A year of writing prompts: 20 September

How to use these prompts

A play's the thing.
Who are the cast?
What are their relationships behind the scenes?
Will everything be all right on the night
or is it a play that goes wrong?
Who are the audience and why is one of them
looking daggers?

Prompts

1. It's Gibberish Day. Write a story in gibberish, or about a character who speaks gibberish.
2. In 1973, Billie Jean King took on Bobby Riggs in a tennis match, after he'd challenged any top female player to a match. Riggs was known for his sexist remarks. King won the match squarely. Write about a character who challenges another on the basis of their sexist, racist, homophobic or any other kind of prejudicial remarks and is taken down with style.
3. “Trust your hunches. They are usually based on facts filed away just below conscious level.” Dr Joyce Brothers
4. Dr Joyce Brothers first became famous for winning a quiz show on the specialist subject of boxing, by memorising books about the subject. There were accusations that the show was rigged, but it was proved otherwise. Write a story about a contestant on a quiz show who is accused of cheating.
5. Born to Run.

Character Names

Oleg, Frederica, Marianna, Sophie, Sophia, Sonya, Tanner, Agatha

Character Traits

• Loners who are happy alone.
• Enjoy formal ceremonies.
• They may be superstitious or religious. Once they have developed their beliefs, they are unlikely to change. Can be over-zealous.
• Sensuous, but self-controlled and do not let temptation interfere with their work.
• May seem to have an almost prophetic insight although their knowledge comes from mental evaluation rather than a psychic gift.
• Seekers after knowledge. They enjoy travel for the purpose of gaining knowledge. If denied the chance to travel they will become restless.
• Have a blunt manner but are never rough.
• Honest about their thoughts and feelings.
• Use art to share their personal insights.
• May be collectors or hoarders of things from the past.
• Usually petite.
• Have strong feelings about social problems, poverty and the unfairness of life.
• Possible careers: astrologer, teacher, artist, chemist, architect or government worker,
• Need to beware of evil and manipulative influences.
• Lacking in common sense.
  
• May be involved with conspiracy theories.

Possible Themes

Rare and magical things. 

Alchemy. 

Sacred texts.

Simplicity.

The language of symbols.

Objects

An ancient scroll; a cardinal; an amethyst ring; a French window; drizzle; magic mushrooms; an old diary.