Summer and Other Writing Prompts

It’s almost time for the traditional start of summer, Memorial Day. The Summer Solstice in June may mark the official arrival of the season, but as far as most of us are concerned, the last weekend in May is the start of BBQing and swimming. Think of long, sunny, warm days and see if you can come up with a story from one of the prompts below.

• It wasn't Memorial Day yet, but the heat.... 
• The last thing she remembered was saying, "Isn't it time to get in the pool!" before....
• What's your favorite summertime memory?
• Did you go on summer vacations as a child? To Where?

My summer vacations as a child were road trips to Texas. How about you?

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Photo courtesy of Holly Salzman at flickr

The Typewriter & Other Writing Prompts

Typed up on my trusty Sharp typewriter. I've got an even older Brother in the garage. Sure wish I had an old IBM Selectric!

The Feather on the Wall and Other Writing Prompts

In our first prompt today, we have an odd accessory pinned to the wall. What room do you think they’re in—whoever “they” turn out to be? Grab a pen (quill optional) and see what kind of story you can weave from one of the prompts below. 

• “Why is that feather pinned on the wall?” asked….
• What’s your favorite kind of bird?
• Jane was shocked when she heard the parrot say….
• An ostrich wanders into your backyard. What happens next?

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Personally, I think ostriches are scary.

Comments and stories welcome below!

Photo courtesy of Marie Hale at flickr

A Shaky Situation and Other Writing Prompts

What is that person standing on in the first prompt, and why is it a bad idea to stand on it? If you don’t get any sparks from that prompt, keep reading until you find something that inspires you. 

• “I wouldn’t stand on that,” she said, right before ….
• A lot of people thought it was a mistake when I….
• Linda realized that she’d turned the wrong way when…
• What do you think of the idea that nothing’s a mistake if you learn a lesson from it?

Common writing advice is to “start with the day that’s different,” and the day something goes wrong is always “different,” isn’t it? Comments (or good stories) welcome below!

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Picture courtesy of Newsome Antiques on flickr

Thoughts of Summer and Other Writing Prompts

Pick one of the prompts below and cook up (or would that be "barbecue"?) a story about summer. 

• Summer makes me think of....
• Ellen said, "Camping always sounds like a good idea until...."
• Define "summer beach read." 
• What was summer vacation like when you were a kid?

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Photo courtesy of Klearchos Kapoutsis at flickr

The Book Collection and Other Writing Prompts

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." ~Stephen King 

Where is “she” in prompt number one: a massive library, or in a room with just a few books? And who’s she talking to: an adult or a child? All the details are up to you if you tackle prompt #1, but you can also browse the other prompts. Try them all, if you’re feeling bibliophilic.

1. "How many books do you own?" she asked...

2. Describe three books that have influenced you greatly.

3. "I found your little black book," said...

4. Combine a book, a loaf of bread, and a cactus in a story or poem.

Pick a prompt and get to work! Leave a comment to tell me about the results.

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Photo courtesy of Tom Mascardo at flickr

Tattoos and Other Writing Prompts

Body art is the theme of today’s batch of writing prompts. We’ll start our potential reflections on personal ornamentation with a glimpse into that all-important moment of decision: who is that guy in the first prompt, and why does he want something put on his body permanently?

• He decided to get a tattoo because….
• Have you had anything pierced?
• “Your hair looks like….”
• What’s your favorite article of clothing? Where did you get it? 

Personally, I’d love to get a tattoo. Do you have one? 

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Photo courtesy of by Micael Tattoo Faccio at flickr

The Desert in Spring & Other Writing Prompts

The desert can be spectacular in spring... but what are those flowers hiding, there in the first prompt?

• The patch of yellow desert flowers covered...
• Have you ever had an unpleasant encounter with a cactus thorn(s)?
• The dirt road led into the Joshua Tree forest...
• What's your favorite thing about the Mojave Desert?

For bonus ideas: 
Are you familiar with the story of the Mojave Phone Booth?

Photo courtesy of Michael Dorausch at flickr.

Introversion vs. Extroversion & Other Writing Prompts

Did you know “introvert” is not synonymous with “shy”? Generalizations and stereotypes abound about both extroverts and introverts. Today’s writing prompts will lead you to consider the differences between the party animals and wall flowers among us:

--Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert? Why?  

--Jennifer hated going to parties because….

--After Ben volunteered to deliver the eulogy, he remembered that….

--What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done in a public place?

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On the subject of introverts, I recommend: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. (Yes, I’m introverted.)

Picture by Eddy Van 3000

Lola the Lost Lizard & Other Writing Prompts

“Not all those who wander are lost.”   --J. R. R. Tolkien

Have you ever been lost—literally or figuratively? Today’s writing prompts have two things in common: each has something to do with the word “lost,” and each prompt is a picture.

We’ll start with the story of Lola, the lost lizard:

 Photo by squant at flickr

Who lost this bear?

Photo by By Kevin Saff at flickr 

Emotionally lost can feel even worse than physically so, don’t you think?

Photo by By S.³ at flickr  

What happened when the man arrived at his vehicle… without these?

Photo by paul-simpson.org at flickr

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The opening quote comes from Tolkien's poem that begins with, “All that is gold does not glitter,” which could inspire several writing prompts itself. 

Climbing Mount Everest & Other Writing Prompts

What’s your favorite form of exercise?  This batch of writing prompts uses physical activity to inspire a mental workout. Get at the starting line and see where one of these takes you:

~Ellen decided to climb Mount Everest because….
~He watched Willy throw the golf clubs, one by one, into….
~“I think we should play tennis,” she said, inspiring him to reply….
~He told his wife the bowling league met on Thursdays, but the truth was….

What’s the most challenging physical thing you’ve ever done? Marathon, back packing, sky diving?

Photo courtesy of PeterGene

Gold Hunting & Other Writing Prompts

I was cruising around Outside’swebsite when several headlines caught my eye, inspiring me to post another installment of Prompts with Links. Certainly, one of these headlines (or articles) will inspire you to take an adventure of the written kind (a ten minute adventure, in which you write without stopping or crossing out or questioning the direction you’re going—judge your results after the buzzer goes off).

--Woman Twice Rescued Hunting for Gold 

--Super Mosquitoes to Invade Florida

--Man Says Bear Stopped Lion Attack

--Four Confirmed Dead in Two Days on Everest

Which prompt inspires you?

Photo courtesy of D'oh Boy (Mark Holloway)

The Wardrobe Malfunction & Other Writing Prompts

Have you ever had an article of clothing rip open, fall off, or otherwise fail you? I’ve had to find creative solutions to the unexpected failure of everything from shoes to bikini tops. Those embarrassing sartorial moments are the inspiration for this week’s writing prompts. Try on one of these prompts, and see if you can stitch together a story:

~Sam heard the fabric rip and realized....  

“~Give me your shirt,” she demanded, “because….”

~The elastic wasn’t strong enough to withstand….

~Have you ever used duct tape, paper clips, or staples for an emergency clothing repair?

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What's your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?

My picture of a pair of jeans that failed my hubby at a most inopportune time.