A year of writing prompts: 29 October

How to use these prompts

How did the scorpion come to be in the case?
Will it stay there?

Prompts

1. "The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made." Jean Giraudoux
2. Today is celebrated as the Internet's birthday in America. Write a story in which the Internet plays a significant role.
3. World Priest Day is celebrated around now. Write a story in which the central character is a priest.
4. In 1990 the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances featuring the snooty Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet) was first broadcast. Write a story in which the central character is an unbelievable snob, or a friend/neighbour/relative/colleague who has to deal with one on a day to day basis.
5. Write a story about a group, family or individual preparing for Halloween - shopping for pumpkins, baking spooky cakes, sending out party invitations, preparing trick or treat costumes. Something funny happens. It can be funny peculiar or funny ha ha, your choice.

Character Names

Sylvie, Alfred, Elvis, Fortuna, Violetta, Clarice, Clarissa, Claire, Clara, Clarence, Viola, Vivi

Character Traits

• May have had an unlucky childhood, characterised by parents who withheld affection, possibly even to the point of neglect. Alternatively they may have lost one or both parents at an early age. As adults, may adopt a child.
• Even if they had affectionate parents, they often believe themselves to have been neglected or misunderstood, and spend a lot of time with another adult, possibly a servant or employee of their parents.
• Frail constitution and lop sided spiritual/emotional development.
• Good members of society who often become benefactors.
• A woman will come to their aid financially.
• Restless and spontaneous, prone to getting sudden ideas. Irreverent.
• Fond of ancient lore, art, poetry and old fashioned lifestyles.
• May be drawn to life in a large institution or religious community.
• Passive and submissive, but can appear aggressive.
• Tend to become fixated on unimportant things.
• Likely to work for charities or in humanitarian fields. Good at dealing with the public. Acting or dentistry are other possible careers,
  
• Can be paranoid. Have a fear of pain.
• May drink too much.

Possible Themes

Innocence.

Loss.

Making people deal with issues they'd rather ignore, before they get out of hand.

Objects

A dentist; a child in rags; a fallen nest and fledglings; a child in a tub; a sheaf of corn; an ancient warship; a hand with 6 fingers.