dialogue

Writing Prompts September 2020

Yesterday was a day of bays: Red Bay, Hope Bay, Pike Bay, Stoke’s Bay, and Colpoys Bay, plus Sauble Beach, Oliphant, Lion’s Head, and Wiarton. Too windy for golf or sailing or enjoying the beach, we opted for a day trip to explore some of the Bruce Peninsula, dodging clouds like those above and enjoying sunny blue skies as in the photo below.

I hope your last long weekend of the summer held some lovely moments for you, too. Those of you heading back to school or who have family members doing the same, my good wishes for a healthy and smooth beginning to the school year are with you. Teachers, if you ever need any ideas or material to support your creative writers, please drop me a line anytime. I’m very happy to help in any way I can. I know your side of the desk well.

For the writers, here are some new writing prompts for September. I hope they keep you amused, distracted and creative in the days ahead.

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

  • umbrella, storm, shelter, run, stranger
  • car, highway, speed, escape, mountains
  • windows, outside, broken, old, black, reflection
  • table, meal, argument, whispers, over
  • door, open, unusual, echo, empty, note

Here are some opening lines that might suggest a story.

  • We did all we could.
  • Others have written about this, but I think it’s time you knew the truth.
  • When I watched his car top the crest of the hill, I knew that life would never be the same.
  • Yesterday was not a good day.
  • I never thought I’d say this, but trusting Henry was a good idea.
  • The crowd was getting restless. Where was he?
  • We didn’t know.
  • Dragons have bad days, too.
  • I thought that opting to live on Mars would mean leaving Earthly problems behind.
  • Dungeons are as bad as you think they are.

Here’s a list of titles borrowed from mystery writer, Agatha Christie. What stories can you imagine belong with these titles: The Big Four, Dumb Witness, Cards on the Table, Death in the Clouds, The Hollow, Evil Under the Sun, The Clocks, Third Girl, Elephants Can Remember, Curtain.

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

I thought you were leaving.
I changed my mind.
I though we made it clear that you didn’t have a choice.

I’m selling the amulet.
But it should never be sold.
You haven’t heard the price I’ve been offered.

Shouldn’t we be heading north?
Plans have changed.
Why? To what? And by whom?

Did you hear that?
No.
It came from over there.
It’s just your imagination.

Wishing you a writerly month ahead!


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Writing Prompts for August 2020

Writing Prompts for August 2020

August already? No wonder I’m seeing ads for back-to-school shopping. Here I was thinking that the advertisers were really jumping the gun. Hard to believe that, in spite of everything, this year seems to be moving along at top speed.

I’m still working on my new online course, Your Novel: From Idea to Outline. All of the modules are drafted. Now, I have the visuals/videos to work on, during which, I’m sure I’ll find content that I want to fine tune. I’m enjoying working on this project a lot. I’ve added another project into the mix just for fun–a romance idea that may turn out as a screenplay or a book. Early days. I’ve had a great time using Plottr to create my outline. Check it out if you’re a plotter and not a pantser. (No, I’m not an affiliate.) I also have two more short stories that I need to finish before I get a new book of short romance stories ready to publish.

I spent several months this year feeling like I would never write anything – again – ever. I was brain dead, lacking energy or drive–basically a lump of uncreative blah. Now, I seem to have finally climbed out of the pit. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you. In my case, writing for others has been the best stimulus. I tried keeping a journal–writing just for me–but it just didn’t happen. Once I decided that people could use a course about creating a novel outline, and the more I thought about what they might need to help them, the more I was inspired to write. As for the romance stories, who doesn’t need some kind of escape with a happy ending right now? If you’re climbing out of a slump, think about who needs to hear your story? Who will be happier, wiser, or inspired because of your words. Try thinking in those terms and see what happens. I wish you all good things.

If you need some inspiration, I hope one of the following writing prompts will help you tell your story.

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

  • time, green, story, fight, escape, fear
  • blue, weather, danger, shelter, below, black
  • yellow, summer, grass, picnic, envy, quarrel, loss
  • child, play, mystery, voice, imaginary, umbrella, rain
  • night, stars, planes, attack, beach, tunnel

Here are some opening sentences that you might use to start a story.

  • Where were you last night?
  • I found it on my way home. Can I keep it? Please?
  • This was one awkward time to find out that time travel really worked.
  • The sun glinted off his sword as he pulled it from its scabbard.
  • I have no choice. I’m leaving now.
  • It’s too much. We can’t keep going like this.
  • I was all ready to sit down and relax when the call came.
  • The boat sails at 3. Don’t be late.
  • I don’t understand why they keep dying.
  • Helen has changed so much.
  • Do you think that Henry’s behind all this?
  • Shadows. They shouldn’t be moving.

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

What broke?
That old vase.
Well, why haven’t you picked up the pieces.
There was something inside.

I don’t want to play.
That’s because you always lose.
No, it’s because you always cheat.

Have you seen Helen today?
No. Why?
We were supposed to meet at 10. She didn’t show, and she’s not answering her phone.
That’s not good.
Why?
She was going to meet someone else at 9.

I’m not going in there.
Why not?
Spiders.

But I thought you were going to get engaged.
Yes, about that.

What’s that music?
What music?
Can’t you hear it?
No.
Well, I do. And I’m going to find out where it’s coming from.

Henry likes you.
Well, he should after all this time.
I mean, he really likes you.
Oh. That could complicate things.

Some questions for your story and characters.

  • How could you change the weather to add a problem to your story? What would a thunderstorm do to your story right now?
  • How does your character react to someone being rude?
  • Speeding tickets always happen at the wrong time. What happens if your character gets caught speeding?
  • What is your character’s most treasured item?
  • Whom would your character risk everything to protect?

Wishing you a writerly August


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WRITING PROMPTS FOR JULY 2020

July 1 marks my country’s birthday—and more important—my mom’s. I have teased her that she only immigrated to Canada from England in order to have a holiday on her birthday. My country is 153 years old. My mom is 92. For both, their story began long before their official birthdays, needing the right people to get together at the right time with the right intentions and a commitment to nurturing their “child” through the years ahead. I’m proud to be a Canadian and my mom’s daughter, and July 1st is as good a day as any to remember the gifts I have been given by both.

If you’ve been writing all along through the pandemic, that’s wonderful, and I’m thrilled that your creativity has weathered the storm. If you’re like me, and only just lately finding your way out of the creative doldrums, yay for you, too. I’m enjoying finally putting words on the page again. Small steps—but happy ones.

If you’re a plotter, rather than a pantser, and looking for some useful software to help you create your novel outline, check out this new software, Pottr. It’s working for me, and the price is very reasonable—and nope, I’m not an affiliate.

If you’re looking for some story ideas this month or a way to break out of your current creative fog, I hope the following writing prompts will give you the inspiration that you need.

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

  • Harbour, boat, dark, quiet, secret, danger
  • Storm, safety, run, thunder, dog, wet
  • Sun, heat, beach, horses, surprise
  • Phone, text, lie, challenge, friend, angry
  • Trees, shade, rest, stranger, fear, change
  • Car, highway, divert, follow, blue, ditch, chase

Use one of these sentences to start a story or a scene.

  • I really wish he were here right now.
  • I was sorry that I’d said I was ready for a challenge.
  • I can’t find Helen!
  • You’ll have to take over now.
  • Screeching tires, shouting voices, fists pounding on the front door—not a typical Christmas Eve.
  • Just keep driving, she thought. Just keep driving.
  • Safe Harbour. Never was a small town more completely misnamed.
  • Revenge is a dish best served cold.
  • Don’t ask again. We’re all hungry.
  • The sun shone through the stained glass windows and dappled the stone floor with pools of coloured light. 
  • Henry sighed, “Not again.”

Use one of these dialogue excerpts to spark your imagination.

Henry said he’d given it to you.
Well, I don’t have it.
Why would he lie?
How well do you know Henry?

Stop that racket!
I can’t, sir. Something’s broken.
Then fix it.
But ….

What’s the last thing you remember?
A noise and a rush of wind.
Anything else?
A voice.

Helen volunteer to help.
Nice of her.
What’s the matter?
She never volunteers unless there’s something in it for her.

Where did you get this?
Henry found it.
Is that what he told you?

See if one of these titles suggests a story: Amber Alert, Last Weekend, With Charlie, The Dog Who Loved Rhubarb, The Caves, Hiding in Plain Sight. Book of Lies, Lesson Learned, Boy/Girl and the Eagles, High Tower Castle, Always Tomorrow.

Other Writing Ideas

a) Three questions to ask your character:

  1. What are you afraid of?
  2. What do you want no one to ever know about you?
  3. What or whom do you value more than your life?

b) If you could make a film of your story, what actors would play the roles of your major characters?

c) Compare your main characters to animals or insects. What would they be? Does that tell you more about their natures?

d) Can you make a change in the weather impact your story?

WISHING YOU A WRITERLY JULY!


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 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!

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 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 JANUARY 2019

  • WRITING PROMPTS JANUARY 2019

Welcome to a 2019 full of more writing prompts and story ideas!

I was all set to make a batch of resolutions for the new year, but changed my mind. I need some just-one-day-at-a-time living for a couple of weeks before I can sit back and get some perspective. I have a lot on my plate for the next three weeks, so I’ll keep the planning thoughts in the back of my brain for now.

If you’re a resolution maker, I hope you are successful in reaching all your goals. I hope that you can also forgive yourself when life gets in the way and things don’t turn out quite the way you hoped. Someone said, “A year is 365 fresh starts.”

I hope your 2019 is off to a great start and that you have a healthy, happy, and creative year ahead.

Here are some writing prompts to start your year.

Use one, some, or all of the words from one of the groups below to inspire a poem or story.

  • Village, blue, light, snow, bell, window
  • Sun, ocean, danger, birds, erratic, screech
  • Empty, chair, heart, candle, reflection, gold
  • Morning, pink, sky, clouds wind, corpse

Perhaps one of these story titles will give you a story or scene idea:

Mario Wins, The End of the Line, Why Not?, Not a Problem, Have You Heard This One?, The Pretzel Man, The Next Morning, Table for Two, The Guardian, Template for Fear

Use one of the following sentences to start a story

  • I forgot that I said I’d go first.
  • The wall of black clouds rushed down the mountain toward us.
  • We got the news just before midnight.
  • I was already regretting my decision.
  • I hated seeing the house empty.
  • The overseers stood calmly behind their massive desk.
  • Never make a decision before you’ve had your first coffee.
  • January 10–and I’d already blown half my New Year’s resolutions. Mind you, I’d only made two.

Here are some snippets of dialogue. See if you can use one of the dialogue excerpts to help you build a scene or a story.

  • I wish you hadn’t told me that.
  • Why don’t you want to know the truth.
  • Not when it hurts this much, I don’t.
  • Is there any reason why we have to run to school today?
  • I don’t want to be late.
  • For class?
  • No. For Henry.
  • I’ve never seen him cry before.
  • I don’t think he ever has.
  • Have you seen Helen’s new house?
  • I wasn’t invited.

Have a writerly January!

Writing Prompts for November and December 2018

I hope your November is off to a brighter start than mine. Sunshine has been at a premium, and we’ve had more wind, clouds and rain than we need on consecutive days. On the plus side, I still have some Halloween candy left—I love Rockets—so it’s not all gloom. 😊

A day-long writing conference last weekend inspired me to look at fiction again, so I signed up for NaNoWriMo to give myself a boost into this new project. I also downloaded Scrivener. The learning curve is challenging, but I’m determined to master it. I have another writing conference coming up—online this time. I’ve attended this conference in person many times, but this will be the first time that I’ll be experiencing it from my own desk. Looking forward to more learning!

Here are your writing prompts for the balance of the year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and will be starting the new year with energy and more creative ideas than you know what to do with.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR GIFTS FOR WRITERS, please have a look at my Online Writing Camp for Teens, or consider buying some coaching time for your favourite writer–or for yourself!

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

  • Painting, glass, light, shadow, cold, secret
  • Lamp, cave, map, lost, wet, empty
  • Pursue, hills, horses, honour, cause alone
  • Window, escape, fall, forest, storm, dawn
  • Lake, thunder, shelter, friends, stranger
  • Cliff, climb, slip, danger, noises, wind

Here are some opening sentences that might inspire a story or two.

  • I was sure you liked him/her.
  • Don’t ask me that again!
  • Henry only knew two ways to make money—neither was legal.
  • Last night Helen came back home.
  • The gate creaked on its hinges.
  • I remembered that cabin, but mostly the corners where I tried to hide.
  • What do you do when your dog actually eats your homework?
  • I hated the silence.
  • Waves lapped on the shore like heartbeats.
  • Henry was the last to leave.

See if you can come up with a story to go with one of these titles: The Swarm, Time’s Fool, Crack of Dawn, A Murder of Crows, Aunts at the Picnic, Truth Has a Price, Pirates’ Cove, The Secret Brother/Sister, The Blue Door

Here are some groups of dialogue lines. Use the lines in a group to create a scene or incorporate them into a story that you’re already working on.

Where did you get that?
At the store.
Did you pay for it?

Henry said he’d pick me up at 3:00.
No rush. It’s only 2:30.
Oh.

You’re so competitive!
No one likes to lose.
But not everyone needs to win as much as you do.

I don’t think we should go in there.
What’s the matter? Afraid?
If afraid keeps me a live, then, yes.

I can’t believe you finally walked out.
Well, I did.
What did she/he say?
She/he doesn’t know yet.

Here are some other writing ideas. Answer these questions for yourself or for your character.

  • What is your favourite holiday story or tradition?
  • What is your favourite holiday food?
  • What was your best surprise?
  • Which family member do you resemble most?
  • Are you an introvert, extrovert, or a bit of both?
  • Describe some childhood, holiday memories.
  • What was the worst outfit your parents made you wear.

Hope you have a writerly and creative finish to 2018. Onward!

 

Writing Prompts for October 2018

At St. Andrews Scotland

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada, and I am definitely counting my blessings. For three weeks at the end of August and early September my family traveled to the UK, enjoying a wonderful holiday and the beginning of my son’s pursuit of his MA in Glasgow. It was tough leaving him behind, but we made great memories in that three weeks, and thank goodness for WhatsApp since we got home! 😊 Today’s writing prompts will be interspersed with photos from our trip.

I hope you have a creative month ahead, and if you are prepping for NaNoWriMo, check out the NaNo website for great tips. Scroll down the page for lots of articles that will help you get ready for the challenge. These tips are valuable any time of year.

Temptations at Harrods

Here are your writing prompts for October:

  1. Is there a place that you long to see? If you can’t get there in person, go wandering with Google Earth. Find the exact street and house, castle or farm where your ancestors were born. Use Google Earth to research locations for your books and your character’s life.
  2. Write about a member of your family who lived through a challenging time. Put yourself in their shoes. Research their neighbourhood, their battlefield, their workplace. Dig deep to find the real story behind their stories of the past.
  3. Close your eyes or turn your screen brightness to zero and write for five minutes. Not seeing the screen helps you turn off your critic/editor, too. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just let the words flow without backtracking for corrections. See what doors to your imagination or emotions this exercise opens.

    Boats in Nairn harbour
  4. Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.
  • River, boat, passengers, storm, captain, friend, stranger
  • Stone, building, awe, ceiling, carving, message, past, understanding
  • Path, forest, night, danger, run, hide, stranger, safe, shelter
  • Glass, red, offering, temple, earthquake, trapped
  1. See if one of these opening sentences inspires a story.
  • I wish you hadn’t come here.
  • What’s bugging Helen?
  • Henry lied.
  • That creature never roamed this sector in daylight.
  • Helen picked up the box and gave it to Henry to open.
  • Why is that book so special?
  • I hated making decisions.
  • News came from the east. It wasn’t good.
  • I couldn’t let Henry find out.

  1. A loch on the Dava Moor

    See if you can create a scene around one of the groups of dialogue lines.

  • I couldn’t care less.
  • You’d care if it were your family.
  • I wouldn’t.

 

  • Helen promised we’d be finished by now.
  • And you believed her?
  • Where is she anyway?

 

  • We shouldn’t have come here.
  • It’s the only place where we have any chance of finding it.
  • But it’s dangerous.
  • Without it we have no chance at all.

 

  • Henry said we wouldn’t leave until we were finished our training.
  • Henry didn’t plan for the enemy to be so close so soon. We’re leaving.

 

  • Have you heard the latest about Helen?
  • No, and I don’t want to.
  • Not even if it concerns your brother, too?

I hope you have a writerly month ahead!

Writing Prompts for July 2018

WRITING PROMPTS JULY 2018

I believe that creativity begets creativity. When I’m working on one creative project, I get inspiration and ideas for others. Does the same thing happen to you? It’s certainly a lovely to be in that place right now. I plan to enjoy it and wish the same for you!

I’m also happy to announce the launch of my online Writing Camp for Teens. If you are a teen writer or have a teen writer in your family, please check out what I’ve been up to here.

I’m taking the plunge and attending a writers’ critique group this evening. I only know one member, so I’m a little intimidated, but I know it’s healthy to get out and meet other writers. I’ve always been reluctant to share my work, so this will be a stretch for me. If those of you already in critique groups have any encouraging advice (or cautionary tales) please pass them along. I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in some insider information.

I hope you enjoy the new writing prompts and that you and yours have a healthy and writerly month ahead.

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

  • Deck, breeze, book, cup, alone, fear
  • Lake, tree, shore, run, midnight
  • Table, menu, grief, pie, memory
  • Message, hurry, unknown, friend, doubt
  • Thunder, clouds, running shelter, lightning, breath

Use one of these opening sentences to start a story.

  • I deserved better.
  • Henry smelled of Old Spice and trouble.
  • The audience rose to its feet.
  • Saying goodbye was going to be harder than I thought
  • I was afraid that my famous last words were going to be, “I should never have believed Henry.”
  • Storm front coming.
  • I wasn’t sure Helen would recover from this one.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem: Every Monday, Run, The Last Pony, The Answer, Quotient, Formula for Murder, Always or Never, Alone in the Sky, Promises and Lies, One Heart for Yesterday.

Here are some dialogue excerpts. See what scenes you can create from them.

  • I haven’t seen Henry for ages.
  • He was around yesterday. Maybe, he doesn’t want to see you.

 

  • Did you like the movie?
  • Uh huh.
  • That’s all you have to say?
  • Didn’t you notice who was sitting in front of us?

 

  • I thought we were done here.
  • You might be, but I’m not.

 

  • Did you hear what Helen said?
  • Yes.
  • Did it sound like a threat to you?
  • Yes.

 

  • I’ve had enough. Let’s go.
  • Who put you in charge?
  • Okay fine. You can stay, but I’m leaving now.

 

 

 

 

 

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