Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Plodigy

Cerise is a child wizarding prodigy. Her first word was the minimalist spell that turns white milk into chocolate milk. Ever since then she's been casting spells well advanced for her age. She has toured the world, delighting kings and queens, charming audiences on talk shows, speaking inspirationally to wizards many years her senior.

Then one morning she comes down to breakfast to find a note left by her mentor.

Cerise, 
It has been a pleasure mentoring you this past year. Forgive me for not saying goodbye, but an unexpected opportunity has come up to accompany little Doodie Barnswallow on a tour of the southern countries, which, as you know is my home territory. They do say he's the next Cerise Sunflower! 
But it's been clear for some time that you don't need my special skills. You're quite bright for your age, but I think you can now fit in seamlessly with your peers. 
As always, sparkles and hijinks, 
BiBi

After years of being the most celebrated child wizard, Cerise finds she's been declared ordinary. At the ripe old age of 17.

Now what? How does she handle it? What's her next step?

(Sorry about the original Wednesday's post. Not sure why it was blank. Some kind of twisted karmic punishment for publishing in advance?)

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Dragon wars

Reluctant Dragon by Justin Gerard
After tense years of uneasy coexistence, the dragons have attacked the town at the edge of the sacred lands between the land of humans and the land of dragons. It seems war is inevitable. Write introductory scenes for three who have volunteered to join the fight. Then the scene where the three meet. The town isn't large so they have a passing acquaintance with each other.

Daughter or son of the pig farmer who negotiated the peace of the last dragon war.

Daughter or son of the hero of the last dragon wars.

Daughter or son of the town's librarian. Who happens to be a dragon.

Wednesday, June 04, 2014

The morning after

Your character awakes to find a tattoo she or he doesn't remember getting. What's the story behind the tattoo and how does your character react?

What if it's a discreet but puzzling symbol on the character's hand?

What if it's highly detailed work that surely took weeks, and seems to have a story or message woven into it?

What if it's a tattoo of a race or culture that he or she isn't?

What if ...?

(Sorry, I always have good intentions of posting while I'm on vacation!)