A year of writing prompts: 21 October

How to use these prompts

What is on the other side of this door?

Prompts

1. "Only one being is wanting, and your whole world is bereft of people." Alphonse de Lamartine
2. It's Apple Day. Write a story in which an apple features prominently.
3. In 1849, the first tattooed man was put on show in a theatre in New York. Write a story featuring a tattoo or tattoos.
4. In 1969 a rumour began circulating that Paul McCartney was dead. Naturally, Paul denied them. People believe your character is dead when he or she is very much alive. How does he or she convince people they are still in the land of the living? Or perhaps they don't. Perhaps they take the opportunity to vanish and start a new life.
5. In 1915, women were allowed to become bus and train conductors for the first time. Your character is a bus or train conductor, male or female. One day they encounter a difficult or unusual passenger, or there is an accident or disaster on their bus/train. How do they cope?

Character Names

Brigita, Ursula, Hilary, Krystal, Craig, Socrates, Ginta

Character Traits

• Mentally and physically strong - often quite fierce. They can be impatient and aggressive, and do not shy away from a fight, which can often lead to their downfall.
• They can also be altruistic, generous and brave.
• Good sense of humour.
• Are usually well-prepared for most eventualities.
• When they fall in love, they love forever and with all their strength, believing that the loved one is the only one for them, forever.
• Tend to make enemies and it is inevitable they will hurt someone at some stage.
• Have a sense of fairness and believe in equal rights for all people.
• Likely to have quarrels and disagreements with friends. Partners and advisers can be a source of trouble.
• Capable of great self-control, when the cause is right. At other times there may be an inability to concentrate.
• Passionate and determined.
• Will do well in any career involving tactics or strategy.

Possible Themes

Strategy.

UFOs and aliens.

Tourism, tourists, luggage, souvenirs.

Trust, receptiveness.

Observation.

Power struggles.

Objects

A bus full of sightseers; a chest brimming with jewels; a wounded man; a spear; a heart; an angry man; a torn book; a tunnel through a mountain; a giant dragon