IntShoWriMo 2016: Round Up & Winners' Badge

IntShoWriMo 2016 Winners' Medallion

We’re on the other side of 30 days of adrenalin rush. It’s been four whole weeks of tempting the muse and the word ‘fun’ just grew a whole new meaning of its own.

So, long story short, this month’s theme has been about celebrating, at least for me, five years of crafting 30 stories in 30 days. I didn’t know exactly how this gig was going to turn out when I dipped my toes in that strange waters of the short tale. But heck, here I stand today worth over a hundred and fifty stories of roughly 250,000 word count.

I just might post the summaries of those stories sometime this July but for everybody who took part in this year’s challenge, the winners’ golden badge is all yours for the taking. I’ll be seeing you yet again the coming year.

Until that time, write feverishly and keep your pen bleeding!

Akpan

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 30

Two moons rise over a darkened field. — Writing.Com

A frantic 7-year-old kid appears at your door, cursing like a sailor. He has nothing on him but a wallet of a 24-year-old man who looks like him. He needs your help and a shot of whiskey. — Reddit

Write a scene in a short story in which a character with creative inclinations feels like he’s not being a helpful member of society. How does he shake himself out of it? Does his chosen course of action help his productivity as an artist? What does this change reveal about his place in the world of the story? — PW.Org

Write a story where you propose a convincing reason why vampires express a strong aversion to sunlight. Your explanation may be comic but it must be original. — Akpan

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 29

Write a story about a father looking for his son. The child was one of the passengers in a plane that crashed earlier that day. — creativewritingprompts.com

Tromping through the Korean jungle wasn't his idea of a good time, but he wasn't there for himself. He was there for her; she needed him. — Writing.Com

In Lauren Groff’s novel Fates and Furies (Riverhead Books, 2015), which President Barack Obama named his favorite book of 2015, a marriage is detailed first through the husband’s perspective, then the wife’s. His memories are fond, but hers, not so much. Take on that old adage about two sides to every story and pick a supporting character from a novel, film, or short piece, and rewrite a story from his or her point of view. You could even invent a character related to a famous one, as Sena Jeter Naslund did in her novel Ahab’s Wife (William Morrow, 1999). Experiment with how a scene or plot can be completely transformed just by a change of perspective. — PW.Org

You come home to find your split image sitting on your couch. Just as you’re about to conclude this might be your long-lost twin, the stranger speaks and dispels your doubt. “I need you to be me for one day,” s/he says. “My life depends on it.” What does s/he want you to do and do you agree? What are the consequences if you dis/agree? Write your story. — Akpan

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 28

Write about the smallest insect you've ever seen. — Writing.Com

The year is 1491 and you are a famous world explorer. You set out to sail around the globe, but your crew is apprehensive about sailing around the Bermuda triangle. You dismiss their superstitions and demand to hold course. Sure enough, as you approach the Triangle you get caught in a horrible storm. What happens next? — Writer’s Digest

You know a walk in the park in the dark is the craziest move you can make especially with rumors of a vicious serial killer going the rounds. But your car breaks down just outside the perimeter of the park with no person or vehicle within earshot. Do you forget everything and run or do you wait it out until help comes along? Write your story. — Akpan

Write for 10 minutes using "I used to think..." as your starter. — creativewritingprompts.com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 27

The copier wasn't working again and I was on my last nerve when suddenly... — Writing.Com

You wake up one morning and find yourself inside a Looney Tunes cartoon with a burning desire to hunt down a certain Bugs Bunny, no matter the cost. What happens next? — Writer’s Digest

Melinda Alcott and Dwayne Modderman meet in a bank. One of them is a loner. Describe how they meet. — creativewritingprompts.com

A crew of astronauts departs on a voyage to colonize a planet, first time ever. They go into hibernation only to be awakened somewhere mid-trip by a more advanced and faster ship, by far more advanced humans, technologically and biologically enhanced, who departed years after them. — Reddit

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 26

You heard rumors of a zombie attack on your way to the club with your buddies and waved it off like another urban legend. You came home late at night totally knocked out and went straight to bed only to be awakened in the dead of night by unearthly sounds. You peep through your keyhole and can hardly believe your eyes; there are white-faced, living corpses filling your corridor and one of them is heading straight for your bedroom door. Write the story. — Akpan

“I wasn’t planning on this. Falling in love with you was the last thing I wanted. Because I know our time would have to come to end. Yet, here I am, begging you not to turn the page.” Who is the speaker and who is the speaker talking to? Finish the scene. — Writer’s Digest

It turns out that a common vaccine lying dormant inside everyone is what turns everyone into zombies, except for the anti-vaxxers. — Reddit

A vacuum cleaner is invented that generates life from dust... — Writing.Com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 25

The human race has finally settled in space in large colonies. Now citizens of this outer space world seek to cut off all ties with mother earth and become a unique planet even if it means incurring the wrath of the head council on earth. — Akpan

Bonnie Steinweg and Louie Cunningham meet while he is waiting for his date. One of them works two jobs. Write their story. — creativewritingprompts.com

Write about getting lost and finding an alternative way - it can be literal or metaphorical. — Writing.Com

Science always changes with new info. Today you found something that not only changes everything we know, but proves it all wrong. — Reddit

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 24

Write a zombie story where the hunger for flesh has been taken out of the flesh-eaters but a powerful science-oriented organization is trying their best to change that for reasons best known to them. Do they succeed? What happens if things spin out of control? How do the people of that world co-exist with the zombies? — Akpan

After a freak accident, you've split into two versions of yourself. One good, the other evil. For some reason you two are able to cooperate quite easily. — Reddit

Use this mixed personification to spark a poem or story: sorrow croons as love begs. — creativewritingprompts.com

Create a character that might live in a park or recreation area near you. Why do they live there and how do they interact with visitors? — Writing.Com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 23

Everyone is fighting an unseen battle, yours happens to be the ghost of an ancient Spartan king who can occasionally possess your body. — Reddit

Write a short story that gives love a "bad name," first plotting the blossoming and struggle of a relationship in your story arc, and then its ultimate dissolution. What's the primary obstacle for your characters? Are your lovers hindered by geographic distance, opposing political viewpoints, or financial woes? Does the tale involve online dating and mistaken identity? Or is it finally the characters' own emotional histories that provide the biggest conflict? Perhaps at love's peak your characters will catch a hopeful glimpse of “full possession.” — PW.Org

Write about someone you would love to see put in jail. — creativewritingprompts.com

You are an 18-year-old adoptee. You have your birth mother's name and phone number in your hand. — Writing.Com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 22

Write a story revolving around these words, “The world seemed to stand still.” — From Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”

What’s your idea of a perfect vacation? — creativewritingprompts.com

Write a seemingly normal story, except for the last sentence, which makes the entire story creepy. — Reddit

You've graduated from clown college and have been named valedictorian of your class. You must give an inspirational speech to all the other bozos in the crowd and, after weeks of writing, you finally think you've nailed it. Show us you delivering your speech. — Writer’s Digest

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 21

“It is an abomination for a man to take his own life.” Write the scene. — Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.”

When you were younger, you promised your first born child to a witch. When your husband learned you were pregnant, he admitted to making the same promise to a different witch. — Reddit

Write a short story in which your main character finds himself invited to the Nobel Prize award ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden. What preconceived notions might he have about the festivities and winners? Is he star-struck, mildly impressed, or ambivalent? Does he have dubious plans beyond celebrating with the recipients and guests? — PW.Org

Use this plot in a short story: roommates have not paid the phone bill. — creativewritingprompts.com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 20

Day 20
Vladimir Nabokov said, “Although we read with our minds, the seat of artistic delight is between the shoulder blades. That little shiver behind is quite certainly the highest form of emotion that humanity has attained when evolving pure art and pure science. Let us worship the spine and its tingle.” Try your hand at writing a spine-tingling tale. You might create a feeling of mystery or unease by introducing a creepy premise in the first sentence, or decide to lull the reader into a sense of security with a few run-of-the-mill details before unleashing an element of horror. — PW.Org

Dragon Riders grow in size to better suit their winged friends. This is the story of one that didn't. — Reddit

As a doctor for hire you’ve met a fair share of odd folks. Nothing quite like this though: A man in his mid-thirties stands before you, clutching a wound just given to him by another man sprinting down the street. Now the perpetrator trips and lands on his own knife. Screaming for help and not knowing what the heck just happened—what do you do? — Writer’s Digest

Create a news story with this headline: Beer-Crazed Elephants Face Execution! — creativewritingprompts.com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 19

You have been hired on a large renovation project which is taking place in a cave beneath a mansion. Some of the specifications, however, leave you with some questions for Mr. Wayne. — Reddit

“I’d love to _____ but my _____ just _____!” (And then write a story that follows it.) — Writer’s Digest

“Damaged emotion, especially lost love, guilt and shame, can lead one into a spiral of depression.” — Steven Barnes. Write a story about a character that justifies this quote.

Write a short story that starts with a scene in which your main character interacts with another character while in disguise. What does your character hope to gain by taking on this new persona? How must the character transform—both physically and emotionally? What are the limitations or pitfalls of the disguise? Conversely, are there doors that might now be open to this new identity that were closed before? — PW.Org

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 18

Oh boy you do love packages! Yet this one’s different. It’s oddly colored, like a deep maroon. The material is unlike anything you’ve ever felt and something is violently shaking the box. The worst part is you never ordered anything. So how big is the box? What’s inside? Where did it come from? — Writer’s Digest

Write from the point of view of the last tree standing in a forest. — creativewritingprompts.com

You stumble upon a stash of Nazi gold. Unbeknownst to you, the gold is cursed, and the more of it you sell, the more you start to think with fascist tendencies. — Reddit

A slice of chocolate-decadence cake was all she wanted; instead, she got Tommy Nighthawk. — Writing.Com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 17

Create a scene which explains the line, “Don’t let false modesty make you retreat from your own excellence.” — Steven Barnes

Paint splattered on a canvas... — Writing.Com

To get the story straight, Dave, we think, has become a chicken. Just the worst of luck with that guy. Tom is claiming he married the futon that’s now covered in yogurt, Carl is on the chandelier with the dog and you just walked in after getting groceries. What the heck happened here? — Writer’s Digest

Sometimes the gifts we receive may seem plain or simple at first—another book, bag, pair of pants, or electronic gadget—but end up changing our lives in unexpected ways. Write a short story in which your main character receives a gift that he is unimpressed with, but that turns out to be more than meets the eye. Does using the gift result in a domino effect of unforeseen consequences? Is something surprising revealed about the gift giver? — PW.Org

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 16

By 2060, mankind is able to transfer a human consciousness to the digital world. No longer inhibited by the limitations of a physical brain, these people become the technological overseers of human society, but eventually discover evidence of an afterlife they are no longer invited to. — Reddit

Write a story where a character pulls though because a total stranger urged them on and end the story with this line, “Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.” — Stephen King

List 3 things that freak you out when you think of vampires and write a story that highlights them. — Akpan

Have the main character in your novel (or short story) write a letter to you. What would they say? 
Have them write whatever you want. — Writer’s Digest

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 15

Sometimes, on a sunny day, I look at the sky and see... — Writing.Com

What are things you can do in 3 minutes? List them. — creativewritingprompts.com

Write a scene in which your main character has an eye-opening encounter with a wild animal. Perhaps your character stumbles upon a raccoon, skunk, or opossum in an urban or suburban setting, or maybe it's an unexpected sighting of a bear or wolf in a remote forest. Does the encounter bring to the surface feelings of fear or compassion? Will the animal become symbolic for your character? — PW.Org

On the long flight to a foreign country, you wind up telling your seatmate much of your life story. Only it isn’t yours. You’ve always wanted to pretend to be somebody else, just for an hour or two, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Only now you find yourself falling for your seatmate, and you don’t know what to tell him/her. Write your conversation. — Writer’s Digest

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 14

Begin a story with, “The hallway was silent...” — creativewritingprompts.com

If life is a TV channel, I'm currently on ... — Writing.Com

Development team Bit Byterz is currently in the process of completing creation of Memoranda, a video game inspired by twenty of Haruki Murakami's short stories. The game employs Murakami's trademarks of bizarre surrealism and characters who are in search of something they’ve lost. Continue this chain of inspiration by writing a short story revolving around an object or person—or even something more conceptual—that has been lost. Allow your scenes to unfold as a series of puzzles and problems to solve, as your main character journeys to locate the lost item. — PW.Org

You start training to run a marathon. Things are going well and you’ve developed a route that you like to run. One day you notice someone peeking out the window of one of the houses you pass, though you think nothing of it. But then the next day the peeper is back again. And the next day. Finally you decide to confront the peeper and knock on the door. But when the door opens, you are shocked to find out it’s someone from your past—who you thought was dead. — Writer’s Digest

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 13

In Fictitious Dishes: An Album of Literature's Most Memorable Meals(Harper Design, 2014), Dinah Fried’s photographs are inspired by passages from some of her favorite classic and contemporary works of literature. Create a reversal of Fried's project by imagining the fictitious life story behind a meal. Look through some photos of complete meal spreads from different time periods, countries, and types of establishments and choose a photograph that piques your storytelling instincts. Develop a unique character, setting, and situation inspired by the food, tableware, and mood in the photograph. — PW.Org

Have the main character in your novel (or short story) write a letter to you. What would they say? Have them write whatever you want. — Writer’s Digest

Write from the point of view of a freshly scrubbed floor. — creativewritingprompts.com

Write a story about a court judge and how he/she judges a controversial case. — Writing.Com

IntShoWriMo 2016 Prompts: Day 12

Sonya Yajko and Simon Fojas meet after an earthquake. One of them becomes resigned to his or her fate. — creativewritingprompts.com

In Antarctica’s winter season, which takes place from late February through September, temperatures can reach one hundred degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Write a short story with the backdrop of an Antarctic winter. What unexpected circumstances might arise by being stuck indoors without sunlight with the same group of people for months in cramped quarters? What thoughts, occurrences, and behavior might be unique to the experience of living in such an extreme environment? — PW.Org

You have been chosen to help carry the Olympic Torch for the 2016 Summer Olympics. It’s finally your turn to carry the Torch and you are so nervous you might throw up. You take the Torch from its previous carrier and start running. As cameras flash and the world watches, you trip and go sprawling. Write this scene. — Writer’s Digest

"Taking a shortcut isn't always the fastest way to get there," she said. — Writing.Com