Category: Prompts

Prompt:
A child is born with an imagination so strong, it leaks into reality.

Seven years ago, my daughter Avery was born. She is my pride and joy, but there is something not quite right about her. Everywhere she goes she causes chaos. One night, we went out to dinner with my sister and her family, and Avery had spaghetti. I turned my head for one second, but when I looked back she had a plateful of worms! And last night, right before bed, she was playing with her dolls when a pumpkin sized carriage appeared out of nowhere! I just don’t know what to do with her. She is so creative and spontaneous, but she always drifts off, like she’s in another world…

I’m Avery. I understand what my mom doesn’t. I have a very big imagination. If I picture myself in a rock band, a drum set will appear in my bedroom. Only for a little while. When I wake up in the morning, everything I conjured with my mind is gone. School is not much fun. I doodle during lunch, daydream during class, and sit on a bench during recess, imagining what it would be like to be normal. I can imagine almost everything… but I’m “that weird girl”. I’m “the daydream freak”. I can imagine whatever I want. The only thing I can’t imagine is how anyone would ever want to be friends with me.

Prompt:
In your dying moments, you see a “Game Over” screen with two options: Try Again or End Game.

I take short, gasping breaths and lean my head back. I see a bright light coming toward me, and I think this is the end. But then large letters appear in midair, spelling out: “Try Again or End Game.” Shocked, I think about my life and if I would ever want to do it over again. So many chances I didn’t take, so many things I should have said. With a shaky hand, I reach out and press the “Try Again.” button.

I open my eyes and expect to see my smiling mother, or a  nurse, or even a hospital room. Instead I see a paramedic and smell blood. “How old is she?” the paramedic asks. “Four.” Replies a woman, obviously shaken. “I can’t believe my baby was part of a hit and run.” The woman begins to cry and I realize what I’ve done. I don’t get to start my life over again– I get to save somebody else’s life. And now that I’m here, in this body, in this life…

I wish I had pushed End Game.

Prompt:
Write a story set in a world where crying is forbidden.

I flung open my front door and ran to the back of the house. My bedroom wall is a big window, giving me a view of the ocean. But I violently rip my curtains shut and collapse on the bed. I can’t do this. I could get caught. I can’t do this. I have to stay positive, like President Smith says. His platform is, “Smile away all your fears, be positive, and never, ever shed tears.”

Crying is illegal. I could be sent to jail for this. Or worse. But I cannot help it. Because ninth grade girls are mean. On purpose. And none of them ever get caught. I sob into my pillow and hear my door creak open. My sister stands there looking at me in horror. I wipe my face and give her a pleading look. But she sprints away and in the distance I hear a phone dial.

I panic. I toss pillows back into place, throw open the curtains, and shove shoes and books under my bed. I bolt the door and hide myself under my covers, shaking with fear. Just as I think the coast is clear, I see my sister in the doorway for a split second. Then, she darts away just as I hear the doorbell ring…

Prompt:
I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.

I woke up to the sound of knocking. Instinctively I looked to the window of my dorm, but there was no one there. Slowly, I turned my head and looked at the full length mirror across the room. I sighed with relief as I saw nothing but my own reflection. But then, my so-called reflection jumped out of bed and walked up to the mirror. I could barely catch my breath as I too rose and stood in front of the mirror. That’s when I realized my “reflection” was wearing different pajamas. And she stood in a slightly different way. I opened my mouth to scream but all that came out was a whisper, “Sophie?” The girl in the mirror nodded and smiled at me. I began to sob as I pulled my blanket tighter around myself.

Sophie was my twin sister and best friend.
Sophie died in a car crash ten years ago.

Prompt:
You live in a world in which you can buy bottled emotions.

Shouts echo throughout the crowded streets, bouncing off brick walls and sounding like one massive explosion. Everywhere around me vendors yell out prices and and hold up objects. Finally, I find what I am searching for. I have stumbled across a booth decked in green. Behind the counter a woman smiles at me a gestures to the row of bottles lined up on the countertop. “Are you interested in buying any of these lovely products? Perfumes are half off all week!” I shake my head and pick up each bottle one by one. Each label says the same thing– “Jealousy”. Finally, I select a bottle about the size of a soda can, and hand the saleswoman a twenty dollar bill. She gives me four ones back, and I duck back into the swarm of people.

Once I am home, I set the bottle on the counter and stare at it for a few minutes. Then I remind myself, “She deserves this. She stole your place on the team.” Just then, the doorbell rings and my dog Charlie starts barking. I rush to the front door and throw it open. There, standing before me is the girl who ruined my life, Ellen Dark. Ellen’s mother Theresa Dark is the head coach of the women’s basketball team at University of New Mexico. My whole life I’ve been training to play college basketball, but I got cut. I was beat out for a spot on the team by one person– Ellen. And even though I’m better then Ellen, her mom is the coach.

Ellen smiles at me and steps over the threshold. “Hey! Nice place you have here.” I nod and smile at her. “Would you like a drink?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual. Ellen nods and I lead her into the living room. Next door in the kitchen, I take my newly purchased bottle and pour it into a glass. It foams for a moment, then calms so that it looks like water. “Your dog is adorable!” Ellen calls from the next room. “Thanks!” I reply with a false smile. I carry my water and my revenge, and place Ellen’s glass in front of her. “Bottoms up!” I say, nervously. Ellen smiles and puts the glass to her lips…