TuesdayTips164

Welcome all, it’s Halloween, so how better to celebrate than a spooky Block Buster  – a short exercise to either bust your writer’s block, or just a fun writing challenge to practise your skills?
As writers we are sometimes accused of having over-active imaginations. Today’s exercise involves giving free-reign to our fears and crafting something suitably creepy or scary.
First, choose one of the following story prompts.

• It’s the dead of night. The house is empty when you awaken unexpectedly. What was that noise? It sounds like a floorboard creaking!
• You’re standing at the kitchen sink. It’s dark outside. The security lights come on unexpectedly and you see a shadowy figure.
• You’re out shopping. Across the store you lock eyes with a stranger who looks familiar. A person who died many years ago…
• It’s the middle of the night. You live alone or with a partner. You have no children. So why is there the sound of a baby crying …

If none of these prompts grab you, take a look at this webpage from MasterClass.com
Now write a story using that prompt.
Things to consider:

• First person or third person? (ie are you the star of the story, or are you writing about a different character?)
• Will it be a horrible gore fest, or are you more interested in a psychological thriller?
• What will the resolution be – is there a straightforward explanation, or is it something more sinister?
• Or will there be no resolution, leaving it up to the reader’s imagination?

Remember the rules:

• Set yourself a time limit.
• Write without stopping, editing or overthinking.
• Write whatever comes to mind and don’t worry if it doesn’t make sense.
• It doesn’t matter if it has nothing to do with the scene that you are stuck on.

If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.
Until next time,
Paul