Writing Prompts for Fiction and Inspiration for Journaling!

It’s been a long time since we’ve put out some writing prompts. Here are a few tidbits of inspiration for those who love to write stories, and those who love to journal. Cole did an outstanding job on these, and I’ve been remiss in getting them out there.

Eventually, I’ll get some writing prompts of my own out there, but in the meantime, here are the last ones that NC Saul did for me. For anybody who’s new, some previous writing prompts can be found here and here. Some memes I had fun making, and that could also serve as inspiration for journaling or fiction can be found here.

Enjoy!

Sounds like a nugget for an exciting fantasy adventure!

This is a nice prompt for either journaling or a literary novel.

And another fantasy adventure!

Breathtaking, isn’t it? The beauty and mystery of the world is an eternal supply from the Muses.

Can you weave a tapestry of words about your life?

I love me a good travel adventure, and always come up with some amazing stories when I’m following some happy trails!

9 Original Fantasy Writing Prompts!

Here are some writing prompts for May. Most are fantasy. All are original. Hope these work to spark the magic of inspiration!

Enjoy!

If you’d like to see more original writing prompts from Free Flying Press, click here.

Give Yourself Something to Write About - More Prompts!

Well, those writing prompts…they just keep on coming! I’m fairly pleased with these, kind of nice to use photographs as inspiration. I hope you get much inspiration from these. Something for everybody, really.

There’s an erotic novel in here somewhere. What do you think? Should Narcissus and Vanity have a go at it?

“Tell me I’m pretty.”

Tired of Vanity’s never-ending demands, the mirror remained silent.

“Tell me I’m pretty!”

Vanity slapped her reflective surface.

The mirror cracked.

Vanity stopped and leaned in to embrace her reflection.

She was beautiful.

The Bridge of Serenity is always there for us.

Cross the Bridge into the realm, find a comfortable seat, take a few deep breaths, and ask yourself these questions:

“What does peace look like to me?”

“What brings me peace?”

When you’re ready, write down what you found inside yourself.

“I was not one of those personable peasant girls…No possibility of a fairy tale twist of fate for me.”

Claire surrenders to the water. She is filled up with air, but already the pressure squeezes her lungs. From the depths, she hears people screaming from the pier.

They think she jumped in for tragic reasons.

Nothing could further from the truth.

Claire waits for her lover to claim her.

What’s the best way to make friends with your shadow?

Go hang where your shadow is invisible.

In the darkness.

Follow the path into the deepest recesses of the tunnel of your mind.

Invite your shadow to join you and just listen.

Your shadow has a lot to say.

Got Writer's Block? Here, Have Some Writing Prompts!

Writer’s block is such a bitch. Prevention is worth more than cure here, of course, and one of the best ways to prevent the dreaded writer’s block is to write your story ideas down as they come to tinker with them later.

But in case you didn’t do that, here are some prompts and story ideas that might get you rolling. One could be used as a journaling piece or memoir.

What do you think about doing a series of essays on your most embarrassing moments – those times we’d prefer to forget? I think the experience would be both humbling and liberating at the same time. It’s very empowering to embrace our human frailty.

At last, the people came back to worship.

Once enough people returned to the earth, to honor the mountains, the woods, the streams, and the seasons, the Mother returned and brought with her the Maiden and the Crone.

“Hail to the Resurrection of the Goddess, may the Feminine save us all!”

The Goddess yawned and stretched.

“It’s not that simple,” she replied. “Humanity must redeem themselves.”

When Cassandra woke up and saw the rose on the pillow next to her, elation flowed through her.

Then she saw the note underneath.

Instead of words of love and devotion after a beautiful night together, this was an epistle of desertion.

Seduced only to be abandoned.

Cassandra vowed revenge.

Embarrassing moments make great stories.

When was the last time you wanted to crawl under a rock and hide?

Why?

What’s the story?

Go.

“We only have 5 minutes!”

“So what do you want me to do about it?”

“Nothing! There’s nothing anybody can do about it!”

“And you’re telling me this why?”

Anne hesitated, then figured she had nothing to lose.

“Since we’re doomed no matter what, wanna make out?”

Imagine a world where the scaffold of shame made a comeback.

How would this happen?

What broken rules would result in this public display of disgrace?

How long would this punishment endure?

Who would be the hero or shero who would make this stop?

What would be their driving force?

In case these aren’t enough, there are plenty more prompts to be found here and here.

7 New Writing Prompts!

Hey y’all,

It never ceases to amaze me the variety of stories that can spur from a few lines.

I’m sharing some lovely graphics complete with excerpts from my novels and blogs that could potentially inspire you to a work of your own. Usually, I come up with original prompts that are not connected to my writing, but I’ve done something similar to this before and I’ve never seen anybody come close to what I wrote. I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, so I’m not worried about plagiarism, at least not really.

Give it a try. You never know what you might come up with.

Enjoy!

8 Nudges to Write Fantasy With These Gorgeous Writing Prompts!

I’m going to come straight out and just say it. I’m proud of these!

What’s not to love about beautiful images with a chunk of story to get your creative juices flowing?

It’s that time of year again.

When the faery folk come to dance upon the earth.

So light the way for them beneath the ancient tree.

If you remain still, you might get a glimpse of them.

Be careful though.

If they suspect a trap, they will grab you and imprison your soul in the tree for 1000 years.

“Dance with the Devil, you handsome darling. If you please me, all your dreams will come true.”

“Are you saying you’re the Devil?”

The sensuous woman smiled and shrugged.

“I never thought of the Devil as a woman. So what dance?”

“Tango. Of course.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“I am. Lie upon the yellow lines and the genie will come to grant you three wishes.”

“I thought genies lived in bottles and oil lamps.”

“Times have changed. Genies are now captive beneath the cement of roads and sidewalks.”

“What if a car runs over me?”

“That’s how the portal opens.”

“You must think I’m an idiot.”

“No. That’s the chance you gotta take. How badly do you want this?“

Isabelle knew she was disappearing into the world of words, but she didn’t care.

Carlos begged her to stay, but she shook her head.

“I’d rather cease to exist physically if I get to enjoy all the pleasures of fantasy, of the erotic and romance.”

“What do you want, Isabelle, from the ethers of imagination? You will cease to be.”

”I know, darling Carlos. But ordinary life is mundane. I can’t bear the mundane.”

Bernado’s heart pounded. This was the portal. it had to be.

But how could he get past that brick wall?

If he didn’t, Celeste was lost forever and their parents would perish from heartbreak.

Fern yearned for the glory of humans. As psychic beings, plants healed, soothed, gave solace, and offered insight.

But there was no power. Plants were at the mercy of humans and animals.

Until the day a sad looking woman came into the forest undergrowth and lay down on top of Fern.

Fern felt her sorrow, and knew its time had come. This woman no longer wanted to be human.

“How about if we trade places?” Fern whispered. “You become me and I become you.”

The woman looked right at Fern.

“Is that possible?”

She was emerging. She could feel herself coming back to flesh, blood, and bone.

After so many centuries held captive in the trees, she would be free at last.

“Why now?” she asked. “Why let me go now when the world is so changed?”

“Because we need you to convince humanity to protect us.”

“Why would I do that?”

Ophelia threw herself into the water, but instead of the death she sought in her despair, she found conviction.

She deserved life. Only revenge would do for her father’s death.

Hamlet would suffer.

SO HERE THEY ARE, THE FANTASY WRITING PROMPTS! I HOPE YOU LOVE THE IMAGES AS MUCH AS I LOVED PUTTING THEM TOGETHER. AND I HOPE THEY GET THE STORIES SPINNING!

PEACE,

MONTGOMERY

Writing Prompts for Creative Introspection and Journaling!

So I’ve been writing often for Medium, which has been an experience.

Of course, this has taken my focus away from my blog, Give Yourself Something to Write About.

Obviously since it’s taken me until the end of the month to get any writing prompts out here, whereas before I was cranking out prompts at least 4 times per month for a while there.

Anyway, these have more of a journaling flavor because my inner world and process is where my mind and heart is right now.

But a couple of them could transform or even inspire fiction.

Anyway, disillusionment has begun and I’ll likely to give some love back to the blog.

In the meantime, enjoy these prompts!

6 Conversational Writing Prompts - Inspiration Through Dialogue!

Writing prompt original by Montgomery mahaffey from Free Flying Press

“I take it Rosco talked you into this?”

“That’s one way to look at it, Adele.”

“I’m very pleased you’re staying, Martinez. I didn’t think you would.”

“Yes.”

“Did Rosco blackmail you?”

“I wouldn’t go quite that far.”

“But you are not here willingly.”

“No. I’m not.”

Writing prompts are back. Sweet chunks of dialogue to get your imagination revving! What’s the story behind these intriguing pieces of conversation? One way to find out is to take the deep dive and see what you come up with. Enjoy!

WRITING PROMPT ORIGINAL BY MONTGOMERY MAHAFFEY FROM FREE FLYING PRESS

“What a foolish vanity you have. Lady Fortune is fickle. Luck always changes.”

“Not for me, it doesn’t. You saw what happened here tonight.”

“Tell me, Gambler. Are you looking for the game you can’t win?”

“No. I’m looking to see that I always will.”

“Perhaps you only play the games that are easy to win.”

WRITING PROMPT ORIGINAL BY MONTGOMERY MAHAFFEY FROM FREE FLYING PRESS

“You’ve really gotten yourself into a mess now, darling. Wasn’t I enough trouble for you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about your fancy courtesan.”

“She wants you dead, woman.”

“Of course, she does. Beautiful courtesan has lusted for my blood for a long, long time.”

WRITING PROMPT ORIGINAL BY MONTGOMERY MAHAFFEY FROM FREE FLYING PRESS

“Congratulations.”

“Why feign your good wishes? You weren’t cheering for me.”

“Why do you love it? What do you love about gambling? Is it the money you don’t need?”

“No. It’s the games.”

“So you like to play games? Why the games of chance?”

“Because I love to win them.”

“Why not games of skill? The victory would be sweeter.”

“Luck has no play in games of skill.”

WRITING PROMPT ORIGINAL BY MONTGOMERY MAHAFFEY FROM FREE FLYING PRESS

“What about Anthony?”

“What about him?”

“Doesn’t he deserve vengeance?”

“Hell no! That vicious little brute got what he deserved!”

“So what if he was horrid? Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“He’s despicable.”

“Well now, he’s a drooling mess of an imbecile, and your lady love is to blame.”

WRITING PROMPT ORIGINAL BY MONTGOMERY MAHAFFEY FROM FREE FLYING PRESS

“You aren’t the kind to take the coward’s way out.”

I turned around to see the Sorcerer behind me. I was never afraid of the Sorcerer. Not then and not later, not even once I knew what he was capable of.

“I’ve been watching you,” he continued.

“Oh yeah? And what do you see?”

“I see a girl who wants what she can’t have.”

6 Post-Breakup Freedom Drunk Writing Prompts Because I Can! And They're Original!

Breakups come with dubious advantages. Here, one advantage is that I find it a safe distraction to make up writing prompts that have nothing to do with my ex-relationship. Since I’m having a hard time concentrating on everything else, this is a gift for other writers.

These prompts work for fantasy, romance, suspense, adventure, and journaling - which could help with memoir or even fresh ideas for a novel. It all depends on YOU and your inspiration!

Perhaps you’d like to check out my novel, “Ella Bandita and the Wanderer.” If so, click here!

If you’d prefer a freebie (Part 1) to check it out, click here!

In the meantime, enjoy these prompts and I hope they inspire you!

9 Fresh Writing Prompts! Versatile for Any Genre!

“Just breathe.”

“Damn you! I can’t breathe! Why won’t you listen?”

Isabella put her hand on Juan’s belly button.

Juan was relieved at the breath that filled his lungs as he watched her hand rise.

Isabella had the magic touch.

Juan had to keep her for himself, even if Isabella was desperately needed all over the world.

Hey there,

It’s been a long time since I put out some original prompts. What I like about these is that they could be used for just about any genre - fantasy, science fiction, romance, erotica, New Age, suspense, even mystery.

So here they are. Enjoy!

“Behold the White Goddess.”

“She looks nice, but I’ not sure it was worth the climb up a mountain to look at a statue.”

The Guide’s nostrils quivered and I felt foolish.

Really, it wouldn’t do to offend.

“I suggest you show some respect. The White Goddess or the Dark Daemon are your only choices for protection around here.”

“Is there any way out of here?”

“Would you rather be in a white padded cell? I thought you liked pink.”

“I like pink in doses. But this makes me crazy!”

“Well, I hope you come to love it because you’re going to be here for a while.”

“At least you have a choice of which hell you want to go to, Isabelle.”

“How appealing.”

“So do you want to the cold hell or the hot hell you grew up believing in.”

“I hate being hot. I’ll take the cold.”

The demon smiled.

“You’ll crave heat in no time.”

“Drinking the Kool-Aid much?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Everything that has come out of your mouth for the last 20 minutes sounds pretty cultish.”

“Shannon, you’re missing out!”

“I’m happy to miss out. I like being my own person.”

“The Cob offers real deliverance and true freedom.”

“What a load of bull. Marcus, you know better.”

“Come to one meeting with me and you’ll see.”

“No.”

”I dare you to come. What are you afraid of?”

“You must go deep inside yourself to find your pleasure center.”

“I’m deep inside myself all the time. Pleasure requires at least two people.”

The Guru chuckled.

“You came because you want to enjoy sex, remember?”

“Yeah, but-”

“You may be your biggest problem, not your lovers.”

Julian entered the cave, his flashlight the only light in the darkness. His heart stopped when he saw the crumpled figure lying facedown.

Carefully, he turned the body over.

Before he could check for a pulse, he met the steeliest gaze he’d ever seen.

That was before Julian saw the gun pointed right at his heart.

“It’s the job of a lifetime.”

“That’s too sweet for me.”

“Since when do you have a problem with money?”

“Since I spent 5 years in prison because I loved it too much.”

“$10 million should help you recover. In or out?”

“These pins are too dull.”

“So you like pricking your fingers?”

“Not really. But I like my pins to work.”

“But you’ve never pressed witch’s pins. Press with your mind, not your thumb. Like this.”

Sure enough, the pin weaved through the pieces of quilt with ease even though nobody touched it.

“How’d you do that?”

“Try it. You don’t need me to tell you how.”

6 Lovely Writing Prompts for Fantasy, Romance, Journaling!

Time for some more writing prompts! Here are some luscious ones that could inspire fantasy, romance, love story (my personal favorite), journaling, or even memoir. It’s all up to you. If you like these, click here for the writing prompts that came before. I may offer more this month simply just because…

6 Unique Fiction Writing Prompts!

Here are some writing prompts! If you need some more inspiration, click here and here.

7 New Writing Prompts!

Image by Comfreak from Pixabay

Time for some writing prompts! Fiction, romance, love story, suspense, speculative fiction, fantasy, journaling prompts that could transform into any kind of fiction, or…the therapeutic healing of reflection and remembrance whether direct or looked at from a different perspective.

Here they are and enjoy!

The Joy of Memes

Hey y’all,

So… I’m making memes now. It was that something new learned this week.

For the record, I’m very proud of the meme that starts this blog.

In my personal life, I’m addicted to Facebook in a love/hate kind of way. My now ex-partner hates it and I wouldn’t say I love it, but it’s become a habit. An annoying habit. Anybody who is not addicted to any kind of social media and does not participate -especially if that somebody isn’t a hermit in a cave somewhere in the Rockies – has my respect.

But I’m a sucker for memes, especially the good ones. It’s such a succinct way to get a pithy message across with words and a visual. Thanks to my flailing in the world of Pinterest, I came across a blog on how to make memes.

So I read it, and started. And I think I’m kind of hooked.

If I’m not careful memes will take over and I will stop writing. And that would be a bad, bad thing. Perhaps these are natural growing pains that come with donning lots of new hats?

It’s good for my brain to learn new things. That’s what I’m telling myself right now. I’m overwhelmed. I’m trying to embrace it.

But I loved learning about memes. I made 10 memes on my first day. Self-expression feels good to choose images and quotes – sometimes I even use my own. Or I use an image from the piece of artwork from Ella Bandita with a punch that fits in in a different way, and thus alters the meaning. The possibilities are endless. So what’s not to love?  

The best part is that I already taught something the day after I learned it. My friend and former housemate, Cole is stepping in to help and I taught her how to make memes too. The ones she made were completely different from mine, but fabulous! Maybe we will rock cyber space with our fresh take on things and our memes that go viral.

Or maybe we’ll simply do a great job of getting people’s attention to this website and my stories. Because that’s what I’m really here for, you know?

What about you, dear reader? Do you like to pass the time making memes, finding memes, or both? What are some of your favorites? Let’s have some show and tell, please.

Peace,

Montgomery

PS: Here’s the link to a site that makes it really, really easy to make a meme:

https://quotescover.com/

PPS: Cole found her medium through the Adobe Spark app. And here is one of hers.

PPPS: Technically, memes have nothing to do with writing. But these can also make some good writing prompts. Pick one and do a freewrite. Come on! I dare you.

Haiku for Writing Exercise and Therapy

IMAGE BY INNO KURNIA FROM PIXABAY

“Catharsis Through Haiku”

Haiku is easy.

Haiku is nice. Sanity

Preserved in Haiku.

 

Thanks. Thank you Haiku

To distill my angst in counts

Of five seven five

 

Syllables, three lines,

Gives me some kind of control.

Even if it’s not true,

 

I can believe it.

Five syllables at line one.

Seven syllables

 

At line two. And then

Five syllables at line three.

I have control, see?

 

These are the only

Rules in Haiku. Simple to

Follow, don’t need more.

 

I can say nothing

And make it sound important.

Or say anything

 

Quite nonsensical,

Incomprehensible, yes?

No! What do you mean?

 

You think this makes sense?

I ramble and rant and rave,

Give words to my rage.

 

The quirky timing

Of a five seven five count

Takes the sharp bite out,

 

Eccentric and quaint

Haiku softens the striker

And fools the strikee.

 

For Haiku is cute,

Don’t you agree? Who sees it

Coming? This shot below

 

The belt, No fair fight

Here in the realm of Haiku.

It has power near

 

Or far. The power

Haiku sensibility

Is invisible.

 

Can you hurt from a

Blow you can’t feel the impact?

No offense, darling.

 

It’s all done with tact.

Haiku is graceful, discreet,

and sounds awful sweet.

Condensing my angst in counts of 5, 7, 5 was great therapy. Who knew?

“Single Mingle Without a Jingle - The False Love Meet and Greet”

I’m not ready yet,

But I put myself out there.

What is there to lose?

 

There is true freedom

Doing the single mingle

Without a jingle.

 

Do that meet and greet!

Brush up on your people skills,

You have time to kill.

 

No need to invest,

Practice active listening,

Relearn how to charm.

 

Charm on you, charmer!

Be sincere or be guarded,

Or both. You’re free now.

 

It’s nice to go out,

With no agenda to find

That special someone.

 

You were once hungry,

Then you got fed, fed upon.

You learned a lot, yes?

 

Now it is your time.

Nourish yourself this go ‘round.

Guard your treasure chest.

 

I’m not ready yet.

True freedom to socialize

Yet need nothing more.

 

Time to go inward

Fill up my well of being

Relationship free

 

My time is my own.

No pressure demands my way

I’m me. I am free.

 

Speeding up the grief.

I lost time, but not true love.

Time to heal is now.

 

Yet in the meantime,

I meet and I greet new peeps

And I want nothing.

 

No numbers, no texts.

Simply hello, how are you?

And then I move on.

 

I want nothing more,

When we part, we part as art.

I my way, you yours.

 

Simplicity, yes!

Brief connects is best for now,

I’m not ready yet.

Image by 955169 from Pixabay

“Hot Haiku About My Shower”

Soak the hair dripping

With warm droplets down my back

Running the gauntlet.

 

No dry shampoo here!

Frothing and circling fingers

Hair now free of grime.

 

Conditioner in,

Leave it be for duration

of luscious shower.

 

Gentle strokes neck face,

Don’t forget your ears! The back

Or the inside swirl.

 

Soap up massage,

Lather the arms, remember

The pits. Cleanse that smell.

 

Across the chest, under

The breasts, soaping, rubbing,

down over belly.

 

Around stretch the back,

The shoulders and the haunches,

Diagonal strokes

 

To reach the hard spots.

Down the legs and over the feet,

The soles need some grit.

 

Get the dead flesh off.

Rinse, linger, savor water

Running head to toe.

 

Shower completes me!

Ready to begin the day,

So hot, nice, and clean!

********

So I challenge you,

Darling readers and writers,

To write a haiku

It does make the most marvelous therapy, and is a

good stretch for your writing muscles. Efficiency!

Give the art of Haiku a try!