Saturday, October 22, 2016

Indoor fun on a cold Saturday

A Request: Thank you for coming to the site and reading my stories. I've shared stories on a wide variety of topics, from painting to politics. I've used a number of writing styles, including haiku, political satire, fractured fairy tale, and creative nonfiction. I've shared photographs of the change of season. I've shared a creative writing exercise and, below, I'm going to share another one.

Now, I have a favor to ask of you. I'd like for you to ask me questions. Is there anything that you'd like to know? What questions would you like to ask of me?  Would you like another writing exercise? Another fractured fairy tale (you choose the story)? Please... ask me anything! Tomorrow, I will answer questions. So, please leave a comment below and ask me a question! Thank you!


Today's creative writing exercise involves a random scenario generator. This is a creative writing exercise that you can do by yourself or with a group. In fact, it could be a good deal of fun with a group. You can use an online generator, such as this one: random scenario generator link

I'm going to share three examples of using the random scenario generator.
The goal is to brainstorm ideas so that, at some point, you can create a story. 

Here is the first random scenario that I got:
"You wake up in the night and turn on the light but it's not working. What are the possible reasons for this?"

So, here goes:

  • The bulb is burned out
  • The electricity is out
  • You had a wild dream and you unplugged the lamp in your sleep
  • The lamp was stolen and replaced with a toy
  • Space aliens stole the lamp and replaced it with a nonfunctional lamp
  • You've been transported back in time while you were asleep and you are now in prehistoric times
  • You were kidnapped by vampires and there is no lamp where you are because vampires don't like light
The second random scenario:
You are at the reading of a will of a family member. Everyone thought that she was poor, but it turns out that she's worth millions. How did she get so rich?

  • she made secret investments
  • she was married to the mob and was paid off not to tell on her (now imprisoned) ex-spouse
  • she robbed a bank
  • she was a famous writer who used a pen name and was very secretive and avoided interviews
  • she found a previously unknown famous painting in the garage of a house that she purchased for next to no money
  • she invented something that was a huge success and she collected large royalty checks
The third random scenario:

A friend has been staying with you since his relationship breakup. He has overstayed his welcome, but you don't want to ask him to leave. Think of an imaginative scheme to make him decide to go.

  • tell him that there is an infestation of ants in the kitchen and that everyone has to vacate the premises for the next two weeks while the exterminators are fumigating the entire house
  • show him your new pet python
  • serve him his least favorite food for dinner
  • place a change of address card on his pillow
  • fill your house with cats and inform him that you are now the Crazy Cat Lady. Place five litter boxes in his room
Go for it and enjoy. And don't forget to ask me questions! Happy Saturday!




3 comments:

Alana said...

I would like to know something about your childhood - what do you think was the experience that most shaped you into the person you are today?

Martha said...

I would like to know how.you come up with such exciting fractured fairytale. I love them!

Jean said...

What are some of your favorite recipes to bake and why?