Are you planning a summer vacation? Wondering where to go? Try using Random Street View. And, before you book tickets, do a screen grab or save the link, then write a 1000 word story on what view you get. Granted, you're more likely to be on a country road than... Read more →

And now we head into June, the traditional month for marriage. Maybe because of the Roman Goddess Juno, or because people were still relatively fresh after their first spring bath, or because young couples had met up at the first Spring festivals and now wanted/needed to get married. I'm not... Read more →

This was a challenge on Terrible Minds back in 2013. I didn't try it then, but will use it this week. This is a random character generator, sometimes with a bit of fantasy added. Give it a click, and marvel at the six suggestions. Pick either the second or the... Read more →

Up here in Canada, we're starting a long weekend. It's held on the weekend of, or before, May 24th, which is the Queen's "Birthday". Queen Victoria. We're not in the British Empire anymore, and Vicky is long since dead, but we like the holiday. It's the first long weekend of... Read more →

I did a challenge like this a few years ago, with some phrases like An Ancient Curse, and A Half-burned Notebook. This is a variation, using phrases from a list of odd adjective-noun combinations . I'll give you 9, pick three at random for your story. Feel free to make... Read more →

"No matter where you go, there you are." I first heard this in the cult classic Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. We are always aware of our setting in life, through our physical senses and emotions. This week that's what I'll start you off with, a list of settings.... Read more →

We've all done it, listening in either inadvertently or deliberately. Writers are especially guilty of it, as the voyeurs of society, collecting dialogue, people, and plots. Oh my! It's a drizzly day here, but I'll head out shortly to the library, then a coffee. Imagine you're in a pub, or... Read more →

I was going to suggest something Easter themed this week then my little sister posted this photo. She's with her hubby, vacationing in Spain, and took this near the caves at Nerja. It's an intriguing statue, isn't it? Use it to get your brain working on a story. Who was... Read more →

You bought a new house, over the winter. It was a great deal. heavily discounted after months, maybe years on the market. It's an older place, a 'fixer-upper', but has great potential. Supposedly there had been a garden in back, too, buried under all that snow. It's spring now, most... Read more →

This week I'll give you a setting. The last thing you remember was settling into your regular bus seat, and closing your eyes for just a minute. When you waken, the bus seems empty, yet the engine is still running. It's dark outside. You were having a dream, fading already,... Read more →