It’s Writing Prompt Wednesday!
I started the prompts as a way to help other writers find inspiration, but I have found I enjoy the escape they provide as well. I’ve written 20 flash fiction pieces so far, and truly hope you find them useful as well as interesting.
This week’s prompt could be seen in a number of ways, and I look forward to seeing what you create!
Happy Writing!
I kept the promise I made to myself and wrote a couple of flash fiction pieces. I used them as a warm-up exercise as I pushed past that third act hurdle I have been struggling with…
The Sis made note that I always set up the story without any follow through; she wants to know more, which I appreciate. I suppose I could work on that, but I write about what the image entails, and with 200 words (or less) it’s hard to get into the story much beyond that. I hope you enjoy anyway. 🙂
Lost
The cavern smelled of death and rot, of days long since passed. Her nose twitched and she winced in response. A cool breeze wafted through swirling her hair about her and with it came expectation. The months of visions had all led her to this moment, and she could feel the vindication welling in her chest. There was light illuminating the cave before her, and she stood up at the bow of the small rowboat eager to see what would reveal itself beyond. She knew it was there.
The few sailors she had aligned herself with rowed a bit faster and she held the lantern up a bit higher. The edge of the cave was like an open mouth; jagged rocks reached upward and hung menacingly from above. She held her breath as her eyes adjusted to the light and then she gasped. There she was. The prized Jewel. She had long been lost, but no longer.
The Portal
I couldn’t remember how we had arrived in this place. I was upon my back, everything ached, and as I looked around I found my companions in similar positions upon the ground around me. Nothing was as it should be; the sky was yellow, the trees beheld faces, and the air smelled of ash. I winced with each movement as I rose to my feet. That was when I was able to take in our surroundings more fully.
There was a tower of sorts that held a world within it; starry sky, a sea of clouds, and a beautiful sunrise in the distance. It clearly held a more sinister purpose as I noticed the trail of blood leading inward from the stairs. The tower was taller than any structure I had ever encountered before, and it appeared as if there were people on the ramparts above. I had the distinct uneasy feeling that they were watching us. Along with the doorway cut into the sky itself on one side and a castle alight with an inferno on the other, my mind reeled. I drew my sword and took an unsteady step forward.
Happy Writing!
As many of you know by now, I love history and lost worlds, and when I found this image, of course I was immediately intrigued. A little Goonies reference perhaps? I fully intend to write a couple flash fictions this week based on the images I’ve posted recently, so remember to share what you create as well! I look forward to seeing your imaginations at work!
Happy Writing!
The last couple of weeks, the impending doom surrounding my birthday has caused random outbursts of emotion. I’ve had some bad birthdays, but this one is different. I was in a home store, looking at the various items that could be useful in the new place; new towels, area rugs, side tables, etc. when I started to well up. It’s frustrating to feel sort of stuck; always hoping and striving for more. I keep banking on this elusive future that I can’t wait to happen, and yet with each passing day I don’t feel any closer. I got a job I was hoping would be something I could be proud of in the meantime, I’m writing every day, but we write rubbish and I don’t even make enough money to make it worthwhile.
So as I stared at the cute side table, thinking that I should be able to walk into a store and just buy something like that once in a while, I was reminded of my circumstances and that with the looming age I should be in a different place. So my eyes filled and I started the self-loathing.
I’m just not satisfied with my life. Being an artist is a difficult path, and as positive as I try to remain, sometimes life just smacks you in the face. I’m usually the first to say, “age is just a number”, but this birthday now puts me in a new box. You know the box. I’m officially in a new one next week.
I found these quotes, that made me feel a little better, and thought I’d share them for if you’re ever feeling low.
“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis
“In my dreams, I never have an age.” – Madeleine L’Engle
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain
I hope you all have a wonderful week! And if you have any words of wisdom, please share! 🙂
I don’t have a desk chair. The one I had previously was old, it wasn’t that comfortable, and it was that ugly gray office style kind of chair with thick black plastic arms. It also had wheels. My little dogs did not appreciate the terrible noise the wheels made against the wood flooring in our apartment, and neither did I for that matter. We had been through a lot together over the 10 plus years, we had written so much, but when The Sis and I decided to leave Los Angeles, I realized I didn’t want to move it again. Honestly, I didn’t want to see it again. It was time to end the co-dependent relationship, and so I chucked it into the alley behind our building, hopeful someone would find it and give it a new home – a sad fate for my faithful companion.
So now, I have no chair. I have to drag the chaise I sit on when I watch tv or game over to my desk, which is too low to utilize as a desk chair, and then have to sit on the back pillow and prop myself up like a booster seat. My dogs like it because they have more room to spread out beside me, but long bouts of writing are not to be found under such conditions.
It’s so awkward.
It sounds like I’m making excuses as to why very little writing has occurred since I determined to write more, and maybe, I am, a little, but the truth is I’m trapped on how to start Act 3. I reread the first two acts, and was empowered to finish this story properly…which is why I think I’m struggling to find the right place to start. I don’t have the time to play around with this one anymore – I have deadlines to make, and this story has been worked over so many times it’s pretty unrecognizable since it debuted many, many, many years ago.
I broke out some screenwriting books hoping to gain some insight, and I thought I’d share a few pearls I discovered. Hopefully, if you’re struggling, you’ll find them useful as well.
1. Have your hero give up just before they reach their goal. By the third act they have determined that they want “it” and they are going to go after “it”, but exhausted they give up just short of reaching “it”. The example used was The African Queen and how they tried so hard to get the boat to the open water, to give up about three feet from it. Then it rains and sets them adrift.
2. Bookends. Can the last scene be an answer to the first? The example was a couple who fall in love during war time and are married on the back of a truck, so at the end of the story they have a proper wedding to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary.
3. Make a list of all the questions asked or ideas raised throughout your script and be sure to answer them. This is something I have found to be useful so there aren’t any loose ends or plot holes by the end. It’s a great way to look back over your story as a whole and see that those ideas/themes continued throughout.
4. My last helpful tip is to talk the story over with someone. I used The Sis as a spring board and found that by voicing my ideas aloud about how I wanted the story to end was more useful than trying to work it all out in my head. She asked questions that made me reevaluate my ideas and concepts. Also, when you explain your story to someone, they can immediately tell you if something doesn’t make sense or doesn’t work.
Although I discovered all this useful insight, I’m no closer to the opening scene I need, but I’m thinking that I just need to jump in. I know the story, I’ll find a good point to start, and let the chips fall where they may.
When I asked two separate people, I received the same response…”it was a dark and stormy night”. 🙂 I’d love to hear back from all of you. Any advice on a great third act opener?
Happy Writing everyone!
Last week sort of passed me by and I didn’t even realize I hadn’t posted a Writing Prompt until Friday. My apologies to those who find them helpful or just interesting. I’ve been pin happy on Pinterest, so you can click the link to the right (or here) to see all the new stuff happening over there for more inspiration.
For my new friends, if you’d like to see some of the prompts I’ve posted in the past, there are a few highlighted on my page to the right, or you can type in Writing Prompt into the search bar to see all the others and join in the Writing Prompt Challenge fun!
I can’t wait to see what you come up for this one. I found this image so interesting. Remember to link your stories or share below so we can all enjoy!
Happy Writing!
Yesterday I posted the links to a number of writing contests coming up, so today I decided we could all use some encouragement to help us achieve those goals. These are not just for writers, but for anyone who is ready to do great things!
What is it you want to accomplish?
I realized that I have to make some adjustments if I want to get my writing on track and be more productive. The days pass in a blur, and I am no further to accomplishing my goals than I was a few months ago, but that all changed this weekend. I’m afraid it’s going to take a bit to get back in the full swing of things, and I don’t really have that kind of time…but at least I’ve found that spark again, and my brain turns to that instead of blank nothingness.
So, if you have any secrets you’d like to share about writing, rewriting, finding time, or working through the brain dead patches…please do so! 🙂
I wish you all well, my friends! Have a great, and productive week!
As promised, here are a couple of resources to utilize to find contests and their deadlines. While some screenwriting contests are just beginning (Nicholl, PAGE, and Scriptapalooza), others are nearing their end (Cinestory, Creative World Awards, and Bluecat is already closed). I have updated my Calendar of Events page to highlight screenwriting contests in particular, and by no means is this a complete list, but they are among some of the more notable ones.
Also, here is a link on writing loglines that you may find helpful.
Aerogramme Writers’ Studio has put together the following list to highlight those events coming up in February and March many of which are open to both experienced and novice writers alike.
If you know of any great contests and would like to share them, please leave me the info in the comments and I’ll be sure to add them to the list!
So let’s get crackin’! Let’s get our work in order and show them what we’re made of! 😉
Happy Sunday!
Let’s start the week off with some inspiration! Here are a few quotes about determination. I have found that with approaching deadlines, the fear of failure is lingering. I don’t want to encourage that kind of thinking so I decided to find a few quotes that would help not only me during my time of stress, but for those of you who may be joining me in the crazy boat. I found the following:
In the next few days I will try to ensure that I update the 
submissions section to keep you all up to date of approaching deadlines, you know, so we can stress together on a current timeline! 🙂
Wishing you all the best! And here’s to achieving those goals!
I have to admit that the few times I’ve actually had the chance to sit in front of my computer, I lollygagged. It was refreshing to be able to sit and do what I wanted.*
I have been desperate to get back to writing, and although I have found myself easily distracted, as I recently stated, this non-writing thing is nonsense, so…Writing Prompt Challenge Accepted!
It’s never too late to join in the fun! 🙂
The first one is inspired by Pride & Prejudice: Unworthy
He felt he had been riding for hours. His legs burned and the poor animal beneath him had finally slowed its pace as it drew nearer to the familiar landscape of his home. Taking a deep breath he dismounted and walked the horse at a leisurely pace towards the stone bridge he had always found solace upon. His father had stood there with him in his youth, regaling him with stories of their family and their duty. He now stood upon it alone, and he needed his father’s counsel more than ever. It was hard for him to admit that he knew he was unworthy of her love; he had done nothing to encourage her affection, but he had been foolhardy enough to believe his title and income would be enough to entreat her to consider his proposal. Her affection would grow over time. Wasn’t that the way it happened? He knew there was something different about her; it was what had drawn his attention in the first place, and he had surprised even himself with the depth of his regard for her, but now he had to consider the possibility of a life without her, and that was something he hadn’t been prepared for.
The Lock
They had immediately been drawn to one another, despite their circumstances. The flirtation had started innocently enough, but with each subsequent encounter their passion grew. There were too many opportunities to be thrown together, and it wasn’t long before the lingering glances across the crowded ballroom, the brushes of hands in passing, and even the stolen kisses in dark corners became insufficient to satiate the consuming hunger. It was then that war came, and their separation became inevitable. The pang that ripped at their heart strings was enough to compel them to enjoy whatever moments they could together in the hopes it would bond them eternally and bring them back together at some point in the future, of this life or the next.
They met in secret in an unused room, away from prying eyes, surprised at the ease of their deception. She arrived first, her breathing staggered in anticipation. When the door slowly opened and he appeared, they were in each other’s arms in an instant, his hand lingering on the lock as he enveloped her in passionate embrace.
Intrigue
Despite the lingering fog, the night was warm. The river’s silent invitation persuaded her to peel off her hose and take off her shoes to dangle her toes in the cool water while she waited. She sat there in the eerie silence watching as the fog continued to roll in and eat the end of the bridge until it disappeared into nothing. A wasteland could lie beyond, and it did, but on a night like tonight it was impossible to know.
She recounted every time they had met here while a faint smile full of fond memories tugged at the corners of her mouth. It wasn’t supposed to have been like this. She would probably be branded a traitor, but war was a funny thing to those on the ground. His large frame cracked the veil, the golden glow from the lights enveloping him as he moved forward. She should leave, but found herself rooted to the spot, the fog moving in closer even now – perhaps it was an omen. The thought caused a lump to form and she swallowed hard.
I hope you are all well and continuing towards your goals!
Don’t forget to share your writings if you’ve been inspired.
*This is a reference to my sweat-shop inspired job. That’s a story for another day.
A Writer's Discrepant Memoirs and Other Tales 