Arlene Writing Contest

October's Prompts

Here it is, folks! The prompts for Obsessions of October! What are you obsessed with when it comes to writing?

Fantasy

Prompt 1: You/your character finds a well in the middle of the woods one day. Peering down it, there seems to be an odd glistening... and something else. Sounds. Beautiful, alluring melodies. Curiosity grabs hold of you/your character, eventually, and you find that you must venture down the well. Raising the bucket and climbing in, you/your character lowers back down. After what seems like forever, you/your character discovers that beneath the well is an entirely new world. However, this new world--though beautiful--seems to be in great turmoil. What is causing such distress? What is this world? Is your character the one who can help?

Prompt 2: Someone you/your character hold dear is gravely ill and on the brink of death. Desperate to find help, you/your character ventures to the cave you/they were once told of where a magical being resides. Finding the being, they inform you/your character of only one solution. The Revealing Waters. It is a lake that is a far journey from where you/your character lives. The legend is that, when one enters the waters, it reveals all the inward things of a man/woman--including their heart. If their heart is pure, they are healed of all ailment, but if there is evil, they are cursed. The only problem is... Someone overheard you were going there, and they too want to find the waters. But their intentions are not so noble.

Science Fiction

Prompt 1: On a planet that is highly competitive, your character has decided to enter the Games of the Stars, a competition that people take part in to earn the place of rightful ruler over the city. Where contestants are sent to rural planets on a bounty hunt, they are asked to kill, discover, and survive. The trophy of this competition: The Blue Staff. Whoever wields this staff wields the power of the stars and the power of ruling. Being near the youngest to compete, there is not much hope for your character nor do many believe your character can make it. Will they survive?

Prompt 2: There was once a myth of a musical scientist; a man who turned instruments into science experiments. Though no one ever truly saw his work, it was said that he created a genetic code for each one that only specific people could unlock by having the right connection to the instrument. He also predicted that when the right connections were made, there was going to be great danger arising somewhere in the world and the ones who unlock the instruments are those who can stop the danger. One day, while your character is practicing your violin, they are struck with an instinctive melody. After the tune starts, the bow in their hand turns to a flaming stick, and fire rivets from the strings to your characters flesh. Not burned, they discover they are suddenly able to control the way of the fire with different tunes. Who else is out there that wields this ability, and is there actually danger arising somewhere?

Adventure

Prompt 1: Your character wakes up in a train station, memory lost. They cannot remember why or how they got there, nor anything other than their name. Fiddling with their pockets, they find a note in their pocket. RUN. Panic rises within your character, though they're not sure why. After some time of moving about, they begin to feel as if they're being watched and, perhaps, even followed. What is happening, exactly? Why are they supposed to run, and what is the cause of their memory loss?

Prompt 2: The life of an ex-detective wasn't much for your character. Having been severely injured and traumatized on a case, the only option was to leave the force, in honor of course. However, the dangers of that eerie case suddenly reappear, and your character is faced with threats, unsolved mystery, and the urge to solve that case that will forever haunt them.

Mystery/Thriller

Prompt 1: One day, your character discovers an abandoned art museum. Having worked in the industry of selling art, your character is intrigued. Paintings hang along the stained walls, some frames having fallen from their hooks. One painting in particular is the most fascinating; a beautiful woman with deep, emotional eyes and cherry lips. As if your character can hear her, they suddenly feel as if they must help her escape. But that's ludicrous, right? Nevertheless, the plaque under it says "To Bring a Lady a Rose." The next time your character goes to the abandoned art gallery, they carry a rose to the painting. Feeling quite silly when nothing seems to happen, they turn to go, only to glance back once more and admire the piece. The only thing is... she's gone.

Prompt 2: Stepping into your character's newly purchased business--an antique shop run by two old people who were near death--your character is thrilled to be able to spend each day with such relics. While rummaging through the items, they come across an old camera. Checking to see if it works, they find it does not. However, a compartment on the bottom pops open, and a note falls out. The note read, "Only the foolish would dare take from me. Peer again if you dare, and see your fate." Lifting the camera to their face again, they look through it, only to find a scene of an old woman in a black dress hovering close by with a knife in her hand. After that moment, there remained no peace in the antique shop as strange noises and odd occurrences began to arise...

There you have it! Your prompts! Choose the one you want to write based off of, and create your world! I'm looking forward to what you come up with! Once you've started writing, please let me know. Also, tell me when it's finished!

Again, the word limit is 5,000 or less. If you must go over the limit, it cannot exceed 5,500.

Tag your entry with #awcoctober2015. You may only enter one story per month!

Comment your questions or thoughts! Also! If there was a prompt from a previous contest month that was not used, I will eventually be combining those (when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to make up new ones!). Enjoy!

And... happy writing!