A year of writing prompts: 10 December

How to use these prompts

Write about someone who might take (or have taken)
this ship's wheel. Where might they go?

Prompts

1. Nobel prizes are presented on this day in Stockholm. Your character has been awarded a Nobel Prize. Which one is up to you. Do they accept it? If not, why? If they do accept, what happens at the presentation ceremony?
2. "The only way to come to know where you are is to begin to make yourself at home." George McDonald
3. Write about a street in which neighbours compete ruthlessly with each other over who has the most and best Christmas lights. It's time for the contest to begin again. Perhaps one household decides to drop out this year and not bother; perhaps some new people have moved in who either don't want to compete, don't celebrate Christmas, or win the contest hands down.
4. In 1963, a six year old Donny Osmond first appeared on the Andy Williams Show. Write a story about a child star.
5. In 1998, the first astronauts arrived aboard the International Space Station. Write about a brand new space station opening for business. Where is the space station? Orbiting Earth or some other planet, or in deep space? What is its purpose? Who is its first crew? What tensions are there between the different races or disciplines who have to work together there?

Character Names

Julie, Jutta, Judith, Loretta, Emma, Emmett, Julia, Daniel, Valerie, Valeria

Character Traits

• Long to be popular and recognised for their achievements. When they don't get it they will find fault with and criticise the efforts of others.
• Disagree with the prevailing opinion of their time and the customs of their native country.
• They can be stubborn, argumentative and aggressive, and always getting into quarrels. This can take the form of brawls or litigation and libel.
• Analytical minds which manifest in a talent for maths and for analysing the motives of other people.
• Have a slight speech impediment.
• Write sad and melancholic poetry.
• Ambitious and restless.
• Have a tendency to want what is unattainable.
• Willing to die for their ideals.
• Careful and parsimonious - may make a career of conservation or economics.
• May be involved with money laundering.
• Danger of jealousy and suspicion in the workplace.
  

Possible Themes

Footholds.

Satire.

Exposing lies and confronting evil.

Music.

Objects

A Chinese laundry; a book of law; scales; a May pole; blackbirds; a pie; a red silk tapestry.