Heather Wright

Knowing the ending first

So the above photo shows what the weather is like here right now. My poor daffodils are once again ice encrusted, but I am heartened by the fact that they have been through this before and still bloomed. Like life–never dull.

On the writing side, I hope that you are creating and getting words on the page, or if not, that you’re doing all the work that goes on in the brain long before the fingers hit the keyboard. Staring out windows, going for a walk, doing research–that’s writing, too.

After muddling around with one screenplay idea for a couple of months, I set it aside and followed the trail of another idea that I just couldn’t get out of my head. Unfortunately, this idea was what I call “keyboard reluctant” for a loooong time. I could quite happily sit down with pen and paper and scribble notes, figure out character backgrounds and motivations, and draft scenes, but the moment I sat down at the keyboard–nothing. Just couldn’t do it.

Then–

At 1:30 one sleepless morning, the final scene in the screenplay appeared in my head. I got up scribbled it down and finally got to sleep. Apparently, this is what my writing brain was waiting for because the next day the laptop beckoned, and I could finally start typing. Lesson learned. Nothing happens until I know the ending.

In hindsight, I realize that I did know the endings of the previous three screenplays that I wrote, so that explains a lot. I mean, I know I’m trying to write for Hallmark, so there’s obviously a kiss and a happy ending required, but this screenplay had a couple of serious sub-plots to tie up, and until I’d figured those out, I couldn’t get to that happy ending. I’m about 1/3 of the way through, so I have a long way to go, yet, but being back at the keyboard is a hopeful sign, and I’m going with it.

Not everyone needs to know the ending first–and I envy those who can just plunge it–but we all need to find what works for us and go with it. Whatever method guides you, I wish you every success!

I’ve added some links below, if you’re looking for inspiration.

Have a writerly Spring!

LINKS–

Squibler Plot Generator

The Story Shack Writing Prompts

5 Best Writing Prompt Generators to Beat Writer’s Block by Josh Fechter

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Dreaming of Spring

After reading KM Weiland’s post, 7 Writing Lessons Learned in 2020, (a great read) I was inspired to reflect on my writing life in 2020 and see what I had learned. Now this isn’t something I normally do. I may look back at the past year and think about what my family and I were up to, remember some fun times, but my writing life rarely comes under deep scrutiny. For so many reasons, last year was different, and I learned a some writing lessons that I want to pass along to you, believing I can’t be the only one who had a 2020 like mine.

The first thing I learned was patience, which is what you need when a story idea doesn’t enter your brain for months. At one point, I figured I’d never write fiction again; I’d never have another idea for a story ever. That was a very low point in a year that was pretty low already. I definitely counted my blessings of a safe and healthy family and an editing contract that kept me busy, but it was a year when a film of my creative life would make a better black and white movie than a colour one–until September. Yup, nearly 9 months of nothing and then an idea–and lesson number two.

Acceptance. My idea was for a screenplay for a Hallmark-style movie. Something I’ve never written before and knew nothing about (except from watching them), but there it was in my head anyway. So I went with it. I did tons of research, which I love doing. I invested in some software to help with the formatting and started writing. I have never had so much fun writing anything. If you’ve read my blogs over the years, you’ll know the term, joywriting. This was, indeed, joywriting–and learning. I’m now in the process of outlining my third script.

I learned trust, too–trust that if you keep sitting at your desk or wandering around with your journal long enough something will turn up. This was the toughest lesson. A lot of self-doubt and why-don’t-I-just-give-up filled that time before September, but in the back of my brain, thank goodness, was a persistent, tiny voice that said if I’ve done it once, I can do it again.

And last, I learned gratitude–again. Gratitude that I do what I do and that I can welcome this kind of joy in my life through work that reaches out to others. I am also grateful for the chance to be a writing coach for some special writers last year, and to have the thrill of watching one of them send her manuscript to her publisher in December after a year of hard work and challenges.

On the non-fictionwriting side, I ventured into creating products for my new Etsy store, which I’m filling with products for writers. My friend and I hosted two virtual writing workshops (one on how to write a book and the other on self-publishing), which was definitely a new experience–and a lot of fun. You can still buy the recordings of the workshops and get all the support material here. I also enjoyed editing a college writing textbook and have another similar contract to keep me busy for most of this year. All good.

Yes, we’re still in lockdown and communicating with friends and family via Skype, and there are days when I really miss things that we’d be doing in our normal lives. I’d love to take my 92-year-old mom out shopping or to a coffee shop, but that’s just not happening. Last year I ordered all the flowers for her garden online and did a drive-through pick up. She missed walking through the nursery and choosing what she wanted. We’ll be shopping online again this year, too, because it’s still not safe. My grocery store has been doing my shopping and putting it in the trunk of my car for months. (Actually, I may not rush to change that! 🙂 )

I hope that you’ve found ways to cope with all the craziness and that you’ve found your joywriting, too.

Here are just a few writing prompts from my book, Writing Prompts and More–Ways to Spark Your Creativity and End Writer’s Block, to bring in the creative new year.

Some Dialogue Excerpts

1. I don’t believe you.
But it’s true.
No surprise, but I need more than your word for it.

2. What did Peter tell you?
Not to tell you.
Very funny. Now what did he tell you.

3. I can hardly breathe. I want to stop.
You can do as you wish, but I prefer to keep outrunning them.

4. Have you seen Henry lately?
Yes. He seems changed—really different.
Is that a surprise?

5. Are you sure about this?
Yeah. It’s not my first time, you know.
Okay.

Five Titles

  1. Red Blood at Dawning
  2. Brook’s Challenge
  3. The Tea Shop Mystery
  4. Black Mountain Trail
  5. Strobe

Write A Paragraph That Includes

  1. A realization
  2. A thunderstorm
  3. A secret
  4. Fear
  5. Something or someone being lost

Five Opening Sentences

  1. Happiness for my dog is a long walk. For me, at night, in February, in the snow—not so much.
  2. Yesterday was completely forgettable. I mean that. I don’t remember a thing.
  3. It’s about time!
  4. The next time I get asked to volunteer for something, I’m saying “no.”
  5. The coyotes were restless tonight.

Wishing you all the best!

Onward to a writerly start to 2021!

Writing Prompts for October 2020

I love October. It’s my birthday month, and my husband’s, and it’s Thanksgiving here, and our wedding anniversary, too. Aside from the opportunities to indulge in cakes and holiday pies, I also love the view from my window, where across the hydro corridor, I see a huge bank of shrubs in glorious colour right now—I love the deep, red sumac. In a little while, our columnar maples will be a brilliant yellow. They’re always slow to turn—like saving the best until last.

As we approach the six-month point in COVID life here, I hope you are finding ways to cope, safely connect with friends and family, and even be creative. I’m determined to take more walks now before the sidewalks become treacherous, and I’m more housebound than ever. I’m fortunate to have friends who keep in touch via Skype and email, and with whom I can talk about creative things, too. Writer friends are gold.

For writers, October also includes preparing for NaNoWriMo, where writers challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. If this is on your calendar this year, I found an awesome planning/outlining system at Plottr. I have used it myself and find it very intuitive. My learning curve was practically nil. Nope, I don’t get anything if you go to the page or buy the product. I think the price is very reasonable (just $25 with a 30-day, money-back guarantee), and planning just one screenplay made the investment more than worthwhile.

I hope some of the following writing prompts will inspire your writing this month.

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

  • Coffee, table, talk, angry, leave, rain
  • Coconut, village, zebra, dancer, fire, turquoise
  • Cardigan, library, handbag, paperweight, journal, cyclone, black
  • Desk, drawer, secret, paper, map, blue
  • Alley, dark, city, noise, friend, help, grey

Here are some opening sentences you could try.

  • Did he take his medication?
  • Yesterday, I would have said no.
  • Helen has it in for me.
  • Did you ever wonder why Henry always has so much money?
  • The geese were leaving the lake. I wished I could, too.
  • This is not the room I fell asleep in.
  • Everyone avoided the Marden house.
  • I happen to like black cats.
  • The sword fell to the ground.

Here are some titles that might suggest a story: Red Circle, Black Cat, Time Trickster, Movie Night, The Road Home, Tyree’s Winter, Borderlands, Decision, Race with Fortune, Unreal Estate, The Whole Truth, Lies My Dog/Cat Told Me.

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

We have to stop.
Why? What are you doing?
Catching a PokĂŠmon.
Seriously? Now?

She just handed me a glass and walked away.
Well, what did you expect?
I thought she would at least say something.
Be careful what you wish for.

But, that’s not what Henry told me.
Has it occurred to you that he might lie?
To you , maybe, but never to me.

Where have you been?
Hiding.
From whom?
Not from whom—from what.

Halloween is just around the corner. What would your characters have dressed up as when they were kids? Do their choices give you a hint as to their hopes and dreams then? How do they compare to what they have become as adults?

This month, TV networks will be broadcasting a lot of scary movies leading up to Halloween. Do you have a favourite scary movie? Why do you like it so much? What scares you in real life? What scares your characters?

Wishing you a writerly October!


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 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!


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 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


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 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 May 2020

New Writing Prompts for May 2020
Where I’d like to be today.

We’re starting our 8th week of isolation, social distancing, whatever you want to call it, and there are moments when the day-to-day coping is a real challenge. Generally I muddle along just fine, but at other times I’m anxious about all the sanitizing and the people going for walks behind our house that don’t keep their distance. I’m, worrying about the COVID-19 statistics that, for me, aren’t improving fast enough, feeling for those I know with new grandchildren they can’t hug or with family that they can’t visit in hospital or mourn with the comforting hugs of friends and family. It doesn’t take a lot for my thoughts to head into a downward spiral.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more conscious than now of the need to give myself grace. I stop myself and ask, “What do you really need right now.?” And if the answer is “leave the to-do list and take thirty minutes with a book and a cup of tea,” well that’s what I do. I totally get “carrying on” and “pushing through.” I’ve been doing that on and off for years, as do most people during their life’s challenges. But this is different, and I’m far more deliberate about pulling back and adding much-needed self care to all the carrying and pushing. I hope that you’re finding positive, comforting ways to take breaks from it all, too and refilling the well with energy, gratitude and hope. I’m certainly grateful. So far, friends and family are healthy, and I count the blessings of having a home and a safe place to be.

Creatively, I’m been a non-starter for a few months now. I write well enough for work, but have been searching for a new creative project to take me through the summer. I have a big editing contract that will last until September–a 500-page college composition text book. Now I love this kind of work, but I also need something to distract my brain from the hyper-critical mode it’s going to be in for the next four months. And frankly, it’s creative, joy writing that makes me feel like a writer.

Last week a local author hosted an online writing retreat. Seven or eight of us gathered on Zoom at 10 a.m. to say hello and talk about how we were coping. We had two 90-minute writing sessions away from the screen (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon), lunch together on screen with some more chat, and an on-screen wrap-up at the end where some writers shared their work. It was a great day. For the week leading up to it, I kept telling myself that I was going to come out of the day with a story idea. Nothing big, just an idea. That’s as high as I was prepared to set the bar.

Come the day, my mind was still a compete blank, but in the first 90-minute writing session, I got that story idea and started outlining. I was overjoyed. Who knew that all that I-think-I-can would work? I was so relieved to find out that my creative, joy-writing brain still functioned. I admit, I’d nearly given up. If you’re feeling the same, I hope my story gives you some hope that the writing will come.

I hope that the writing prompts below will also help you find the inspiration you need for your joywriting or provide some short exercises to help you start refilling the creative well.

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

  • talk, restaurant, secret, surprise, fear, red
  • storm, cold, sudden, wind, hide, shelter, black
  • shadow, movement, street light, footsteps, bus, yellow
  • candle, desk, pen, blood, silence, silver, drop
  • clock, broken, call, late, run, important, brown

See if one of these opening sentences suggests a story or scene:

  • I think it’s time you told the truth.
  • When will she be back?
  • Opening night was not a success.
  • A cloudless night meant danger.
  • In our case, good fences did not make good neighbours.
  • My plans for a lazy morning disappeared when the fire alarm rang in my building.
  • I have never been so glad to see a sunrise.
  • The car screeched around the corner and aimed straight for Henry.
  • I couldn’t believe it when he turned up at the house after 3 years of nothing.

Maybe one of these dialogue excerpts will inspire a story or scene:

  • What’s with Helen?
  • Haven’t a clue.
  • Is it just me, or is she acting stranger than usual?
  • Where’ you get that?
  • Found it.
  • That’s the story you’re sticking with?
  • Where’s that music coming from?
  • Sound like on the other side of that wall.
  • That apartment is supposed to be empty.
  • Helen’s mad at me.
  • Why?
  • Who knows?
  • You do. Now tell me.
  • Did the light’s just flicker?
  • Yup.
  • Aren’t our doing to do something?
  • Yeah. Light a candle. Next time they’ll go out for good.

I saw this little fellow on a rainy walk last week. He was perched on the hydro pylon by a walkway behind an elementary school. What’s his story?

I wish you a healthy, safe, and writerly May!

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 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 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!


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!

%d bloggers like this: