Writing Prompts
Prescription for writer's block: fear of poverty. ~ Peter Mayle
What's it Like Outside?
What's it's like outside your home right now? The weather? The sounds? The
smells? What would you see if you stepped outside?
To flex your description muscles a little, take a character and put him or her
there. She can be waiting for someone. He can be thinking over his life. She
can be simply enjoying the day and the fact that she is alive. It doesn't
matter. What matters is that we see what she sees. That we hear the rain
that falls around him. We smell the pine trees.
If you want an extra prompt, then skip a line and rewrite the whole scene,
but this time show us your summer.
smells? What would you see if you stepped outside?
To flex your description muscles a little, take a character and put him or her
there. She can be waiting for someone. He can be thinking over his life. She
can be simply enjoying the day and the fact that she is alive. It doesn't
matter. What matters is that we see what she sees. That we hear the rain
that falls around him. We smell the pine trees.
If you want an extra prompt, then skip a line and rewrite the whole scene,
but this time show us your summer.
Going Home
Things hadn't changed much in the years she had been away. Not much at
all. There were a few new stores, the roads were in better shape, and the
city limits reached out a little further, but that seemed to be about it.
She couldn't believe she was back here. She had sworn she would never
come back. They say you can't go home, and yet here she was.
And he was still here too. She had asked enough questions to know that
much. He was here and he had no idea she was back. What would he do
when he came face to face with her? What would he do when he found out
why she had returned? What would he do when he found out what she was
after?
Okay, you get to go on from here.
all. There were a few new stores, the roads were in better shape, and the
city limits reached out a little further, but that seemed to be about it.
She couldn't believe she was back here. She had sworn she would never
come back. They say you can't go home, and yet here she was.
And he was still here too. She had asked enough questions to know that
much. He was here and he had no idea she was back. What would he do
when he came face to face with her? What would he do when he found out
why she had returned? What would he do when he found out what she was
after?
Okay, you get to go on from here.
Mix and Match
You'll find two lists below. Print both up, cut them out into slips and place
them in two piles....one list in each pile. Without looking, pick two pieces of
paper from the first list, and one piece from the second. The first piece you
picked from the first list is what your heroine has to be. The second piece is
what your hero has to do for a living. The piece you picked from the other
pile is how they have to meet.
Now write a scene of this meeting. No cheating! If you pull Sheriff for your
heroine and Nurse for your hero, and then the slip from the other list says
Neighbors, then so be it.
them in two piles....one list in each pile. Without looking, pick two pieces of
paper from the first list, and one piece from the second. The first piece you
picked from the first list is what your heroine has to be. The second piece is
what your hero has to do for a living. The piece you picked from the other
pile is how they have to meet.
Now write a scene of this meeting. No cheating! If you pull Sheriff for your
heroine and Nurse for your hero, and then the slip from the other list says
Neighbors, then so be it.
Cop
Doctor
Spy
Body Guard
Pilot
Vet
Teacher
Lawyer
Private Investigator
Nurse
Sheriff
Carpenter
College Student
Reporter
Rodeo Cowboy or Cowgirl
Doctor
Spy
Body Guard
Pilot
Vet
Teacher
Lawyer
Private Investigator
Nurse
Sheriff
Carpenter
College Student
Reporter
Rodeo Cowboy or Cowgirl
Chance meeting
Neighbors
Introduced by family
Enemies
One hires or works, or has to
visit the other
Meet at wedding
Held hostage together
Childhood friends who meet
again after years
One saves the other from
something
Both want to buy the last of the
same thing
Meet at a bar or club
Take a class together
Blind date
Neighbors
Introduced by family
Enemies
One hires or works, or has to
visit the other
Meet at wedding
Held hostage together
Childhood friends who meet
again after years
One saves the other from
something
Both want to buy the last of the
same thing
Meet at a bar or club
Take a class together
Blind date
The Old House
She looked up at the old house, three stories tall, paint faded with age,
windows broken from rocks tossed by children, the yard around it grown over
by weeds. The whole scene was one of neglect, one that would make a perfect
back drop for any scary movie.
She had shivered just from walking by this house when she was in her teens.
Now she was grown and determined to put all of her old fears to rest. One walk
around inside to prove that it was only an old forgotten house should do it.
She took another deep breath, then moved forward on legs that only felt a little
shaky. "One trip inside. No biggy." She had overcome her fear of closed spaces
and spiders, she could do this too.
It was ten steps to the porch. She paused there, then counted out seven more
steps to the front door. Of course once she touched it the thing swung open on
its own. She.....
Then what? What does she find inside? What happens?
windows broken from rocks tossed by children, the yard around it grown over
by weeds. The whole scene was one of neglect, one that would make a perfect
back drop for any scary movie.
She had shivered just from walking by this house when she was in her teens.
Now she was grown and determined to put all of her old fears to rest. One walk
around inside to prove that it was only an old forgotten house should do it.
She took another deep breath, then moved forward on legs that only felt a little
shaky. "One trip inside. No biggy." She had overcome her fear of closed spaces
and spiders, she could do this too.
It was ten steps to the porch. She paused there, then counted out seven more
steps to the front door. Of course once she touched it the thing swung open on
its own. She.....
Then what? What does she find inside? What happens?
When it Rains it Pours
Your character thought every thing was going fine, and then the bottom fell
out. Write a scene where your hero or heroine is just getting the worst of it.
It can be little things piling up, like she burns her breakfast, spills her coffee,
gets a flat -- and that was just what happened before nine. Or it can be a
major fall out -- like the murderer finds out that the hero knows who she is.
Just throw a character in hot water and see how they handle it.
out. Write a scene where your hero or heroine is just getting the worst of it.
It can be little things piling up, like she burns her breakfast, spills her coffee,
gets a flat -- and that was just what happened before nine. Or it can be a
major fall out -- like the murderer finds out that the hero knows who she is.
Just throw a character in hot water and see how they handle it.
The Job Interview
We've all had job interviews. They make us nervous enough, but what if the
boss is really good looking, and all of your hormones are ringing bells?
Write a scene where your character is trying for a job, and trying to ignore the
rising heat level in the room. You can pick a male or female character. It can
be any kind of job you can think of. Make sure we feel the sexual tension in
the air. Make sure your character reacts true to his or her character. Put in
their shoes, some of us would forget every thing we wanted to say. Others
would spill coffee on the boss's desk. Some of us would flirt and enjoy it.
What will your character do....and how will the boss react?
boss is really good looking, and all of your hormones are ringing bells?
Write a scene where your character is trying for a job, and trying to ignore the
rising heat level in the room. You can pick a male or female character. It can
be any kind of job you can think of. Make sure we feel the sexual tension in
the air. Make sure your character reacts true to his or her character. Put in
their shoes, some of us would forget every thing we wanted to say. Others
would spill coffee on the boss's desk. Some of us would flirt and enjoy it.
What will your character do....and how will the boss react?
Old Lovers
Write a scene where a man and woman bump into each other some where.
The thing is, this couple was once a hot number in high school. They
thought they would get married, grow old together, but something tore
them apart. Now, face to face, after so many years, how do the react to
each other, what do they feel that they don't say? And when they agree to
a cup of coffee, or have to stand at the bus stop together, or share a cab,
or something that keeps them together for a while, what do they talk
about, and what happens when it's time to say goodbye?
The thing is, this couple was once a hot number in high school. They
thought they would get married, grow old together, but something tore
them apart. Now, face to face, after so many years, how do the react to
each other, what do they feel that they don't say? And when they agree to
a cup of coffee, or have to stand at the bus stop together, or share a cab,
or something that keeps them together for a while, what do they talk
about, and what happens when it's time to say goodbye?
An Object
Pick an object...anything at all, big, small....it doesn't matter. Now tie a short
romantic story to this object, and write about the two characters it involves. It
can be a gift that is being given now, a memory of happier times, a place where
lost loves meet again, a first home, just anything at all that comes to mind.
romantic story to this object, and write about the two characters it involves. It
can be a gift that is being given now, a memory of happier times, a place where
lost loves meet again, a first home, just anything at all that comes to mind.
The Date
John wasn't good at this. Him and Sandy had been childhood sweethearts that
had married right out of high school. He couldn't remember ever asking any
other woman out on a date. But Sandy had been gone for two years now, and it
was time he got back to living.
Now you get to go on from here. Who is he asking out? Where are they? How
does he do it? How does the woman react? How does it end? Of course you can
change the names if you like....you can set this in a city, in a little town, in
2003, or 1860. It's all up to you.
had married right out of high school. He couldn't remember ever asking any
other woman out on a date. But Sandy had been gone for two years now, and it
was time he got back to living.
Now you get to go on from here. Who is he asking out? Where are they? How
does he do it? How does the woman react? How does it end? Of course you can
change the names if you like....you can set this in a city, in a little town, in
2003, or 1860. It's all up to you.
Flashing Blue Lights
She saw the flashing blue lights in her review mirror.
Boy, a whole lot for you to take off from. :-) But it really is. There are a
thousand and one stories you could start from this point, probably hundred
times more than that. I was going to add a few more sentences, but
everything I came up with was a lead into a story in my mind, not one from
your own.
So, the next step is yours. Who is she? Why is she being pulled over, is it
night or night? The cop who stops her, is he the hero or the bad guy? When
she sees that blue lights flash, what does she feel, how does she react?
What does she say or do when the cop walks up to her car?
Boy, a whole lot for you to take off from. :-) But it really is. There are a
thousand and one stories you could start from this point, probably hundred
times more than that. I was going to add a few more sentences, but
everything I came up with was a lead into a story in my mind, not one from
your own.
So, the next step is yours. Who is she? Why is she being pulled over, is it
night or night? The cop who stops her, is he the hero or the bad guy? When
she sees that blue lights flash, what does she feel, how does she react?
What does she say or do when the cop walks up to her car?
New Years Party
Write about a romantic encounter at a New Year's party. How does the man
and woman first spot each other? Maybe they already know each other, maybe
not? Who makes the first move toward the other? How do they feel, what do
they say? What happens when the clock sounds twelve? Does the scene in
there, or do they leave the party together, promise to see each other again, or
just say goodbye?
and woman first spot each other? Maybe they already know each other, maybe
not? Who makes the first move toward the other? How do they feel, what do
they say? What happens when the clock sounds twelve? Does the scene in
there, or do they leave the party together, promise to see each other again, or
just say goodbye?
Romantic Gift
Write a scene where your hero or heroine gives the other a romantic gift in
a romantic way. The gift can be an 'I love you', a ring, or a tiny treasure
from days forgotten.....just anything that will mean something to each, and
leave the reader with a melting heart. :-)
a romantic way. The gift can be an 'I love you', a ring, or a tiny treasure
from days forgotten.....just anything that will mean something to each, and
leave the reader with a melting heart. :-)
The Phone Call
She hung up the phone and stared straight ahead at nothing at all, the words
she had heard repeating in her mind. This changed every thing. Nothing
would ever be the same between him and her again.
Who is she? Who is him? What did she hear on the phone? It has to be
something major to change every thing, to make things never be the same
again between her and the hero.
Write a whole scene using those three little sentences as the starter. You can
start the scene right there, or before she picks up the phone. If you want to
write a scene set before we had phones, then she can read the words from a
letter or note.
she had heard repeating in her mind. This changed every thing. Nothing
would ever be the same between him and her again.
Who is she? Who is him? What did she hear on the phone? It has to be
something major to change every thing, to make things never be the same
again between her and the hero.
Write a whole scene using those three little sentences as the starter. You can
start the scene right there, or before she picks up the phone. If you want to
write a scene set before we had phones, then she can read the words from a
letter or note.
The Meeting
She had already worked almost 12 hours straight and was more than ready to
call an end to the day and head home. It had been a tough day, but nothing
out of the ordinary. And then she looked up. Her gaze crashed with a pair of
sky-blue eyes.
Who is she? What kind of work does she do? Where at? Does her feet hurt
from being on them all day? Does her back and shoulders hurt from sitting
behind a desk all day? How tired is she? Is this her normal day at work?
Those sky-blue eyes, who do they belong to? I'll tell you it's a man, but
nothing more. If he someone from her past? Someone she doesn't like?
Someone she just finds handsome? What does she feel when she looks into
those eyes? What is the man's reaction?
I've given you the bare-bones opening to a scene....now you get to color in the
rest of it. :-)
call an end to the day and head home. It had been a tough day, but nothing
out of the ordinary. And then she looked up. Her gaze crashed with a pair of
sky-blue eyes.
Who is she? What kind of work does she do? Where at? Does her feet hurt
from being on them all day? Does her back and shoulders hurt from sitting
behind a desk all day? How tired is she? Is this her normal day at work?
Those sky-blue eyes, who do they belong to? I'll tell you it's a man, but
nothing more. If he someone from her past? Someone she doesn't like?
Someone she just finds handsome? What does she feel when she looks into
those eyes? What is the man's reaction?
I've given you the bare-bones opening to a scene....now you get to color in the
rest of it. :-)
Dude Ranch
Rich city person goes away for a week to a dude ranch. Meets cowperson.
Sparks fly. :-)
You get to pick which person is the man and which is the woman....and
what kind of sparks fly.
You can write any scene you want....their first meeting, a first kiss, their
first fight...what ever scene pops into your mind. Maybe it's a picnic, or a
ride together, or sitting on the porch talking.
Sparks fly. :-)
You get to pick which person is the man and which is the woman....and
what kind of sparks fly.
You can write any scene you want....their first meeting, a first kiss, their
first fight...what ever scene pops into your mind. Maybe it's a picnic, or a
ride together, or sitting on the porch talking.
Meeting at the River
I've left a lot of openings below for you. Who is she? Who is he? Is it 1870 or
2089? Is her horse nearby, or her Jeep? What country is this? Is this man
an ex-lover, an enemy, a stranger? What happens next?
The water felt like heaven. She was so hot, so tired, so dirty. Removing her
clothes and slipping into the water had been a great idea. She eased her
head below the surface one last time, and then with a regretful sigh, headed
toward the river bank.
She stopped in mid stride when she spotted him. He was just sitting there,
leaning back against the trunk of a big oak tree, watching her. Her gaze
shifted to his side, where her clothes still waited in a pile. His own gaze had
dropped. That's when she realized her breasts were above the water level,
and he was enjoying the view.
She dropped down in the water, caught between fear and anger. "This is
private property. My private property."
"Sure is." He grinned. His words having nothing to do with her land.
2089? Is her horse nearby, or her Jeep? What country is this? Is this man
an ex-lover, an enemy, a stranger? What happens next?
The water felt like heaven. She was so hot, so tired, so dirty. Removing her
clothes and slipping into the water had been a great idea. She eased her
head below the surface one last time, and then with a regretful sigh, headed
toward the river bank.
She stopped in mid stride when she spotted him. He was just sitting there,
leaning back against the trunk of a big oak tree, watching her. Her gaze
shifted to his side, where her clothes still waited in a pile. His own gaze had
dropped. That's when she realized her breasts were above the water level,
and he was enjoying the view.
She dropped down in the water, caught between fear and anger. "This is
private property. My private property."
"Sure is." He grinned. His words having nothing to do with her land.
The Donut
Summer was six weeks away, and she was going away to a tropical vacation
spot -- and one way or another she was going to look good in bathing suit.
But...one final chocolate covered donut wouldn't hurt anything.
She stepped out of the bakery with the circle of chocolate comfort in her hand.
She stared at it for a moment....thinking about how much she was going to
miss chocolate. She raised the donut to her mouth for her first bite. She didn't
get a bite though, instead something large and hard crashed into her, and the
fresh chocolate coated donut was smashed into her face. She staggered
backwards, and would have fallen if her back hadn't meet with a brick wall.
By the time she caught her breath and opened her eyes, a man was on the
ground not far from her, two police officers cuffing him. That done, one jumped
up and rushed to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She found herself staring into a pair of dark blue eyes, and a handsome face
that caused her to feel as if she had been blindsided again. "I'm fine. I think."
And then she did think, and thought about the chocolate smeared over her
face.
Where was one of those sink holes when a person needed one?
Okay, your turn. :-) Who is this woman, she needs a name. Fill out the above
more if you want. Then go on from the point I left off. Most important of all --
have fun!
spot -- and one way or another she was going to look good in bathing suit.
But...one final chocolate covered donut wouldn't hurt anything.
She stepped out of the bakery with the circle of chocolate comfort in her hand.
She stared at it for a moment....thinking about how much she was going to
miss chocolate. She raised the donut to her mouth for her first bite. She didn't
get a bite though, instead something large and hard crashed into her, and the
fresh chocolate coated donut was smashed into her face. She staggered
backwards, and would have fallen if her back hadn't meet with a brick wall.
By the time she caught her breath and opened her eyes, a man was on the
ground not far from her, two police officers cuffing him. That done, one jumped
up and rushed to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She found herself staring into a pair of dark blue eyes, and a handsome face
that caused her to feel as if she had been blindsided again. "I'm fine. I think."
And then she did think, and thought about the chocolate smeared over her
face.
Where was one of those sink holes when a person needed one?
Okay, your turn. :-) Who is this woman, she needs a name. Fill out the above
more if you want. Then go on from the point I left off. Most important of all --
have fun!
The Wedding
"You look like your mother on our wedding day... a vision of beauty."
Samantha smiled. "Of course you think I'm beautiful, Daddy."
He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a long hug--not easy with all of the
yards of white engulfing her. "Ready?"
"Almost. I want a few minutes alone first. I've been kind of surrounded all
day."
With an understanding nod, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
There were a few hushed words, and then the sound of fading foot falls.
Samantha picked up her bouquet and crossed to the window facing the
garden at the back of the church grounds. She had only been standing there
a moment when she heard the door open. She turned, thinking it would be
her father coming to get her, but instead........................
You take over from there. Happy writing!
Samantha smiled. "Of course you think I'm beautiful, Daddy."
He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a long hug--not easy with all of the
yards of white engulfing her. "Ready?"
"Almost. I want a few minutes alone first. I've been kind of surrounded all
day."
With an understanding nod, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
There were a few hushed words, and then the sound of fading foot falls.
Samantha picked up her bouquet and crossed to the window facing the
garden at the back of the church grounds. She had only been standing there
a moment when she heard the door open. She turned, thinking it would be
her father coming to get her, but instead........................
You take over from there. Happy writing!
Fresh Start
It was the first day of the rest of her life. She walked outside, feeling sure of
herself for the first time in years. She wasn't sure of anything else though.
Work on as many writing muscles here as you can. What is the day like outside?
Where did she walk out from...a bus maybe, a hospital, a drug rehab, a college,
a home, ect? Who is she? What's made her sure of herself when the rest of her
world is so in doubt? Where is she going to go first? Why? Is there someone she
wants to see? Why?
herself for the first time in years. She wasn't sure of anything else though.
Work on as many writing muscles here as you can. What is the day like outside?
Where did she walk out from...a bus maybe, a hospital, a drug rehab, a college,
a home, ect? Who is she? What's made her sure of herself when the rest of her
world is so in doubt? Where is she going to go first? Why? Is there someone she
wants to see? Why?
Chat Partners
They have been chatting for months...on line. They were surprised to learn
they were in the same state. Then surprised even more to find out they lived a
little over thirty minutes apart. Now, they are going to meet face to face.
They have spent hours chatting....without real names. It made it easy to lean
on each other, to share things, even some things they didn't share with
friends or family. They had come to feel comfortable with other in a way that it
normally took years to reach in most relationships.
They haven't even shared pictures. Had never planned to meet.....but a joking
suggestion was made, then accepted....the wheels jumped into motion before
they really had time to think about it....and now...one day later.....they are
each heading toward the place where they are to meet. Both having second
thoughts...both remember how open they had been....and things they had
shared that they couldn't take back. (Maybe including a little on line sex.)
So...now what? You get to pick where they meet, who they are, what happens.
You can make us laugh, give us a little shock, or heat up the screen.
Spend a little time playing the what if game before you start to write....maybe
pushing aside the first couple of ideas that come to mind and going with
something that you had to work a little to come up with -- and then have fun
naming and fleshing out these two characters, giving them each back grounds,
and showing us what happens when they finally see each other, touch each
other, and learn each other's true names.
they were in the same state. Then surprised even more to find out they lived a
little over thirty minutes apart. Now, they are going to meet face to face.
They have spent hours chatting....without real names. It made it easy to lean
on each other, to share things, even some things they didn't share with
friends or family. They had come to feel comfortable with other in a way that it
normally took years to reach in most relationships.
They haven't even shared pictures. Had never planned to meet.....but a joking
suggestion was made, then accepted....the wheels jumped into motion before
they really had time to think about it....and now...one day later.....they are
each heading toward the place where they are to meet. Both having second
thoughts...both remember how open they had been....and things they had
shared that they couldn't take back. (Maybe including a little on line sex.)
So...now what? You get to pick where they meet, who they are, what happens.
You can make us laugh, give us a little shock, or heat up the screen.
Spend a little time playing the what if game before you start to write....maybe
pushing aside the first couple of ideas that come to mind and going with
something that you had to work a little to come up with -- and then have fun
naming and fleshing out these two characters, giving them each back grounds,
and showing us what happens when they finally see each other, touch each
other, and learn each other's true names.
Fish Out of Water
Take one heroine and put her right in the middle of a scene she doesn't fit in
at all. If she's big city toss her into the middle of a little town. If she is little
town let her see the bright lights and skyscrapers. If she's poor, give her a
pile of money. If she's rich, take all that money away. Or what ever you come
up with.
Now, since she is a fish out of water, stir things up even more by introducing
her to the best looking male she's seen in her whole lifetime. The result
should be interesting. :-)
Feel free to put the shoe on the other, and make it the hero who is the fish
out of water.
at all. If she's big city toss her into the middle of a little town. If she is little
town let her see the bright lights and skyscrapers. If she's poor, give her a
pile of money. If she's rich, take all that money away. Or what ever you come
up with.
Now, since she is a fish out of water, stir things up even more by introducing
her to the best looking male she's seen in her whole lifetime. The result
should be interesting. :-)
Feel free to put the shoe on the other, and make it the hero who is the fish
out of water.
Titles
I've typed in a number of titles below, trying to make up a good mixture of
them. Your prompt is to pick a title and then write a scene that fits it.
You can even pick more than one, and do more than one scene.
them. Your prompt is to pick a title and then write a scene that fits it.
You can even pick more than one, and do more than one scene.
The Falcon's Lair
Someone to Watch Over
Me
Magic and Moonlight
Forever Love
Leather and Lace
Mister Right
Free Fall
When Lighting Strikes
Destiny
Someone to Watch Over
Me
Magic and Moonlight
Forever Love
Leather and Lace
Mister Right
Free Fall
When Lighting Strikes
Destiny
The Hawk and the Dove
Kiss the Cowboy
The Rescuer
Masquerade
Sugar and Spice
Southern Comfort
Risky Business
The Prince
Time to Time
Kiss the Cowboy
The Rescuer
Masquerade
Sugar and Spice
Southern Comfort
Risky Business
The Prince
Time to Time
The Picnic
It's a Fourth of July picnic. Complete with tons of BBQ and watermelon,
family and friends, games and fireworks. And romance for one lucky lady and
gent.
She thinks of one thing during her every waking moment -- work. She was all
but forced to attend this large picnic.
He takes his work seriously, but is always ready for a good time. The life of
the party, jokes and fun at the ready.
They can bump into each, fall over each other, or be put together by friends,
but get them together some how, and then write what happens when they
spend time together.
family and friends, games and fireworks. And romance for one lucky lady and
gent.
She thinks of one thing during her every waking moment -- work. She was all
but forced to attend this large picnic.
He takes his work seriously, but is always ready for a good time. The life of
the party, jokes and fun at the ready.
They can bump into each, fall over each other, or be put together by friends,
but get them together some how, and then write what happens when they
spend time together.
Memories
She stopped in the moonlight, just a few steps beyond the front gate. It had
been years, but the old house looked better than she expected. She had
spent her whole childhood in that house. She closed her eyes and inhaled the
scent of gardenias and roses and sweet olive, all swirling through the humid
Louisiana night air. So familiar, and yet almost forgotten. The aroma seemed
to pull her along, around to the back yard.
She followed a row of gardenia bushes toward the back porch. In a daze of
memories from the past, she climbed the cement steps and took a seat on the
old porch swing. It creaked and groaned as she began to push it back and
forth. She had spent so many hours on this porch swing, reading and sipping
ice tea, listening to the radio with friends, or planning her future.
Suddenly the back door opened at the same second the light bulb overhead
flashed on.
* * *
Your turn! :-) What brought her back to the house after years away? Who
opened the door? Was he/she expecting her? What's next?
been years, but the old house looked better than she expected. She had
spent her whole childhood in that house. She closed her eyes and inhaled the
scent of gardenias and roses and sweet olive, all swirling through the humid
Louisiana night air. So familiar, and yet almost forgotten. The aroma seemed
to pull her along, around to the back yard.
She followed a row of gardenia bushes toward the back porch. In a daze of
memories from the past, she climbed the cement steps and took a seat on the
old porch swing. It creaked and groaned as she began to push it back and
forth. She had spent so many hours on this porch swing, reading and sipping
ice tea, listening to the radio with friends, or planning her future.
Suddenly the back door opened at the same second the light bulb overhead
flashed on.
* * *
Your turn! :-) What brought her back to the house after years away? Who
opened the door? Was he/she expecting her? What's next?
The Big Three Oh!
Brandy is 29, a teacher. She has lived a calm life. Been a good girl. She
married at 22. Hubby dumped her for another woman 3 years later. She was
heartbroken. Locked herself away from the world -- all but her parents and
her classroom and the children she teaches. But enough is enough. She's
tried of the whispers and looks of pity. She's tired of being the good girl, of
always doing the right thing. Today is 29-year-old Brandy's birthday...the big
three O. No more 20's.
What does she do for her birthday? How does things turn out?
married at 22. Hubby dumped her for another woman 3 years later. She was
heartbroken. Locked herself away from the world -- all but her parents and
her classroom and the children she teaches. But enough is enough. She's
tried of the whispers and looks of pity. She's tired of being the good girl, of
always doing the right thing. Today is 29-year-old Brandy's birthday...the big
three O. No more 20's.
What does she do for her birthday? How does things turn out?
Priorities
She was cold and wet and hungry. "Priorities," she whispered. "Shelter,
heat, food." She lifted her face and opened her mouth to catch more of
another priority -- water.
heat, food." She lifted her face and opened her mouth to catch more of
another priority -- water.
Blue Eyes
"No, I don't wanna wake up. Not yet."
"Come on. Open your eyes."
"Five more minutes, Dad. Please! Five more."
"No more minutes. Open those eyes and look at me."
Suddenly she realized that the voice urging her to wake up didn't belong
to her father. And besides, she hadn't lived at home in over ten years.
"Come on. Look at me."
It took some effort, but she managed to open her eyes, a little. Light.
Swirling light. A pain pounded in her head. She closed her eyes back
tight for a moment and then tried again. This time there was a blurred
face in the light.
She blinked a few times and the face slowly came into focus. A man's face.
"That's it. Blue eyes. Some how I just knew they would be blue."
She blinked a few more times, trying to fight the pain and a wave of
nausea. At least she had a handsome man to watch while she did.
-----------------------------
Our poor heroine seems to be injured. But how? And who is the
handsome man talking to her?
You get to fill all of that in. Start where I left off and let's see what you
come up with.
"Come on. Open your eyes."
"Five more minutes, Dad. Please! Five more."
"No more minutes. Open those eyes and look at me."
Suddenly she realized that the voice urging her to wake up didn't belong
to her father. And besides, she hadn't lived at home in over ten years.
"Come on. Look at me."
It took some effort, but she managed to open her eyes, a little. Light.
Swirling light. A pain pounded in her head. She closed her eyes back
tight for a moment and then tried again. This time there was a blurred
face in the light.
She blinked a few times and the face slowly came into focus. A man's face.
"That's it. Blue eyes. Some how I just knew they would be blue."
She blinked a few more times, trying to fight the pain and a wave of
nausea. At least she had a handsome man to watch while she did.
-----------------------------
Our poor heroine seems to be injured. But how? And who is the
handsome man talking to her?
You get to fill all of that in. Start where I left off and let's see what you
come up with.
Pick a Title
I've made up a few romance novel titles and placed them below. Pick one
and write a scene that fits the title.
and write a scene that fits the title.
Scandal
Kiss of the Rose
Second Chance
The Warrior
Indian Beads
Wife for Hire
His Touch
Moonlight and Roses
Temptation
Southern Comfort
Her Last Chance
Embrace
Night Secrets
The Black Rose
The Runaway Groom
Kiss of the Knight
Lady in Green
Kiss of the Rose
Second Chance
The Warrior
Indian Beads
Wife for Hire
His Touch
Moonlight and Roses
Temptation
Southern Comfort
Her Last Chance
Embrace
Night Secrets
The Black Rose
The Runaway Groom
Kiss of the Knight
Lady in Green
Texas Two Step
Here and Now
Mail Order Groom
Forever Love
Hawk's Woman
Mister Right
Her Wicked Wish
The Highlander
His Kiss
Baby Makes Three
Up a Tree
Cowboy Swing
Night Fire
The Prince and I
Midnight Passion
The Knight's Promise
Fire & Lace
Here and Now
Mail Order Groom
Forever Love
Hawk's Woman
Mister Right
Her Wicked Wish
The Highlander
His Kiss
Baby Makes Three
Up a Tree
Cowboy Swing
Night Fire
The Prince and I
Midnight Passion
The Knight's Promise
Fire & Lace
Sexy Neighbor
She's a nosy single-and-looking neighbor.
He's the sexy single moving in next door.
She's being her nosy self, trying to find out who's moving in and everything
about him.
He catches her.
Then what?
He's the sexy single moving in next door.
She's being her nosy self, trying to find out who's moving in and everything
about him.
He catches her.
Then what?
For more prompts join my writing prompt e-mail group. A new
writing prompt goes out to the list every Monday. You can write
your prompt and then share it with the list, or just keep it to
yourself. Click here to join by sending a blank e-mail message.
Or click here to go to the group's homepage to join from there.
writing prompt goes out to the list every Monday. You can write
your prompt and then share it with the list, or just keep it to
yourself. Click here to join by sending a blank e-mail message.
Or click here to go to the group's homepage to join from there.
 |  |  |
