A year of writing prompts: 7 September

How to use these prompts

Who are these people?
A couple or professional dancing partners?
Romance, or a dancing contest?

Prompts

1. On this date in 1838, Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, took to a boat to rescue the crew of the Forfarshire, which floundered on the rocks during a storm so severe the regular lifeboats refused to launch. Write a story about a daring rescue at sea.
2. The first Miss America pageant was held in 1921. Write a story set at a beauty contest.
3. It's Postal Workers Day, or Neither Rain nor Snow Day, reflecting the motto of the US postal service which says neither rain nor snow will prevent the deliveries. Your character is a postman (or woman) who faces unusual challenges in order to deliver their letters.
4. “Hot water is my native element.” Edith Sitwell
5. It's Buy A Book Day. Your character buys a book – and it changes their life.

Character Names

Regina, Maurice, Dena, Marianna, Roy

Character Traits

• Plan for the future and will harvest the results of their hard work eventually, although there could be struggles at times.
• Hedonistic with a particular liking and interest in wine.
• Sociable people who need the company of others. Usually popular and excellent networkers.
• They can, however, appear quiet and shy.
• Success will come through their friendships and associations.
• May enjoy hunting.
• May be a reformer or reviser of systems.
• May be good at writing or public speaking.
• Tend to be perfectionists, always correct and businesslike.
• Dislike unnecessary opulence.
• Can be suspicious and defensive. Tendency to put up fences and barriers.
• Sensitive, deep thinkers; romantics who strive to live up to spiritual ideals.
• Do well in professions related to water, business, acting, sociology or anthropology.
• Their downfall could come from associations with shady characters and dodgy dealings.
• Can be egotistical and believe they are better than others.
• A feature of their life could be a lack of privacy, perhaps intrusive media should they become famous.

Possible Themes

Protection and self defence.

The wildness within. Instinct. 

Taming of primitive power.

Curiosity.

Reality TV.

Objects

An orang utan in a zoo; grapes; a fence; deep mud; fog; coloured flames; a jar of camphor crystals.