A Year of Writing Prompts: January 8

How to use these prompts

Who are the three students?
Why have they chosen to join the class?
What is the instructor thinking?
Who is the woman lurking in the doorway?

Prompts

1. "Quit while you're ahead. All the best gamblers do." Baltasar Gracian
2. There are several celebrations in various parts of the world on this date where the women are allowed to go out and have a bit of fun while the men take care of the home. If today falls on a Friday, there's also "Gals Night Out." Write about a man who is left in charge of the house, and/or children, with disastrous results!
3. In 1800, Victor of Aveyron, a boy of about 12, emerged from the forest, having apparently lived wild for his entire childhood. He was captured and placed in the care of a local woman but later escaped. Write a story about a wild child like him, coming to terms with living in the civilized world.
4. It's Elvis Presley's birthday. Write a story featuring an Elvis impersonator and/or a sighting of the original Elvis after his death.
5. It's also the birthday of Gypsy Rose Lee. Write a story featuring a gypsy.

Character Names

Dominic, Amy, Elvis, Erhard

Character Traits

• May be famous and even powerful in countries other than the country of their birth.
• There will have been some hindrance to healthy development in early life, possibly through the loss of their home, and/or safe surroundings.
• Feel alone in the world.
• Tendency to speak out of turn.
• Determined and stubborn people who hold on to their ideas. They have the courage of their convictions and will stand alone if need be.
• Willing to use force where necessary but will be merciful to a vanquished foe.
• Strong respect for truth and honesty.
• Leadership qualities but with a tendency to be domineering.
• Drawn to work involving problem solving. May be drawn to work in dangerous places. Mining is one career they may be drawn to, and there is a danger to them of accidents connected to mines.
• Astute wheeler-dealer.
• Handsome, swashbuckling type with romantic notions of glory.
• Cool, calm and collected in a crisis.
• May suffer from joint, back or shoulder problems as a result of carrying too much weight or taking on too much.

Possible Themes

Stability and strength.

Loaded expectations.

Conditioning and programming.

Paperwork and errands.

Objects

A bag of groceries; a crab; a seal; a half eaten piece of bread.