Writer's Prompts: Are You Brave Enough to Try?
Alright, scribblers, here’s a little challenge to whet your writing appetite, and give you a breather from your epic novel. No pressure, but if you send in something we actually like (no guarantees), it might just get read out on the podcast. And who knows? Maybe you'll even wow us. Write no more than 600 words and send it over to us at www.effigypress.com. We dare you. Here are your prompts:
Prompt One: The Good Character’s Big Confession
Picture your “good” character. You know, the one who always does the right thing and never seems to struggle with temptation (ugh, how boring). Now, imagine they’re sitting down with a friend, reminiscing about a time when they faced a massive temptation. How did they handle it? What wisdom did they glean from the experience? What scars did they walk away with? And let’s be real—what did they lose in the process? As the author, it’s your job to make this moment feel real and messy, so don’t hold back. Oh, and don’t forget the friend’s reaction. Are they impressed? Or do they just nod along, pretending to care? Just remember, as Oscar Wilde put it, “Every Saint has a past, and every sinner has a future!”
Prompt Two: The Overton Window: 50 Years Later
Let’s play "What-If" for a minute: It’s 50 years from now, and the Overton window has shifted. Has society become a utopian liberal paradise, or have we all been sucked into the value system of the 1950’s? Write a scene where your character navigates this new world. Are they thrilled, horrified, or somewhere in between? How have they adjusted—or have they completely lost it? Don’t hold back—show us how this future would really affect your character, even if it’s just a bit of a disaster.
Prompt Three: Shocking the Overton Window
Now, for the strangest one: Your character is sitting in a public meeting—could be a town hall, could be a lecture hall—and they say something that’s way, way outside the Overton window. It’s so off the charts that people gasp, clutch their pearls, and start making exit plans. What do they say? How are people reacting? As the author, what are you doing with this moment? Are you just trying to shock people for fun, or are you challenging your readers to think beyond what’s socially acceptable? And let’s be honest—there’s a good chance your readers will either love or loathe this moment. Will they put your book down in disgust? Or will they applaud you for breaking the rules?
Don’t Go Crazy On Us
So there you have it. We’re not asking for the next Great American Novel (unless you’re really feeling ambitious and can achieve that in 600 words or less). But take a shot at these prompts, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll be reading your work on the air. No pressure, though. Extra points if you include a runaway horse!
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