Tag: writingblog

Cat Writing Prompts

~ Brooke F. ~ 6 Comments

★Green Eyed Witness

A cat witnesses a murder. The murder of her beloved owner no less. And she wants revenge. But how can she convey this to the detectives? This cat is going to have to think outside the box to try and leave clues as to who the guilty party is.

★Ghostly Visitors

Ever wonder why your cat stares into space on a regular basis? Turns out, your cat is seeing something that you don’t. And, until now, you didn’t know what it was…

★Cat in Charge

You are a cat who belongs to a rather odd looking human. She cooks things that smell weird and wears a strange, tall hat but it never bothered you much and you love her anyway. One day, she leaves on a day trip, leaving you alone at her house thinking you’d not get into much trouble but of course she was sorely mistaken. While moseying along the counter tops and shelves of her house, you accidentally knock over a weirdly colored potion and its effects are…odd to say the least.

★Unlucky

At a shelter you have choice between a black and white cat. Unable to decide you choose both. Little do you know, these cats are rivals and have been battling for every single one of their eight of nine lives. One is a fae trickster cat, trying to bring misfortune onto its owner. The other is a guardian cat, attempting to thwart the trickster cat. The plot twist? The Black cat is the guardian and the White the trickster. Looks can be rather deceiving.

★Copycats

In a lab, scientists have cloned a selected cat multiple times over in the name of scientific discovery. Unfortunately, this experience has been less than ideal for the cats involved, being mistreated and abused in hopes that the scientific team may come up with some sort of “break through”. So the copy cats plan among themselves a grand escape that will get them all out. No “copy” will be left behind.

★Gifted & Graced

A mad scientist who has been working on some rather…strange projects in his lab makes an awful mistake when he accidentally locks his pet cats in the lab itself overnight. The cats don’t mind until something to do with his experiment goes terribly wrong. It’s a superhero origin story except for one minor change: the receiver of the powers is not bestowed upon some loveable main character, nerd boy but a group of five very different cats. Who could have seen it coming?

3rd Grade Prompts for National Pet Day - Studentreasures Blog

Stream of Consciousness

~ Brooke F. ~ 9 Comments

Where does the river go? 

Tell where exactly does it flow? 

Where does the river call its home?  

Where does the river go? 

I hope it can take me there someday. 

I wish the river would carry me away. 

A modern day Moses,  carried from the fray. 

I hope the river takes me there someday.  

Things I’ve learned while Writing Crime

~ Brooke F. ~ 2 Comments

Hello, lovelies! I hope you are all doing well this fine day! Currently I am waiting between classes and I thought what better way to spend my time than writing a fun blog post about the various odd tips and facts I’ve found out while working on my precious baby of a novel. For those of you who have been lucky enough to not hear me ramble about my novel for minutes on end, I am writing a YA Fantasy Mystery centered around the attempted murder of Snow White. And boy has it been a project.

Now normally, I fall down many research rabbit holes on a pretty regular basis when writing. But this little problem has worsened as I’ve gotten into writing the genre of crime and mystery. Mostly because there’s just a lot to research in general. But let’s try and a narrow it down a bit in order to aid any future crime/mystery writers reading this.

1. Research guns

There is so much variety in the gun world. And you don’t have to know everything there is to know, but if you are having one of your characters pull out a pistol, you should know a little bit about how a pistol works and the basic parts of a gun. Again, it doesn’t have to be strangely specific. Just have a general knowledge.

2. Research poisons if you plan on using them.

Especially their potency, appearance, side effects, and the amount of time they take to cause death. Agatha Christie’s novels were so accurate describing poison and its effects that people could use her books as a poison reference manual. And while you don’t have to be that iconically precise, just like with guns, you should have a basic knowledge of how your choice of poison works and its effects on people.

3. Research signs of specific deaths.

This should go without saying but if your detective identifies your victim as having been strangled, there should be some physical signs of this. The same with drowning. Or suffocation.

Basically whatever means of death or weaponry you employ, research it. Just in case.

Now let’s get to some more general tips about writing crime or mystery stories all together.

1. Work backwards

Try your best to keep your story straight and have a clear timeline in your head. One way to develop this is work backwards from your crime. Start with the crime and then slowly work your way to the clues for your main character to pick up on. This also helps you from writing yourself into glaring plot holes concerning the functionality of your specific crime.

2. Don’t agonize

All that being said, don’t agonize too long over every single detail not being filled in concerning your story. It just has to generally make sense. If one wanted to get picky, I bet you could pick out plot holes in Sherlock Holmes and his deductions but at the end of the day, it’s not about being 10000000% accurate and precise. It’s about telling a story.

3. You get better with practice

It felt overwhelming at first trying to keep track of all my characters and clues when writing but over time, my story became clearer and clearer to me. And this was all done by actually writing it out and working through specific problems and scenes by getting them out on paper. So if you feel a little scatterbrained or find yourself agonizing over your crime story, don’t worry. Just like with everything, it gets easier with practice.

Alrighty! I think that’s it! Hope you found something useful in this little list of tips! Thanks for reading & Happy writing!

Using My AU/Story Generator to Make Prompts

~ Brooke F. ~ 2 Comments

Hello, lovelies! Hope you are doing well this fine morning.

Today, I have a sort of out of the ordinary post though it is somewhat writing related. I am going to be using my “AU/Story Generator” to generate some fun little ideas for stories and then writing full prompts based on whatever it spits out.

You can find the generator I’m using here.

The idea is it gives an interesting character design and story concept that a writer or artist can start with. If you’re still confused as to what’s going, hopefully it makes more sense as we go along.

Alright! Onto the first idea!

Oooh! What an interesting first prompt. I can already picture this prompt!

A Team of 7 spies. Each with a strength in a different area. Lust uses her powers of seduction to achieve her goal. Wrath will brawl it out till they get their desired outcome. Envy uses her powers of mind games and manipulation to complete her missions (she and Lust get along pretty well I imagine). Greed… well, I’m sure you can already picture him. He has copious amounts of money and resources to get what he wants. Pride is quite the leader, planning operations to the most minute of details. After all, every mission reflects on him. Gluttony is the team supplier. Close friends with Greed, she makes sure the team is supplied with more than enough ammo and weapons. She always has snacks in her office too so everyone loves to stop by. And finally, Sloth. Sloth is probably one of the most skilled of the bunch in a variety of areas but getting him to do anything is like pulling teeth. So he works as the tech operative, preferring the comforts of the team base and coaching everyone from afar. He could be excellent at his job if he cared even a little.

Well that was fun! Onto the next prompt!

This one almost sounds like a humorous children’s book. But this is how I imagine it goes down…

The Mythical Beasts live harmoniously in a forest, enjoying their day to day life. One day the Dragon, on the hunt for something shiny, comes across a weird sort of machine. He calls his friends to gather ’round and inspect the object. The Wise Unicorn couldn’t even make out what it was. But, as one of the creatures noses around on it, a flash of light causes them to flinch as the small group of fantastic beasts are sent back in time…

I already want to make a cute children’s book based on this with adorable illustrations.

One more idea to go!

Oh. Oh I adore this one. I picturing an absolute romp of an Urban Fantasy story. In a world where the fantastic and the modern live side by side….

Fairies have taken over the world. No one is surprised by this. It was only a matter of time. Generations later, Fae and humans have fully integrated together, living peaceably and going about their day to day life. At least for the most part. Fae are tricksters after all…

Some Fae resent having to share the modern world with the humans. This resentment results in the exchanging of laced potions, poisoning the buyers or having odd or adverse affects on the user. Other Fae use the fine print of contracts to bind humans into servitude under them forever. And that’s just the beginning. The crimes of Fae against humanity continue to grow. A solution needs to be found.

And this solution comes in the form of a duo. One fairy and one human work alongside each other in the police force, specializing in Fae-Human crime. But will this pair be able to get along long enough to stop such a crime wave?

Well! I don’t know about you, but that was fun! Not only did we come up with a few prompts, but perhaps now you feel inspired as well! I might do this in the future with more of my writing generators not only for fun but to help people get an idea of how to best use them to aid them in coming up with their own ideas as well.

Let me know if you’d be interested & I’ll see ya’ll in the next post!

Haiku Tag

~ Brooke F. ~ 11 Comments

Hello everyone! I am here to do a lovely tag! I’m a little late to the party as college is a soul sucking demon sometimes buuuuuuuuut there’s not a ton of homework on the to-do list today so let’s go!

I have been tagged to do this both by the lovely Selina over at Selina’s Garden and the lovely Stara over at The Pool of Thoughts. (Come to think of it, those sound sort of like fantasy world locations? That’s pretty cool.) Thanks so much to the both of you for tagging me. I feel so loved <3.

Rules

  1. Tag Eva @album of amazing.
  2. Mention the person who tags you.
  3. Add the rules to your post.
  4. Pick 2 topics to write 2 Haikus.
  5. Tag atcleast 5 people.
  6. HAVE FUN!

Topics

  1. Dogs.
  2. Fire.
  3. Sea.
  4. Nature.
  5. Music.

Okay, peeps! I’ll be using the Sea & Fire prompt words! Now, without further ado, onto the haikus!

The Ocean Thief

Perilous, bold
he has plundered our seas
pirate of water

Candle

Fiery, little
added fuel to the flames
a shower of sparks

I tag…

Suhani

Siya

A Book by the Fire

Candy

Shivani

And we’re done! Thanks for reading, lovelies! Have a wonderful day!

If I owned a Bookstore Game!

~ Brooke F. ~ 5 Comments

Hello lovelies! I hope this post finds you well on this fine Wednesday!

It has been quite a week for me. Second week of college and while I don’t have as much homework as last semester, I will say my 8am class is not my favorite thing to attend on chilly winter mornings. But, regardless, I am enjoying my classes and teachers and all the cool little factoids that I am slowly accumulating over time. It makes me feel a little less sad that I have less free time for banging out blog posts though admittedly I had a streak going on there through December and January that I would love to continue. But we’ll see what the school year brings.

Ah, anyways. Enough about me. Let’s play a game.

Welcome to the “If I owned a Bookstore game”!

9 very niche bookstores for your very specific interests. ‹ Literary Hub

Bookstore Name

I definitely would want a wistful or magical sort of name. Something fantastical like “Silver Pages” or perhaps something a bit more dark and mysterious like “The Black Cauldron” (though I’d probably save that name for my nonexistent Witch-themed coffee shop).

At the end of the day, as I wrack my brain for names, I think the Bookstore would be called “The Scarlet Letters” as a sort of pun off of the classic book “The Scarlet Letter”.

The Location

This is going to be a hard decision. Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland (anything that ends with “land” I guess that isn’t Greenland) are all marvelous locations. But another part of me would love to have located in a sleepy southern town near where I live while rolling hills and cow fields just outside the outskirts.

Best Bookshops In London | British Vogue | British Vogue

The Outside

Ideally, my bookstore would be located on a town square in an older sort of building with a shingled overhang. I would love a big, store window that allowed people to walk by and look inside. Oh, and some sort of outdoor string lights framing the window. And the entrance door must be red painted wood.

On the Inside

I would love to have two floors with a spiral staircase leading to the second. An outdoor area on a patio roof would be amazing as well. There would be all sorts of little nooks and crannies where people could sit and read. I would love lots of windows to allow for natural lighting but these windows would be red stained glass, casting a sort of scarlet tint upon the shelves.

The floor would be hardwood and shelves stained dark oak. The shelves would be arranged a little precariously to give book browsing an adventurous feel. Oh, and if there was a mini bakery inside that sold pastries and raspberry & cherry tarts, that would be cool too.

The Best Bookstores in Madrid That You Need to Visit - Come Join My Journey

The Vibe

The vibe would be antique-y & a sort of old European feel. In general, the color palette of the place would be dark wood and red (matching with the Name of the bookstore). It would have a very calming vibe and would be the perfect place to stay during a rainy day.

Oh, and if you pay attention and look hard enough, there might be a cat roaming about, further adding to the bookworm vibe.

The Workers

I would try and have people who really truly loved books to come work there. And while I would not technically want a “work uniform”, I think it would be neat if everyone wore a singular red accessory of some kind. You know, a red scarf, red silk hair ribbon, that sort of thing. It would just be neat.

The Music

Probably some calming classical though changing it to something subtly spooky during Halloween would be amazing. I would want the music to fill any uncomfortable silence but not loud enough that it feel as if its interrupting people’s conversations or reading.

As Bookstores Reopen, Stores Seek Safe Practices

Now It’s Your Turn!

What kind of bookstore would you want to have? This sort of day dreaming is what I live for so if you’re interested in a doing a post about your own fictional book store, feel free! Until next time, bloggers!

Dragon Writing Prompts

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

☀ Dragon Bones

You’re a struggling anthropologist who wishes to get your name out there in the scientific community. But you often find yourself assigned to odd and miserable expeditions. Finally, you manage to get signed onto an expedition taking place in Ireland. You’ve always wanted to visit so you’re excited to see the country and its rolling, snow capped hills.

The expedition takes a turn when you’re digging into a mound and unearth a rather odd looking skull. You work more and more and assemble this near perfect skeleton. Your stomach drops as you place the last bone in place. You’ve read enough fairytales to recognize the skull, the horns, the teeth, and the wings. You have unearthed a fully in tact dragon skeleton. They’ll never believe it.

☀Snap Dragon

You’re an avid plant mom who sets out to decorate your new apartment in a wide variety of plants. You visit every store in town, including a rather shady looking one on the outskirts. There you buy a single snap dragon plant that appears to have just barely sprouted. The cashier says something weird about how “The plant will give back if you tend it well” but you didn’t pay much attention…

At least until the plant grows fully and the petals of the large, red bloom peel back to reveal a tiny, sleeping dragon.

☀Treasure Hunter

The time is the age of great discovery, and while many people are flocking to the new world or to start a business in stock goods, you can’t help but scoff at them. You know you really have the best job in the world. You are labeled a treasure hunter but only your clients know your real specialty; finding dragon eggs.

☀The Last Dragon

Dragons are going extinct. This of course doesn’t surprise you. One sip of dragon’s blood can cure a man or woman of any illness. Their scales make impenetrable armor. And their teeth when fashioned and placed upon the tip of a staff can conduct powerful magic.

You are dying.

You have a rare genetic disease that there is no known antidote for. But one sip of dragon’s blood could heal you of your illness. But everyone says the dragons are already gone… until one day a rumor circulates that there was one last dragon seen in the high mountains.

You set out with a Witch who desires a tooth, A Knight who wishes for the scales, and some weird beast studying librarian who is just along for the ride and the knowledge he might obtain.

And the race is on to find the last dragon.

☀Hidden

You have finally been hired as a government scientist after 20+ years of experience working in your field. You are ready to serve your country with your knowledge and skills- at least until they assign you to one of their latest and most secretive projects.

You are called to a secret test site where you are going to be briefed on your duties. You weren’t expecting what you saw next…

A dragon, chained in a warehouse with guards flanking the entrance. You’re an avid scientist and respect the pursuit of knowledge but this entire scenario just doesn’t sit right with you.

☀Dragon Princess

You know how this story goes. You’re a princess who it sent to find a dragon so you can be saved by a knight who comes along and find a husband. You want to argue with your father, The King, but of course it doesn’t work. Angry but resolved, you head towards the dragons cave.

But you find no dragon.

Instead you find a rag tag group of Princesses who take you in as their own. Turns out they have a kite-like contraption that looks like a dragon to keep the myth alive but the old dragon really died a long time ago. This group of princesses banded together to be each other’s new family seeing as how their own let them down by sending them on this ridiculous mission for marriage in the first place. And so, enticed by freedom and loyalty, you join the ranks of the Dragon Princesses.

Circus Story Writing Prompts

~ Brooke F. ~ 3 Comments

Just a few Circus Related one sentence prompts for your story! I’m really into lists these days, can’t you tell?

★The Tent catches fire

★Training for the act

★Equipment is tampered with 

★An animal act is sold or bought 

★Two words- Circus Murder

★Someone buys out the circus

★Someone is injured during the act

★Escape the Circus

★Scathing critic review of the circus show 

★The circus is a cover

★The Queen comes to visit

★Troupe member is left behind when they travel to another location 

★Evil ringmaster

★Rabid animals 

★Animals escape from their cages

★Sick circus animal 

★Said animal must be put down. 

★Popcorn machine mishap

★Found something in a circus member’s tent

★A magic act gone wrong

★A knife throwing act gone wrong

★Drama and friction between two circus members. 

★Kidnapping an act. 

★Quarantined/caged

★The act but with FIRE!

★That stupid circus monkey (fill in the blank)

★The circus is being sabotaged. 

★Unwelcomed by the locals. 

★A gypsy?

★Masked

The Intimacy of Objects

~ Brooke F. ~ 10 Comments

Iced Coffee 

Crumpets 

Tartlets 

Stew 

Your name spelled in foods 

That make me think of you. 

Raindrops 

Snowdrops 

Thunder 

Dew 

Your name spelled in weather 

That makes me think of you 

Lilacs 

Stardust 

A charm 

That’s blue 

Your name spelled in trinkets 

That make me think of you 

Writing Prompts for ISFP’s

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Hello everyone! I’m resuming my MBTI writing prompt posts yet again! And today I’m doing the ISFP MBTI personality. They’re also known as “The Adventurer” so I’m hoping to inject that curios and adventurous spirit into these prompts! Please enjoy!

★Space Train

All aboard the space train! The next stop could be anywhere in the universe. Humanity, at this point in time, has advanced to living on multiple planets. Travel between their homes has been restricted by regular space craft until a rather looney inventor creates a most ingenious piece of machinery- The Space Train. The Train can travel speedily across the stars, able to reach the furthest edges of the universe in minutes. The only issue is, the train seems to have a mind of its own, seemingly sentient. Or perhaps this was no accident….

★Charmed

You find yourself wondering your small town when you noticed a shop that you didn’t recognize. Curios, you enter to find it is a jewelry shop. But not your average one of course. This shop is called “Charm”, and is run by a rather curios lady with a tall pointy hat (or perhaps it really is a witch’s hat?). The Charms displayed everywhere look normal at first, but upon closer inspection you find them moving and alive.

★Pennies

There is a fountain in the middle of town with a statue of lady holding a pot and pouring water. You think it is a rather striking piece of work but pay it little to no heed. But little do you know, this fountain is very special. The statue (also known as the lady of the fountain) records the wishes of those who toss a penny in her waters and chooses a few to grant. This, of course, is unbeknownst to you- at least until she grants your wish.

★Chosen One

Your family drags you on a camping trip. This doesn’t surprise you as your Dad has been doing this for years, driving the family to his favorite camping spot between a mountain and a large lake, trying to encourage you to “connect more with nature”. You begrudgingly go, as per usual.

One day, you decide to go swimming in the lake beside your campsite to pass the time. You swim around a bit only to stub your toe on something hard. Annoyed, you fish it out of the water from the depths of the lake, only to find a rather large and magical looking sword. A lady with a cloak made of water suddenly appears before you, informing you that you hold the legendary blade known as Excalibur and you have been, in fact, chosen.

★Portraits

You are a worker at a rather high end art museum. You like your job well enough though sometimes you’re not a fan of the late hours. So its no surprise that you found yourself a little annoyed when you were informed that you were going to need to stay extra late one evening to hang up a new shipment of paintings.

So at about midnight, you find yourself opening up crates of artwork in the basement of the museum. Then you come to one box that is comprise entirely of portraits. You admire them-they are of marvelous workmanship. But, as you hold the canvas in your hands, you see the man in the paint blink and then turn his head towards you. Screaming, you drop him him back in the box only to hear a few annoyed complaints from the other portraits.

What on earth is going on???