A Year of Writing Prompts: February 26

How to use these prompts

Who is the woman in the film?
Why did the person behind the camera choose to film her?
What of the people in the background? The man with the cart?
What happens next?

Prompts

1. In 1830, the first Grand National took place. Write a story featuring a horse race.
2. It's For Pete's Sake Day. Tell the story of the original Pete and why we do things for his sake.
3. In 1997, a prisoner tried to escape from a jail in Delaware in a garbage truck, and was crushed to death. Write about a prison escape attempt which goes horribly wrong.
4. "Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo
5. In 1256, King Henry III commanded his sheriff to have a house built at the Tower of London for his pet elephant. Write about either an elephant, or a very pampered pet.

Character Names

Evelina, Alexander, Isabel, Victor, Victoria, Vicky

Character Traits

• Grasp concepts and ideas quickly.
• Tendency to approach life too intellectually.
• Have a particularly good understanding of the symbolism of dreams.
• Reliable, with a strong sense of duty.
• Fluent speakers with excellent powers of persuasion.
• Likely to travel a lot, possibly from a young age, for professional or political reasons,which may result in them severing ties with families and friends.
• Are prepared for everything and rarely thrown off balance. Always up for a challenge, they will have adventures and tackle difficulties but will never boast about it. When they look back on their escapades, they will believe they were never really in danger at all.
• In later life, they will return home and enjoy a peaceful retirement.
• They may look older than they actually are as the trials and difficulties they go through may age them prematurely.
• May get involved with unpopular causes.
• May have a talent for music, maths, anything requiring dexterity and are good imitators.
• Tendency to neglect health and diet.
• Mechanics, electronics, arts, drama, music or poetry are all possible careers.
• Things they need to watch out for are being over ambitious and jumping the gun.
• Possible tendency to gamble.

Possible Themes

Travel, escape, discovery, curiosity; new horizons.

Manipulation of power.

Competitiveness.

Losing and gaining weight.

The value of training.

Speed, exhilaration.

Objects

A small cottage with the door open and smoke coming from the chimney; full moon; a vampire; a huntsman's pouch.