Did you ever notice it’s easier to write about a season when it is that season? It must be a natural side effect of being sensory animals. How can you not want to write a story taking place during the summer when you’re gardening, hiking, swimming, and enjoying other seasonal activities?
Everything is so immediate. If you need some inspiration, just go outside and snatch your setting descriptions.
With this is mind, I present a writing prompt. At midnight, go out for a walk. First, breathe in and smell the air. Then stand quietly and listen. Let those few things soak in and walk.***
Once you return, sit down wherever it is you write and start a short story with this: “It was midnight, and I/he/she/it went for a walk.”
If I get enough responses from people who do this, maybe I’ll post some of them. Your call of course. Otherwise, enjoy the walk.
***Needless to say, if you live in an area where a walk at midnight equals much unpleasantness flung in your general direction, maybe skip it. Or take a knife.
Note: The image is sourced from http://ideas.veer.com and was created by Tom Huveners.
A midnight walk sounds lovely. Probably scare the poo out of myself, though.
Some pretty dark streets around here.
I'm a bit of a night owl, so this shouldn't be a problem.
And, YES, it is definitely easier to write about a certain season or setting when immersed in said season or setting.
This sounds cool, and I always love prompts.
But I'm afraid that I live in the world of the 9-5 job and am cuddling up in bed by midnight most nights.
P.S. You should stop by my blog again some time. Haven't heard from you in ages and I've got a new design and stuff. (Apologies for the rare self-plug.
Hope you all enjoy the walk and prompt.
I cheated while writing this out, since I take nightly walks with my dog anyway.
You are a man after my own heart. I nearly always sit for a bit, if I can, in the situation I want to write about. I have been known to go for a walk at midnight and take in all the vibes before writing about it. I am very much an owl and just love the night; it feels so much more intimate than the day time. So much more alive…but then, I come to you from the darkside. 😉
This is cool, I'm going to Iowa at the end of next week and I think I might work on this prompt while I'm there…
I'm obliged to skip it! That said, it's winter here and I've been playing with a short story set in summer in the tropics… 🙂
Ah, you've shattered my theory Vanilla! 😉
Anita, have a great trip. If anything, just take the midnight walk for the heck of it. It's still fun. 🙂
Akasha, those night walks are my fav. there's a good book by Laymon called "Night in the Lonesome October" that centers around night walks.