Tag Archives: story starters

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , ,

Writing Prompt WednesdayHere’s your biweekly set of prompts. Remember, these prompts don’t have to be the start of a story; use one to jump start a scene or new chapter.

  • “Do  you trust me?” he asked.
  • None of her training would help her now.
  • I knew how I ended up in a locked shipping container; question was, how do I get out?
  • My mother’s announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time.
  • The broken vending machine was just the beginning.
  • The cold wind blew in from the broken window.
  • He handed me a map and said, “Good luck.”
  • I died six weeks ago, but here I am . . .

Happy writing.

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , , ,

Writing Prompt WednesdayHave at it.

  • His breathing slowed, but everything around us sped up.
  • If I see another happy couple, I’m . . .
  • I knew the moment he handed me the backpack, I’d regret taking it.
  • I wrote the note four times before I finally left.
  • Light from the fire glinted off the shards of glass.
  • Ethan wandered into the room, not knowing . . .
  • The explosion should have killed me.
  • She didn’t mean to steal from people; their belongings just ended up in her apartment.

Happy writing.

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , , , ,

Writing Prompt WednesdayI took a little breather, but now the prompts are back. Same “rules” apply: Pick one, two, or however many you want, and write something. Post it here if you’d like. Write a story, whip out some flash fiction; just write. 

  • I bought it thinking it would help me win him back.
  • I should have known the police would find me.
  • The documents burned faster than I anticipated.
  • The trick to getting out of a hostage situation is . . .
  • She wondered what he’d look like carrying a . . .
  • Margo regretted taking the shortcut to work.
  • David had on that ridiculous shirt he bought at Caesar’s Palace.
  • Ruth didn’t expect to find herself in the same situation as before. 

Happy writing!

 

Writing Prompt Wednesday {Song Lyric Edition}

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , ,

Writing Prompt WednesdayThings have been slow around here lately, so maybe one of these song lyrics will help spark a story. Songwriters tell their own stories. What story do these lyrics tell you?

  • Will you wait for me?
    Natalie Merchant, “Frozen Charlotte”
  • As he stands there in the door 
    there’s no room for him anymore.
    She lies there saying,
    “Honey take one last look.”
    Greg Brown, “My New Book”
  • I don’t have time to go back in time.
    I already lived it.
    Pete Yorn, “Close”
  • That morning sky gave me a look
    So I left while you were sleeping.
    Blind Pilot, “Half Moon”
  • was it you on my arm 
    like a tattoo carved in
    your strawberry curls
    against my black leather grin
    Jeff Finlin, “Long Lonesome Death of a Traveling Man”
  • She said she’d call but that was three weeks ago
    She left all her things well, her books and her letters from him
    Dido, “Mary’s in India”
  • And it’s impossible to tell
    How important someone was
    And what you might have missed out on
    And how he might have changed it all
    Feist, “Intuition”
  • We tried to make it work, you in a cocktail skirt and me in a suit but it just wasn’t me,
    David Gray, “Say Hello Wave Goodbye”

Hmmm . . . I now see a somewhat melancholy theme here . . . (and they’re all some of my favorites).

Well, happy writing!

Writing Prompt Wednesday {Title Edition}

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , , ,

Writing Prompt Wednesday

 

It’s nice to be back in the swing of things after the A to Z Challenge. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out my previous Writing Prompt Wednesday posts, and as always, feel free to use any of these. Post here, there, anywhere; just write! 

Today, I thought I’d shake things up a bit and come up with some titles, which can also spark a short story, flash fiction, novel, or poetry idea. 

  • The Shop Girl’s Secret
  • The Elephant in My Attic
  • King of Sycamore Street
  • The Fires of Spring
  • The Mourning Years
  • Waiting for War
  • The Bitter Brides Club
  • Last Flight Out of Paris

Happy Writing!

 

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , , ,

Writing Prompt WednesdayIt’s that time again. I hope one of these prompts will give your writing mojo a kickstart. As always, feel free to share your flash fiction, poetry, or story here, or link it. Looking forward to what you’ve got for us, Dean.

  • It happened in front of me.
  • Everyone has secrets; mine can get me killed.
  • I had no choice but to write the letter.
  • Shane picked a bad time to confront me.
  • I never meant to hit . . .
  • The aroma of [fill in the blank] lured me into the [fill in the blank].
  • I brushed away the leaves from the grave marker.
  • I immediately regretted opening the [fill in the blank].

Happy writing!

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , , , , , ,

Writing Prompt Wednesday

In honor of National Grammar Day, here’s a list of prompts that . . . ah . . . have nothing to do with grammar. Just celebrate this day by picking a prompt (or two!) and write something. Honor this momentous occasion with a short story, poem or flash fiction. You’re welcome to post it in the comments section, on your own blog (link it, baby) or among the pages of your journal. 

  • Evan couldn’t believe his luck, when the elevator doors opened and . . .
  • At first, the lake appeared flawlessly iced-over, then Amy saw . . .
  • Dave knew he’d never be allowed back . . . 
  • It wasn’t supposed to get out of hand.
  • The memory of her walking . . .
  • The man stood behind the glass and waited . . .
  • Layla took one last swig of beer and  . . . 
  • I hated that he knew about . . .

Happy writing!

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing Prompt Wednesday, , , ,

Writing Prompt Wednesday

 

You know what to do. (But in case you don’t . . . these prompts are a way to help you get the writing juices flowing. Post a story in the comments section, journal it, post it on your blog, or get a jump on a short story; whatever. They’re here for the taking.)

  • Knowing his name meant little to her.
  • Fallen ash from his cigarette collected in a pile below his hand.
  • I stood at the edge of woods and listened to . . .
  • Paul knew he shouldn’t have looked . . .
  • I should have told my wife the truth that first day when I . . .
  • “I wouldn’t drink that; it has [fill in the blank] in it.”
  • In the beams of the dying headlights, stood . . .
  • The morning sun peaked through the trees. He told me I’d be dead by sunrise.

Happy writing!