A year of writing prompts: 10 August

How to use these prompts

Who is this man?
What made him decide to get so many tattoos?
What is the significance of them?

Prompts

1. In 1997 a grandmother, Romona Safont, was offered a hot air balloon ride on her 100th birthday by her family - on the condition she gave up her original request - to go paragliding. Your character is approaching their 100th birthday and want to do something wacky, unconventional or even dangerous to celebrate. His or her family, and/or the staff of the old people's home don't approve.
2. In 2003, Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko became the first person to marry in space. Write a story about a wedding which takes place in space. It could be on a current space station, by Skype to someone on Earth; or both may be present in space. Or it could be on a futuristic space station in which case, do some guests travel from Earth? Or the ceremony could even take place during a space walk.
3. The National Hobo Convention takes place in Iowa at around this time. Write a story set during a national convention for tramps.
4. It's World Lion Day. Write a story featuring a lion.
5. "About the time we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends." Herbert Hoover

Character Names

Laurie, Lassie, Hailey, Halley, Diego, Boris, Lawrence, Lars

Character Traits

• Interested in ancient myths and religion; also in scientific research on light and rays.
• Broad general knowledge.
• Bright and creative, not necessarily intellectual. Their methods can be somewhat unorthodox.
• Capable worker in any business; may earn admiration for their humanitarian work.
• Possible careers include pilot, author, politician, scientist, chemist or instructor.
• Good organisers who are capable of leading a double life, or managing two completely different projects at the same time.
• Often good looking. Neat in appearance, and also take good care of their possessions and environment.
• Conservative, critical and precise. May fear taking risks.
• Popular and sought after, but seldom understood.
• Patient with the ability to work hard on difficult problems for a long time. Success more likely in later life when steady, plodding efforts finally pay off.
• Can be lazy and self-centred, driven by a desire for luxury.
• Tendency to worry and become depressed.
• May alternate between generosity and selfishness. 
• Danger from polluting chemicals.

Possible Themes

Opening and closing; the start and end of the day.

Deep mysteries of the everyday world.

Experiments; testing things.

Objects

A key; a mirror; a gold mine; a metal unknown to modern science; a budding rose bush.