A year of writing prompts: 22 October

How to use these prompts

Who are these people?
Explore the possible relationships between them.

Prompts

1. The first Xerox machine was demonstrated in 1938. Your characters are two workmates who always seem to need to use the photocopier at the same time.
2. It's National Barber's Day. Write a scene set in a barber's shop or hairdresser's.
3. "A writer falls in love with an idea and gets carried away." Doris Lessing
4. On this date the sun enters the inner sanctum of Rameses II and shines on the statues deep inside it. Write about a place which is usually in complete darkness but is bathed in sunlight once a year. If it's a building, why was it built to be this way? What can a person who is present on that day see? Is there any kind of annual celebration or ceremony connected with it?
5. In 1979, Disney World welcomed its 100 millionth guest. Your character unwittingly wanders into a shop, theme park, theatre, or some such institution, and is hailed as a milestone guest - 100th, 1,000th, millionth. What happens next? A possible scenario is that they weren't supposed to be there - they are goofing off work, it's a married person going there with their lover, or they are a criminal on the run, so the publicity is most unwelcome.

Character Names

Sabina, Anita, Anina, Salome, Iris, Faith, Serjei, Marika

Character Traits

• May have artistic talents, with a particular interest in the cultivation of flowers or distillation of perfumes. Gardening and perfumery are possible careers.
• Tall and sturdy with a big nose and small but lively eyes.
• Travel and international politics can bring success.
• May have a healing gift and could become a doctor, surgeon or psychologist.
• Intense power of concentration and the ability to solve difficult problems.
• Can become obsessed with death or the macabre.
• Usually easy going but when roused can be exceedingly wrathful.
• Excellent memories, which means they remember how they are treated by others and may harbour grudges.
• Have an instinctive understanding of how electrical or mechanical things work but are less good at abstract subjects like mathematics.
  
• Full of ideas; a fast talker.
• May support unpopular causes.
• Will take responsibility of r their own actions.
• Success may make them big-headed.
• May suffer from fainting or dizzy spells.
• Danger from biological or chemical weapons.
• There is a danger they will suffer from broken bones, back or neck injuries.

Possible Themes

Constancy. 

Perseverance. 

Moral and spiritual strength.

Memories. 

Scents which evoke reactions.

Objects

A broken perfume bottle; an elephant; a human skull; a game of chess; spilled wine.