Prompted to Write

It’s cold out, and you can hear a slight crunch in the grass with each step.  A bit of moonlight streams through the naked branches, allowing you to look down the path.

What do you see?

Why are you here?

What happens next?

Give us 100 words in the comments or on your blog.  We’d love it if you share!

photo credit: movito

I’ve seen these creative writing tips going around for a while now, and while they’re not actually composed by Edgar Allan Poe, they’re still likely to give you some good ideas if you are working on anything a little dark or crazy.

1. Employ an unreliable narrator, preferably one who doesn’t know he is insane and has no recollection of such events as digging into a grave to rip out the teeth of his recently departed lover.
2. Include a beautiful woman with raven locks and porcelain skin, preferably quite young, and let her die tragically of some unknown ailment.
3. Use grandiloquent words, such as heretofore, forthwith, and nevermore. A little Latin will also enhance the text.
4. Do not shy away from such grotesqueries as inebriation, imprisonment, insanity, and men costumed as orangutans being burned to death.
5. When in doubt, bury someone alive.

Perfect advice for composing your own Poe-inspired poem, short story, or novel

photo credit: kevindooley

A child is running through a gorgeous spring meadow, stopping to blow dandelions and spin in circles just to watch her dress fly out in all directions.  Why is she there?  Is she running from her siblings?  Has she wandered off from a nap?  Was she sent out by an evil stepmother to get lost?

Give us 100 words in the comment or use it to start a post on your blog and let us know so we can enjoy it, too

photo credit: maz hewitt

You’ve received an engraved invitation to a private poker game in a casino lounge.  You’re not sure why, but the invitation strikes a nerve and you decide to go.  What happens?

Give us 100 words in the comments or on your blog (let us know in the comments so we can all enjoy it).

photo credit: JAGwired

You open your eyes.  This is what you see.  What happened?  Did you arrive blindfolded?  Did you wake up here?  Did you close your eyes while someone led you here for a surprise?  Did you take a pill and see this afterwards?

Give us 100 words here on on your blog (just comment to let us know so we can all enjoy your post

photo credit: tanakawho
).  Have fun