Prompts - Average Activity in Four Styles

Prompt: write a 150 word story about something extremely average that happens to us in our daily lives. Then write three variations on this story using any style we want.

150 Word Exercise: Base Story

            Elaina sat in the dark, slumped over her desk. She was anything but a morning person; she wouldn’t even be up now if it weren’t for her boyfriend. They liked to talk before they went to school every day.

            She quietly turned on her laptop, hoping the other occupants of the house – namely, her younger sister, Bailey – wouldn’t hear.

            Footsteps sounded in the hallway. Elaina froze until the steps faded back into the living room. She heard mumbling, and then a slam as the front door closed.

            She sighed and went to turn on her TV when the door opened again with a creak.

            “ELAINA! COME LOCK UP BEHIND ME!”

            She started to reply in a scathing manner (of course she’d lock the door, she wasn’t stupid) but Bailey had already shut the door again.

            Slowly, a bit miffed that her sister acted as though she were the older sibling, Elaina pulled on her clothes and prepared to leave for school.

            She never did lock the door.

150 Word Exercise: Draft 1 – Videogame Style

*PLAYER ONE: Elaina_ HAS ENTERED THE GAME*

PRESS [ ] TO SELECT

NEW GAME_

[LOAD GAME_]

Loading Saved File…Do not remove Memory Card in Slot A…

[FILE 1 – 5:15 hours. Location: Bedroom.]

Loading…Do not remove Memory Card…

CUTSCENE

Narrator: “Elaina was not a morning person, but she got up before dawn each day to talk to her boyfriend, Simon, before school. They had to be quiet, though…”

*PLAYER TWO: Bailey_ HAS ENTERED THE GAME*

Elaina: [Sigh. I’m tired]

            I think I’ll go back to bed.

Bailey WALKS DOWN HALLWAY

Elaina: I should talk to her…

            [Oh no! She might hear me!]

Bailey EXITS HOUSE

Elaina: Finally I can watch TV.

            [I should get ready for school]

Bailey ENTERS HOUSE

            [ELAINA! COME LOCK UP!]

           

Elaina: […of course]

            DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

Bailey EXITS HOUSE

Elaina: [All right, time to leave]

            Screw school.

Elaina EXITS HOUSE

SAVE GAME?           Yes_

                                    [No]

---ERROR HAS OCCURRED. ALL UNSAVED DATA WILL BE LOST---

150 Word Exercise: Draft 2 – Space Pirate (Firefly)

Elaina Starkiller entered the communications room early. Her shift wouldn’t start until 0700 hours, but she wanted to send a Wave to her boyfriend Simon on the videophone before he started classes at the Academy. She certainly didn’t like being up this early, but in this galaxy there was no sun to differentiate between night and day.

Just as she fired up the equipment, she heard footsteps on the bridge. She hoped it wasn’t the captain; although they were sisters, they didn’t get along very well.

Elaina sighed as she heard the footsteps fade and the door to the shuttle pods close with a metallic thud.

The Wave failed to connect just as she heard the door open again.

“ELAINA! SEAL THE PORTS BEHIND ME!”

She started to shout some comment along the lines of “Sir yes sir!” in return, but the door clanged shut before she could. Instead she sighed and prepared for her shift.

It was only when the nearby moon exploded that she remembered that she never sealed the ports.

150 Word Exercise: Draft 3 – Pre-Television Radio Program

“Up next, start your day off with the horror story that’s sweeping the nation! Get ready for the next installment of Elaina and Bailey, Sisters in Crime! Brought to you by Safe-T Locks, the most affordable door bolts you’ll ever LOCK eyes on!”

“Our story begins early one morning in the dark before the dawn. Elaina Atkins was writing a letter to her boyfriend who was serving on the front lines. She had to finish before she left for school. Suddenly, she froze as she heard footsteps in the hall!

“I mustn’t let Bailey know I’m awake, lest she give me some chore!” Elaina thought.

The footsteps faded, and Elaina heard the front door slam. Happily she began to write again, only to be interrupted by…the door!

“ELAINA! COME LOCK THE DOOR AFTER ME!”

Elaina did hate it so when Bailey told her what to do, and she nearly gathered the nerve to tell her off – but Bailey was already gone.

Alas, Elaina never did lock the door…

Tune in tomorrow at 5 am to find out what creatures of the night snuck through that unlocked door! Thanks for listening, folks!”

Prompts - 250 Word Explanation Story

Prompt: Write a scene in 250 words that explains how a character has an ability that they shouldn’t be able to have. Explain how they can do this without simply stating why they can.

            The night grew cold and dark as I sat in a corner of the abandoned house. My traveling companion, Carla, paced and moved her lips, though she knew I had no ability to hear the sounds she made.

            The room afforded no heat or light. I searched until I found a lopsided door. It led me to a room filled with shelves and cabinets, stuffed tightly with paper. By matchlight I could see on each paper patterns of curving lines, thick dots, and peculiar symbols. I recognized the patterns. They made what those who could hear called “music.”

            Carla soon came after me. She stared as I sorted the papers into two piles. On one pile I dropped my match. I felt the heat as it burned the yellowing paper. Carla made stomping gesture, but I held up two pages for her to see.

            I could not hear, but I knew that “music” made “songs” and people listened and tapped their toes. I imagined what they heard was like the pattern of ripples a skipping stone made in a still pond. The waters ebb and flow, lap onto dry sand and bring beauty and peace.

            The first paper I showed her was not the kind that imparted beauty. It was frenetic, discordant, unpleasant. With a weak pen I scribbled over it, blotting out its ugliness. The second paper was peaceful and harmonious; on it I drew gentle waves. Carla studied the papers and then my face. She began holding up other papers for me to see. A nod to the left, they were saved. To the right – burned.

Prompts - 250 Word Concrete Story

Prompt: Write a 250 word scene without using any words that indicate emotion. Focus on concrete details only. 

The blonde girl darted across the street before the light changed. A large pickup slammed on its brakes, driver raising his gloved fist. She reached the sidewalk and slowed, the thin lace of her Converse settling in an oily puddle. Her breathing was heavy, her blue eyes bright and shiny. My own breathing matched hers, and our mouths turned up slightly as we looked at each other.

            I held out my sweaty hand and waited for her to take it. She did, flicking her hair back with her free hand. We walked through the streets for nearly an hour, talking of many things. After a time she pulled me toward a dimly lit store. The windows, covered in flaking paint, advertised cheap prices and rare items. I followed her inside and placed my hands over her eyes. She stumbled slowly as I twisted around the aisles, weaving back and forth among the knickknacks and gadgets. I stopped in front of a display of large oriental rugs and turned her around to face me. Her breathing grew rapid.

            I leaned in and placed my lips on hers. For a moment her body stood still, arms tight at her side, green jacket slipping off her shoulders. I straightened and cupped her face in my hands, but her eyes remained shut. I heard a browsing customer tip over a nearby display. A child yelled three aisles down. The blonde girl opened her eyes and reached for my arms, pulling me into another kiss.