Creative Writing: In-class Prompt #4

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Select ONE of the following options:

Option #1: The Story Machine (250-500 words)

Using the “The Story Machine” list below, pair up a character in Column A with an unlikely activity from Column B. Based on your combination, write a short story. (Note: if you choose a likely combination, your resulting story may be less interesting, although I should make no assumptions about this class! Surprise me! Better yet, surprise yourselves!)

Option #2: The Objective Point of View, 3rd Person (250-500) words

Using Ernest Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants as a model, write a story from the objective point of view (see page 4 of the “Creative Writing–Writing Fiction” handout).

Option #3: Second Person (“You”) (250-500 words):

Write an “interior monologue” in which YOU (as a “fictional you” protagonist) directly address another person (antagonist), with whom your protagonist has a serious problem or issue. Speak as if the antagonist were standing in the room with your protagonist, but the antagonist isn’t allowed to answer back. YOU (as a “fictional you) will monopolize the conversation. For an example, see Girl,by Jamaica Kincaid. See also page 4 of the “Creative Writing–Writing Fiction” handout.

If you have an alternate idea that you would like to try out instead of the above options, please go ahead.

Don’t worry if none of these prompts inspire you.

Don’t worry if you don’t finish this piece today or ever; you might discover that this prompt, for you, is a “false start.” Writers should experience a lot of false starts.

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The Story Machine

Column A: Characters

1. Tour guide

2. Delivery person

3. Pediatrician

4. Police officer

5. Chef

6. Fund raiser

7. Local talk show host

8. Mayor of a small town

9. Airline pilot

10. Writer

11. Biologist or chemist

12. Clinical psychologist

13. Ditch digger

14. Fork lift driver

15. Janitor

16. Teacher

17. Petty crook

18. Professional gambler

19. Soldier

20. Graphic artist

Column B: Actions by Characters

1. Is being stalked by a stranger

2. Subdues an unruly passenger on a flight to Paris

3. Submits a sexy novel to a publisher

4. Hypnotizes an acquaintance at a party

5. Rescues an elderly person after an accident in her/his home

6. Observes a man and a woman engaged in a drug deal

7. Collects stuffed/plush animals and dolls

8. Enters a cherry pie in a local cooking contest

9. Participates in a demonstration for peace

10. Takes a tour group to the World Trade Center site

11. Near the Turkish Market, observes a young boy kicking a puppy.

12. Attends The Skopje Jazz Festival (or other local event) wearing a clown costume

13. Parachutes out of an airplane

14. Enters a dance contest

15. Tries to join Mensa (High I.Q. organization)

16. Moonlights as a Taxi driver

17. Steals $1,000 from his/her mother

18. As an animal hoarder, owns 55 dogs and 33 cats, but lives in a big city apartment

19. Attends Star Trek conventions at least six times a year, dresses up as a Ferangi.

20. Saves a child’s life

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"The Story Machine" has been adapted from What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers. New York: HarperCollinsCollegePublishers, 1995. 134-135.
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