Sometimes even the most honest people can't share things. "It's not my secret." "It would just upset him." "She'd get mad at my friend."
Put someone in a conversation with something they cannot say.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Writing Prompt #246: End of Procrastination
Someone goes at a task that has been left undone for a long while.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Writing Prompt #245: A Difference of Opinion
Two parents respond to the same issue in entirely different ways.
The cliche approach would be "Yes, you can," and "No, you can't," but why not challenge yourself? Why not let the character go to two people for advice, and get really different responses?
I have a weird reminder to add here: Parents are super invested in their kids. Sometimes this means that they freak out and stress and before you get a chance to deal with whatever you brought to them, WHOOOOSH!! there are all these feelings and issues that seem unrelated or even offensive spewed all over the table. And before you know it, you came with a question about one, simple, tiny thing and you are receiving a hysterical lecture on the disintegration of society and your own inevitable doom.
Because yes, you have feelings and questions and stuff to work through, and so do they.
Parents have feelings too. And sometimes, they're bigger and scarier than the kids' are.
The cliche approach would be "Yes, you can," and "No, you can't," but why not challenge yourself? Why not let the character go to two people for advice, and get really different responses?
I have a weird reminder to add here: Parents are super invested in their kids. Sometimes this means that they freak out and stress and before you get a chance to deal with whatever you brought to them, WHOOOOSH!! there are all these feelings and issues that seem unrelated or even offensive spewed all over the table. And before you know it, you came with a question about one, simple, tiny thing and you are receiving a hysterical lecture on the disintegration of society and your own inevitable doom.
Because yes, you have feelings and questions and stuff to work through, and so do they.
Parents have feelings too. And sometimes, they're bigger and scarier than the kids' are.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Writing Prompt #244: Physical Affection
Someone unaccustomed to physical affection expresses or receives it.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Writing Prompt #242: Misjudging
Your character discovers that s/he misjudged someone.
These moments are so beautiful and so humbling.
These moments are so beautiful and so humbling.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Writing Prompt #241: "I'm Fine."
Some months ago, I started keeping a video diary. It started as a way to tell stories about things that were too happy to forget, but very soon I fell into the habit of chronicling when I was confused.
The upshot is that I've spent a good bit of time watching myself deal with agony.
Pushing aside the strange, dissection-like fascination of watching myself in pain, there is one thing I see over and over. What I'm saying and what I'm blatantly, obviously feeling are almost always opposites.
"I'm fine." *snot running down face*
"I'm fine." *shaking in tears*
" I'm alright." *buckles like a folding chair*
Write a scene where someone who is obviously not fine tries to say that they are.
And if you get a chance, I hope you try video-journaling. You see a lot more than you expect to.
The upshot is that I've spent a good bit of time watching myself deal with agony.
Pushing aside the strange, dissection-like fascination of watching myself in pain, there is one thing I see over and over. What I'm saying and what I'm blatantly, obviously feeling are almost always opposites.
"I'm fine." *snot running down face*
"I'm fine." *shaking in tears*
" I'm alright." *buckles like a folding chair*
Write a scene where someone who is obviously not fine tries to say that they are.
And if you get a chance, I hope you try video-journaling. You see a lot more than you expect to.
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