Trapped!
- If you take a simple idea like your character being trapped somewhere, by something and with someone/thing it’s easy to generate a range of possible stories.
- Writing about this situation encourages the dramatic evocation of the situation through descriptions of setting, emotional reaction and plot.
- Remember to include a range of vocabulary, language techniques, punctuation and structural devices. These will refine the quality of your writing.
- Think about the three main forms of conflict in any story: man/nature; man/man; man/himself.
- So let’s think of a few different scenarios involving the experience of being TRAPPED.
- Remember you can be trapped with people in a social setting too and the sense of awkwardness or claustrophobia can be very powerful!
Trapped one.
The computer had been repaired. It looks exactly the same. But it has started to unnerve you. It runs its own programmes. Something is trapped inside the computer that wants to be heard. It wants you to listen, or else. As It seems to anticipate your mood, to function independently. As a favour it can even write essays for you. It will be a perfect friend.
But for a price. Will you pay it?
Trapped Two.
The car is a new possession for the family. Maybe it was inherited from a relative. You know you will be a good driver soon. But why wait? Everyone is away. You borrow the keys but realise it’s open anyway. You leave the keys on the tool box outside. The car is waiting for you. It feels sentient. It starts to grow dark. The garage/street lights fail. Yet the car is warm too warm. It starts up without your help. You see a message on the dash board. ‘Unfinished business.’
The car moves. Someone says hello.’ I’ve been waiting.’ And you know they are speaking the truth.
Trapped Three.
Your protagonist fell asleep/banged their head working in the Turret Library/Laboratory and is now locked in this school room for the weekend. You are not sure if this was due to an accident or a deliberate prank. But if the latter, then who committed the prank and what was their intention? Perhaps you were endeavouring to surprise everyone with your new attitude to work and unfortunately everyone is away. It’s a harsh winter and this weekend is forecasted to be particularly bleak. It’s an isolated school. The new caretaker was taken ill as you sneakily arrived. He didn’t see you and doesn’t even know your name. Your supplies are limited and you didn’t recharge your phone.
Rumour has it the school has a malevolent/bitter ghost. The ghost has not appeared for years but there is a anniversary looming.
Trapped Four.
You’ve never liked lifts. But you are trying to change. You are in an unfamiliar place and you have become separated from others. Maybe you’re in an airport, hotel, prospective university or college or even the gym. The lift has a single passenger who makes a mistake and the lift stops. They are initially apologetic. But you distrust them, And feel progressively uneasy. They are not what they seem. Their behaviour is odd. The lift makes alarming sounds. It sounds in pain, almost alive. Is it warning you about something? Or someone? Then it starts to move and the doors open.
And your world has changed somehow.
Trapped Five.
Your best friend has been behaving oddly. Needs something exciting to happen, they say. You want to support them. You know you’ve neglected them as you have been busy. They reveal difficulties they can’t explain. But they want to visit a factory building at night. They could even be testing your loyalty to them. You feel dangerously involved in this secret expedition and suspect the friend may have a hidden motivation. What are they up to?
You get locked in, separated from your friend. You suspect your friend of trying to punish you. But for what?
And are you what you seem?