Story Ideas for Writers

It seems like these posts have been too serious for too long, so let’s lighten it up a bit, shall we?

We all have made those impulse purchases (and many times regret doing so) but most of the time these purchases are silly: rainbow-colored crocs, a red Flash hat–complete with lightning bolts jutting from the sides of the cap, a rock tumbler, a food dehydrator, numerous books on your Kindle for the simple reason that they are on sale, a Magic 8-Ball, and hundreds of other items that are bought over the years, get stuffed into closets, boxed away in basements, and most of them don’t get used as the person believed when they purchased the item.

• This can be a…
• I will…
• We all have more…
• Who just got…
• It’s all good.
• What it was going after…
• Please don’t.
• I was struck by…
• I get mad at myself.
• The man who’s…
• Time is near.

Story Ideas for Writers

This last month–especially in the last week–has been one of loss, chaos, and uncertainty. A couple of weeks ago we lost my father-in-law. He collapsed while working in the yard, and by the time a neighbor found him and dialed 911, he was gone. The rescue squad and the hospital staff worked a long time to see if they could bring him back, but they couldn’t. And my wife lost a father, I lost a role-model, my Mother-In-Law lost a constant companion of the last 39 years, my children lost their beloved “Pampa,” the community lost a decidicated volunteer, a man that could always be called upon to give of his time generously (of both time and money) for any good cause that aided those who were less fortunate.

He was a constant in my life for the last 30 years or so. Always there, mostly in the background at my kids’ soccer games, concerts, or wearing my daughter’s hand-painted apron while grilling burgers, brats, or steaks out on the grill.

We had a quiet easy-going relationship where we didn’t need to say much and could sit in companionable silence, or discuss the latest goings-on with the grandkids, or our major point in common, his step-daughter, my wife, who we both greatly admire and are proud of. He helped me pick out my first suit for my first “real” job interview, could always be counted upon for a “probability seminar” (Texas Hold’em), and available to discuss the latest current events and politics. This short post is woefully inadequate for describing who he was, explaining how much I learned from him and how much he touched my life I’ll miss you, Fred, the world is a darker place without you in it.

---

Provocative Phrase Friday — The Writing Prompts

As I write this at 7:48 am on November 6, 2020, there is still no declared winner of the contentious 2020 presidential race. During election night I truly thought that all was lost. That somehow America voted to keep a narcissistic con-man in the Oval Office for another four years. That is the definition of an “all is lost” moment.

“I thought you lost it” is a great way to start a story, but any loss is an inspiration for a story. We have all experienced it, we all know it, and can relate to it. Fear of loss is a powerful motivator.

Try these 11 other writing prompts. Use these random phrases to create something good from nothing.

• That’s why we do it.
• He does know how…
• Privacy, please.
• Say what?
• We follow…
• So you sent him away?
• Don’t get mad.
• Tell us more about…
• Why don’t we go on a…
• No, John…
• They’ll let you do this?

Story Ideas for Writers

According to the Collins Dictionary to leave your/a mark’s definition is:

If someone or something leaves their mark or leaves a mark, they have a lasting effect on another person or thing.

This is the goal of most human beings it seems. To make your mark on the world, yet so few of us manage to do so in a long-lasting, meaningful way.

You might be leaving your mark on the world in many ways, both good and bad unbeknownst to you. Most of us have had people who have left a mark on us in ways that they never quite realized. A teacher who encourages you to go to college when you are 14 and never really gave it too much thought, but somehow it solidifies into a goal that you pursue with single-minded tenacity that surprises even you. You didn’t think to thank them because you didn’t see the depth of the mark they made until much later.

This person’s influence might have instilled a core belief in you, a deep love of a sport, a musician or band, a genre of fiction, or any number of things. Leaving a mark might be as simple as a single act of kindness shown at the precise time when it was needed most.

Writers write because they want to make their mark on the world. A book is proof that you did something. Something tangible that you can hold in your hand and give to others.

• Why are you doing this?
• A chance to talk about what happened.
• You’ve never seen it.
• It’s not your…
• It takes me a few minutes…
• It will taste better…
• Here’s what you’ll need.
• They never have to take…
• I’ve sort of got…
• If I got killed…
• When you’re putting on your socks…

So leave your mark and start a new project using one of these prompts (or one of your own) today.

Story Ideas for Writers

Almost everyone has experienced this at some point in their lives. Maybe it was serious such as choking on food that plugged up your airway or having the “wind knocked out of you” after a fall. Or maybe there was a moment when you were really sick, and every breath felt inadequate and painful, and you wondered if you would ever get better. It was uncomfortable, and at some times VERY uncomfortable, but you eventually caught your breath and breathed normally again. For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, George Floyd was pinned under a knee of Derek Chauvin, an officer serving in the Minneapolis Police Department. George Floyd never had the chance to breathe normally again.

8 minutes and 46 seconds is a long time. Set a timer for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Start out by holding your breath for as long as you can. Eventually, you’ll break, somewhere between 1 and 2 minutes, but note how much of that time remains.

“I can’t breathe.” These three words are reportedly the last words George Floyd said before losing consciousness. These three words have sparked a revolution. If you ever had doubts about the power of words, this example should shatter it. “I can’t breathe,” is now the rallying cry against racism and injustice. It is another opportunity to do better to make sure that we lift everyone up with us as we thrive by solving the complex, difficult problems that we have ignored and kicked down the road because they are too difficult to solve right at the moment. Institutional Racism. Massive Income Inequality. Lack of Affordable Healthcare. Militarized Police Forces. These are just a few of the problems we keep trying to shove back under the rug, but that rug now is about 3 feet off the ground and sitting on top of these problems like an ill-fitting top hat. We no longer can afford to save these issues for a better day in the future, we need to start on them today.

For these reasons, these three words seemed perfect for a Provocative Phrase Friday prompt.

• Do you know what…
• You need to be honest…
• You’re right…
• I will not soon forget.
• Make a living out of lying.
• It’s even better on the way up.
• He’s recovered seven bodies…
• We’re delivering a…
• Not since the days of…
• I learned last night…
• If I don’t make it…

Take 8 minutes and 46 seconds and write. Get a sense of how long that time really is, and capture some your thoughts and feelings this week.

Story Ideas for Writers

Do you ever feel like you are living in an episode of the X-Files?

Another week of complete mayhem in the world, full of conspiracy theories run amuck where that girl who sat across from you in study hall in high school has decided that her ability to surf Google trumps the well-documented knowledge and years of experience of medical professionals and scientists.

I don’t know if I should laugh right now or cry. I think it is better if I chalk it up to a lot of people with too much time on their hands and nowhere to go.

“Just answer the question,” is what I yell at my TV screen every time a politician pivots, twists, and contorts the truth to avoid answering the simplest of inquiries–which is what makes it the perfect Provocative Phrase for this particular Friday.

• Just answer the question.
• I knew that this was…
• We can help you find…
• Take her home.
• Do you feel like…
• You don’t know for sure…
• Your mom quits her job.
• What we need to see…
• Did you see…
• We swear to God…
• No hands allowed.
• For a first-hand look…

Which one do you like best? Leave your answer in the comments.