[Write the Story] The Characters Are Aware That They’re Fictional
Prompt: The Characters Are Aware That They’re Fictional Words: oil rig, dynasty, lousy, vault, discharge, supreme, migrate, harvest, jaw, pudding Story “What idiot puts a vault on a friggin’ oil rig?†Diane whispered as they crept through the dark corridors and pipe structure of Supreme Harvest floating rig. Rings, dings, and hisses covered and sounds […]
[Write the Story] The Phone Rings at 3 A.M.
Prompt: The Phone Rings at 3 A.M. Words: guerilla, emerald, careless, traffic, liberate, adolescence, punch, wave, environment, oval Story Robert Earl Keen has a song where the chorus line is The road goes on forever and the party never ends. That’s how I feel every day. Except it’s not a party. It’s my job. Ring. […]
[Write the Story] A Family Gathering on a Holiday
Prompt: A Family Gathering on a Holiday Words: rabbi, irony, bamboozle, sturgeon, bale, reserve, vanquish, submerge, plum, rhetorical Story “You know, some families do plum pudding during the holidays.” Graham wrinkled his nose as he snagged a cookie on his way through the overly warm kitchen. “Your rhetorical observations are getting old. ” Callie swatted […]
[Write the Story] A Talented Musician Struggles to Make it Big
Prompt: A Talented Musician Struggles to Make it Big Words: crocodile, anchor, lasagna, anthem, fingernail, trout, federal, bog, jostle, repel Story “It’s going to happen for you, babe.” Veronica gestured with a forkful of trout almondine. “You’re amazing.” Evan picked at his lasagna. “I’m glad you think so, Ronnie, I just…I don’t know. No offense […]
[Write The Story] A Famous Fictional Character in the Wrong Story
Prompt: A Famous Fictional Character in the Wrong Story Words: stock market, serial, tangy, panda, ensemble, salute, average, Venus, boss, knee Story “Greed is good.” Gordon strolled through the market like the boss he was, suit crisp and tie straight. “No, Greedo was bad–well, he was a bounty hunter, so maybe not bad, but at […]
[Write the Story] In the Middle of a Long, Cold Winter
Prompt: In the Middle of a Long, Cold Winter Words: opera, redeem, razor, lungs, grace, futuristic, tread, vest, milkshake, powder Story “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kelly asked, adjusting Paul’s vest. “I mean, you just drank a milkshake.” Paul gestured with the disposable razor. “Of course, it’s a futuristic opera about how […]
[Write the Story] A Spy on the Job
Prompt: A Spy on the Job Words: apostle, kitty, myriad, investment, republic, crimson, flint, postern, original, field Story Kitty Carone slipped through the postern gate out into the field beyond the stone ramparts of the monastery. She ditched the crimson cloak she’d worn as she’d navigated the myriad corridors, avoiding apostles at every turn. A […]
[Write the Story] Stranded in a Foreign City
Prompt: Stranded in a Foreign City Words: Baptist, assets, cupcake, showcase, neurology, workaday, pine, cushion, assistant, firmament Story “All I wanted was a cupcake.” Eva plopped down on the pine bench. “We’re in Versailles,” Andy, Eva’s assistant, said. “At a neurology symposium. What makes you think there would be cupcakes?” Eva sighed. “It’s France? They […]
[Write the Story] A Countdown
Prompt: A Countdown Words: plumber, witty, oyster, voluntary, asparagus, centralize, judge, puddle, pointer, ampersand Story “You know, you don’t have to give anyone your password. It’s nobody’s business what post but you.†Sid poked the oyster with his fork. “Are these supposed to be swimming in a puddle of goo?†“Since it’s oyster stew, um […]
[Write the Story] A Crime Scene
Prompt: A Crime Scene Words: phantom, desperate, scale, normality, ponytail, tremendous, stiletto, hound, wrinkle, smoke Story “I can’t believe this is what passes for our normality,†Ashley said as she picked her way through smoke and debris. “If you didn’t expect this, why’d you take the job?†Alton asked, kneeling to tag an errant stiletto. […]