Writing Prompts for April 2020

Still waiting for these lovely blooms. Snow again yesterday.

Last week I was sitting outside on a lovely April morning and listening to the buzzer sound at the nearby school. It goes on marking the end of classes while teachers and children continue to stay at home to keep their friends and family safe. Teachers are now online valiantly conquering new technology, inventing and creating new ways to communicate to home learners and surviving it all while coping with caring for their own loved ones at the same time.

The world has changed. My husband works from home, my son teaches piano lessons online, and I bake bread and sanitize my groceries that I pick up after pre-ordering from the store—and no, I don’t have hoards of flour or toilet paper in my cupboards. And I work—last week writing about flue gas venting systems and this week working on a webinar that I’m presenting on April 25th with fellow author, Lori Wolf-Heffner. (What You Need to Know About Self-Publishing)

The world is a scary place, so I stay home. I’m in the high-risk group (cancer will do that to you), so even when going for a walk, I keep my distance—which in Canadian terms is about the length of an adult hockey stick. 🙂 I’m focusing on doing my part to stay healthy and to keep my husband, my son, and my 92-year-old mom (who lives with us) safe and healthy, too.

And you know what? That’s enough. On sunny days, like today, I’m outside, if it’s warm enough (we had snow yesterday), I leave the phone and social media indoors and read or knit or listen to music. That’s enough. Having more time–the writer’s dream–is not a reason for you to feel obliged to be massively creative or feel guilty if you’re not. You’re under stress from every news report, statistic, Facebook update, and adaptation you make to living in isolation. You are going to find that your focus and energy are challenged. So, if you opt to knit, read, or drink tea instead during your ‘creative time’—yay for you. You’re adapting to this scary, changed world as best you can while applying liberal doses of self-care. There’s no ONE WAY to get through this. Choose what works for you, and if your need a prompt to get your writing again, I hope that one of the following provides the inspiration you need.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a story or poem.

  • Box, mouse, ribbon, cold, yellow, stain
  • Ink, glasses, spill, ruin, plan, blue, deliberate
  • Path, forest, sun, chill, noises, danger, green
  • Journal, find, secret, death, mystery, family
  • Birds, circling, sign, hesitate, lost, run, black

Use one of these sentences to begin a story.

  • What do you mean I can’t see him right now?
  • Sorry. You missed your chance.
  • I can’t believe that Henry lied–again.
  • The dilapidated diner was the only place open at 1 a.m.
  • Helen said that was a secret.
  • I don’t remember the incident the way Henry says it happened.
  • This is the last time I trust this rust bucket to get me anywhere.
  • I’m worried. When was the last time you heard from him.

Maybe one of these titles will spark a story: A Ten-Year-Old Tells Knows It All, Second Choice. The Balloon, Fire in the Air, Mystery at the Zoo, Road to Fear, Finding Love at Walmart, Should’ve Said No, Two Wishes, The Cabin, Don’t Go There, The Legend, Dragons and Me.

Here are some dialogue excerpt to help inspire a scene or a story.

I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.
But it’s true!
That’s even worse!

I got at weird text from Henry.
Me, too.
What do you think we should do?
Give him what he needs.
Are you sure?

I’m very sorry, sir.
IT’s a bit late for sorry. He may be gone for good.
I’ll find him. I promise.
And when did you become a dragon tracker?
Right now, sir.

I hate an east wind.
Me, too. Always means a story.
Always means trouble.

Write how your character would feel and what they would do, if they had to be isolated from others.

If you’re stuck in your story, have another look at your character. Maybe you need to know more to move ahead. Check these two links to help you grow your character and your story.

This link leads to a great worksheets from NaNoWriMo

Here’s a character template that I developed.

Please stay safe and well–and happy writing!

Writing Prompts for March 2020

I don’t know why the shortest month always seems so long, but it does. I think one reason this year is because I’m anxious to get to March and April because I have a lot of fun things planned for those months.

In March, I’ll be taking my books to two events, one smaller craft market, and the other, the very busy KW Women’s Show. I’ll be sharing those days with Lori Wolf-Heffner, author of the Between Worlds series. We go back many years to when I was her high school English teacher, and now, I act as her writing coach while she creates her wonderful YA series—Book 6 is out in March.

We sell our books under the banner Zwei Writers from KW, and this April we’re teaming up to present two writing workshops at our local libraries. We’ll also have one more craft sale in April, too. Check out Zwei Writers (and why we chose that name) here.

To keep you writing into spring, here are some new writing prompts.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a poem or story.

  • bucket, water, farm, surprise, spill, run
  • dream, thunder, friend, danger, sinister, force
  • stray, find, wound, save, hide, threat, silver
  • castle, attack, escape, forest, cave, fear, traitor
  • city, empty, soldier, command, siren, run, taken

Here are some opening lines to try.

  • That’s not where I left it yesterday.
  • Shadows crept across the wall.
  • Talking to Henry was a waste of time.
  • Don’t tell me Helen can’t help again.
  • Storm’s coming.
  • If you got that information from Henry, I’d consider your source.
  • Why can’t I go with you?
  • The city was deserted, and worse, silent.
  • Grab those and let’s get out of here.
  • Yes. I’ve been listening. Are you done now?
  • Don’t go in there!

Here are some titles that might inspire a story: Stormy Weather, A Walk in the Shadows, Sun Dance, More the Merrier, Thunder in the Hills, A Lost Day, Ranger, Preston’s Code, Terror Beach, The Death Ship, Race Through Time

Here are some dialogue excerpts. See if they inspire a scene or a story.

How can you say that about Henry?
It’s not hard. I just tell the truth.
But it’s not true.
Prove it.

What’s that music playing?
What music?
Can’t you hear it?
No.
But it’s coming from behind that wall.
The only thing behind that wall is air.

We’re snowed in.
That’s great!

We’re snowed in.
No! We can’t be!

We’re snowed in.
Get digging.

We’re snowed in.
I’m going back to bed.

Can you read what this says.
It’s in French.
I know that. But can you read it. (pause) Well, what does it say?
It says your brother is a traitor.

Are those orange lights supposed to be flashing?
No.
What do we do?
Figure out how to land this thing—now!

Other writing prompts

  • Which season does your main character like and why? Special memories? Special family celebrations? Special sports?
  • What’s the best gift your character ever received when he or she was a child? Has it been kept or thrown away? Why?
  • What does your character worry about?
  • Describe the one person that your character trusts.

Wishing you a writerly March!

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Writing Prompts for February 2020

If you’re wondering why there are daisies in my photo today, it’s because, where I live, January had only 12 hours of sunshine. Something cheery was required. On the plus side, gloomy days do encourage the drinking of warm beverages and curling up with books to read and journals to write in–and naps. All good.

I’m taking part in a writing challenge with a friend, and if you’re finding it hard to keep to your resolution about writing every day, I encourage you to do the same. If you know someone who has made any kind of resolution (exercising, eating less sugar, finishing a knitting project, decluttering a room) team up with them to send a weekly accountability message. If you kept to your resolution, you send the simple word “done.” If you didn’t, you can send an “almost” or “it was one of THOSE weeks,” whatever works for you. It’s amazing how you stay focused on your goals when someone is waiting to hear about your successes every week.

What’s helping me meet my goals this time around is keeping them small. My goal it to write 25 words a day. Nope, that’s not a lot, but it means that I haven’t missed a day since I started two weeks ago. Sitting at the laptop and knowing that I only need to write 25 words to meet my goal takes off a ton of pressure. And because the pressure is off at the start (I mean it’s only 25 words), I manage to write a lot more. When I’m not afraid of failure or trying to force myself to meet a larger goal, the words flow more easily. Here’s one of my favourite posts on the topic of mini-habits. I certainly inspired me: https://www.kristiholl.com/not-enough-willpower-goals-make-mini-habits/

Here are some writing prompts that I hope will inspire and help you meet your writing goals this month.

Use one, some, or all of the random words in one of the following lists to write a story or poem.

  • Rain, wall, dog, chain, red, fear
  • Sun, rays, carpet, clue, thief, time
  • Step, mud, train, escape, midnight, silver
  • Fire, smoke, woods, haunt, shadow, black
  • Gate, creak, overgrown, hidden, glow, yellow

Maybe one of these titles will inspire a story: The Snow Globe, Wander the High Ground, Tarpin’s Mistake, A Better World, While I Remember, Red Force One, A Million Secrets, Castle of Fear, Bennie to the Rescue, Goodbyes are Hard, A Fool to Fall, Gwillam’s Star.

Try one of these opening sentences for your story:

  • It was too quiet.
  • Sperron’s luck had run out.
  • Dust from the explosion shrouded the twisted beams.
  • Helen yanked the earbuds from her ears. She couldn’t have heard that right.
  • Why wasn’t anyone answering that phone?
  • The tour guide went white and hustled our small group back outside. That’s when I noticed that Henry was missing.
  • Helen had never cheated before.
  • The van stopped on the street just ahead of us.
  • Turn that light out!
  • Shadows crept through the forest.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might help you create a scene or story.

We need to get out of here now.
Why?
Can’t you hear that?
What?
Sirens.

Henry promised he would stop.
And you believed him?
Yes.
Then you’re a fool.

Third door on the right. That’s what he said.
This is it.
So, open it.
Okay.
What’s the matter?
Run! Now!

Someone’s following us.
Turn right here.
No.

What’s the matter?
I just don’t feel right.
Me neither.
What was in that tea?

Wishing you a writerly month!


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Writing Prompts for January 2020

I chose a photo of a road for my header today because I’m looking ahead at a year that seriously needs a sense of direction. Last year, I created 4 new books and had fun on the craft market circuit selling books and promoting my coaching. Yes, I had fun, but not what you’d call success.

This year I need to focus on marketing and promotion and deciding my purpose. What I love is presenting workshops and working one-on-one with coaching clients. How do I reach them? Do I rent rooms and promote workshops, do I run webinars, do I create online courses, do I venture onto YouTube–yikes! Decisions need to be made, risks need to be taken, marketing needs to be done–all of which make this introvert cringe more than a little.

In the meantime, I will continue to reach out to you with some new writing prompts to help you on your creative journey. I love creating these, too.

Here are some questions for your main characters:

  • What New Year’s resolution would your character make? Why?
  • What person from your character’s past would he or she like to be with on New Year’s Eve? Why?
  • What would your character like to leave behind in the old year?
  • What is your character looking forward to (or dreading) in the new year?

Use one, some, or all of the random words in one of the following groups to create a story or poem.

  • lamp, glow, shadow, noise, dark, cold
  • moon, silence, snow, window, visitor, shiver
  • gulls, water, sand, discover, surprise, fear
  • sounds, distant, castle, walls, archer, threat
  • forest, sunlight, run, hide, cave, danger

Here are some opening sentences you can try:

  • Where have you been?
  • I’m afraid that you’re too late.
  • Waves slapped the side of the boat.
  • No one loved the holidays more than Helen.
  • No one hated the holidays more than Henry.
  • Henry discovered the body at 6:32 a.m.
  • Too many creatures were stirring, including the mice.
  • The crows scolded me awake.
  • After ten minutes, the rain had soaked through our clothes.
  • Henry raised his hand, and the room fell silent.
  • I couldn’t stop looking at the door. Where was he?
  • Some mornings should just be skipped.
  • Pirates!

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might suggest a scene or story.

  • Helen is lying.
  • Why are you so sure?
  • She made more eye contact in that one sentence than she’s done in a lifetime.
  • I’m not sure that I agree with you about Henry.
  • That;s okay. We don’t have to agree.
  • Good. I think he’s a louse.
  • The Protectors are coming for us tomorrow.
  • You seem very calm about it.
  • It’s our destiny.
  • It may be your destiny, but it’s not mine.
  • That cabin is supposed to be empty until next month..
  • So, what’s the problem?
  • Yesterday the flowers by the door were wilting. Today they look fine. It hasn’t rained, so someone must have watered them, and no one comes up this lane except us and the owners.
  • We need a place to hide.
  • Well, you can’t hide here.
  • I don’t think Henry’s going to give you a choice.

Thanks for dropping by! I wish you a creative, happy and healthy 2020!

CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

Writing Prompts for November and December 2019

Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay 

I hope your November is off to a good start! If you’re in the midst of NaNoWriMo, I wish you lots and lots of words and every success.

I hope you have wonderful holidays ahead with friends and family, and that, sometime in the following weeks, you are able to sneak in all the writing time you need to keep your imagination and your heart happy.

Here are some writing prompts to brighten your imagination as winter closes in.  It’s cloudy and snowing hard here right now, and the plow has just gone by and filled up the end of my driveway. It’s times like these that I’m so grateful I’m a writer because I can sit down and write about sunshine and seashores and escape the whole thing—after I’ve shovelled the snow. 😊

Use one, some, or all of the words in these groups to create a story or poem.

  • Sunshine, seashore, gulls, breeze, clouds, danger, red
  • Purple, panic, chase, fly, dragon, castle
  • Potion, magic, snow, pocket, alone, found, gold
  • Bridge, river, boat, lamp, night, stars, silver, wary
  • Pen, ink, journal, secret, thrill, plan, hurt

Here are some opening lines for you to try:

  • How empty is empty?
  • That’s a very big needle.
  • I want the bigger half.
  • Yesterday, I was sure I trusted her/him. Today is a different story.
  • What did you put in this cocoa?
  • The general waited until everyone was silent before he spoke.
  • Have you had a good look at Henry lately?
  • I thought Helen was your friend. What happened?
  • You’re the one who stole it.
  • On Sunday morning, Henry’s dog was stolen.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might inspire a scene or two.

Why is Henry always late for homeroom?
You don’t know about his dad.

I thought you said we were going to avoid going through the forest.
I did say that.
Then why have we changed directions?
Look behind you.

I’m cold.
Keep moving and you’ll warm up.
You said that an hour ago.
Okay, keep moving we won’t get killed.
I’ll shut up.
Good.

What’s with Helen these days?
She’s worried about Henry.
What’s to worry about. He’s been really nice to everyone lately.
That’s why she’s worried.

Here’s a great blog by Tonya Thompson with wonderful writing prompts to keep you inspired until the New Year: 301 Short Story Ideas Guaranteed to Kick Your Writing into High Gear. The Writer Igniter from DIY MFA is also a fun place to visit when you are looking for story ideas. If you have a question about any aspect of writing, drop by Writer’s Knowledge Base: The Search Engine for Writers where you’ll find links to hundreds of inspirational and practical articles to answer all you questions

I wish you creative, healthy, happy and writerly weeks ahead!

Writing Tools to KICKSTART Your Writing & Writing Prompts for September 2019

After years of attending and teaching school. September always seem like the best time for new beginnings. If you’re planning to kickstart your writing after a busy (or lazy) summer, here are some old and new tools that I’ve created to help you reach your writing goals.

Character Template – Maybe answering these questions will give you a new insight to your character that suggests a new plot twist or tangle in a growing relationship. I also suggest reading Lee Martin’s chapter, “Subversive Details and Characterization” in Naming the World: And Other Exercise for the Creative Writer, a fabulous book edited by Bret Anthony Johnston.

Plot planner – Use the Brain-Dump Method to jot down scenes and moments that you can see in your story. Use a pencil to join them up into an outline and you’re ready to start writing. You can also use this sheet to help you plan some possible paths for your characters after you’ve got them part way through the story. These sheets are a great place to play “what if” and work though some alternative consequences for whatever actions your characters are already committed to.

Plotting with the Hero’s Journey – Drop by here for an introduction to this popular plotting method and some examples from films you might know.

Coloring Pages – Quiet your inner voice with some coloring. Focus on choosing colors and applying them to the page and give your brain some peaceful moments before heading back into creative mode.

Genre Writing Prompts – Have fun with these new writing prompts for mystery, romance, and fantasy & science fiction writers. I created them to go with my new genre workbooks. Print out the PDFs or just find a prompt that works and have fun.

Here are your writing prompts for September that might help you find your next story or help you break through a block you have on your current project.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a story or poem:

  • truck, branch, white, road, storm, ice
  • path, cliff, rocks, wind, night, red
  • goblet, silver, potion, drink, danger, warn
  • forest, run, hide, keep, bury, gold
  • yellow, sun, beach, alone, adrift, rescue

Try one of these sentences to begin a story:

  • Helen had other plans
  • The final knight wore black.
  • After the storm the sound of chainsaws dealing with all the fallen trees blocked the sound of anything else—even murder.
  • As the train moved away, I hoped I had left my problems behind at the station.
  • I was going to be late, and Henry was never going to believe why.
  • Ants! I hate ants!
  • Red lights flashed outside the window.
  • Slamming a door can feel good.
  • When he asked me to meet his friend, I wasn’t expecting a dragon.
  • I’d hope to actually finish my lesson before I had to land a plane.
  • My head throbbed. The storm would be here soon.

Try these lines of dialogue to create a scene or two.

Are you sure we’ll be safe here?
As sure as I can be.
Meaning?
I have no idea.

Why can’t you keep quiet?
I think he should hear the truth.
Telling the truth can be dangerous.

But he’s the best ….
Was the best.

I don’t understand why he left.
I don’t understand why he stayed so long.

Are they ready.
I’ve done my best.
That’s not the answer we want to hear.

Helen said she’d return by sunset.
Are you worried about her?
I have a duty to keep her from harm.
Yet, you let her go alone.

This house gives me the creeps.
It’s just your imagination.
Are those footsteps my imagination?
No!

I wish you a writerly September!

Writing Prompts for July and August 2019

I hope that you’ve left behind a healthy and creative June, and that you’re beginning the second half of this year with lots of plans for new stories or for finishing those you’ve begun.

I’m happy to say that I finished my last of four take-action workbooks. This one is about writing memoir. I’ve included 45 writing prompts in this workbook to help you mine the memories you need to fill your pages, along with strategies for discovering more about the places and people that influenced your life

Find out more here: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Take-Action-HEATHER-WRIGHT/dp/1999103823/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=writing+memoir+a+take+action+workbook&qid=1563796720&s=gateway&sr=8-1

I’m on a deadline for a freelance contract, so I won’t be posting a blog or new prompts in August. To give a creative boost to your summer writing, check out your July and August writing prompts below.

Use one, some or all of the words in one of these groups to inspire a story or poem:

  • Table, gloves, fog, chill, red
  • Bag, glasses, door, step, green
  • Hat, chair, sun, mosquitos, yellow
  • Truck, flag, open, road, white
  • Cedar, shadow, dead, under, black
  • Umbrella, storm, cold, keep, blue
  • Beach, sunset, bench, sorrow, orange

Here are some opening sentences:

  • I don’t care if you’re tired. Dig.
  • The restaurant seemed deserted.
  • No one writes letters anymore.
  • Don’t open that!
  • Cold fog rolled up from the lake.
  • Two in the morning was the wrong time to see lights on the hill.
  • Even the sound of rain on the tin roof couldn’t keep me awake.
  • I liked to think I was immune to Henry.
  • I’d been desperate to hear an approaching car, but this was the wrong car.
  • A man shoveling dirt always makes me think of Henry.
  • As usual, Helen did not say thank you.
  • Saving Henry’s life was getting to be a habit.
  • Lightning never strikes birch trees.
  • I couldn’t stop myself from laughing, which didn’t help me make a friend.
  • Why are you so sure that it was murder?
  • Karos pulled his robe tightly around him and swept from the room.

Try one of these titles:

Adjoining Rooms, Camp Leopard, Life is Good, Tables Turned, The Welcome Harbor, Those Meddlin’ Kids, Pike’s Peak, The Jasmine Secret, The Window, The Ghost Ferry, Biding Time, Resurrection, Door Number Three, Keeping Faith, Secrets from the Past, Ley Lines, The Crimson Sword.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might inspire a scene or a story.

He wants to see you now.
What happens if I don’t want to see him?
I wouldn’t risk finding out.

Henry doesn’t seem to like Helen very much.
It’s not what it looks like.
You mean, he likes her?
No, he hates her.

Helen need you to do her a favor.
Well, why doesn’t she ask me?
She knows how you feel about her.
I can guarantee that she doesn’t.

Henry just did the stupidest thing.
No, what was stupid was letting you find out about it.

I hope you’re pleased with yourself.
No, not really.
Then, why did you do it?

What’s that noise?
I didn’t hear anything.
Liar.
Okay, I heard something.

Have a writerly summer! See you September!

writing Prompts for June 2019

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a guest blog for Elizabeth Spann Craig whose blog I’ve been following for years. Elizabeth is a cozy mystery writer who posts regularly with writing tips and behind-the-scenes peeks at her publishing journey. She also compiles a weekly list of links, Twitterific, packed full of information of interest to writers and self-publishers. I always find something helpful or inspiring in the articles she chooses.

I decided to write my guest post about journaling, a writerly task that I have never even remotely mastered. In spite of that failing, journaling does have a helpful and inspiring place in my writing life. If your relationship with journaling is an uneasy one, please check out my guest post: Intermittent Journaling: How I Lost the Guilt and Acquired a Helpful Writing Strategy.

Here are your June writing prompts.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a story or poem.

  • Statue, water, cry, bench, sunset, life
  • Chair, smartphone, empty, alert, drop, shiver
  • Ladder, tree, see, above curious, time, laugh
  • Umbrella, chase, tumble, door, sigh, after, drip
  • Ring, stone, chose, reward, remember, gold, stare

Try one of these sentences to start or end a story.

  • I’m afraid of flying.
  • Ask Helen. She remembers everything.
  • Henry kept one too many secrets.
  • That’s blackmail.
  • The door swung open. It should have been locked.
  • What do you mean there’s a Canada goose in the kitchen!
  • I thought you said they’d be too scared to turn up.
  • I was really looking forward to the part. Shows how wrong a person can be.
  • You took the last one!
  • There’s someone here to see you.

Try one of these titles for story or poem.

When All Else Fails, Chocolate Cake for Breakfast, Honor Among Thieves, Only One Left, Distraction, Embers, Mars Mayhem, Lucky Pennies. Passport to Murder/Romance/Fear, Angus Reports to Work, Dogs Are People, Too.

Here are some dialogue excerpts to inspire a story or scene.

I’m looking for Henry.
Well, he’s not here.
That’s not what I was told.

I think you two will get along really well.
I’m sure we won’t.
Why not? Or don’t I want to know the reason?

You said we’d be safe here.
We were.
Yes, but for not long enough.

Hand me your cup.
But, I’m not finished.
I won’t ask again.

The last person I want to see is Helen.
That’s unfortunate.
She’s on her way, isn’t she?
Yup.

HAVE A WRITERLY JUNE!

Writing Prompts for May 2019

I’m so excited to announce my three new books are now available on Amazon.com. These books have been a labor of love, and I hope that the genre writers among you will find them useful. These workbooks will help you keep all your research, character ideas, setting notes, writing schedule, plot outlines, etc., all in one place as you work through your first draft. Click here to see sample tables of contents and links to Amazon. A shout-out to D’vorah Lansky at Share Your Brilliance for inspiring me to write these books.

Here are your writing prompts for May.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to inspire a story or poem.
1. clouds, heat, escape, green, forest, shadow
2. spring, sleet, fear, mountain,path, decision, grey
3. cabin, deserted, shelter, noises, roof, footsteps, green
4. bowl, vision, crystal, red, cloak, whisper
5. trees, wind, silence, eerie,thud, surprise

Here are some opening sentences you could try, or you could use them anywhere in a story:
1. I thought Earth only had one moon.
2. You can’t go in there.
3. The first day of Henry’s vacation didn’t turn out remotely as planned.
4. We jumped when Helen burst into the room.
5. Toads. I hate toads.
6. The other road passed to close to the castle
7. We expected the scream.
8. Henry promised he’d deal with it tomorrow.
9. One puppy equals hard work. Three equals madness!
10. At rehearsal, I’d been fine, but in one hour I’d be in front of an audience.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem: A Winter Dream, Helen/Henry: Teen Detective, My Life with Braces, Farm Girl/Boy, March Break Blues, The Blunder Years, View from the Roof, Consequences, Parachute, Past Meets Present.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that I hope give you ideas for a scene or story:

I heard what you said.
So?
Does Henry know what you’re planning?

I don’t like the look of those clouds.
We’ll find shelter soon.
I want to go home.
You know that’s not possible.

Helen’s tired.
She’ll have to keep up.
She’s our responsibility.
She’s your responsibility.

Henry’s been suspended.
I know.
Already?
Who do you think turned him in?

I hope you have a writerly May!


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Writing Prompts for April 2019

Writing Prompts for April 2018

Last week I presented a workshop at my local library, offering tips for writing great dialogue. Today, I’m sharing my resource links to help you keep your dialogue as fresh as the Spring we’re all waiting for. (My apologies for the layout below. WordPress has changed their blog formatting, and I’m still struggling to get it right.)

RESOURCES FOR WRITING DIALOGUE

9 Rules for Writing Dialogue

Harvey Chapman

9 Rules For Writing Dialogue Like a Pro

Five Tips on Writing Dialogue

5 Tips on Writing Dialogue

How to Write Effective Dialogue in Your Novel

Gary Smailes

https://bubblecow.com/posts/how-to-write-effective-dialogue-in-your-novel

Who Speaks? Pointers about Attribution in Dialogue 

By Victoria Grossac

http://www.writing-world.com/victoria/crafting15.shtml

Do You Have “As You Know, Bob…” Syndrome?–How Writers Can Butcher Dialogue & How to Fix It

By Marcy Kennedy

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/do-you-have-as-you-know-bob-syndrome-how-writers-can-butcher-dialogue-how-to-fix-it/

Dialogue: Make Each Character Unique

Darcy Pattison

Dialogue: Make Each Character Unique

Are Your Characters Talking Heads?

K.M.Weiland

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2009/12/are-your-characters-talking-heads.html

10 tips for writing better dialogue

Alice Kuipers

10 TIPS FOR WRITING BETTER DIALOGUE

Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue

Nathan Bransford

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/09/seven-keys-to-writing-good-dialogue.html

Beginnings, Middles and Ends

Nancy Kress

I Can’t Believe You Said That- Using Dialogue to Build Conflict

Eileen Cook

I Can’t Believe You Said That- Using Dialogue to Build Conflict

Here are a few writing prompts for April.

Opening Lines:

  • I didn’t know that this would be the last time.
  • Puddles were meant for splashing in..
  • Judgement doesn’t become you.
  • The plane’s engine sputtered.
  • Henry never lost control.
  • If there was a good day to break up with your boyfriend, this was it.
  • The corners of the house were full of memories–not all of them good.
  • Puppies!
  • We huddled in our cloaks and moved closer to the fire.
  • And all along, I’d believed I could trust him/her.

And here are some dialogue excerpts that you can expand into longer scenes, so you can practice your dialogue-writing skills.

  • I’m so tired. Can we stop now?
  • You weren’t tired when Henry was in charge.
  • Maybe he treated us like humans.
  • I’ve never seen Helen so angry.
  • You haven’t known her long, have you?
  • Did you get it?
  • Yes.
  • Well, where is it?
  • I didn’t bring it with me.
  • Why not?
  • I don’t trust Henry like you do.
  • Why is that light flashing?
  • Don’t worry. We’re going to be fine.
  • You didn’t answer my question.
  • You’re right. Now, sit down and hold on.

Hope you have a writerly April!

CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

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