Ok ladies and gents... I'm going to start creating some writing prompt threads like the old ones were... it will likely be once every week or two, depending on if I feel like the last topic was too easily exhausted.
These prompts exist as a good exercise, and for getting some critique back. If you don't want your work critiqued, just say it's just for fun... but I think the reason people want to write here is to get some feedback. So... yeah.
Most of these will be short story prompts, as they're "my thing", and easier to critique. I will generally wait a few days, or at least a few posts, before I post my own.
Disclaimer: My prompts are, admittedly, not for everyone. They're not incredibly "easy" or "broad" at first blush. They're designed to make you think, and hone your ability to tell a story or convey a situation not using your usual methods. Working outside of your comfort zone, as a writer, is a powerful method of growth. If you're looking for broader assignments like "write something about a chair", check out amonkie's series of prompts called "writing challenges".
Prompt #1:
The idea:
Dead leaves. Stay away from the cop-out of autumn and how the leaves change color- focus on constructing a story involving dead leaves in some way. The scene takes place as your characters are walking down a busy city street. It is not cold out.
The rules:
Your characters stay walking (do not go into a shop or diner or hail a cab) through the end of the story.
Must use 2 or 3 characters, and they must both/all be either male or female, your choice.
Must have one- but
only one- line of spoken dialog per character. Apart from that, narration method is totally your choice on this one... omniscient narration will likely be best so you can use internal monologue from any/all characters.
Extra credit: No omniscient narration, omnipresent narration only (which means no inner monologue). All other rules stand.
Have fun, and I look forward to reading your work!