A year of writing prompts: January 9

How to use these prompts

On a winter walk, a character finds these stones.
Are they merely maps and information points,
or something more sinister?
What happens to your characters if they walk between them?

Prompts

1. "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake". Gracie Fields
2. In 1768 the first modern circus was staged in London. Write a story involving a circus.
3. In 1493 Columbus saw a manatee and thought it was a mermaid. Write about a manatee who thought she was a mermaid.
4. In 1968, heavy rain and a freeze caused Big Ben to stop for four hours. Write about what happened when time stood still.
5. In 1868, the last convict transportation ship arrived in Australia. Write about one of the people on board that ship.

Character Names

Marcel, Caspar, Basil, Maude, Kent, Hunter, Nona, Alexei

Character Traits

• Talent for mimicry.
• Their taste in art is rich, colourful and exuberant.
• Fond of children.
• Have nimble bodies and move gracefully.
• Good taste in fashion but sometimes vain.
• Physically active.
• A need for the approval of others hampers their development.
• Shy and retiring.
• Soothing and healing presence.
• Luckier in love than with money.
• Tend to be unreliable at work but may achieve success later in life.
• May have a secret sex life.
• The fashion industry, or something in entertainment, especially actor, dancer or comedian are possible careers.
• Could also go into the military and achieve positions of command.
• Tendency to contradict themselves.
• Danger from gossip.
• May be discriminated against because of their spiritual beliefs.
• Manipulation due to guilt is possible, as is manipulation by subliminal messages.

Possible Themes

Self-discovery.

Narcissism.

The church and church music.

Hidden messages.

Objects

A monkey; a mirror; a spiral staircase; a bowl of water.