tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13192961577182224892024-03-20T04:06:37.053-07:00Randy Lindsay - Author In TrainingRandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-60475378191685546102018-01-12T21:07:00.002-07:002018-01-12T21:07:58.262-07:00
PROMPT 45 – FILL IN THE BLANK<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This method will give you the barest nugget of an idea and
it will be up to you to really fill it out to its greatest potential. But I find
I often do my best creative work under these very conditions. Select a noun.
You can pick one out you like or find some random method of producing one. For
instance, School or Serial-Killer. Then imagine there is a blank either before
or after the noun and fill it. It’s sort of like playing the old television
game show . . . Match Game. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Example: [Blank] School or Serial Killer [Blank] can turn
into <st1:place><st1:placename>Bully</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and Serial-Killer Accountant. The more bizarre the combination the better the
odds of coming up with a truly original storyline. Now all you have to do is
create a story around it. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Bubba’s School for Underprivileged Bullies - </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It isn’t Chuck’s fault that he’s bigger and stronger than
everyone else. Or that he sometimes accidentally knocks over the other students
while he’s daydreaming about becoming the first planetary explorer. So he was
happy when his parents enrolled him in the strangely-named Bubba’s School for
Underprivileged Bullies. But that all changes when he finds out he’s the
smallest kid in the school and that most of the other children act in a
decidedly alien manner. He’s forced to form an alliance with the most famous
bully in the entire state in order to escape from the school. Chuck isn’t sure
which is worse . . . an alien invasion of Earth or spending time with Darlene
Pimpleton. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-18960802134205224742017-12-14T16:52:00.000-07:002017-12-14T16:52:53.110-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 44 –
STORY ROULETTE<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Select or
randomly pull two character labels, like cowboy and a college professor. Then
select or randomly pull an issue that these two characters will clash with one
another about. For example: an old cowboy and spinster kinder-garden teacher
clash over the issue of how a child should be raised. Now put all that together
to create a story. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
two lists to get you started:</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Character
Types <span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Issue</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1. Soldier <span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>1.
Baking the perfect cake </div>
2. Busy CEO<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>2.
Faith <br />
3. Stay-At-Home Mom<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>3.
Who gets the last seat to safety<br />
4. Lawyer<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>4.
Discovery of a dead body<br />
5. Waitress<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>5.
A monster among us<br />
6. Homeless Man/Woman<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>6.
Ownership of a dog that is found<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
* For even more fun, roll a die for random selection of
characters and the topic. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Example: I had my son roll a die three times and generated
the numbers 1, 3, and 6 – in that order. Using the chart, that gives me a
soldier, a stay-at-home mom, and ownership of a dog. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
See Spot Stay - </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When the family pet runs away, a young stay-at-home mother
clashes with a homeless vet over the ownership of the dog and eventually must
decide whether her children or a friendless man deserves the dog most. </div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-58855040962010159842017-12-14T16:43:00.002-07:002017-12-14T16:43:22.065-07:00Writing Prompt #43
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 43 –
KNICK-KNACKS</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
is similar to Three Item Monty in as much as it uses items to stimulate your
mind into generating new story ideas. If you have an old knick-knack drawer or
memory chest, look through it. Take out the items one at a time. Perhaps they
generate a memory that triggers a story idea. Or maybe they are interesting
enough to give you ideas if you think about the item in hand. If you don’t have
a collection of memorabilia then take a trip to a antique store and look
around. Something is bound to shake loose an idea for a story.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Example: I have an old aftershave bottle shaped like a car.
It still has most of the aftershave in it, but I can’t imagine its any good
after all these years. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Glass Factory - </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
An inquisitive young man visits a factory that makes the
most popular toys on the planet. Everything the factory makes is made out of
the most beautiful glass—that doesn’t break. When he slips away from the guided
tour of the factory he discovers a gateway to a world where technology is based
on glass manufacturing and is powered by strange scented-liquids. Before he can
return to the tour he is captured by the Glass Baron and put on trial as an
industrial spy. His only hope of returning home safely is to escape the <st1:place><st1:placename>Glass</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> and find the portal that
will take him back to Earth. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-61675692042289485802017-12-14T16:42:00.002-07:002017-12-14T16:42:32.582-07:00Writing Prompt #42
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 42 –
THREE ITEM MONTY</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grab three
random items and put them on a table. To make sure these items are as random as
possible, make sure they each come from a separate room or location. Line then
up in front of you and see if you can find a correlation between them that can
be used for the basis of a story. If not, move them around until you do. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Example: A
blue plastic tumbler; a small, blue fan; and an old-fashioned lantern that uses
a candle for light. Blue reminds me of cold. The tumbler and fan make me think
of someone who is trying to cool down. And the lantern gave me images of a
storm raging and the electricity going out. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Monster Storm – When invaders from another planet trigger a
global storm, Dave takes refuge in an old, underground tunnel complex, but he
discovers that he is not alone in the dark. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-12652988484774949502017-06-15T12:10:00.002-07:002017-06-15T12:10:33.533-07:00Writing Prompt #41
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">PROMPT 41 - DREAM MACHINES</span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
requires quite a bit of imagination. The idea is to make a list of imaginary
devices and then feature one of them as the centerpiece of your story. For
example, a radio that eavesdrops on your neighbors. Here is a list of ideas for
the origins of your devices:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Recently
discovered/invented tech. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Tech
brought back from the future/an alien planet/a different dimension. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- A magical
artifact passed down as a family heirloom. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- An
artifact given as a gift from the gods. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- A cursed
object of power inhabited by an evil spirit. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- The
object mysteriously shows up one day. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What Will the Neighbors Say? – Who doesn’t love a yard sale?
But when Greg and Monica buy a vintage radio from the strange old man living
next door, their lives are changed. By simply changing the station Greg and
Monica can listen to any conversation taking place in the houses on their
block. They discover which of the people in the neighborhood are really their
friends, which are snooty pretenders, and which ones are planning to murder
someone living on the block. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-45871320250959040122017-06-15T11:52:00.003-07:002017-06-15T11:52:38.066-07:00Writing Prompt #40 PROMPT 40 – SAY AGAIN<br /><br /> Take a common phrase and imagine someone saying it to you during a conversation. Then work through a list of uncommon responses until you find one that really ignites your imagination. Develop a story based on that response.<br /><br /> For example: the phrase, “Go to blazes/Hades.”<br /><br />Imagine what kind of story you could write if the response was, “Nope. I can’t go there. Satan still has a restraining order on me.”<br /><br /> Or for the phrase, “Would you like a hand?”<br /><br />The response might be, “Sure, but where would I put it?”<br /><br /><br /> Here are a few phrases I found especially ripe for story-mining:<br /><br /> - The best of two worlds.<br /> - Add insult to injury.<br /> - A blessing in disguise.<br /> - Costs an arm and a leg. <br /> - You’re playing the Devil’s Advocate.<br /> - Every cloud has a silver lining.<br /> - You let the cat out of the bag.<br /> - Steal someone’s thunder.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-17801463240302564472017-02-28T17:11:00.002-07:002017-02-28T17:11:36.759-07:00Writing Prompt #39
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 39 –
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Story ideas
abound in the world around us. They can even be taken from our jobs. This prompt
gives authors a chance to pull from something they know quite well—their jobs.
If the author has a problem picking an event from their job then they can look
to the profession of a relative or a friend. </div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Choose a
profession and then add a surprise to the normal work routine. A doctor could
find that his/her patient has a mysterious organ that doesn’t belong in a human
body. A construction worker might discover a buried artifact, or a body, on the
construction site. A nurse could walk into a room and find that a coma patient
is awake and asks her to write something down because it is important. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
example, one of my first jobs was as a projectionist in a small independent
movie theater. What if a character started a new job at a theater and discovered
that the projector started by itself at <st1:time hour="0" minute="0">midnight</st1:time>
every Saturday and showed images of the future?</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sneak Peek – Randy loves his job as a projectionist, staying
up late and watching movies felt more like entertainment than work. Then a
friend asks him to cover his Saturday night shift, everything changes. He
discovers that the projector can start on its own and shows images of events
that will take place in the week ahead. But his friend doesn’t return to work
and Randy is left as the sole caretaker of a projector that predicts the future
and a mystery of a missing coworker to solve. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-7703224778001023212016-12-07T13:54:00.001-07:002016-12-07T13:54:04.503-07:00Writing Prompt #38<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 38 –
NAUGHTY TECHNOLOGY<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Technology
is a wonderful thing—most of the time. Put a sparkling new gadget in a writer’s
hands and the results may not be a warm and fuzzy tale describing the
enlightened nature of mankind. And if you want the story to engage readers the
exact opposite is the more likely result. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scientific
journals and magazines are a good source of inspiration for this writing
prompt. Find a new technology or an updated to an existing technology and think
of a way it could be used for evil or misused with disastrous results. It could
even be a matter of unforeseen side affects that threaten to bring ruin. Then
write a story around it. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This can
also be done with recent social trends, such as car sharing, reverse brain
drain, or the development of mega cities as large as some of our smaller
states. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For my
example, I looked at the trend to apply smart technology to everything. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Too Smart – As the man who found a way to link all of the
smart technologies together, Howard is known as the Father of the smart world.
His plans to enjoy the fruits of his labors are disrupted when his own personal
“Smart System” begins to have daddy issues. He must find a way to control his
disgruntled child before he is forced to embrace a non-tech lifestyle in a
remote region of the world. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-88560391883421474052016-09-28T15:08:00.000-07:002016-09-28T15:08:06.599-07:00Writing Prompt #37
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 37 –
VILLAINS FIRST</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While it is
important to have a well-rounded set of writing skills the truth of the matter
is that some elements in a story are more important to its success than others.
Strong opening hooks and a killer tagline are pivotal in attracting an audience
to your story, but the villain is often the deciding factor in how much they
enjoy it once they immerse themselves into your tale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where would
Star Wars be without Darth Vader? Or Silence of the Lambs without <st1:city><st1:place>Hannibal</st1:place></st1:city>
Lecter? This prompt is based on the premise that you can build a story around
an interesting villain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start with
a concept for your villain. Maybe you already have one in mind that has been
sitting in your character diary for years waiting to get out. If not, take a
look at stories with strong villains and either alter one of them to fit your
story or combine two of them to create someone completely different. Once you have
a villain determine what it is they want and throw the hero in the way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For my
example, I latched onto the idea of a villain who believes that if he kills the
people that he loves they will be with him in the afterlife. So he is motivated
out of a fear of being alone and wants to make sure that when he finally dies
he will be surrounded by the people who really loved him. I decided to place my
villain into a Romance-Horror. (Is that even a category?)</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Kill the Ones You Love – After years of dating losers, Mary
has finally found the perfect man. He is kind, sensitive, and funny. Her life
is perfect until she discovers a link between her fiancé and a serial killer
who has murdered his four wives, all of his family, and a large number of his
in-laws. How can she convince him to call off the wedding without making him
mad enough to kill her?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-33016209452843360372016-09-28T15:06:00.004-07:002016-09-28T15:06:48.676-07:00Writing Prompt #36
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 36 –
HAZARD DUTY</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Novels,
television, and movies are filled with stories about police, fire-fighters,
soldiers, and lawyers. These seem to be the professions people consider the
most dangerous or dramatic. While in some cases that might be true it doesn’t
need to be for the story you are writing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pick a
profession and then think of a storyline that puts the character into danger or
an otherwise interesting situation. The problem could be fantastic, or
mysterious, or even mundane and funny. Selecting an occupation which you have
worked will allow you to draw from your personal experience. In not, the story
will develop out of your research about the chosen profession. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These
professions were taken from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Dump
Grounds Checker (Sanitary Landfill Worker)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Laserist
(Creates laser light shows)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Rug
Cleaner</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- <st1:stockticker>TNT</st1:stockticker>
Line-Supervisor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
Senior-Commisary Agent in Air Transportation</div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One Man’s Garbage – Working at the dump was slow, dull, and
stinky. Just the way James liked it—except for the smell. The important thing
about it was that his job was blissfully void of any excitement which might
over-stress his weak heart. That is, until he noticed that the trucks from one
specific company were entering the dump empty and leaving it full. The
situation gets worse when he discovers the trucks are being driven by aliens
from outer space. Now he has to convince someone in the Federal government that
Earth has been invaded before he has a heart-attack or the aliens catch him?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-73556817501121633042016-08-18T14:43:00.001-07:002016-08-18T14:43:11.849-07:00Writing Prompt #35
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 35 –
PLAY IT BACKWARD</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Endings are
incredibly important. If an author nails the ending then readers are going to
be psyched for the next book. Get it wrong and you have the chance of losing
your readers. This writing prompt places the ending front and center during the
story creation process. </div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start by
writing a killer ending. Maybe you have one in mind, a scene that screams
award-winning finale. If not, take a look at stories that ended strong. See if
they give you any ideas. You can even examine stories that failed to deliver a
satisfying ending. How would you end them differently? Once you have an ending,
decide how the characters reach that point. In other words, write the story
backward, from end to beginning. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My killer
ending ends with one word—Oops. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Manic Pressed Destiny – Dash has two problems. The first is
that he enjoys life—all of it. There simply isn’t enough time to go everywhere
and experience everything. That is until the personification of Destiny
recruits him for a mission to save the universe. Breath-taking views, beautiful
damsels in minor situations of distress, wickedly cool bad guys, and opportunities
for daring adventure. Unfortunately, there’s that second problem. Dash is a
total klutz. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-24865690529777680462016-07-13T14:03:00.002-07:002016-07-13T14:03:24.837-07:00Writing Prompt #33<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT 33 -
OBSESSION</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
is useful in creating character-driven stories. Select multiple characters in
the story and give them conflicting obsessions. These can be characters you
developed yourself or they can be based on characters out of other stories. The
point of this prompt is to decide how their lives and the story would be
different if they chose to follow their obsession instead of their original
goal. You can even use this on story you have written that seems to lack
sufficient sizzle. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You can
also give a single character conflicting obsessions and see how it plays out.
Imagine how different Frankenstein’s story would be if he had an obsession for
fame and fortune in addition to his passion for science. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wright and Wrong – Kittyhawk marked the birth of aviation
history and the start of a feud between the Wright brothers. Always pragmatic,
Wilbur wants to establish the first aeronautical empire while Orville aims to
soar high in the social circles of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> and the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Their only hope of doing either
depends on them working together.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-11369138136527526862016-05-09T13:26:00.003-07:002016-05-09T13:26:50.119-07:00Writing Prompt #31
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT THIRTY-ONE –
THAT STINKS</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is a
character driven prompt. Take a few moments to visualize a character. It can be
as simple as stating a stereotype like a newspaper boy or a boring banker. Then
think of the worst thing that could happen to him/her. You can even take it a
step further and decide on a character for the B-Story and create the worst
situation that could exist between them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are a
few character suggestions to work with. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A teen-aged
witch</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A star
college football player</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An alien
spy from another planet</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your neighbor</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your spouse</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your best
friend<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My pitch
for this exercise is based on an alien spy from another planet. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Star Power –Zarklo received very specific instructions for
his mission on Earth. Stay out of sight and observe the humans. All that is
left in the proverbial galactic space dust when he wanders onto a <st1:place>Hollywood</st1:place>
movie set and is mistaken for the title character in the latest creature
feature. Fame, fortune, and did we mention <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fame</i>?
His picture is on billboards and in advertisements across the globe. Then he
receives news that his supervisor is on his way to monitor his mission
progress. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-26432796812253247012016-05-09T13:13:00.000-07:002016-05-09T13:13:31.469-07:00Writing Prompt #30
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
PROMPT THIRTY – MENTAL MOVIES<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the
start of your writing time for the day, jot down three ideas that interest you.
Then pick the one that most interests you. Close your eyes and imagine it as a
movie playing inside your head. What happens? Write about what took place
inside your head. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Instead of
a topic you can do this with a character. In this case, close your eyes and
picture the first person that comes to mind. Describe this person and then plop
him/her into a setting and see what develops. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In either
case, let the images flow on their own and write down the result in your
movie/writing journal. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My movie
journal entry for this exercise is based on an image of an angel coming to my
mind. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Angels and Children – Tommy is a junior angel. His eighth
birthday was just around the corner when he was called back to heaven. That was
a year ago. His first assignment starts when a young mother prays for her six-year-old
child who is starting school the next day. Tommy must help the handicapped
Patrick as he navigates the strange, new environment without friends and hiding
a handicap. Quite a first assignment for a junior angel. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-47232776095897822002016-05-09T13:12:00.004-07:002016-05-09T13:12:36.580-07:00Writing Prompt #29
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-NINE –
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It may
sound a bit morbid, but with this prompt you’re going to get inspiration for
your story from the obituaries. Look at a couple of the biographies on the
obituaries page and select one that grabs your attention. Ask yourself what
sort of story would a person like this be involved in. Make changes to the
character as needed. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sample
Obituary: Following high school, Robert Pulson enlisted in the Navy, serving on
a ship that patrolled the <st1:place>Panama Canal</st1:place> area. He received
a B.S. degree and spent his career doing hybrid corn research in <st1:state><st1:place>Kansas</st1:place></st1:state>.
Due to his disability he took an early retirement from Corn King Co. His
retirement interests were music related. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The pitch
for this exercise is based on the above obituary. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ghosts of the Corn – A Navy enlisted man and his buddies
spend a week trekking through the jungles of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Panama</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and discover a native tribe who cultivate a corn field where the dead walk the
earth. When he steals several ears of corn to plant in his parent’s farm in
Kansas, tribal spirits of the dead work against him, first to prevent the corn
from growing and then to disrupt his studies to develop a hybrid which will
grow in Kansas where his brother is buried. Robert wants is one last
conversation with his brother to resolve the argument they had before his
death, but the haunting may drive him insane before his research succeeds. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-35111377897930134062016-05-09T13:09:00.002-07:002016-05-09T13:09:51.242-07:00Writing Prompt #28
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-EIGHT -
MEMORIES</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Using this prompt should result in
creating stories that are more emotionally driven since they will be based on
the author’s life experiences. Allow words to flow from your subconscious to
the page, making a list of any nouns that are generated this way. Then let your
mind associate those with mental pictures out of your past. These become the
foundation for your stories. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
For instance:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Airplane – climbing a plane
monument in a park and nearly falling off.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Truck – my family taking a vacation
in my dad’s beat up Chevy. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Lumber – working with an accident
prone laborer twice my age. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Slow Moe – Randy started his construction career as a
laborer under the tutelage of Joe “Moe” Morrison. Moe suffered injury after
injury, remaining a laborer even after Randy started his own construction
company and hired him. Then Randy suffers a debilitating work injury and Moe
offers help Randy at home until he recovers. In the wake of their strengthening
friendship, Randy discovers that Moe’s mishaps weren’t funny at all. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-70940682537180281272016-05-09T13:08:00.001-07:002016-05-09T13:08:25.220-07:00Writing Prompt #27
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-SEVEN–
IF YOU BUILD IT</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This is similar to the Titles
prompt in which you look at the names of books, movies, and songs to inspire
you in creating an original story. The difference is that with this prompt you
are creating the title yourself rather than looking at what’s already out
there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
During the process of naming some
of your earlier works you may have developed a list of titles that sounded great,
but didn’t fit the story as well as you would have liked. This is a perfect
time to trot those out and put them to use. Or maybe a great title for a story
popped into your head while you were driving to work. Now you just need a story
to go with it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
If inspiration hasn’t dropped the
name of a story into your lap then you will have to work a bit to build one.
Modify a quote, an old saying, or a verse from the Bible to make it sound
snappy. Make a list of random words from the dictionary and move them around
until they form some sort of cohesive line that grabs your attention. Take the
first line of your favorite novel and turn it into a title. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The pitch
for this exercise is based on a title that came to me several years ago and,
for whatever reason, caught my attention—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Price of Souls</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Price of Souls – Lona dreamed of becoming the first
woman President of the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Then she grew up. Life in the fast lane seemed more realistic and entertaining
than childhood fantasies. One party too much and Lona stands in front of the
Creator. She is charged with correcting the mistakes of her life—a task that
may take generations to undo the series of ill events which resulted from her
actions. </div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-52806257347220495122016-04-06T12:07:00.001-07:002016-04-06T12:07:15.881-07:00Writing Prompt #26
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-SIX –
SKEWED VIEW</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
is based on writing a story from a radically different point of view, like that
of an insect, or an alien, or even a stuffed animal. Andy Griffith started his
comedic career this way when he did “What it was, was football.” The subject
matter can be a common, every-day item like a family vacation. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five unique POVs.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><st1:city><st1:place>Wilson</st1:place></st1:city>
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Castaway</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Moby Dick
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moby Dick</i> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Mad
Hatter from <st1:city><st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice</i></st1:place></st1:city><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> in Wonderland</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
portrait in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Picture of Dorian Gray</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The brooms
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sorcerer’s Apprentice</i></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on
the broom in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Stick Men - Broom marvels when he is brought to life. Before
he was nothing but a tool in someone else’s hands, but now he can act on his
own and he has purpose. The water has to be moved and he is just the one to do
it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then the
world goes crazy when the creator attacks him. Or perhaps it isn’t the world
that has gone insane – maybe it’s just the creator. A lowly broom may have no
chance against the mighty sorcerer, but that isn’t going to prevent him from
fulfilling his prime directive. And anything that gets in his way will pay the
price. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As part of
a challenge set by my critique group I used this method to write Red Christmas.
It’s a short story about what would happen if Santa was a communist. My wife
hated the story and made me write “normal” Christmas stories every year after
that for the family celebration. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-18033008051624570272016-04-06T12:05:00.003-07:002016-04-06T12:05:55.255-07:00Writing Prompt #25
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-FIVE –
FAIRY BAD</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I was
introduced to this prompt fairy-tales were used to generate ideas for new
stories, but this works with any kind of story or even news items. Take your
favorite fairytale/story and develop a plot from the villain’s point of view.
Make the villain the good guy in your story. And you don’t have to keep the
setting. Feel free to turn the big bad wolf into insurance salesman in <st1:city><st1:place>New
York City</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five villains. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Marie
Antoinette </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chronos</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Nurse Ratched</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Nixon</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cruella De
Vil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on
the Nurse Ratched I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Crazy Like a Fox – With a family to feed Rachel is forced to
take a job at the <st1:place><st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>Mental
Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>. She has just about adjusted to the
rigorous demands of the new job when the Justice Department commits a man
accused of murder. As the weeks pass by, Rachel uncovers a plot by the criminal
to recruit the rest of the inmates into his own private army and declare war on
the city. But no one believes her. The criminal vows to target her family first
when the inmates escape. Now she has to find a way to stop the criminal
mastermind and his crazy army before the killing starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-72314451534441075942016-04-06T12:04:00.003-07:002016-04-06T12:06:03.732-07:00Writing Prompt #24<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-FOUR –
TOUGH LUCK</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
gets personal. Drawing from your own life experiences, take the most difficult
decision you ever had to make and then write a fictional story based on that
choice. Obviously, this lends itself to serious pieces of fiction, but it could
be turned into comedy with a poignant message. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on a
tough experience in my life I generated this pitch. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Seperated - John and his son have been a team since the day
that Johnny was born. Life blind-sides him when his ex-wife appears one day
with a court order giving her temporary custody of Johnny. The one constant in
John’s life has been his son’s love and without it he wonders how he can
survive the daily grind. Knowing that if he creates a scene it will only cause
more trouble for Johnny, he says goodbye. In the days to come he will not only
have to find a way to return Johnny home, but also adapt to life without him. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-47511752384208498382016-04-05T18:00:00.000-07:002016-04-05T18:00:42.463-07:00Writing Prompt #23
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-THREE –
SPORTING CHANCE<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
has limited use. The idea is to take two sports and combine then to create a
brand new sport. It works well for fantasy and science-fiction when you want to
develop a society different from our own. Place the sport you created at the
center of the story and develop the society which would play it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Keep in
mind that sports movies are about more than just the sport. They provide a
setting for the people who play and manage the sport, the people watching the
sport, and the sponsors. That gives plenty of plot possibilities to
explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five sports match-ups. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Football
and soccer</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baseball
and dodgeball</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bowling and
track</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Basketball
and volleyball</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swimming
and boxing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on
football and soccer I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ball - Touted as the ultimate team sport they just call it
Ball. Some think of it as a mangled version of volleyball, soccer, and dodge
ball. Allen just considers it awesome. He is on the fast track to becoming the
first Ball player drafted out of high-school. The big teams are wooing him to
sign when he is contacted by a government rep to play for the National team.
But when he signs with the Nationals he finds out that it isn’t a game at all.
The government is using the sport to influence the minds of the country’s citizens.
Now Allen has to choose between playing along and becoming the greatest Ball
player of all time or destroying the very game he loves. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-12762921407234745832016-04-05T17:58:00.003-07:002016-04-05T17:58:55.054-07:00Writing Prompt #22
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-TWO –
FICTIONAL INTERVIEW<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
stories spring forth from strong characters. Select a fictional character or a
historic figure and interview him/her. Ask them tough questions. Get to know
them. At some point a plot will develop from the questions and the answers in
the interview. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five interesting people to interview. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Judas
Iscariot</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>King Tut</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mata Hari </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Joan of Arc<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Vincent van
Gogh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on an
interview with Judas Iscariot I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Haunted Streets – Contrary to what the world believes Judas
Iscariot is not dead—he is cursed. The immortal has wandered in search of
emotional refuge. Angels taunt him. Devils follow him. Then he stumbles across
the only human older than himself and a chance to redeem his mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-48487437914736837522016-04-05T17:57:00.003-07:002016-04-05T17:59:12.387-07:00Writing Prompt #21<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY-ONE –
IF I WERE KING</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is
similar to the “What If” prompt but pulls its inspiration from your vision of a
perfect world. Of course, we all know there is no such thing as a perfect world
and as soon as you created one you’d have to turn right around and tear it
down. This still generates scenarios and settings different from reality. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five statements about “If I were king”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I were
king ice cream would be the national treat</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I were
king there would be no career politicians</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I were
king conservatives, liberals, and independents would live separately</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I were
king everyone would have to spend 2 years in government service </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I were
king there would be a limit to the number of times a movie is remade</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on
conservatives, liberals, and independents living separately I generated the
following pitch. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Romeo Westside – When Romeo is dared by his friends to sneak
into the neighboring town and pluck a couple of the mayor’s prized roses he never
expected to run into the most beautiful girl in the world. Not only is she a
conservative, but she’s the mayor’s daughter too. The two of them work against
the system to discover if love can overcome politics. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-10937674461674428692016-03-29T14:39:00.002-07:002016-03-29T14:39:36.897-07:00Writing Prompt #20
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT TWENTY–
TOKENS<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This prompt
encourages a strong reliance on symbolism. Pick an item and make it the centerpiece
of the story. Decide what it represents; freedom, rebellion, love. I don’t mean
that you should have a story where the people are questing for a magic amulet.
Take a look at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord of the Flies</i>. The
conch shell holds metaphorical significance throughout the story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even if
readers don’t catch on to exactly what an item represents I find that by using
this sort of prompt I can add an extra layer of depth to the story. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five random items. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Backpack</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pair of
glasses</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sports car</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thermos</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A painted
plate</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on a
backpack I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
World A-Whirl - When Jack’s parents start fighting over what
to do with him, he decides it’s time to take off and see the world. He fills
his trusty back-pack, convinces a friend of a friend to forge a fake ID for
him, and then hops on a passenger ship for points unknown. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
unfettered life agrees with Jack’s disposition – until he finds that a strange
laptop has been stashed in his pack. Before he can boot it up and find out who
it belongs to a trio of gun-wielding, sunglass wearing goons come after him.
And just getting the laptop isn’t enough, they want him dead. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jack jumps
ship when it docks in <st1:place>South America</st1:place> and heads for the
American Embassy there, but is intercepted by hot looking chick that invites
him to have a drink with her. After a flirtatious good-bye, Jack discovers that
his backpack is gone, along with his fake ID. If he wants to get back home
alive, he’ll have to get both of them back and deliver the computer to someone
who can get him out of this jam. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
(Just as a note: my initial concept was to use the backpack
as the centerpiece for the story. Once I decide what it represents, I can
develop several scenes around that theme. However, the fake ID and the laptop
also can be used to enrich the depth of the story.)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319296157718222489.post-6984230924748153192016-03-29T14:34:00.001-07:002016-03-29T14:34:34.993-07:00Writing Prompt #19
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PROMPT NINETEEN–
CELEBRATION<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With this
prompt the author creates an unusual holiday. It can be something you are
already passionate about, like camping, talking on the phone, or collecting
cereal box tops. If all else fails you can take a random noun or verb and turn
that into a holiday. Then use that holiday as the setting for your story. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
five made up holidays.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Parking
Ticket Day</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Take a Swim
Day</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Back to
School Celebration</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Borrow
Something Day</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eat a Bug
Week</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on
Back to School Celebration I generated this pitch.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Back-to-School Pool - After a long summer of swimming,
biking, and fighting with her younger brother, Brenda is ready to head back to
school. That is, until she notices the adults acting strangely. They seem a
little too happy about getting the kids out of the house and rounded up in one
place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With the help
of her best friend and her annoying little brother they uncover the conspiracy
of all conspiracies – a betting pool where the parents place wagers on how the
children will perform during the upcoming year and throw a party for the event.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on Swim
Day I generated this pitch. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Swim Day - No one considered what would happen to the
inmates of Harbor Island Correctional Facility if the world stopped functioning
as it always had. Now, ten years after the cataclysm, the survivors are
desperate to find a way off the island. The first day of every month is Swim
Day. The lucky winner of the Swim Day lottery gets a day to live as a cell
block celebrity and then is cast into the waters and forced to attempt a trip
to the mainland. If any have made the trip they haven’t come back to help the
others. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stitch is
drawn to make the swim. He’d been counting down until the day of his execution
when everything went bad. Dying during the swim doesn’t bother him, but leaving
behind the only person who ever treated him humanely does. He must do more than
just survive the watery ordeal, he has to find a way to return and save his
brother, the prison guard. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.com0