Writing prompt #7: Choose a word
2 Comments »20th March, 2008; Category: Short Story Starters, Writing for Children, Writing prompts, Young Readers
Last week in my writing for children course the lecturer handed out a card to each student in the workshop. We were not to show anyone the word on the card. She then asked us to write for about five minutes illustrating the word in some way.
Here is a list of some of the words:
fear, anxiety, enthusiasm, happiness, courage, joy, anger, excitement, despair, sadness
This is what I wrote:
James could hardly wait for Saturday. He was jumping out of his skin. “When will it be Saturday?” he asked for about the tenth time. “Tomorrow,” said his mother patiently.
James raced to his room. He checked his money box again. He counted the coins over and over. He was ready for the Agricultural Show.He couldn’t wait to go on the rides. He wanted to see the animals; the cows, the horses, the dogs and the cats – even the ducks, especially the ducks. He thought of the icecreams and lolly-pops and fairy floss. He could just taste it melting in his mouth. He thought of the colours and the sounds, the smells, the crowds and the clowns. He wanted to see the machines and the cars, the ferris wheel and the tents.
At that point we were asked to stop; and I was just getting warmed up!
Can you work out the word I was given?
Enthusiasm. When I was asked to read it out aloud I also read it with a great deal of enthusiasm.
Your turn:
As a warm up writing exercise, choose one of the emotion words I listed above. Write about it for five to ten minutes. It does not have to be a story, nor does it have to be for children. Just write.
This may be just an exercise but do not throw it away. File it carefully; you never know when it may become useful for a story or an article.
Good writing.
Writing prompt #6: Crossroads
No Comments »17th March, 2008; Category: Writing prompts
Time for another writing prompt to help you with your writing.
Crossroads:
Imagine you are out in the country. You are standing where two dirt roads intersect. There are no trees, no shelter of any kind and you cannot even hear a bird calling – except for a lonely, mournful raven in the distance. You cannot see a house or any sort of building.
In the distance you see a cloud of dust. Eventually a bus comes into view. It hisses to a stop right at the intersection. One person alights, and the bus heads off down the road and disappears from view.
Writing idea:
Describe the person:
- Is the person a male or female?
- What ethnicity?
- How old?
- How is the person dressed?
- What is the person carrying?
- Are there any special or noticeable features about the person?
What happens next?
- Does the person start walking?
- Or does she or he wait for someone else?
- Is this person relaxed, confident, anxious or confused?
- What is their story?
Now let the character tell his story.
Good writing.
More writing prompts can be found here.
And you can find dozens of short story starters here.
Or you might like to read some of my short stories here.
Writing prompt #5 – Smelly Socks
2 Comments »9th March, 2008; Category: Master of Arts course, Poetry, Writing for Children, Writing prompts
One of the units I am particularly enjoying doing for my Master of Arts in Creative writing course is called Writing for Children. This is my main area of interest in doing the course. Our lecturer is a local writer who has many published books to her credit, including some award winners.
As a warm-up exercise in a recent workshop, Rosanne asked us to write down the title “Smelly Socks” and then asked us to write for five minutes about anything to do with smelly socks. Several students were asked to read out the results from this activity. Several were quite brilliant.
As far as I was concerned, the words “smelly socks” have a special rhythm to them which immediately suggested a poem for children. Here is the result of five minutes of writing. It’s not great poetry, but I sure had fun writing it – and then reading it to the class.
Smelly Socks
I hate smelly socks.
Smelly, smelly old socks.
They’re worse than a fox
That lives down near the docks,
Smelly, smelly, smelly, socks.I hate smelly shoes.
Smelly, smelly old shoes.
They’re worse than dog poos
And some terrible stews.
Smelly, smelly, smelly shoes.I hate smelly cats.
Smelly, smelly old cats.
They’re worse than my hats
And rotting old mats.
Smelly, smelly, smelly cats.(c) 2008 Trevor W. Hampel
As I said – it’s not great poetry, but I sure had fun.
Writing prompt:
Look around the house. Find a common object. Write about it for five minutes.
This is just a warm-up exercise to get you going on your major writing project for the day. Don’t be too fussy about the end product. Try not to edit or correct as you go – just get the words down. Write solidly for five minutes and then put it aside and get on with the main writing task for the day.
Don’t throw it away – come back to it in a few days and see if there is anything you can do with it. Does it lend itself to a non-fiction article, a poem, an essay or a short story?
Above all – have fun.
Good writing.
Writing Prompt #4: About my friend
Time for another writing prompt
Why not try writing about your best friend?
This could be a warm up exercise before getting on with your current writing project. It could also be the gem of and idea for a magazine article. It might also be used as a special letter to enclose with your card or gift when your friend next has a birthday. Whatever you choose to do. The main motivation is to practise your writing and to hone your skills.
Here are some suggestions for writing about your best friend.
- Fifteen reasons why ___________ is my best friend.
- My friend’s favourite foods.
- Thirteen things I like about _______.
- Eight activities I enjoy doing with my friend.
- Three habits of my friend that annoy me intensely.
- Four things I admire about my friend _______.
- How I first met my friend _______.
- Six bizarre facts about my friendship with ______.
- Eleven pieces of evidence that my friend is far crazier than I ever will be.
- Ten things my friend might say about me at my funeral.
Put your friend’s name in the blank spaces.
The numbers are rubbery; use whatever number you prefer because they are only suggestions.
Alternative activity:
Try the same suggestions, but with someone you cannot stand being with – or even someone you detest. (If you try this activity and write about your wife/husband/partner or significant other, do NOT leave your writing lying around – unless you want to make a less than subtle point or two, or have a death wish.)
Good writing.
Writing Prompt #3: An unexpected discovery
1 Comment »5th February, 2008; Category: Writing prompts
How is this for a great story (or novel) idea?
A Berlin burglar’s break-in took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a corpse and felt compelled to call the police.
“He called to say he’d just broken into a flat and found a dead body,” a spokeswoman for Berlin police said.
“He gave the address of the place and then hung up.”
Officers discovered the 64-year-old resident of the flat dead in his bedroom.
The man had passed away about two weeks ago and authorities are not treating the death as suspicious.
The burglar has not been heard of since.
Local media said he fled the apartment empty-handed, but police could not confirm this.
I’m not into crime writing, so I don’t think I will use this story idea. Still – it has intriguing possibilities. So go to it – use the idea for your next short story, novel, play script, television series – whatever.
More unexpected discoveries:
Perhaps you could extend your thinking to other possibilities. Have you ever discovered something that surprised you?
Here are some more intriguing story ideas:
- You find a letter from many years ago reminding you of events or people long forgotten. Write about the repercussions of finding the letter which reveal things previously unknown.
- You find an item that had been lost but one that has great sentimental value. Write about the emotional reactions to this item.
- You go shopping and meet a long lost friend or relative who has just moved to your neighbourhood. What happens next?
- Cleaning out a little used drawer you discover a mysterious key. After experimentation you find it unlocks a cupboard that has remained locked for over thirty years because of the missing key. What you find inside changes everything.
Good writing.