A year of writing prompts: January 19

How to use these prompts

What is the significance of the rainbow steps?
What happens to the woman at the top as she descends?
Who or what is at the bottom?

Prompts

1. "All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream." Edgar Allen Poe
2. It's Edgar Allen Poe's birthday. For years, a mysterious man in black visited Poe's grave every January 19, dressed in black and wearing fedora hat. He'd leave a bottle of cognac and three red roses. It's thought the role of "Poe Toaster" may have been passed down through several men over the years. Nobody knows who he, or they, are. Write about a Poe Toaster. Speculate as to who the first one was; what are the criteria for being accepted as the next one? Who chooses, and why? Could there ever be a female Poe Toaster?
3. It's Archery Day. Write a story featuring archery.
4. "We loved with a love that was more than love, I and my Annabel Lee." Edgar Allen Poe
5. It's the feast day of St Canute, best known as King Canute who tried to stop the tide from coming in, without success. Write about what might have happened if he had succeeded.

Character Names

Henry, Henrik, Sara, Mario, Kyra, Cyrus

Character Traits

• May become famous but probably not rich.
• Intelligent with a creative imagination. Sharp and clear thinkers. Inquisitive.
• Can be self-centred and haughty.
• Daydream too much - they do not act on their dreams or visions, and may indulge when they should be working.
• Easily bored, and when bored and letting their minds wander, they can miss important opportunities.
• Indecisive.
• Humane and sensitive.
• Good looking and neat in appearance.
• Usually tall with long arms and legs.
• May be ambidextrous and have great manual skill but be awkward and clumsy otherwise.
• Willing to take risks and can be great innovators.
• Easily swayed by others, although they are capable of leading when they have to.
• Suitable occupations are anything requiring dexterity, intelligence and strength.
• There may be a danger to them from reptiles.
• Danger of being indoctrinated into a cult.

Possible Themes

Establishing roots.

Manual skills.

Sustainability.

Places of sanctuary and learning.

Tourist attractions.

Objects

An old adobe mission; A laurel wreath; crossed swords; crossroads.