Night of the Living Dead (writing prompts!)
Let's get spooOOooky with our writing today.
Okay, before we get to today’s prompts, let’s start with a quote from Stephen King:
"The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish your feelings – words shrink things that seem timeless when they are in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out."
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY (share your answer in the comments): What was something you were afraid of as a child?
Halloween is approaching, so tonight’s prompts were inspired by the movie Night of the Living Dead.
(And in honor of Halloween, today’s prompts are your treat. No paywall! Happy writing!)
EXERCISE #1: “I ought to drag you out there and feed you to those things!”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about your most frustrating friend. What do they do that bugs you?
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative – as an exercise – write a therapy scene between two of your characters where they talk about things that bug/upset them about each other.
EXERCISE #2: “I used to be so scared here.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a place that makes you fearful and why. Why does this place have a hold on your psyche?
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, pick a location that your protagonist does not like, a place they really do not want to be – set a scene in this location. Have them tell a story of a time when they were afraid.
EXERCISE #3: “I got kids, you know. And I guess they’ll do all right. They can take care of themselves, but they’re still only kids.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write a memory from your childhood when you were on your own. When you had to take care of yourself and maybe didn’t know what you were doing.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene between your protagonist and themselves as a child. What would your protagonist want to tell themselves back then? (Alternately write a monologue where they’re telling a story about something they learned or didn’t learn in childhood.)
EXERCISE #4: “Sooner or later somebody’ll come and get us outta here.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a time when you asked someone for help.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist asks another character for help. Make it difficult. The other character might help (or not) – but not in the way your protagonist expected/wanted.
EXERCISE #5: “No beating around the bush...you goin’ or ain’t you? This is your last chance.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about an experience that you feel like you’re too old to have. Something you regret to have missed out on.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene that starts with the line “This is your last chance.” That’s all I’m giving you. See where the scene goes from there.
EXERCISE #6: “He has a bad fever.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about the last time were ill. Write with all of your senses. Try to recreate the sensation of illness with your words.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist isn’t feeling well. They need to tell another character something important, but their sickness is getting in the way.
EXERCISE #7: “We have to try and escape.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a place that you love that you wish you could escape to right now.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue where your protagonist confesses to a fantasy about a place they want to go to – a dream of escape, a dream of a better life.
EXERCISE #8: “I haven’t seen you in church lately.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write a prayer of some kind. At least ten positive, hopeful thoughts and visions for yourself or your loved ones.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist is up in the middle of the night talking to whatever spiritual force they might believe in.
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Read one of my plays: https://www.camdenhighstreetbooks.com/plays