500 Club (2/23)

Happy Thursday! It’s time for the 500 Club!

Before we get to today’s prompts, here’s a quick recap of the rules.

  1. Choose one of the prompts below.
  2. On your blog, write a 500-word story or scene based on the prompt.
  3. Post a teaser to your story in the comments below with a link to where we can read the rest.

Easy, right?

Here are today’s prompts:

1. Create a character who is the opposite of you and write a scene from his or her point of view. Be sincere. Honest. Don’t judge your character.

…or…

2. Write a flash fiction story with the opening: “The day the sun went dark…”

Happy writing!

500 Club (2/2)

Hello. Welcome to today’s 500 Club. We’ll be taking off for our destination momentarily. Today’s cruising speed will be 500 words and we’ll be flying at an unlimited altitude. The sky is the limit. As we taxi away from the gate, we’d like to review the guidelines for flying with PLC airlines.

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Put a teaser in the comments below, and include a link to where we can read the rest of your story.

Now, please fasten your safety belts and secure your tray in its upright position.

Prompt #1: Write a story involving flying. The concept of flying is open to your interpretation. Focus on description.

…Or…

Prompt #2: Write a story about a missed flight. What is the consequence of missing the flight? Focus on emotional content.

We hope you enjoy your flight. And thank you for choosing PLC airlines.

500 Club (1/19)

Happy Thursday, y’all! It’s time to write some flash with the 500 Club!

How do you play? Here’s the rules.

  1. Choose one of the prompts below. (or get crazy and do both)
  2. On your blog, write a 500-word story or scene based on the prompt.
  3. Post the first line or two of your story in the comments below with a link to the rest.

Here are today’s prompts:

1. Alien Invasion. They’re here, and they’re not what you would think. Twins? Cats? Cars? Only our narrator knows the truth (or does (s)he)?

…or…

2. Go pull one of your favorite books off the shelf. Flip around and blindly pluck out five lines at random. Write a flash fiction inspired by at least one of the lines.

Here are my lines, chosen at random from The Graveyard Book

Bod had never walked anywhere as a sightseer before.

He was going to have to fall straight down, he decided, onto the steps, and he would just hope that the ghouls wouldn’t notice that he was making a break for it in their desperation to be home and safe.

Mrs. Owens said simply, “I cannot. My bones are here. And so are Owen’s. I’m never leaving.”

“I wanted to go to Acadia Avenue.”

“First we put you somewhere safe. Then we deal with them.”

 

Happy writing!

500 Club (1/12)

It’s Thursday! You know what that means. It’s time for the 500 Club!

Before we get to today’s prompts, here’s a quick recap of the rules.

  1. Choose one of the prompts below.
  2. On your blog, write a 500-word story or scene based on the prompt.
  3. Post a teaser to your story in the comments below with a link to where we can read the rest.

Easy, right?

Here are today’s prompts:

1. Write a scene where an outsider is revealed to be an insider.

…or…

2. Write the scene the comes after the character receives the life-changing news.

Happy writing!

500 Club (12/22)

Most of you are probably running around doing holiday things, but maybe there are some out there who are taking a little time today to write. Well, here are some 500 Club writing prompts to help you out. Our little gift to you.

Before we begin, here’s a recap of how to drive this snowmobile:

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Paste a teaser in the comments below, along with a link where we can read the rest.

Got it? Good. Here are today’s prompts:

1. Write a story about the shortest day of the year.

…OR…

2. Describe a winter scene without using the words winter, cold, snow, ice or frozen.

Remember, no pressure. This is for fun.

Happy writing. And Happy Holidays!

500 Club (12/8)

Happy Thursday, everyone! It’s time to keep our writing chops honed by slamming out some flash fiction. We like to make a game of it, so here are…

…the rules:

  1. Pick one of the two prompts and write 500 words on it.
  2. Post it to your blog.
  3. Give us your opening line below, along with a link back to the rest of it.
  4. Bask in the glow of success.

And now on to the prompts. This week we’re doing opening lines:

1. It was the eve of war, and we sat on the (insert noun here) and tried to figure out what to do with ourselves. 

2. It was the last sunset he ever saw. He never forgot it.

Happy writing!

500 Club (12/1)

Happy Thursday! Happy December! Are you ready to play the 500 Club, holiday-style? Let’s get this season started.

But quick—before we begin—here’s a recap of the rules:

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Paste a teaser in the comments below, along with a link where we can read the rest.

Got it? Good. Here are today’s December-inspired prompts:

1. Write a story that somehow incorporates shopping on Black Friday.

…OR…

2. Write a story about a gift gone wrong.

Remember, no pressure. Writing should be fun.

Happy writing!

500 Club (11/10)

It’s Thursday! Ready to play the 500 Club?

Before we begin, here’s a recap of the rules:

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Paste a teaser in the comments below, along with a link where we can read the rest.

Got it? Good. Here are today’s prompts:

1. Write a story in which one character is selling something to one or more other characters. Use your imagination.

…OR…

2. Write a scene in which two characters carry on a conversation but neither understands what the other is truly saying. Subtext and subtlety are key.

Remember, no pressure. This is for fun.

Happy writing!

The 500 Club (10/20)

Welcome to Thursday. Welcome to The 500 Club!

Before we get to today’s prompts, a quick recap of how to play:

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Paste a teaser in the comments below, along with a link where we can read the rest.

Got it? Now for the prompts.

1.  Keeping in mind that much of good storytelling is based on reader expectation and surprise, write a story about a perfect day.

-OR-

2. Keeping in mind that much of good storytelling is based on reader expectation and surprise, write a story about a disastrous day.

Remember, no pressure. Just have fun writing.

500 Club (9/29)

It’s Thursday! You know what that means, don’t you?

This week’s edition of The 500 Club!

Before we get to today’s prompts, a quick recap of how to ride this bicycle:

  1. Write a 500 word response to one of the prompts below.
  2. Post your story on your blog.
  3. Paste a teaser in the comments below, along with a link where we can read the rest.

Easy! You got this. Now for the prompts.

Today’s prompts are brought to you by the four elements.

1.  Write a story involving water and fire. You can interpret these elements literally, figuratively, metaphorically, anthropomorphically… However you choose to use the elements, you must use specific, telling details.

-OR-

2. Write a story involving air and earth. You can interpret these elements literally, figuratively, metaphorically, anthropomorphically… However you choose to use the elements, you must use specific, telling details.

Remember, no pressure. Just have fun indulging your wordsmitheryness.