Before I get to the prompt for this week, let me remind you that you can share your responses to the prompt either in the comments on this post, or in the comments on my response. If your response to the prompt is too long, let me know in the comments and we’ll get it posted as a regular post!
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A rather fun scenario to work with is warring neighbors. Maybe it’s the next apartment down, or the next dorm room down, or your sister in the next room. Whenever people live in close proximity to one another, friction can mount and war can begin.

Pick a scenario where a character and their neighbors are getting into it over something that may at first seem trivial, but escalates. Use this exercise as a way to build solid character progression and make sure that each escalation is, while unexpected and unique, not out of character.

Before I get to the prompt for this week, let me remind you that you can share your responses to the prompt either in the comments on this post, or in the comments on my response. If your response to the prompt is too long, let me know in the comments and we’ll get it posted as a regular post!
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Sometimes the way in which we describe something can give it an entirely different connotation than it would normally have. For instance: At a meeting a few weeks ago, our IT guy started a sentence with “Well, when my wife goes pregnant…” and we all died of laughter. Why? Because his phrasing juxtaposed birth and pregnancy with language used with nuclear attacks.

So, what event, situation, thing, person, etc can you describe in such a way that it takes on an entirely new and unexpected meaning?

Before I get to the actual prompt for this week, let me remind you that you can share your responses to the prompt either in the comments on this post, or in the comments on my response. If your response to the prompt is too long, let me know in the comments and we’ll get it posted as a regular post!
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This week’s prompt: I have recently discovered a religion called Discordianism.  Whether or not this is a parody religion, no one is quite sure, but everyone is in agreement that it is rather hilarious and everyone should read about it, at least briefly (hence the link to their wiki). Anyway, parodies are a true art form, and have left us in stitches for years. So….

What in your life deserves a parody? Maybe it’s something you take too seriously. Or your friend takes too seriously. If you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at one of my favorite parodies of all time: Body Rituals among the Nacerima. And start parody-ing!

We all have those people in our lives who leaving lasting impressions for good or for bad. Write a story where a character’s past just won’t leave them alone. For good, for ill, in reality or only in their mind.

Here’s another pictoral writing prompt for you…

I know she’s hard to see, but I think that’s part of what is great about this picture. Here’s a lady performing in a spotlight (most likely singing) sometime in the 40’s or 50’s. Who is she, why is she there, who is she performing for?

Merry Christmas! You thought you’d get away without a writing prompt this week, didn’t you. Well, you didn’t, but keeping with the festivities of the day, your prompt is as follows…

The holidays are a time of tradition and wonderment. Choose one of the following:

1. Think back to your childhood and what traditions/rituals you followed at this time of year. How does your perspective now inform what was going on then?
2. Create a new tradition/religion/worship ceremony akin to our Christmas, keeping in mind such treasures as Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather.

Hope you have a magical day!

To celebrate the fact that you may be done with class for the term or done with work for holiday vacation (or just because it’s a weekend, or it’s close to one of those events) try this word out:

Anacreontic

This word has a host of meanings, including the following:

• jovial, festive and amorous
• celebrating love and drinking
• a poem in the manner of Anacreon; especially : a drinking song or light lyric

Is there a story of poem in you that is anacreontic?

Our prompt for this week:

Below is one of several pictures that will be appearing over the next few weeks; they were found and purchased from a shady antique store under a bridge in Seattle. What is the story behind this photo? According to the ornate handwriting on the back, this is Hazel. Hazel, meet your biographers…