Writing Promopt: “All change here, all change…”

That is what the train conductor says when the train terminates and it's time to get off. There are times when I hear those words and I think they're a metaphor for something else. For instance, is the universe trying to tell me that it's time to change, to jump off this train and catch...

Writing Prompt: Whoof, Meow

There have been films and stories where the protagonists are animals. Think, "Animal Farm", "Watership Down", "Babe", "Charlotte's Web". For this prompt, try writing a story from the point of view of an animal or animals. Create a world for them to inhabit and throw in some conflict based on the setting and circumstances. Are...

Writing Prompt: A Thousand Words

They say a picture tells a thousand words. What about several pictures all mashed up together? For today, write a short narrative incorporating elements of all of the images below. What's nice about this exercise is that each image is opened to interpretation and its significance to the overall writing is entirely up to you....

Writing Prompt: These Four Walls

For six days I've barely moved. I cough and sneeze and sputter, but I don't venture out. Imagine what it must be like to have a long term illness. The trapped helpless feeling that must make it difficult to cope or stay positive. I find it difficult to think about without guilt for my usual...

Writing Prompt: Theft

Have you ever stolen something? When you were a kid, did you nick something at school or from a pound shop? I once took $20 from my mom's purse. I felt bad, but it was just the once. The thing is, I sent some gift cards to a friend and just found out that the...

Writing Prompt: There’s a Time and a Place

Location and time are important when creating believable stories. You need to be able to convince the reader that this is a real world. Part of this exercise is crafting a scene where there is a lot of attention given to location and time. I'll be giving you some examples to get you started, but...

Writing Prompt: Cuddly Toy

I have collected a load of cuddly toys over the years. There's a ferret that friends gave me that still rests on my pillow. In my office, there is bunny rabbit that a colleague bought for me when we were out one day. I still don't really know why she gave it to me. We...

Writing Prompt: We need to talk

This is one of the most frightening opening lines anyone can utter. Most people only say this when they have bad news (usually code for "you're about to be dumped"), but it would be interesting if we had a scene where all of the line we usually associate with negative connotations were in fact used...

Writing Prompt: Ten Minute Time Out

Imagine you had ten minutes to say or do ANYTHING without anyone ever knowing. How would you use that time. Write a story where you character can freeze time for ten minutes. What do they do, why do they do it and what are the consequences. Remember, no one will ever know of their actions.

Writing Prompt: The Diary

This one is pretty straight forward. Take one of these scenarios and write about it. 1. What would you do if you discovered someone read your diary? 2. Write a scene from the point of view of someone who has read someone else's diary and discovered something about them they didn't know. How do they...