writersbeware

[writersbeware]

Divine Intervention

            Very often unexpected things happen. It might be a check in the mail, a phone call, a visitor that dropped in. Depending upon the person, such things might bring great joy, or, they might be quite upsetting.             Many don’t like surprises as they upset plans, while others ‘go with the flow’ and enjoy precious moments together.             Your task is to write a story in…

[writersbeware]

Our Life Stories

all of life is a series of nonstories the might-have-beens the almost becames the things we dreamt of doing but never did the wishes unfulfilled presents never delivered or received places never visited near-misses chance occurrences that developed into nothing the left-behinds and soon-to-be forgottens all stories untold mysteries locked romances closeted things never…

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A Hurdle to Jump Over

            Have you ever noticed that when things are finally running smoothly, something goes wrong?             The car gets a flat. The washing machine overflows. A pipe bursts. A friendship self-destructs.             How you handle it, how you react, says a lot about your character.             The same is true for the people in your stories. When faced with difficulty, does your…

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Falling in Love

            Our beloved dog had recently passed. The house felt lonely without four paws running around the dining room. The kids begged for another dog, so when a good friend was in searching for a dog, I rode along.              We visited many shelters in the local area. She found a rottweiler that interested her. Nothing sparked my interest until we saw a female with three tiny puppies,…

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Free the Monster!

Oh, dear! Monsters are outside. They’re walking down my street. Stomping on cars and bikes. Breaking down walls. Wreaking havoc. What do you do? Who do you call? Your task is to write a story in which a city or village faces a threat…the kraken is loose! The ogre is stomping down Main Street! The toddlers are tearing down the backdrop! Have fun with this one.

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Education

Education Magic bullet Gateway to stars Door to continuous learning Within easy reach Requires some effort Constantly yearning

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I’m Scared!

            There are so many things to fear: spiders, heights, flying, eating out, strangers. Sometimes those fears are crippling. The subject can’t leave the house because of the possibility of encountering his/her worst fear.             Then there are those who fear nothing. It must be terrifying as a parent to watch your child climb high into a tree or scale a pole or ride a bike down a…

[writersbeware]

My Old Friend

            Nothing adds interest like an old acquaintance showing up.             Imagine standing in line t buy theater tickets when a voice from the past interrupts your thinking. You don’t recognize them at first as it’s been quite a long time since you last saw him/her. What happens? Who speaks first?             What does your character do when recognition blooms?             Your task…

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              Radiant Vision

The sun arose and filled my eyes With heavenly glory personified Tears down my face did solemnly pour I stood transfixed, and begged for more Golden rays lit up the new morn sky With brilliant spectacle for the eye With mouth agape I did profoundly stare And wonder what God’s doing up there To me He gave such wondrous gift That my poor spirit felt tremendous lift To my knees I should…

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Set the Monster Free

            Every good fantasy story needs a monster. It could be a kraken, huge shark, vicious hounds, or even destructive children.             They terrorize the village, devour pets, take bites out of boats, glom onto airplanes, and, if children, smear food all over walls.             They leave destroyed evidence in their wake. People hide inside when they are about. Some will refuse to…

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Surprise!

            My best friend wanted to add a dog to her kennel. I rode along, as company, not intending to bring one home. However, as we drove from one rescue shelter to another, the craving inside me grew and grew.             Not for the big dogs or the ones that barked and growled. Not for the Sherpa who looked dangerous. Not for tiny things that might break if we stepped on it…

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Help from on High

            The only prayer I knew before first grade was; “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”             Pretty dismal. Imagine being three or four and thinking about dying in bed. I was terrified to close my eyes and drift off, certain that I’d be dead before sunrise. In my mind, God was not a friend and not…

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Divine Act

            Surprising things happen. Sometimes they turn out to be good, oftentimes not-so-good. Perhaps you had a hint that it might happen, but many times you don’t.             Some people believe in miracles, in divine intervention, while others think things just happen, on their own.             Your task is to write a story in which something unexpected and uncontrollable…

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Just for the Picking

Ten thousand wishes float into the air Brightly lit rainbow dots drift without care Air-filled hopes slowly rise into the sky Waiting for the moment to multiply Realistic fantasies within reach Specifically crafted for us each Inside, a single dream lurks unfulfilled Waits for perfect heart in which to be spilled Dandified dreams as mystic butterflies Burst in multicolored hues ‘ere our…

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Sudden Death

            Someone must die.             We don’t like to kill our characters unless in a thriller, but people die in real life. Good people and people with nefarious backgrounds. Kind people who give of themselves as well as their money. Evil people who rob banks and gas stations.             Your task is to write a story in which someone dies.             Have fun with this one.

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Walking in the Snow

            I was born in Dayton, Ohio. Our first residence was a tiny house that was once owned by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Looking back at old photos, I now realize we lived in the “projects.” Every house looked the same. They marched down the street, like soldiers.             We did have running water and electricity, but the only washing machine was an old-fashioned wringer type. I…

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And the Winner Is!

            The protagonist, of course! That’s what readers expect. She wins the lottery, pays off her parent’s mortgage, donates tons to charity, and opens up the retail shop of her dreams. He buys himself a home in the suburbs, moves in his brother and two kids. He enrolls in college, rents an apartment nearby, and puts money into college accounts for those two kids.             Good things…