A year of writing prompts: 1 November

How to use these prompts

Who is this?
What powers or abilities might he have?

Prompts

1. Spencer Percival, the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated, was born on this date in 1762. Write a thriller about a plot to assassinate a prime minister.
2. "If you don't go over the top, you can't see what's on the other side." Jim Steinman
3. She put down what she saw to Halloween high jinks, someone's decorations - but when she woke up the next day and looked out of the window, it was still there.
4. It's author's day. Write a story in which your main character is an author.
5. Sadie Hawkins Day is celebrated around now. The tradition of this day is that tables are turned and a woman can ask a man out on a date. Write about what happens when a girl takes matters into her own hands and asks a guy for a date.

Character Names

Felix, Marianna, Sidney, Denise, Dennis, Dwight, Edmund, Andre, Andrea

Character Traits

• May be haunted by remorse for an old mistake or a secret tragedy.
• Strong but sensitive.
• Tendency to be a loner. Secretive and reserved.
• Original, have the capacity to be shocking.
• May be given to austerity or imposing strict rules for living upon themselves. This tendency may well have begun at an early age.
• Tend to be eccentric and difficult to understand.
• May have a proclivity for sitting in darkened rooms.
• Talent for poetry.
• Healing ability.
• Can be sarcastic and critical.
• Refined and possibly dainty.
• Considerate and tactful but with a cunning, selfish and devious streak.
• Very precise. Have good memories.
• Tendency to bear grudges and make many enemies. Need to be constantly vigilant.
• They attract difficult people, but seem to have a talent for dealing with them. Careers in communications, or difficult, undesirable occupations may attract them.
• May become electricians, coal miners, astrologers or occult writers.
• Ask for advice but do as they please anyway.
• Resourceful and determined to get their own way.
• Danger from ambushes or deceit.

Possible Themes

Astrology.

Blackness.

Formal gatherings, manners.

Social engineering.

Objects

A swarm of flies; a snake; an isolated house; a bull; a battery; an embassy ball; a man with a frail body but a beautiful face.