What's it about?

This blog has a very specific purpose: it's a place to post prompts for creative writing during the time of the lockdown. Initially it was for the use of my writing group, as we cannot for the time being meet in person - but I want to open it up to anyone who'd like to have a go at creative writing. I very strongly believe that writing is good for you: while you're writing, you're off somewhere else - you've escaped! And that can only be a good thing during lockdown.

Do sign up to be notified by email when a new prompt is posted - usually on Thursdays - and I would love to hear how you're getting on in the comments. Have fun!

Friday 21 October 2022

Creating a character


Characters from the Duolingo language app.


* Choose a first name and write it down. (Don't think about your answers for two long; just go with whatever pops into your head.)

* Choose a surname, and write it underneath.

* Write down a physical characteristic about their face - eg piercing blue eyes, lots of wrinkles, soft red mouth.

* They have some sort of habit that they don't notice but other people do - like drumming their fingers, straightening cuffs, twiddling with a ring. What is it?

* What do they do for a living?

* What's their happiest memory from when they were a child?

* What are they afraid of?

* What do they want most of all?

* Brainstorm a few of their characteristics - eg cheerful, impatient, painstaking, anxious, confident.


So now you have a character. Put them into a story - which involves a journey of some kind.


Thursday 13 October 2022

Fairy Tale Twist


 

A new take on an old fairy tale - continue the story!

The Pied Piper of Hamelin hadn't reckoned on Mrs Muskett, Year 3's formidable music teacher...

Or:

Choose another fairy tale, and invent a similar twist.

Thursday 6 October 2022

Lucky find...


Replacing a rotten window frame, you find a slip of paper wedged in the wall. It changes your life. How? (NB - it's not this particular note - this is just to illustrate the post!)

Or:

You are stripping off layers of wallpaper in your house. When you reach bare plaster, you find a drawing/message which shocks you. What is it, why does it shock you, and what happens next?

(Thanks to Writers' Forum for the first of these.)