(This is an excellent prompt exercise courtesy of York University used on one of their very stimulating online Creative Writing Courses. It encourages us to be spontaneous and helps develop imaginative confidence, whilst giving us a lovely store of stories-in-waiting!) Imagine that you are sitting underneath a tall tree, reading your favourite book. A stranger suddenly appears and sits down on the opposite side of the tree and starts reading a book of their own. After a few quiet minutes the stranger whispers hello and says: “I am a storyteller. I will tell you a story about anything that you like. What would you like to hear a story about?” Ponder this for a moment. If someone was to make this offer to you, what would your answer be? What kind of stories do you like? I want you to answer the storyteller’s question. Think of five responses that you could give. Let your answers say: “I want to read a story about…..” and finish the sentence as precisely as you can. Be specific and to the point. Do not say, for example, “I want to read a science fiction story.” Instead say that you want to read a story about robots, or cloning, or spaceships. Be specific, not generic. However, do not go into a lot of detail at this point.
- I want to read a story about a time travelling biographer who falls in love with their biographee and endeavours to change history.
- I want to read a story set in old Rome, where rival gangs on scooters are identified through their extravagant perfumes/scents.
- I want to read a story about a boy who supplied new brushes to Michelangelo as he worked on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
- I want to read a story about a woman who woke up with the voice of Maria Callas.
- I want to read a story about the magic of hands.