Welcome to the results of *simplyprose's second set of monthly prompts. Once again, we have had a very pleasing response; our prompts have inspired thirteen truly moving, intriguing or just plain funny pieces of prose.

The prompts, and all the responses, are listed below, this time with some comments and excerpts to help you discriminate if you haven't got time to read them all just yet. You are, as ever, highly encouraged to read and comment on these pieces. These authors deserve cangratulations on their imaginative work this month.


Scenario Prompt

Responses to this prompt must include this scenario in their work in any way they want:

Caught in a storm, a man tries to find shelter from the rain.

' People Doing Stuff' by ~tricksyriver



The author utilises the idea of the storm to create atmosphere and reflect the mindset of the character. This is a heart warming little piece about needing shelter, in more ways than one.

'He didn’t knock on the door. He twisted the knob and swung the door open and staggered in.'

'Nithirworld' by ~kadarian



This piece also incorporates the word associate prompt (below), as well as bringing the scenario prompt into an intriguing fantasy world. This character needs shelter from a lot more than just the rain...

'A howl—demon scream, to Kaerel’s ears—chased him, the sound curling around him like a noose.'

' Personal Contact' by ~madhobbit76



This author has also combined the scenario and word association prompt, this time to weave together an intriguing story that is driven by atmosphere.

' “You’re most certainly welcome. The weather in these parts is so unpredictable, unpredictable indeed.” The old man chuckled to himself.'

' Pilate's Dream' by ~littleboylogic



When this character finds himself caught in a storm, and receives a frosty reception upon finding shelter, he is strangely calm. The reason? Let's just say the author has taken this scenario down an unexpected route.

'When I touch his hand, his dream goes into my arm and up into my head. I see what he sees.'

'Storm Chaser' by ~Amriah



Everything changes with this scenario when the character goes after the storm deliberately. The author of this piece offers us a fresh perspective on the idea.

'After becoming friends with James, I decided what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be just like him, to be a storm chaser.'


Character Prompt

Write a story that includes this character. This character must be a school teacher and a mother. Additionally, she must have a secret.

'Rebecca' by ~randomvomit



A woman discusses her options with her priest. He's known her for years, but she still hasn't quite got the hang of confession. A cringe-worthy yet funny little character piece.

'I’m contemplating dating a small scale drug dealer. That’s a bad idea, right?'

' Prize Giving' by *ThornyEnglishRose



A delightfully surprising little snippet, this piece both shocks and amuses the reader in a wonderful way.

'She knew then that she could never tell him. She could live with the guilt, but he could never live with the truth.'

'Teacher's Note' by *GaioumonBatou



An intriguing story about a student's troubled relationship with her teacher. But in spite of that relationship - or perhaps because of it - she doesn't expect anything out of the ordinary in a note home to her father.

'The actions are in motion, there's no turning back now...'

'No Name' by ~Amriah



This is a very familiar scene, with even more familiar characters, which makes us all the more curious to find out what's really going on.

'She wanted them to think she was a fool. Kids these days always thought they could control teachers. This bunch was in for a very unpleasant surprise.'


Word Association Prompt

Responses to this prompt must involve all three of the following words in some way:

Jasmine, Glove, Spoon.

'Boredom Bust' by =illuminara



A short piece with little or no plot, this just-for-fun slice of teenage life is a delight to read. The author has been cruelly imaginative with the prompts, and the voice of the mildly sadistic teenage narrator comes across beautifully.

'Defying the laws of physics, she springs up, digging her back claws into the car, and vaults into the air as only an obese, psycho, ninja cat can do.'

'Sylvia' by ~tricksyriver



In only a few paragraphs, this story captures both the sadness of a child, and the triviality felt by the older narrator. Perhaps the greatest triumph of the piece is the strength and originality of its descriptions.

'She opened her hand and set the deceased down; it was the color of an orange-peel and shiny-slick.'

'The Final Confession of a Dying Septuagenarian' by *raspil



A dying woman reveals the greatest secret of her life. Maybe she wasn't such a great lady after all...

'The foundation of the McKenzie household had always been side by side and now the matriarch was about to die.'

'Sleeping Beauty' by ~SadisticIceCream



This is an intimate character piece, written with beautiful poetic language. The author pulls you right inside the character, who takes you on a journey of intrigue, sorrow and hope.

'He, like everyone else, could not hear me when I did speak; and so I refuse to speak now, a decision that has become involuntary — perhaps I have forgotten how to speak, how to move, how to feel alive.'


Miscellaneous Prompt

No one seems to have found time to respond to this prompt just yet, but it's not too late. We are here to inspire you to write prose, and giving you restrictions as to when you can do it would be completely self-defeating. We'd still love to see some responses for this prompt, and indeed any others from this month.

Step one:

Google this: 'When the boy met his parents for the first time.'

Step two:

Choose a link that looks interesting.

Step three:

Write a story inspired by that link.


May's Prompts

Think you could write equally great prose for us to feature? Then go right ahead! See what you make of our new set of prompts, and then link any responses you may make in a note (or notes) to *simplyprose.

The prompts for this month are as follows:


Character Prompt

This character must be a boy or a girl facing a crisis. He/she also has a bad habit, and he/she must fall between the age range 0 to 2 or 78 to 80.

Bonus: This character’s name is Mike.


Scenario Prompt:

A woman discovers something in her basement.


Word Association Prompt:

Chicago. Leaf. Alarm.


Miscellaneous Prompt:

"A Surrealist Figure”

Use this phrase as inspiration; draw from it what you like; this prompt has been designed to allow you great flexibility!


All clear? Good. Now get writing!