darren r hill

the creative minimalist

Tag: fiction

  • Let’s do this – Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    A Fiction Writing Prompt to stretch the literary muscles. No rules. No word counts. Simply write and explore.

    She took his hand and set a mischievous grin on her face. ‘Right, let’s do this!’ Friday Fiction Writing Prompt @darrenrhill

    She took his hand and set a mischievous grin on her face. ‘Right, let’s do this!’

    Writing Prompt Expanded

    A decision has been made. An activity has been suggested or planned. There is attitude in the air. What decision and what action is up to you. The writing challenge is to convey the determination over the previous uncertainty.

    • What were the doubts before?
    • What changed their minds?
    • How was the decision reached?
    • What physical and emotional changes have occurred?

    A change in perspective for this week’s Friday Fiction Writing Prompt. We’re in the third-person territory. Although you can always choose your perspective, I thought I’d make this one more explicit.

    Feel free to change things around. It doesn’t have to be a ‘she’ and ‘he’, it is your writing and that means your characters. The scenario can be anything as well:

    • A decision to love
    • Rule-breaking or lawbreaking
    • A practical joke
    • An escape from a situation
    • let your creativity run free

    Have fun and write. No word count or time rules, just take your pen or keyboard and do this.

    As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story or something a little more grandiose. If you do write something, please share it or a link, in the comments or tag me. I’d love to read what you create. Write and enjoy the learning process.

    Original hands image by Pexels from Pixabay

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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  • Creative field notes from the creative minimalist

    The incense fell straight and created these columns as it burned. Little creative accidents are nice when they occur. But creativity can also involve hard work and effort. In a bid to both motivate and make myself accountable, I thought it was time for some creative field notes. What exactly am I creating?

    Website(s)

    This past week I have been updating and creating websites. You should see a few changes here as I begin to roll out the changes. I have tried various designs over the years but, for this site – and quite rightly too – I find myself returning to a simple minimal feel.

    This Temple Eden is also going through a few changes. This is taking a little longer to roll out, but you will be able to find things easier and quicker in the near future.

    Waoao (freelance) has partly prompted these changes. I am working on simplifying and creating a couple of websites in a freelance capacity. This has meant going back to basics whilst keeping up with the ever-changing technology of the web. If you’re thinking of setting up a website and don’t know where to start, drop me a comment and I’ll get back to you. I offer a friendly service and tech talk-free solutions.

    Music

    This past week I finished the first draft of lyrics to a song that is now called ‘The Sun and the Moon’. I’m letting the lyrics settle for a while and will then work on an arrangement and get some recording done.

    I have a couple of other tracks in progress and they are going well.

    The music I have completed is available on Spotify and Apple Music, and Bandcamp. My Bandcamp site is still offering hours of music for the price of a couple of cups of coffee. And on September 4th Bandcamp are waiving their fees for artists to help during the pandemic. So if you want a little music, feel free to purchase and enjoy.

    I still don’t quite feel like I have my song collection organised. I have it all in a database at the moment. However, I feel like I need to go old school with it all and use index cards. Will something tactile help me create more music, or am I just procrastinating again? That’s always possible.

    Writing fiction

    Well, let’s put it this way, I haven’t been. I could blame the virus but I don’t think it is that. It is more a question of time and priorities. I have been posting the writing prompts here and there will be more writing tips to follow. In conclusion…

    ‘Not blocked, just not’

    darrenrhill

    Journal

    I have moved into a more visual journey in my journal and planner. I am sharing this process regularly on YouTube and cross-posting here. If you haven’t visited my YouTube channel, here’s the link and if you want, I would appreciate your subscription. And any stickers I use in my journals might be found on my pLAnarchy Etsy store, so do check that out.

    So that’s the state of the creative minimalist as August draws to an end. There are plenty of other things I would like to share with you, but they need to wait for a later post. In the meantime, I need to get going with my freelance work, making some music and seeing if my fingers want to type a little fiction.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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  • There is no one – Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    A Fiction Writing Prompt to stretch the literary muscles. No rules. No word counts. Simply write and explore.

    There is no one. Shops are closed with windows boarded up or just abandoned. It looks like a ghost town. What has happened… Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    There is no one. Shops are closed with windows boarded up or just abandoned. It looks like a ghost town. What has happened…

    Writing Prompt Expanded

    How about a little apocalypse? Of course, it doesn’t have to be. That’s the freedom you have in these prompts. I thought it would be good to describe the emptiness of where your protagonist is. To explore and develop your descriptive toolbox.

    One way to do this is to contrast the still and silent with the normal busyness and noise. Make comparisons as you describe the location.

    • What would normally be taking place?
    • Who would regularly be seen here?
    • What sounds are now long gone?
    • Without people do the buildings take on personalities or human traits?

    And of course, there is how this all makes the protagonist feel.

    As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story or something a little more grandiose. If you do write something, please share it or a link, in the comments or tag me. I’d love to read what you create

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • The white fluffy clouds – Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    A Fiction Writing Prompt to stretch the literary muscles. No rules. No word counts. Simply write and explore.

    White fluffy clouds drift gently across the azure sky. The sight transports me back at once. The memory, as vivid as the heavens - Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    White fluffy clouds drift gently across the azure sky. The sight transports me back at once. The memory, as vivid as the heavens.

    Writing Prompt Expanded

    Sights and sounds, tastes and smells, and touch sensations are powerful. They can bring back memories long-forgotten, both good and bad.

    This prompt allows you to explore how seeing the clouds in the sky brings back a memory. As the memory is vivid allow yourself to explore the other senses.

    • What can you hear?
    • What can you smell?
    • Is there an associated taste?
    • What do you feel, underfoot, fingertips or somewhere else?

    Although you can draw on your own memories I would advise not using this prompt to remember your own past. That could bring up painful and other negative thoughts. So please be careful. These prompts are for you to enjoy and develop your writing ability, not work through serious trauma. Please find someone who can help you if you need it.

    As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story or something a little more grandiose. If you do write something, please share it or a link, in the comments or tag me. I’d love to read what you create

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • It stopped – Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    It is quiet. The constant background noise has ceased. That means… yes, the rain, it has finally stopped. Can we possibly venture out... Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    A Fiction Writing Prompt to stretch the literary muscles. No rules. No word counts. Simply write and explore.

    It is quiet. The constant background noise has ceased. That means… yes, the rain, it has finally stopped. Can we possibly venture out…

    Writing Prompt Expanded

    There is plenty of scope for exploration in this prompt. In essence, it is about change and our characters’ reaction.

    I haven’t included a setting so you can approach in whatever way the muse leads. It could be a family stuck in a tent on a camping holiday. It could be the remnants of the human race surviving in a shelter from some toxic contaminant.

    • How do the characters respond?
    • Who is the first outside?
    • Who makes the decision?
    • What happens when they venture forth?

    As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story or something a little more grandiose. If you do write something, please share it or a link, in the comments or tag me. I’d love to read what you create

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • I coughed – Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    “I coughed. My chest felt tight. We had been told they were the first symptoms. Now I had them… “ A Friday Fiction Writing Prompt

    “I coughed. My chest felt tight. We had been told they were the first symptoms. Now I had them… “ A Friday Fiction Writing Prompt with a little nod toward the current season.

    As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story or something a little more grandiose. If you do write something, either share it or a link, in the comments or tag me. I’d love to read what you create.

    Writing Prompt Expanded

    Yes, we are in the middle of a pandemic. Please ignore this and move on if it is a little too soon or too close to home.

    I have been fascinated by the reactions to the current pandemic. They have ranged from complete and utter terror to the blasé. This prompt enables you to explore the feelings of a character in this first-person narrative.

    • Where do they stand on the spectrum?
    • What are their reasons for reacting the way they do?
    • What are the immediate priorities?

    No rules. No word counts limits. Simply explore and write.

    Virus Image by mattthewafflecat from Pixabay

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest