First Sentence Prompt

Leonard blotted his forehead, glanced right, left and gripped the handle of his briefcase tighter.

Visions of Spring

Here in Georgia spring is busting into bloom. White, pink, and purple blossoms paint the landscape with fresh new color. Daffodils push toward the sun to share the glory of their sunny yellow heads with passersby. Bradford Pear and Dogwoods white with a heavy coat of flowers remind me of new fallen snow.

The changing of seasons can often spark ideas and reflections worth writing about. For many, spring is a favorite season because it represents new starts and new life. Instead of telling what you like about spring, show it. Capture the visuals on paper in 500 words or less.

Writing Markets and Pithy Endings

As I researched writing markets for my Anthology News and Reviews blog, I've recently come across two markets requiring a "pithy ending". When I shared this news with my local writer's guild it raised questions. What does pithy really mean? The definition makes it clear: "brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation." (Dictionary.com)

Today's writing exercise challenge is to write a short essay of 500 words or less and to close with a pithy ending.

Dragon Photo Prompt

As a fantasy author I couldn't pass this photo by koma Bboy (found at stock.xchng). I don't want to say too much and influence your writing, but this photo did raise some questions for me.

Is the dragon crying out?
Is it alone?
Seeing the full moon--does this affect the dragon in some way?
Is the dragon flying across the sea?
And lastly, why the flame? Is this some kind of signal to shore?

Have fun with this one, I know I will.

Story of a Tree

Do you ever think of how old the trees you walk by are? They form a ring for each year. Can you imaging the stories they could tell?

Write three short scenes, each including the same tree at different stages of its life. Tell the story from the tree's POV.

Broken Lives

Create a broken character. This can include one or more of the following:

Broken dreams
Broken body
Broken spirit
Broken relationships (broken home)

Don't start by telling about this broken character, but let the scene unfold as you introduce your broken character to a new world.

Taming the Weakness

One thing about characters is that they are neither all good nor all bad. Even the most evil character will show some foible that makes the reader care in a small way, but not for long. I call the exercise, "Taming the Animal" because all protagonists will have some weakness they need to tame--and so will your antagonist. If those weaknesses are left untamed, they often lead to the demise of that character.

For this exercise, take one of your favorite stories and identify the character's weaknesses. Then write a scene where that weakness is no longer tamed and bring the scene to a new conclusion.

First Kiss

Learning to write sexually sensual scenes can challenge writers who choose to keep their writing appropriate for all ages. Today's prompt is to write a scene including a first kiss. Write it from the POV of one of the characters involved in the kiss.

A Day in the Life

As a kid, I remember watching a Twilight Zone episode where a young girl hears her dog barking and finds that he has found a portal in her bedroom wall that leads to another dimension. She follows after her pet, and adults realize not only that the girl and her dog are in this other dimension but the portal is closing as the wall gradually is turning solid and closing the way of return.

We've also read stories of kidnapping, identity theft, and all kinds of situations where suddenly reality has changed for those involved. Today's writer's prompt involves change. This one is just for fun, though you never know where it will lead.

Write about a day in your life as if someone else was walking in your shoes. For example, if you have an elderly mother and she suddenly had the opportunity to live your life for a day, what would it be like?

Or a young child...taking over the role as parent.

The POV can make this one fun!

Today's photo was taken by photographer Dan Colcer.

Photo Writing Prompt

This photo writing prompt should be fun for fantasy writers. I'd love to hear what you come up with. If you're looking for markets for your stories be sure to check our Anthology News and Reviews and check out the Tickle My Fantasy Anthology guidelines.

Foreboding Scent

Use the sense of smell to create a foreboding scene. Here are some ideas to get you started:

*Gasoline
*Skunk
*Dog feces
*Gun Powder
*Perfume
*Smoke
*Dirty ashtray
*Coffee

If you really want to challenge yourself, try using two of these scents in the same story.

Amnesia

Place a character in a situation where they awaken and don't know where or who they are. Place clues in their path to help them learn what they've forgotten. One item is a key...other than that it's your world. Have fun finding your way.

First Sentence

Start a short story or scene with the following sentence:

Dark clouds swirled overhead and wind bit into my damp flesh as I glimpsed the outline of tall buildings on the horizon.

Photo Prompt

Today I offer this photo prompt. Who's that man waving to? Where is he coming from? Where's he going?

Three Words Prompt

Use these three words in a short story:

• rang
• stitches
• tire

First Sentence

Write a scene or short story starting with this sentence:

Leslie crushed the cigarette in the ashtray with new determination.

Cooking with Stress

Often when we tell a story that's funny, if you think back, the original circumstances were not funny at all. Today's exercise is to come up with a situation like that. Create a scene that involves cooking. Guest(s ) are invited for dinner. Start it out slow and controlled. Your character knows what they're doing. Then add one of the following elements:

*The power goes out
*They don't have one of the necessary ingredients
*They burn their hand moving the pan from the stove and spill the contents all over the floor
*Phone rings and guests will be arriving an hour early
*The dishwasher overflows
*Add your own element of conflict and tension

Have fun with this one. Make yourself laugh.

A Plane POV

POV can get a bit confusing at times. The best way to remember how it works for me is to imagine yourself inside the character's head. You see what they see, feel what they feel and know what they think. For today's exercise, imagine yourself on a plane sitting in the window seat. What do you see? What do the clouds look like? What does the landscape look like?

Now, put your character on the ground beneath the plane. Now what do the clouds look like? The landscape?

In both cases, how do they feel?

Time Change

Since today is the day we move the clocks ahead, I thought it would be great to write about a character who forgot to change their clocks. For this change, when the clocks move ahead, if you forget, you'll be an hour late for your next appointment. What happens to your character when they forget to reset their clocks?

If you can't think of a story, try one of these characters to get you warmed up:

*Church pianist
*Sports announcer
*Bus driver

Wind, Rain, Sleet or Snow

Weather changes things in real life and will do the same in the lives of your characters when writing fiction. It can even be used to foreshadow upcoming events or create a question in the reader's mind related to other details they already know. In chapter one of my creative writing manual Pumping Your Muse, I challenge writers to describe the sky in one sentence everyday for a whole week. Learning to show the sky in brief snippets makes the scene real, offers information naturally and can even be used to foreshadow events. Consider this example from exercise 1B: Attention to Detail: The Sky and the One Sentence Rule.

"Silent thunderheads gathered like an army above the eastern horizon."

The clouds create an ominous foreshadowing of things to come. Needless to say, the sky provides readers with information and should generate further interest. Will rain spoil the picnic? Should the young mother with the kids in the car be driving in this weather? Will the lover be late and miss his chance to tell her he really loves her and does want to marry her?

Create a scene where the weather plays the role of a character. For example pit your character against the weather. Give them a goal and let's see who wins.

A Feel Like...

Feelings dictate actions. Introducing your character's feelings engages the reader. Why do they feel like that? How do they act on those feelings?

Start a story with one of the following:

• I feel like someone is watching me.
• I feel like ending it all right here, right now.
• I feel this might be the break I've been waiting for.
• I feel...(choose your own).

Actions Speak Louder than Words

You've seen the commercial. It says, "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now," or something close to that. It shows people in the middle of something that must leave because they "gotta go." But it doesn't say what they need to do...viewers know. They have to find a bathroom.

Create a scene that shows action that leads the reader to a conclusion. Here are a few ideas or use one of your own:

• A character that has to sneeze
• A bloated, gassy character that needs to...well pass gas.
• A character with an itch

What Am I Doing?

Have you ever walked into a room and then wonder what it is that you came in there for? Write a scene with a befuddled character that comes through in the end.

Challenge yourself to include all the senses. What does your character smell, hear...feel?

Animal Tales

I'm an animal lover and have had all kinds of pets over my lifetime--and I've rescued wild animals like small birds and raccoons until they could be released. Each animal that touches a human life leaves behind a story to tell. Write a story about an animal that left its mark on your life.

And if you're looking for markets, check out Anthology News and Reviews. I recently posted a market for cat lovers, dog lovers and horse lovers.

This Week's Photo Writing Prompt

Life circumstances change the path of destiny. Here's a photo to challenge your muse to write such a scene for one of your characters.

Editing Your Work

Choose a scene you're working on or one you wrote awhile back that has merit. Look for passive language. World like:

*There was (were, had been)
*Would
*Could
*He (she) noticed
*He (she) saw
*He (she) heard
*He (she) realized
*Was
*Had been
*That (read the sentence and see if it makes sense without the word "that"
*went (be more specific--show how your character went. Did they run, shuffle--create an image

Rewrite the scene replacing your passive language and you'll be surprised at how it comes to life.

Favorite Childhood Game

Think back to when you were young...say somewhere between the age of 5-15. That gives you plenty of room to pick a favorite game. Something you played with others.

For today's prompt, write about that game. No, not a dry this is how you play explanation. Instead write a scene showing the game being played. This exercise will help you develop the art of showing rather than telling as your write about something you know.

Story Starter

Start a story using the following:

Wind rushed down the mountain into the valley where families huddled against the unnatural storm...

The Panic Button

No this isn't about the button in the bank that tellers press when a bank heist is underway. What we'll write about today is hitting the send button and then regretting it. There's all sorts of possibilities...sending an angry email, submitting an application, or in the life of a writer a query, or...well you get the idea. Write a scene centered around clicking send by accident or on purpose and then regretting. What happens next?

Recipe Disaster

Write a story--fiction or nonfiction--about trying a new recipe. This prompt is inspired by the Thanksgiving my husband decided we would try popcorn stuffing in the bird. The popcorn was supposed to pop as the turkey cooked. Guess what? It didn't.

This Week's Photo

Here's this week's photo. I won't say too much because I don't want to influence your story or scene. However, here are a couple of questions to get you started:

1. What did you notice first about this photo? What did you find the most interesting? It makes a great place to start your story.

2. What did you first think when you saw this photo? Something like who the heck would live there? Or I remember... Bring the answers to your thoughts into your writing.

Creating Characters with Flaws

In real life, people are flawed. To create realistic characters they too need have flaws. These can be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual...

Create a scene introducing a character that shows their flaw or flaws. If you can't think of one consider the following:

*A young teen with crooked teeth
*A recently divorced person
*A child with a speech impediment
*A man who has learned he is impotent

For more on Well Rounded Characters check out my recent article at Inspired Author.

Animal Talk

Write a scene from an animal's POV. This will not only be fun but also opens your eyes to details you might not otherwise consider. The POV can belong to a family pet, a domestic animal or a critter in the wild. Heck, it can even be that raccoon that rummages through your trash each night.

Frazzled

Create a frazzled character--but don't use the word frazzled. Show it. Here are a few ideas to get your started:

• Ready to leave for job interview and can't find car keys.
• Lost the ring their spouse or friend gave to them and it's almost time for dinner with them.
• Shopping for a birthday gift for the person who has everything.
• Flying in business class with a chronically crying baby.
  

From the News

Take a story from the news and use it as a springboard. Rewrite it using your own characters. Add details, change the ending--whatever you want--but make it yours.

First Sentence

Write a scene or short story starting with this sentence:

In the valley of rocks beyond the river a dim light...

Conflict

Conflict comes in different packages. There's inner conflict and outer conflict...things you can do something about and things you cant. Create a scene where your character experiences inner conflict that can be resolved if they take action.

Snack Food

Describe your favorite snack food. Try to include at least three of these senses:

• Hearing
• Smell
• Taste
• Sight
• Feel

Write This Story

You know the cliche. A picture is worth a 1,000 words. Your challenge today is to write a 1,000 words based on this photo.

Reunion

Write a Scene where two characters who haven't seen each other for 20-40 years meet up. Here are a few possible scenarios or use one of your own:

• Adopted child meets biological parent
• High school reunion
• First loves meet after years of marriage (it's up to you whether or not they are still married)
• Military buddies

Messy House

Write a scene involving a messy house. Have fun with it. Try your hand at humor. What does your character do when unexpected guests pull into the driveway and dirty dishes are piled in the sink and the house is cluttered with other stuff. Is the driveway long enough to give her time to do anything? If not how does she handle it?

Or have your character hunting for something they need within the mountains of mess. Like car keys for example. Let the house become a character as the two battle it out for possession of the car keys or whatever article you have your character searching for.

Paper Dolls

As a child I played with paper dolls made of lightweight cardboard and had great fun changing their outfits which were held on with little paper tabs.

For today's exercise post a character. For example. Feet spread a shoulder's width apart and hands on hips. Then take that same pose and dress the character in different clothing letting the way the character is dressed introduce the character.

Samples:

#1:
She stood with her hands on her hips. The apron at her waist smeared with splatters of grease and what looked like chocolate. The spoon clutched in her hand dripped a dollop of goo on the floor. Her feet stood firmly planted as she stared down at my muddy shoes.

#2
A sneer pulled at the corner of her red lips. Her knuckles rested on her hips drawing my eyes to her bare midriff, short skirt and those long legs hugged in thigh-high boots. Her feet spread about a foot apart I knew if I ran it would take a moment to get moving.

#3
Her bottom lip jutted in a pout and started to quiver. She propped her hands on her hips and said, "It's not my fault. He made me do it." She stomped on foot to emphasize her point, crossed her arms and stood with her feet a shoulder's width apart. Her eyes dared her older brother to contradict her.

First Thoughts

Before you go to bed tonight place a pad of paper next to the bed. When you wake, write down your first thoughts. No matter what they are. This can include:

Dreams
Things you need to do
Things bothering you
Memories from the previous day
Whatever you think...write.

New and Unusual

Try a new food or recipe and write about the experience. It doesn't have to be anything as exotic as snails, but go ahead and not only be adventurous but write about it.

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

First Sentence Prompt Contest

"It's this big."

Start a short story with this sentence. It leaves possibilities wide open! It's a fish! It's a new born baby...it's up to you! Only this story starter comes with a prize. Here's how it works:

Write a short story starting with It's this big. Post it here as a comment. At the end of the month, I'll draw one winner to receive a free ebook of Pumping Your Muse or Windwalker.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Story Starter

Start a story with this dialog:

"Did you hit something?"

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Stomach Ache

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bio Bits

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

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

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

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

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

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

A "B" Story

Write a scene including these three items:

1. Bubble
2. Book
3. Board

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

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

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

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

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

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
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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