A year of writing prompts: 27 July

How to use these prompts

A relaxing day by the pool.
Who is this woman? Who is she on holiday with?
What could possibly go wrong?

Prompts

1. Today was the birthdate of Gary Gygax, who invented the game Dungeons and Dragons. Write a story featuring the game - either set in that universe, or about a bunch of people in our own universe playing it.
2. "'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view." Thomas Campbell
3. An old-fashioned, conservative woman is confronted by an up to date girl.
4. In 1586 Sir Walter Raleigh first brought tobacco to England. Write a story featuring smoking.
5. The Common Cold Research Centre closed in 1989. Research involved volunteers going to stay there and being infected with a cold. Your characters are volunteers who have gone to the centre to help with research. What happens to them while they are there, aside from getting colds?

Character Names

Heidi, Olga, Liliana, Dita, Marion, Marta, Innocent, Ada, Celia, Eli, Julia, Natalia, Kurt, Constantine, Lilian

Character Traits

• Often achieve things others believe to be impossible.
• Danger of becoming selfish or stubborn.
• Both intuitive and analytical.
• Observant; pay attention to detail.
• Idealistic and sensitive.
• May appear secretive and detached.
• Can be impulsive, indecisive or confused.
• Work well in large organisations and could do well in writing or research. Work well at occupations requiring physical strength. May become stars of stage or screen; bartenders, or go into commerce, banking, insurance or advertising.
• Creative and imaginative; interested in film, music or art.
• Tend to be collectors with an eye for a bargain.
• Frequently marry their childhood sweethearts. Incurable romantics. Passionate and difficult to satisfy, but faithful.
• Tend to have little regard for preventive medicine and may have weight problems.
• May possess a biting irony and taste for sarcasm.
• Big hearted and generous; like to give advice.
• Dignified but can be patronising and vain.

Possible Themes

Determined pursuit of clear cut visions.

Ghosts.

Blessings.

Weather.

Objects

Blackberries; a caravan; a witch; a tin of baked beans; whisky; house plants; stilts.