I recently started visiting the Writer's Digest forums again. I had forgotten how much information, and advice, could be found on the forums. Writers can share what they've written, for others to critique, plus you can critique what they have written. There is also information on getting published, dealing with rejection letters, and more.
Writer's Digest also has something called Writing Prompts, which is similar to the 'Write two pages on..' assignments I've been doing. The difference is that they give you a scenario, and you have to write about what happens, in 500 words or less.
I decided to try one last night.
Scenario: "After years of leading a normal life, you discover you have a special ability. Afraid to share this information with anyone, you confide only in your closest friend. To your surprise, your friend shares some information with you - he also has a super power."
I don’t think anyone forgets the day they realize they are different. For me, the moment seems frozen in time. Probably because the moment that I discovered I was different, time really was frozen. It was one of those stressful, chaotic, pull-your-hair-out days. I finally got so fed up, I threw my hands up in the air and yelled for everyone to just stop for a moment. And they did. At first, I thought everyone was joking around, until I realized the cup of coffee that Joe knocked over just as I yelled was just hanging in the air. Time stood still for only a few moments then the chaos continued without anyone seeming to realize that something strange had happened.
I went back to my office, almost closing the door in Joe’s face but he stuck his coffee-soaked shoe into the gap before I managed to close it. He just sat down and looked at me, not saying a word. I looked back him, debating whether or not I should tell him what happened. He was my best friend after all and hopefully would understand.
I looked down at my hands then back up at him. “Joe, something very strange happened out there. I’m not sure how to explain it though.” I paused, looking away. Before I could continue, he spoke up.
“Freezing time would be hard to explain,” he said. I quickly looked back at him and he shrugged, “I can see the future. I do wish you had thought to grab the coffee though before time started back up. Do you know how uncomfortable it’s going to be walking around in coffee-soaked shoes?”
“What is going on? I know I’ve never done that before.” At least, as far as I knew I hadn’t stopped time before. Maybe some of those times that it seemed like I was waiting in like forever were times I had unknowingly stopped time. Nah, customer service is just really slow.
“There are a select few of us that have been given special abilities,” he started to explain.
“Given?” not in the mood to be polite, I interrupted him. “What do you mean given? Are we some kind of government experiment? How did they give me this ability? And who are they who did this to me?” I hate to admit, my voice was getting shrill at the end.
“You don’t need to know who they are. Just know it's because you’re a good person and they know you’ll do good things.”
“Just, just stop,” I flung my hands out in front of me as I said it. Joe froze in place, a rather comical expression on his face.
I got up and went to the window and contemplated throwing him out it. We’re on the ground floor so it’s not like it would actually hurt him.
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This was fun. I can even see something like this turning into an actual story at some point. Character finds out she has a power, and she's not alone. has to learn to control it, then use it against.. something, or someone. Maybe against those who gave her the power? Hm.
I've hit a bit of a block on my book. My chapters are fairly short, but I plan on this being more of a novella/short story than a novel. I'm on chapter 10 right now, I'm staring down at the water, and my character won't tell me what's next.
I actually think I have a way to do a 4-in-1 book with this story and 3 others that go with it. But i need to finish the main story first. And my character isn't talking to me right now.
Well, my stomach is telling me that it's way past lunchtime, so I better go get something to eat.
Take care,
Shell
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