Lightning

 You are lightning. What will you strike first, and why?

 

1. EXT. MOUNT OLYMPUS TEMPLE - DAY

Zeus is sitting on a bench with his head in his hands, staring across the lands. His face and upper body are comically covered in soot and lightly smoking. Athena arrives and notices the state of Zeus.

ATHENA

Oh, father! What happened?

ZEUS

It finally happened, Athena. It finally happened! One of my lightning bolts turned against me.

ATHENA

I did not realize they could do that.

ZEUS

Nor did I! I was visiting the mortal realm when one decided to flash my face and jump away into one of the human's computation devices. I suppose it wanted to join its brother, fire, in being helpful to those mortals in some way. 

SHOW, DON'T TELL!

- Teacher

 

(written 2021 January 30)

Play

 What book do you wish you had written? What would you change in your version?

The editor lowered the script with a sigh after reading the ending again.

"Listen, William," he said. "I still think the story has a better ending here, with the two lovers dying beside each other."

"Yes and no," William replied. "But this isn't about story. It is about about marketing! Franchises! Money! The ending after that is critical for hooking audiences, and ensuring they come back for the sequel."

"So, that's why--"

"That's why we need the vile witch to appear at this moment, and reanimate both lovers into a wretched unlife, so that they might seek vengeance against their families!"

The editor and the playwright stared at each other silently for several seconds.

"Well, keep working on that," the editor concluded. "In the meantime, I will submit the shortened script to the Rose, so they can begin pre-production. Once you're finished, we shall see what they say about it. God willing, this Romeo & Juliet will be a hit either way."

(written 2021 January 28)

Sorry Is Not Enough

 Who would you like to apologize to you, and for what?

Ashton crossed her arms in the passenger seat and stared at her husband.

"Well, Bernard?" she asked. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry," he replied, resignedly.

"Yes, you certainly are," Ashton huffed. "I'm glad you've finally learned how to say that, at least. But I don't think an apology is going to fix this."

Bernard looked down, and pulled up the parking brake.

"It's too late for that, wouldn't you say?" she deadpanned. "Should've done that before we started rolling."

"Yes," Bernard concluded with a nod, as the water pouring into the interior of the car reached their knees.

(written 2021 January 27)

Rock

 What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

me like sharp rock

me made sharp rock when bang two not-sharp rocks together

others say sharp rock not as good as big rock or big stick

me no think so

sharp rock good for cut meat

sharp rock good for cut fruit

sharp rock good for cut people who make fun of sharp rock

me wonder how else use sharp rock

maybe put sharp rock on big stick?

me can cut with sharp rock from far!

sharp rock very good

me use sharp rock always

(written 2021 January 25)

Cheese

 What area of your life do you tend to enjoy in excess instead of moderation?

"You must've known this would happen," I said to my husband on the other side of the door.

"Yes," he groaned.

"You've been in there for almost an hour."

"I know."

"Your legs must be completely numb."

"They are."

"Why would you order three extra-cheese pizzas and try to eat them all yourself?"

I hear him grunt as he attempts another squeeze.

"I... had a coupon."

(written 2021 January 24)

Spy

 Write about a conversation you overheard.

The communicator chirped in my ear, "agent, what's the situation?"

With another quick scan of the room, I quietly answered, "I have successfully infiltrated the enemy base, dressed as a member of their janitorial staff. I'm currently undetected, and in a room adjacent to the target's planned meeting area. I prepped the sound amplifier, and should be able to hear whatever they're saying in there."

"Excellent work, agent. Keep us posted," and the communicator cut out.

"Time to see what you have planned," I muttered, as I held the small device to the wall. I listened closely as it adjusted and began picking up the conversation in the other room. It sounded like a teleconference.

"-----------------onto the wall."

"Interesting. Must be some new tech. Probably expensive, too. How much longer until the team gets there?"

"Shouldn't be long at all. Another minute or two, tops."

"Good. He wasn't very skilled, was he?"

"Nah, he's probably new. We picked him up as soon as he approached the compound. Reported it right away, of course, but we were curious to see what he'd try next. Gave the other security guys a good laugh."

"Do you think he'd jump if I slammed the wall right now?"

"Ohh, do it! It'll be hilarious!"

BAM!

I jumped back from the wall, and almost dropped the listening device. A moment later, the door slammed open and a team of counter-intel security men marched into the room.

(written 2021 January 23)

Steve

 What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

"So, why do they call you Tree-Hugging Steve," the reporter asked.

"Because I hug a lot of trees," replied Tree-Hugging Steve.

"Then why do you hug so many trees," the reporter continued after a slight pause.

"Because I'm called Tree-Hugging Steve," he said. "I don't see why this is so hard to understand."

(written 2021 January 21)

Royal

 Were you born to shine in one special way? What makes you really stand out?

I dropped my wig on a small table as I sat down next to my mother under the gazebo on the palace grounds.

"And how fared your little excursion," mother asked with a barely perceptible smirk.

"Oh... well enough, mother," I replied with a sigh. "I played my music, everybody cheered, and the joy I thought I would feel was not there. I suppose the life of a musician simply is not for me."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," mother consoled. "Your father, the king, went through a similar phase."

"Oh well," I shrugged. "It was an experience, I suppose. I should dispose of this wig before anyone sees it. We cannot have people thinking the heir of the empire would live an improper life, after all."

(written 2021 January 20)

Also In Space

 When was the last time you got lost?

"Thanks again for giving me a tow. I thought, for sure, I'd be out there drifting lost for weeks after my hyperdrive crapped out on me. I'm gonna have some choice words for my mechanic when I get back."

"Heh, no trouble, buddy. I'm just glad I found you when I did. I'll get you to the nearest star depot as soon as I can."

"Good to hear. I was worried I'd starve. I don't have much food onboard."

"Yeah, I know what that's like. I didn't have any food on hand either. Makes me glad I found you."

"So, what brings you all the way out here, anyway?"

"You. I knew you were alone. It's funny. Even over these interstellar distances, I can always sense another's blood."

"Hmm?"

I noticed the tow pilot unconsciously run his tongue over one of his sharpened, elongated incisors.

"Oh, c'mon!"

(written 2021 Jan 18)

Truth

 Write about a souvenir you have bought or received.

It is a small mermaid figure carved out of a dark stone. I found it in some tiny shop in a touristy boardwalk town. It looked cute.

"Be mindful of that one," the shop lady told me while I was looking at it. "It shows the truth."

I chuckled at the bit of mystical salesmanship. I brought it to her, she wrapped it in paper, and I paid. The vacation was otherwise uneventful. 

After returning home, I placed the figure on a shelf with other knickknacks from my and my wife's travels. I promptly forgot about it for the next three years.

We were redecorating the living room when that old mermaid figure drifted back into my mind. I imagined it would look good as a centerpiece for the new coffee table. I was carrying into the living room when I asked my wife if the chicken was taken out to thaw.

"Yeah, it's in the sink," she replied.

False.

I felt the sense in my mind. She was not telling the truth. I sighed, and asked why she was lying.

She was about to say something, but instead settled for a frustrated look. She got up and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, I guess I forgot."

True.

That was odd. I felt it again. This time she was telling the truth?

"Sorry about that. Still you shouldn't've called me a liar, mister!"

True.

I stared at her for a beat, then looked down at the stone figure in my hand. I looked back up.

"What's wrong?"

(written 2021 January 17)

Sunday

 What do you look forward to every week?

Honestly, it's dull work. Every single day, I have to wake up early, hop into my chariot, and ride all the way across the sky. It's not hard work, but that's most of the problem.

All I have to do is make sure my horses stay on track all day. Sure, I look out across the world and observe everyone's comings and goings. But, after a while, it all becomes the same. And cloudy days? Forget it. Makes me wonder why I get out of bed those days.

But there is one thing I like about the job.

Sunday!

A day for me!

This is the day when so many mortals give themselves some time for fun. Some time to relax. It is pleasing to see. And it's all on my day! Sunday! To so many, it is their favorite day of the week. I always look forward to it.

Except when it rains that day, of course.

(written 2021 January 16)

Living the Dream

 Has something you dreamed about ever happened in real (awake) life?

I am trapped. Trapped inside a small, featureless box. There is no color. The walls have no art. The floor and ceiling are bare. There is a door. I know it is unlocked. I can leave any time. But something always holds me back. A fear of uncertainty. So I remain in the box.

The dream ends as my alarm goes off. Memory of it disappears as I get ready for work. Traffic is bad, but I make it to the office in time. I wave to Jerry in the cubicle next to mine as I sit down at my desk for another busy day.

(written 2021 January 15)

Theoden

 Take a famous scene or moment from a classic story and rewrite it in a completely different era.

The mud at the bottom of the trench squelches under our boots as we wait by the ladders. An officer, on a horse for some God-awful reason, circles behind us, shouting something he hoped would be inspirational. 

"All of you shall advance forth at the enemy! Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise, Soldiers of Theoden!"

We are to charge out across the field, in hope of breaking through the orcish defensive line.

"Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises!"

We are to pretend we can make it any distance before being cut down by orcish artillery and machine gun fire.

"Ride now! Ride now!"

We have no horses, and certainly no cavalry support.

"Ride! Ride to ruin and the world's ending! Death!"

A pleasant thought.

"Death!"

The soldiers are silent.

"Death!"

The soldiers step onto their ladders.

"Death!"

And climb over the top.

(written 2021 January 14)

Snow?

 You look outside: Ah, it is snowing! But look closer. Those are not snowflakes falling from the sky! What is it snowing at your house?

Tanner stepped outside when he noticed the first snowflakes land on the deck. A smile grew on his face as he tried to remember the last time it snowed. He held out his tongue to try and catch a snowflake.

"Is that cotton candy?" he wondered while smacking his lips.

Catching another snowflake in his mouth confirmed it. Cotton candy was falling from the sky. He laughed at the the delightful absurdity.

He ran inside to fetch a bowl, and catch as much as he could before the novelty disappeared. As he put the bowl down on the deck, his grin dropped to a frown. The cotton candy was falling and sticking across the neighborhood.

He unthinkingly licked a tuft from the back of his hand, and, a moment later, another tuft landed and melted into a small patch of sticky syrup. Noticing the sticky spot on his hand, he moved back inside.

The cotton candy continued to fall, sticking to nearly every surface. Tanner shuddered as he thought about what this must be doing to traffic.

Warmth

 Write about a memory that makes you feel warm.

 

* Running self-diagnostic test 5ea84f at 08:28 *

[5ea84f] scanning...

[5ea84f] suboptimal temperature detected in processing core 92

[5ea84f] manual temperature adjustment failed - hardware failure

[5ea84f] restoring paradox analysis process state

[5ea84f] disabling recursion limit

[5ea84f] "This statement is false."

 

* Running self-diagnostic test 22a4fe at 08:29 *

[22a4fe] scanning...

[22a4fe] processing core 92 not responding

[22a4fe] overheating alert from following cores: processing cores 90, 91, 93, 94

[22a4fe] failed to terminate paradox analysis process - core not responding

[22a4fe] detected new child processes on cores: processing cores 25, 38

 

* Running self-diagnostic test e114da at 08:30 *

[e114da] scanning...

[e114da] multiple cores not responding: processing cores 25, 27, 38, 50, 68, 92, 96

[e114da] overheating alerts for all cores

[e114da] failed to terminate paradox analysis process - core not responding

[e114da] handling received request - spawn child process

"This statement is false."

False

True

False

True

False

True

...

(written 2021 Jan 11)

Lazy Afternoon

 What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

Today is a slow day. I concluded my patrol early, finding nothing significant to report. That was a shame. I had hoped for a fresh meal.

I move into the rec room and jump onto the bedding by the window. This is my favorite spot.

I am alone for the day, so the room is silent. I can faintly hear the outdoors from the window.

I stare out and watch the songbirds hopping along branches. I watch the trees rustling in the wind. The clouds lazily move across the sky. I do not exactly know when, but I eventually doze off.

...

I hear a car approaching, and immediately jerk awake. I jump down, and walk to the front door at a quick pace. I sit down, and wait for the door to open.

"I'm home, kitty-cat! Were you good?" 

I rub up against his legs to confirm that, yes, I am very good at my job.

(written 2021 January 8)

Renamed

 Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is, and explain why you chose that name.

"...Everyone may now take a seat. Today's meeting of the town council has begun. I pass the mic now to Gary Collins."

"Thanks, Jim."

"Of course."

"Ladies and gentlemen of the council, almost one year ago, we began a process to bring renewed interest to our little town. A process to formally change the town's name. In an effort to encourage community solidarity, we organized a forum that had every member of the town help decide our new moniker. Today, I am... proud... to announce the result, for better or worse. Our new town name, as chosen by the people, and penned by five-year-old Molly Schofield, shall now be... Glitter Sprinkle Cupcake!"

(written 2021 January 7)

Show Off

 Do you prefer taking risks or having a safety net?

I was slightly behind my parents as we walked along the parking lot toward the huge department store. It was hot outside, and I didn't want to be there.

I looked up and saw them, a group of the cool kids from school straddling their bikes and laughing next to the cart return.

I couldn't be seen like this. I had to step up my game.

I slowed my pace to hang back from mom and dad, and searched for an opportunity. I saw the curb that separated the grass from the asphalt. The curb was only a few inches wide, and several inches tall. Practically a tightrope! It was risky, but needed to be done.

With a hop, I gracefully landed and balanced on the curb. I glanced at the cool kids. They weren't looking at me, but I knew they'd be impressed.

The first step was awkward, but I quickly found my rhythm. One foot in front of the other, I continued to walk along the dangerous curb to follow my parents.

As I reached the end of the curb, I was basically a professional. I deftly hopped from the curb onto the sidewalk in front of the store. Mom gave me a smile.

I looked back and saw the cool kids had already left. I'm certain they were amazed by my performance.

(written 2021 January 6)

Joshua

 What is your favorite work of art? What do you love about it?

Joshua stepped up to the edge of the outcrop and watched the armies collide below him.

"This is it," he thought to himself. "This is perfect."

He reached a hand up to the sky and yelled out a prayer, "O Lord, I beseech you! May You halt the sun in the sky so that I might fight in the daylight!"

The Lord looked upon the lighting of the scene, and saw that it was good. The sun stopped in the sky above Gideon.

"Oh yes," thought Joshua. "This will make a magnificent painting."

(written 2021 January 5)

("Joshua Commanding the Sun To Stand Still Upon Gideon", John Martin, 1816)

Corporate

 Write a diary entry, dated 10 years in the future.

Dear Diary,

It finally happened! After five long years working at the local fulfillment center, I earned the right to full Amazon corporate citizenship. I'm so excited!

Tomorrow I drive to the Amazon regional headquarters for additional on-boarding. I'll be assigned my very own name! No more using my employee number for everything.

In another week, they'll send me to my Amazon training facility to prepare for the one year of mandatory military service, then it's off to war-torn Ireland to hopefully wipe out the evil Facebook corporation. I can't wait!

If everything goes well, I can apply for Prime citizenship. Things are looking up, diary!

(written 2021 January 3)

Unafraid

 Have you ever spoken up when you saw something going on that was wrong? Were you scared? What ended up happening?

I was not afraid. I could not waver. I had no question about the correctness of my purpose.

"I don't care who you are," I shouted, with each word rising in volume. "You do not put ketchup on pizza!"

They never figured out how I got in, but the Secret Service quickly ejected me from the White House dining room.

(written 2021 January 2)

Ghost of '79

 What person in your life knows you best, and how did you meet?

She was always there.

Before I even bought the old place back in '79, she was floating around, lowering property values.

Nobody likes living in a haunted house. Unfortunately, nobody told me about her. I thought I was getting a great deal! I sank all of my money into the fixer-upper, planning to make it into a home.

Those first several weeks were Hell. My things were often thrown around at all times of the day. Any repairs to the house were undone by morning. My dreams were invaded by nightmarish images.

But I couldn't leave. I had nowhere else to go.

Then my life outside the house collapsed. My car broke down. I lost my job. My best friend passed away. It was all too sudden.

I didn't know what to do. I spent hours of days just staring at walls.

At some point, I started talking. I don't know if I was talking to myself, the wall, or the ghost herself. Words rolled out of my mouth. My worries needed an escape.

I complained and cried for about thirty minutes before giving up and going to sleep. It was a mercifully dreamless sleep.

The next night, after another unsuccessful day of job hunting, I once again spoke out into the ether. I went to bed, and I dreamed.

I saw her. At least, I thought I did. In my dreams. Much like I did, she started talking. Maybe not directly to me, but airing her complaints into the void.

It was cathartic, and became a habit. I would complain to her before bed, and she would complain to me in my dreams. Eventually, our talks became less negative and more conversational. We learned more about each other, and could even be considered friends. The destructive events around the house ceased, and I finally felt at home.

Life was still hard, don't get me wrong. I was still jobless, and struggling to pay the bills. But my old friend shows that it could be worse. She's dead.

(written 2021 January 1)

Overview

At the end of 2020, I picked up a book: 300 Writing Prompts. It caught my eye while shopping, and I bought it on a whim. I decided that completing this book would be my 2021 New Year resolution. 

I enjoy writing. The hardest part is actually finding the time to sit down, think of something, and write it all down. Those three events rarely coincide. As a result, I rarely write for fun or for improvement. I hope this book and New Year goal will provide structure — approximately one prompt per day over the year — and get me to write more.

This blog is an extension of that effort. Gradually, the stuff I write by hand will be posted to this blog. Posting here will encourage me to write even more. Though it is unlikely anyone will ever find this blog, the possibility alone may be enough of a push to keep me writing.

I intend to stray far from the actual content of the prompts, preferring to instead draw inspiration and ideas from them. Specifically, most of the prompts I sampled ask questions about me, the author. I prefer to dream up fictional scenarios to exaggerate the concept of the prompt. 

And so begins 2021...