cover letter and author bio with your submission. If you are unsure how to put this letter together, it's a good idea to pick up a book like The Ultimate Query Letter Tool Kit or How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters.

 

Today's Writing Prompt

Today's prompt is a bit different. Choose a piece you've already written. Polish it up. Take the risk and submit. It's part of life as a writer. I know several people who love to write but never submit. Writing is meant to be shared. Don't let fear of rejection stop you from submitting.

* * * *

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Choose the Rules

Pick three rules from the following list and develop a scene:

Only one character speaks

In the dark

4 objects start with the same letter

Write in third person

No adjectives

No adverbs

The antagonist is dead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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