Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: A Story From Lyrics
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt – A story from lyrics.
Today’s inspiration is going to come from a song.
Head to your favourite playlist or an available playlist on wherever you stream your music. Hit shuffle. Then write a story inspired by whatever song plays.
If you don’t use streaming and are more about vinyl and CD’s, just pick a random one and hit shuffle/place the needle in a random spot.
by 
Novel Kicks Writing Room: Creating a Crime
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Crime podcasts and novels have become really popular in recent years. I can date my interest back to the time I listened to the first Serial series. There was something about how the story was told that really got my interest. I was trying to work out what happened. What evidence did they have for and against?
So, today, I thought it would be interesting to plot out a similar situation.
You have someone who has been accused of a crime and someone who has been the victim of one.
The perpetrator – who are they? How old are they? What was their relationship to the victim? Interests? Hobbies? Personality.
Who was the victim? How old were they? Hobbies? Interests? Personality? What put them in harms way?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Immersed
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Immersed.
Your character falls and suddenly finds themselves in a video game. This world they find themselves in has its dangers. They have allies and enemies.
Think Dreamlight Valley, Animal Crossing or Hogwarts Legacy – that kind of game.
Write an adventure in a world you create.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Learning By Imitation
Hello all and welcome to another Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Another Wednesday has come around so fast. Today, I wanted to do something a little different.
Some people say that the best way to learn how to write is to copy out an already published novel. So, that’s what we are going to do.
Now of course, we are not going to be plagiarising work as it’s not going further than this exercise. We are just going to be studying the composition of a story.
Pick a favourite book and turn to page 100.
Copy out that page. Copy it a few times. What do you notice about how it’s written? How are the paragraphs, style and story presented? If you have the time, pick another book and repeat the exercise. Were there similarities and differences?
Did you find this exercise useful?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Drawing A Map Of Your Setting
It’s Wednesday folks! I’m bringing this week’s Novel Kicks Writing Room to order.
I hope you’re all having a really good week.
I am so excited about this week’s exercise as I feel it’s a real chance to immerse yourself in the fictional world you are trying to create.
This week, using one of the stories you’re currently workng on, we are going to be drawing a map of the main setting. If you have many settings, pick the one that’s the most important to your protagonist.
Think about the layout of this place. Is it a town? A rural area? Is there a school? A Church? A Pub? A pier? A Harbour? An abandoned island? Where does your main character fit into this space. Is the space intergral to what happens to them? For example, have they gone missing. Does your map mark out where this person was last seen as well as mark out landmarks in the town.
Don’t worry if you’re not an artist. This is a sketch and it can be just for you to see. If you’d like to leave it black and white or colour it in, that’s up to you. Just have fun creating your fictional place.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Inspiration is all around
Welcome to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
This is our online writing group. Each Wednesday, there is a new writing task. Anyone is welcome. I’d love to see your work in the comments below but there is absolutely no obligation.
Today’s exercise is about getting inspired by what is around you.
Put on a song or a playlist you like.
Light a candle – one of your favourite scents.
Have a favourite snack – yes, this exercise involves a snack. Hahaha.
Once you’ve done the above, set a timer for ten minutes and begin to write. The music, the candle and the lasting taste of the snack – what are they making you think? How are they making you feel? Write it all down. Are you able to think of a story based on all of these sensations?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Likes and Dislikes
Welcome to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
This is our online writing group. Each Wednesday, there is a new writing task. Anyone is welcome. I’d love to see your work in the comments below but there is absolutely no obligation.
For today’s task, we are going to be thinking about what we like and what we dislike.
First, set a timer for three minutes. In this time, write down all the things you like. Don’t think, just write what comes to mind.
Next, reset the timer for another three minutes. This time, write a list of all the things you don’t like.
No-one else will be seeing this list so don’t be frightened to make a note of everything you like and dislike.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Valentines Past
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: We are going back to past Valentines.
Your character is somehow given the ability to travel back to previous Valentine’s Days.
They have a chance to change the future.
Who do they meet? Are they able to do something about the love that got away? Does it make them appreciate what they have in the present?
If you’re struggling for a first line, here is a suggestion – “the light is so bright, I can’t figure out where I am. I pick up a familiar smell. No, it can’t be.”
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Freewriting and Prompts
Hello everyone and welcome to the first Novel Kicks Writing Room of 2025.
I thought we could start off with some free writing.
Using one of the prompts below, write a story. The word count is up to you but try and aim for at least 500 words. If you wanted to add an extra challenge, set a timer for 10 minutes.
I’ve also included some random words below you could try and include if you wish to.
A stranger on a bus tells you that in order to save someone you love, you must complete challenges. He then holds out an envelope and says, once you accept this, there is no going back but if you don’t a loved one will die.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Family Secret
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: The Family Secret
You are part of a powerful royal family who rule over most of the world. They have kept their power with the help of the dragons by their side.
The family is on the verge of war with another ruling power.
You are due to turn eighteen. This is when you find out the family secret… you find out where the dragons come from along with the plan to come out the winner in the upcoming conflict.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Video Game
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Video Game
Your character is very ordinary. However, when they enter what they think is a normal shop, they quickly find themselves inside their favourite video game.
Using the opening line below, carry on the story. What happens? Where are they? Who do they meet?
‘He/She/I jumped back, not believing what they/I was seeing.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Finding A Connection
I’m wishing you a Happy Wednesday and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today’s exercise is about bringing two stories together.
Pick two stories – genre is entirely up to you. Picking two books from different genres could be fun.
Pick a section from each. One or two pages is enough.
Now, spend a few minutes making notes about how you can bring these two stories together.
Now set a timer for 20 minutes and write your combined story.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Ten Sentences
Hello Wednesday and welcome to all of you.
For today’s writing room, I wanted to explore a creative prompt.
You can either pick a WIP of your own, use a favourite story or your own life story.
Whatever you choose, try to write the story in ten sentences.
If you’re feeling brave, I’d love to see your writing in the comments.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Family Matters
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt is: Family Matters
You’ve been trying to escape the strange myths surrounding your family for many years but you soon realise that you can’t outrun your past forever.
When you inherit the family business from one of your family members, you decide to go back to put these old rumours to bed but when you are getting the shop ready for sale, something strange happens.
Continue the story….
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Conjuring Images
Hello all. Welcome back to Wednesday’s Writing Room here on Novel Kicks.
For today’s activity, we are going to be using the photo below as a prompt. What does it immediately make you think of?
Set a timer for five minutes and make notes on everything this image conjures.
Once you’re done, have a look through your notes. Is there anything that stands out? The makings of a story? A theme? A strong character?
Set an alarm for another twenty minutes. Start to write this story but when you begin, start right in the middle of the action. You could even try and write purely in dialogue if you like.
Don’t stop. Don’t think too much about the quality of your writing. Just write and see what you come up with.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Welcome To…
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt is ‘Welcome To…’
You’ve been driving for hours. You’re tired and you need to stop.
Eventually, you pass a sign. You pull the car over to read what it says.
‘Welcome to……’
Name the town.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Valentine’s Day Party
Happy Wednesday and another Writing Room exercise.
As it’s Valentine’s Day today, the exercise will be based around a Valentine’s Day Party.
Is it a party celebrating love or is it one for people who don’t have a significant other? What happens at this party?
Write up to 800 words. You could set a timer for 10 minutes?
To add to the challenge, try and get these words into your story –
Language, Love, Hate, Leave, Underneath, Sorry.
Feel free to post your writing in the comments below but as usual, there is no obligation.
Enjoy.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room – Reflections in Conversations.
Reflections in Conversations.
Happy Wednesday everyone.
What I thought we could do today is write a conversation in two parts.
The situation of your story is as follows – your character is a clown and has just been fired. They’ve been told that the upcoming performance is their last one. In the first conversation you write, your character is having a conversation with another colleague just after they’ve been fired.
Then write the conversation again but the clown is alone. He is looking into the mirror as he’s putting on his make-up. He is talking to his reflection.
How different are the two conversations? Would the clown be saying something different to his colleague than he would to his reflection?
Write up to 500 words per conversation.
If you feel like sharing your writing, please do post in the comments below.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: A Moment With… Monica Cafferky
Monica Cafferky is joining us with the blog tour for her novel, A Winter’s Sleep. She has made a living with words for over 30 years, first as a journalist and more recently with her supernatural thriller The Winter’s Sleep. Here, Monica shares her tips for making a start on your own novel – “stop thinking about it, just start writing.”
Tip 1: You need to read.
Before you put fingers to keyboard, or pen to paper, you need to know your genre. Read the kind of books you want to write.
If you love spooky stories, it’s Halloween after all, read the classics like Dracula by Bram Stoker and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Or, opt for more contemporary novels such as Thin Air by Michelle Paver or my own The Winter’s Sleep.
Or do you prefer historical fiction? Fill your boots with tales from writers Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick. If romance is your first love go for Sarah MacLean.
What’s important is that you READ. By reading, you will discover how to structure a story in your genre, how to construct a good plot, develop characters and layer in myth. Without these important elements there is no compelling story.
Tip 2: Start writing notes to yourself.
As the story starts to take shape in your mind you will have brilliant (I hope) insights, often when you least expect it – washing up, walking the dog, in the bath. It’s important not to lose these snippets of plot and character. You need to make a note of your ideas because, trust me, you won’t remember them later on.
Ideas are funny things, unless they’re fully formed, and repeated often, they slip away like a balloon in a strong breeze. Write these ideas down in your journal (that you use just for the novel) or create an audio note on your mobile, and then write it down later.
Let the foundation of the book take shape with these ideas, and collect these ideas together. You need to know what your book is about before you start the actual writing, otherwise you will find your story, and your sanity, unravelling around a quarter of the way through the plot.
Tip 3: What’s your character’s quest?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Magical Builder
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Magical Builder.
Your character’s profession is a carpenter. They have been doing this for years but lately, business has been slow.
On the morning they decide to close the business down, a customer comes in asking your character to build them an object.
Once this object is built, the character realises it has magical powers. Word soon spreads as they continue to create objects that then become magical. They don’t know how they are managing it but as they are now successful, they don’t want to stop.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: The Art of Letter Writing
The art of writing letters is so wonderful.
I am such a fan of writing letters and fascinated in what can be said and the emotion that can be conveyed – how handwriting your thoughts and feelings to someone and the symbolism that represents.
So, what is the task today I hear you ask?
Writing a letter of course.
The letter is from the point of view of either the main character of a current work in progress or a favourite fictional character. The recipient is you.
What would your character say to you? What would they want to convey? Is there something about them that they want to tell you?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Switching
Today, I wanted to focus on a writing prompt with a bit of a twist.
Your word target is a minimum of 1000 words.
The prompt – The story begins when your character discovers an object that convinces them that they can have the superpower they desire the most.
Begin your story using the prompt and one of the genres below. It doesn’t matter which one you start with.
Here’s the twist – every 200 words, change the genre, choosing another from the list.
Romance
Horror
Sci-fi
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Can Anyone See Me?
Happy Wednesday everyone.
For today’s writing room, I thought it would be fun to do a bit of free writing today but with a few additions.
Your prompt is that your character realises they have gained the ability to be invisible at will.
What do they do first? What are the consequences.
Also, just to add to the challenge, try adding these words –
Elephant, nightmare, market, eccentric, bibble. cattywampus.
Have fun with it and I look forward to hoping seeing your writing in the comments below if you feel up to sharing.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Prose to a Script
Today, we are looking at changing a piece of prose to a script.
I feel that it’s good to change things up every so often.
I don’t know about you but, when I am writing, I imagine everything as though I am watching a movie. I found this helps.
Take a passage from something you’ve written and convert it into a script. What would you add/take out? What would the background look like? Would you include music? Continue reading
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Ride Transportation
Today is a straight forward writing prompt. Try and write from a third person narrative and include more than two characters.
Your character is visiting a theme park. One of the rides is styled like an old hotel which has had a mysterious thing happen to it.
The ride is functioning normally but, when you’re in the middle of the ride, there is a bolt of lightening. There is such a loud crash, you close your eyes.
When you open them, you find that the hotel environment looks new, you’re dressed differently as is everyone around you.
You’re in the lobby and it’s not long before you realise that you’re no longer experiencing the ride, you’re standing in a hotel in a famous city in the 50s.
Continue the story.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Continuation Ever After
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Continuation Ever After.
Today, think of your favourite fairytale and how it ended. Now write a continuation of the story. Did Cinderella adjust to Palace life or did she crave her country house? Did Belle spend all her time in the library and this annoyed the beast?
Did Hansel and Gretel face any consequences for what they did to the witch?
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Making a List
Today, we are going to be making a list.
If you’re anything like me, you love a list. I feel more in control if I have a to-do list for example. Whether I complete that is another matter. Haha.
As writers, we can also benefit from having lists and that is the task today.
Grab your writers notebook and pick three of lists below. Make a list for each. Then, if you feel like doing so/are inspired, begin a story to include some of the things from your list. Begin with this first line – ‘I didn’t expect that to happen.’
List ideas:
What 10 things would you grab if your house was on fire?
Which five things could you never forgive?
List five of the worst presents you’ve ever received.
List five places you’d love to go on holiday.
List five situations you’d never like to find yourself in?
List five people who have had an influence on your life.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Accidental Mind Reader
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Accidental Mind Reader.
On your way to a job interview, your character falls over and hits their head. They don’t think too much about it until the next morning.
They wake up and discover they can hear the thoughts of other humans and animals around them.
Write a conversation between your character and either another person or animal.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Micro Fiction
For today’s writing room, I thought we could write some micro fiction.
Short stories are deceptively hard to write, micro fictions even more so.
Pick three out of the following genres – gothic, romance, horror, sci-fi, historic, young adult.
Now, write a 6 word short story, a 50 word short story and a 100 word short story assigning one of the genres you’ve picked to each one.
For example, I’ve chosen gothic to the 6 word short story:
Midnight struck; she’s now lost forever.
Let me know how you get on in the comments below and as always, if you feel brave enough to post your work, I’d love to read it.
Have fun!
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Pick ‘n’ Mix
Hello and welcome to the first Novel Kicks Writing Room of 2023.
Today, I thought it would be fun to write a short story.
Before you begin writing, pick one thing from each section. Don’t overthink it, just write down the one you’re immediately drawn to. Once you’ve done this and written your piece, ask what kind of story it is. Is it a rag to riches, a quest? You get the idea.
Let me know how you found this exercise in the comments below or if you’re feeling brave, feel free to post your story.
Section one – pick one of the following occupations.
A joiner, a detective, an oil rig worker, an ice hockey player, a diplomat.
Section Two – pick one of the following places.
The alps, a basement, top of the Shard, a cat sanctuary, a bank vault.
Section Three – now pick an object.
by A Moment With… Liz Taylorson (and Harry Brand.)
I am very happy to be welcoming Liz Taylorson to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, Summer Showers at Elder Fell Farm.
A simple holiday just got complicated …
Single mum Amy has been struggling since her mother’s death and now her son, Harry, has been accused of bullying schoolmate Oliver — giving Amy’s dictatorial ex-husband yet another reason to criticise her parenting.
All Amy wants is the chance to spend time with her son. Where better to escape all her troubles than camping at the remote but beautiful Lake District farm where she spent idyllic summers with her mother when she was a little girl?
Her tranquil escape seems doomed when Oliver, and his widowed dad, Matt, turn up on the neighbouring pitch — but at Elder Fell Farm, unlikely friendships can be forged. Are Matt and Amy ready to fall in love again? And will their boys bring them together – or drive them apart?
*****
To celebrate the release of Summer Showers at Elder Fell Farm, Harry, the heroine’s son, having been asked to write a book review for school, has written about this novel. Over to you, Harry.
My Book Review of ‘Summer Showers at Elder Fell Farm’
By Harry Brand, aged 8 and 2 months.
I chose this book to write about because Summer Showers at Elder Fell Farm is all about me and my best friend, Oliver and what happened when we went on our summer holidays. Okay, it’s a bit about my mam, Amy, and Ollie’s dad, Matt, because they were there too, but all they did was, like, snogging and stuff which is gross, so mainly I’m going to write about the other things in the book.
My favourite character in the book is Harry, aka me! He does lots of cool stuff in the book, he finds a den and plays in the beck quite a lot with his best friend Oliver, but he isn’t allowed to go skinny dipping, which is the same thing as swimming in the nuddy, which means with NO CLOTHES ON. But Mam wouldn’t let me … I mean, him. The boys also make up an awesome game called ‘bonky, bonky’ and an air bed got burst, but it definitely wasn’t Harry that burst it, honestly.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Character Pen Pals.
I love the art of letter writing and have a couple of pen friends myself. It got me thinking about what you reveal about yourself in a letter that you wouldn’t if you met in real life.
Take a character from one of your WIPs. If you’re currently not working on anything, pick a character from a favourite novel.
Write a quick letter to this character. Tell them about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies, fears and dreams. Ask them questions. You get the picture.
Then reply back as your character. Include responses to the information you gave them, as well as answers to the questions you asked them, like you would a pen pal.
Include revealing details about them. Get into the mindset of your character. What do they want you to write about them?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: First Meeting
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
*****
Today’s Prompt: First Meeting.
Your character is getting married but they have never met the person they are going to marry.
They don’t meet this person until they reach the church. Oh and there are cameras filming the whole thing.
What happens?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Short Story Pick and Mix
Today, our writing exercise will be a short story of between 1000 – 1500 words.
Write a short story using the prompts below. At random, pick one element from each section.
Then combine your four answers and create your characters, background etc.
Pick one each from the following:
- Police, Circus, Shop.
- Town, Country, Boat.
- Maggie, Brian, Jamie.
- Letter, Article, Doorbell.
I’d love to see what you come up with. If you feel comfortable enough to do so, post your story in the comments below.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Mirror Mirror on the Wall
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Mirror Mirror on the Wall.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Writing a Letter to Your Younger Self
Writing a letter to your younger self.
As I attempt to edit the drafts of my first novel, I have been thinking a lot about how much I can hold myself back, mostly through lack of confidence.
I have never been the most assured person but, as a sixteen year old, I seemed to be a lot more fearless than I am now. How does that happen?
Something I thought might be helpful is to write a letter of advice to my younger self.
What would you tell your 16 year-old-self? It doesn’t necessarily need to focus just on your writing life. It could be about anything.
Try it and see how you get on.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: We’re Going on an Easter Egg Hunt
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: We’re going on an Easter Egg Hunt.
Your character is in their 20’s. They wake up on Good Friday and find a colourful envelope on their pillow.
It is addressed to them. They live alone so they don’t know where it has come from.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Change a Story’s POV
For today’s writing room, change a story’s POV.
Sometimes, it can be good to change it up a little.
Take a passage from either a current work in progress of your own or a favourite novel.
Change the POV of the main character and rewrite the passage.
What would a scene from Pride and Prejudice be like from the point of view of Lady Catherine De Burgh or what about if Rom was the main character in a Harry Potter scene?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Dear Son/Daughter
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Dear Son/Daughter…
You receive a text message from your estranged parent telling you they are in trouble and you need to come meet them on the other side of the country.
You decide to go.
You have a week to get there and no transport.
How do you feel? What do you do?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: I Believe in Father Christmas?
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: I believe in Father Christmas?
It’s Christmas Eve. You are woken up by a noise coming from your lounge.
You walk slowly into the room and find Father Christmas putting presents under your tree. But… this is impossible. Right?
Without saying anything, he smiles, clicks his fingers and you’re suddenly with him on the sleigh, travelling very fast.
He then says hello.
Continue the story.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Twelve Days of Christmas
Happy Wednesday everyone.
For today’s writing room, I thought it would be good to just write.
As its December, the theme is going to be centred around Christmas.
Twelve days before Christmas, you arrive home to find an envelope on your doormat.
Your name is on the front, written in cursive writing that you don’t recognise. There is no stamp so it has been hand delivered.
When you open it, there is simply a clue, ‘on the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… to find out, go to the car park on Morgan Ave at 6pm today.’
Carry on the story, using the song as inspiration.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Random Page Story Starter
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: random page story starter.
Pick a random book from your book shelf or Kindle.
Open it to page fifty-two. Go to the fifth sentence on the page.
That is now the first line of your short story.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room – NaNoWriMo Writing Sprint
Through November, I take part in National Novel Writing Month.
The idea, if you’ve never heard of it, is to write 50,000 words in thirty days.
That works out to about 1,667 words per day. This is what I usually aim for as a minimum, but I also don’t go over by much. Why? I like the community of the event. I like reaching that last 1,667 on or around 30thNovember. I’ve rushed through it before, and it wasn’t as exciting. One year, I had finished by 18th November and there was such an anti-climactic feeling of “oh, OK. What now?”
No, I much prefer to take it slow. 1,667 words a day is manageable to me. That’s not to say that it always comes easy. Some days, it takes me all afternoon to reach that target.
Finishing early is a bad thing. It just doesn’t work for me. What is good for you is the most important thing.
One of the things I have found helpful is writing sprints. These are made up of small writing challenges. They are usually based on a theme and do require a little imagination. If you want to see more examples, click here. I find them so helpful and fun. They have helped me improve my word output on more than one occasion.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Surprise Party
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Surprise Party.
Your character has been told to be at a restaurant at a certain time. As it’s their birthday, they assume it’s a surprise party. Full of excitement, they make their way to the venue.
When they arrive, there is a surprise but not the one they were expecting.
Sitting around the table are five people. They are your character’s five major relationships. None of these ended well.
Start the conversation with ‘Sit down. We need to talk.’
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Superhero Confession
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Superhero confession
Write from the point of view of someone who has to tell a loved one that they have not only superpowers but a nemesis.
The person/people your character loves are in danger.
First line: ‘what are you doing here? It’s late.’
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Running From The Circus
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Running From The Circus.
The circus comes to town but instead of wanting to run to it, your character wants to run as far away from it as possible.
The circus and your character have history and when they met someone from their past, they can’t run.
Starting line – ‘well, I didn’t think I would see you again.’
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Every Breath You Take
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Every Breath You Take.
It’s the middle of August. It’s summer and it’s the best time for romance.
What about forbidden romance?
The setting is a balmy summer evening. You’re near the beach and can see a beachside cafe.
Your first line is: ‘I watch as he throws his head back, laughing at something she has said. It should be me.’
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Put Your Reader into The Story
One of the things I am struggling most with the draft of my first novel is putting the reader into my story.
Put it this way, there’s currently many adjectives and a lot of telling, not showing.
The thing I have heard many writers say when giving writing advice is to try and put your reader into the scene.
For example, don’t just say I walked up the hall and was scared, but try something like my heart thumped as I crept up the hall, the banging getting louder the closer I got.
I know, not my finest work but hopefully you get my point.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Your Repeated Horrible Day
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Your repeated horrible day…
You get home from the worst day of your life. You are so exhausted that you fall asleep in the same clothes.
When you wake up the next morning, things are feeling a little too familiar but you can’t quite put your finger on why.
As you gradually start your day, you realise that you’re reliving the horrible day you had the day before.
And the same the next day, and the next and the next. You’ve found yourself in a Groundhog Day.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Backstory
Your characters and their development are a really important element in your story.
Pick one of your characters from either your current work in progress or for a story you’ve maybe only got an idea about.
Write 300-500 words detailing a big moment from their life before the beginning of your story. You can do this for more than one character.
Include as much detail as you can about this incident. How they felt, what they saw, where they were, who they were with.
by Book Club
