Open Window Writing exercise

This is an especially fun exercise to do with a group. For this exercise, Imagine your main character looking out a window, either at his school, home or other location where he spends a lot of time. Write about what he sees and how the scene outside his window impacts his emotional state. Does it create a longong, resentment, despair? Write for 15-30 minutes.

If you are doing this as a group exercise, discuss how your intent as a writer may or may not intrude upon what your character sees, and your influence on your character's emotional response.

Sisters Writing Prompt

I am always intrigued by the dynamic between sisters. The unspoken history, the sibling drama, the ongoing battles for control of the relationship are goldmines waiting to be tapped into for writing inspiration. For this prompt, imagine that you are the younger sister, and write for ten minutes about one of the topics below. Your goal is to try to capture both the closeness of the relationship and the very tenuous bond that threatens to snap at any moment.

Sisters Topics:
1. Your older sister has a secret boyfriend. You don't like him, but you have kept her secret. Now, your older sister has betrayed you in some way. Do you tell Mom about the secret boyfriend, or can you somehow leverage the information to your benefit?

2. Your parents and your older sister have had a knock-down, drag-out fight. You're the good child now. What can you get away with? How long does it last? How does your sister make your life a living hell because of this switch?

3. You and your older sister have always been close. She's more like a mother to you than a sister. You've never really wondered why, until now. What happened to make you take a clear look at this relationship? Is your sister aware or in denial?

4. You are the younger sister, but for some reason, your older sister is acting like a baby. Now you're taking care of her. She can't do her chores, her homework, her hair or even get properly dressed in the morning. Why can't she just snap out of it?

Keep The Pen Moving Writing Prompt

We had a fun prompt in the new Brown Bag writing group. This group does timed writing prompts, where you keep your pen moving until time is called. The prompt was intended to be from a female point-of-view, but one person took the prompt and wrote a story from a male point-of-view. It was surprisingly invigorating not to mention funny. So, here are some prompts, intended to be from a female point-of-view, but the challenge is to start with the prompt and write a story from a male point-of-view. You can write for any age level you choose. Set your timer for 15 minutes and keep your pen moving until time is up.

Prompts: (select one)

She had her suitcase packed...
She opened her little pink purse and out fell a five-dollar bill...
Embarrassed, she covered her face with the napkin from her lap...
The dust swirled around her brand-new shoes as she stood next to the saloon door, waiting for Pa...