A year of writing prompts: 19 December

How to use these prompts

Why might a motorhome be standing in for Santa's sleigh?
What's with the alien?

Prompts

1. "The most precious things in speech are pauses." Sir Ralph Richardson
2. It's Build a Snowman Day. Your characters decide to build a snowman. Perhaps they are children who believe there is something magical about their snowman. Perhaps they are students who build one somewhere unusual as a prank. Perhaps they are bored office workers, parents helping their children make one. Strangers stuck in a blizzard on a motorway - whatever you like.
3. Write a story set on the last day of school before the Christmas holidays.
4. In 1995, the Queen asked Prince Charles and Diana to get a divorce. Write about a couple whose marriage is in dire straits, and the mother of one of the couple decides to intervene. Whether, like the Queen, she suggests divorce or whether she steps in to try and save the marriage instead is up to you.
5. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. Write a modern day adaptation of the story.

Character Names

Esther, Viola, Jodie, Judith, Judy, Darius, Urban, Adam, Isaac, Rebecca

Character Traits

• Fond of travel and adventure. They dislike routine, but thrive on challenge and change.
• When young, may waste a lot of time and energy on worthless projects.
• Have a tendency to speak without thinking.
• A bad choice of friends can prove to be their downfall.
• Natural leaders who enjoy responsibility and giving orders but conversely often prefer a role in the background.
• Versatile and mentally agile. Cope well in a crisis. Will often know the way out of a tricky situation.
• Have a good sense of timing which can manifest itself in a talent for dancing or drumming.
• Slow to commit, but once they do, are loyal to a fault.
• Generous to both people and animals.
• Tend to be slim with expressive faces and penetrating eyes.
• Practical and intelligent, but with a tendency to be lazy if they can get away with it.

Possible Themes

Conciliation.

Offering.

Thankfulness.

Passion.

Objects

Olives; an almanac; a snowman; a kingfisher; a gingerbread house.