Month February 2011

Today write about founding fathers (or mothers). What legends surround the founding of your story’s society? This might be a grand legend about the beginning of civilisation or a small family story about how your character’s ancestors came to be… Continue Reading →

Today write about houses. What kind of dwelling do the wealthiest, poorest and middling people of your world occupy? Show a character in the process of acquiring their home, however that may happen.

Today write about learning. Show children learning in your world’s traditional way – by rote, by memorisation of books, by injecting a knowledge serum… and create a scene showing willing and unwilling learners.

Today write about the mildest season in your world’s year. How do people celebrate the end of extreme weather, should that be icy winters or searing summers? Is the temperate season a relief or a burden? Show your characters at… Continue Reading →

Today write about glass. Is it a rarity in your world – perhaps taxed – or does it possess mystical qualities, used in spiritual locations? Show your character with a glass object or structure, engaged in an everyday task.

Today show your character eating a forbidden food. Why is it not allowed? Who else knows about this? How is the character given away? Write for ten minutes and show the power of food and taboo.

Today write about light. How much light is enough? Do your characters cope with working by candle light, lantern light – or do they insist on flooding their home and workplace with brilliant artificial light at all times? Write for… Continue Reading →

Today write about companion animals. Is it customary in the world of your story for people to have pets? Do dogs/cats/otehr creatures form part of families and workplaces? Show a character and their companion animal carrying out an everyday task.

Today write about medicine. What are the cures used in your world for everyday ailments? Do people turn to herbal rememdies, scientific medicines, spells or prayer for the restoration of their health? Write for five minutes showing a character taking… Continue Reading →

Today write about the cosmos. How do characters in the world of your story view the skies, stars, moons and planets if any are visible? Show people responding to a sudden change in the skies. Write for five minutes and… Continue Reading →