A year of writing prompts: 15 August

How to use these prompts

A heatwave on the farm.
What might these sheep be thinking/saying to each other
as they shelter from the sun?

Prompts

1. In 1996 a Florida crook was arrested when, 20 miles from the petrol station he'd just robbed, he ran out of gas. Write a story about someone who is in big trouble because they forgot an obvious detail.
2. It's National I Love Cowboys and Cowgirls Day. Write a story set in the Wild West.
3. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." Sir Walter Scott
4. "You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war." Napoleon Bonaparte
5. It's the birthday of E. Nesbit, who wrote The Railway Children. Write a modern day version about children who play near a railway line and wave at someone who passes by on the train every day.

Character Names

Hannah, Maria, Norman, Norma, Napoleon, Mary, Marcela, Stella, Stellan

Character Traits

• Likely to be great trailblazers. This could mean they will be a great war leader, the founder of a religion, a prophet, or make significant discoveries in philosophy or science.
• Always ready to fight for a cause, and may take on a hard and weary path in life - but will always make time for love and romance.
• Tendency towards vulgarity and swagger, a desire to be the centre of attention and show off. Know how to generate excitement and make a big impression.
• Good judges of human nature and treat each person as an individual. This makes them many friends.
• Capable and kind but with a tendency to be bossy.
• Highly intelligent and versatile with good memories. Broad general knowledge.
• Always seeking after wider horizons and new understanding. Particular interest in studying the past in order to enlighten the future.
• Careers: human sciences, medicine, teaching, business, law. They could also become entertainers - actors or clowns.
• Danger from falls as a result of losing control.
• May act rashly and come to grief as a result.
• May suffer from rheumatism.
• There is a possibility they may kill someone at some point in their lives.

Possible Themes

Humanity.

Rulers and leaders.

Shows of strength; daring.

Circuses and carnivals.

Superheroes.

Objects

A bareback rider; a star; a lake; mistletoe; a golden knife; a ram's horn trumpet; a man with two heads.