Prompts for Young Novelists

Starting a novel is hard: first you have to think of an idea, then you have to write it. As an aid to aspiring writers, I have designed 10 "Prompts" which can be used to get the old juices flowing, and some new juices, hopefully. The most important thing is not to censor yourself, because, as we all know, censorship is wrong. Just take the prompts one at a time, go with your first impulse, let the ideas flow, and before you know it, you’ll be a fully published author, probably. Good luck!

PROMPTS:

1. “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh,” she screamed.

2. As Donna's head began to spin crazily, Richard picked up the manual and noticed that her instructions were in Dutch.

3. “Helmet!” The man did not answer.

4. As Troy watched the heavy shape fall towards the stormy waters below, he felt that same familiar sensation stir, deep down, in his sack.

5. As Professor John Langhorne strode down the darkened corridor of the Louvre he suddenly noticed that the Mona Lisa had some kind of code on it.

6. Ontogeny recapitulates philogeny,” gurgled the mind-baby.

7. “Not again! This always happens to my hair!” said John Mayer.

8. "Do you have any great ideas for a novel?" laughed Sarah. "As a matter of fact, I do!" replied the Professor, before telling her one.

9. “Gregg, you are about to go literally, and figuratively, to heaven,” said the cock-witch.

10. "Dear Miss Jones," the letter began. Thank you for your query regarding the publication of your crime novella, 'The Sack of Troy'. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you any assistance at this time."

11. Tina woke and went to the bathroom mirror. "That's not my face!" she exclaimed.