Tag: prompt

prompt, Writing

April 2022 Prompt

AJ Niblock

I swear I don’t get this behind on things all the time, though it seems that way sometimes. I still haven’t finished the short story for March… and April is almost over! Ugh!

Despite my tardiness for this post, I am working on a short story for April as well. Here is the prompt for this month:

Don’t let this one get away, she thought to herself. Tom had the look of a man quietly planning his escape. Christine watched him closely as he…

Complete the Story

I hope everyone is meeting their writing and reading goals this month! And if you’re not, know you are not alone. I’m personally blaming it on the weather. Mother nature in Washington can’t decide if it’s winter or spring, and it’s making me crazy.

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

prompt, Writing

March 2022 Prompt

AJ Niblock

How is it the 15th? Seriously? What have I been doing this month? I can’t figure it out…

I am behind with everything this month! But in happy news, my eyes are finally at a point where I can read and write again. I’m outlining my next novel and will begin drafting hopefully by next week!

If you’re here for a new writing prompt, look no further:

You know when even the things you dislike about a person make you love her even more? Well, that was Mary. On the one hand, she…

Complete the Story

I hope everyone is having a great month!

Happy reading and writing every day!

prompt, Writing

February Writing Idea

AJ Niblock

Today is a big day for me! I’m getting eye surgery today, so I’ll be off my computer for a while.

Before then, I wanted to share my February short story prompt:

All right, maybe it wasn’t the best way to start off a conversation. In my own way, I was trying to take her side. It’s not easy to take her side, and very few people do. She has two, maybe three real friends in the world. There’s me, there’s…

Complete the Story

If you are new to my site, each month I post a short story prompt. The goal is to write a story of at least 1,000 words by the end of the month. That’s it! No other strings attached. If you write one, please share it with me! I would love to see what others create using the prompts I use.

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

Life, prompt, Writing

2022 Boom

AJ Niblock

Let’s kick off the new year by getting things done sooner rather than later. (At least that’s what I’m going to start with. We all know it doesn’t always happen that way).

My new personal goals for this year are:

  1. Read 45 books
  2. Complete 4th novel
  3. Write 12 short stories
  4. Finish the Grimm Fairy Tale Cross Stitch
  5. Finish one medium cross stitch project
  6. Finish one larger cross stitch project

That’s all I’ve got on the list so far. I may add to or take away as the year goes. What are you up to this year?

And to keep things going in the right direction (or the write direction, wink wink) let’s start the year with a short story prompt:

When Bobby tells a joke, you’re always wondering if he’s going to take it just a little bit too far. He’s got this image of himself as outrageous and controversial, when in reality he…

Complete the Story

Unlike the last few years, I’m not going to try and connect all my stories together. I’m just going to write about whatever strikes me. I feel like I get better ideas that way that sometimes lead to longer stories (my novels, for example).

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

prompt, Writing

December 2021 Prompt

AJ Niblock

This month is going by in a flash for me.

In big news, I finished and published my third book!

You can buy it in print or e-book from Amazon!

The rest of my time this month has been spent trying to not cough. I’ve been sick for two weeks now. Yes, I have covid. Yes, I’m vaccinated. No, I’m not happy about it.

Anyhow… if you are here for the prompt of the month… here it is! (Sorry it’s so late this month).

I told Eddie it didn’t hurt too badly. “Give it a couple of minutes,” he said, smiling that smile of his. Like he knows it’s going to hurt, and like he’s secretly going to enjoy it. Eddie has this habit of being by my side when times are tough. He was there when…

Complete the Story…

Now get out there and write!

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

My current mood…
prompt, Writing

November 2021 Short Story Prompt

AJ Niblock

November is flying by for me! As many of you know, I’m participating in NANOWRIMO again.

So far, I’m maintaining a 2,000 word a day pace. (Cross your fingers that I can continue at that rate). If you’re also participating in NANOWRIMO, let me encourage you to not give up. No matter what, write every day and keep pushing forward!

If you, like every one who writes/creates, have doubts, just remember that Sharknado was made into a movie. (Don’t get me wrong, I love dumb shark movies). Just imagine pitching that movie idea. Whatever you’re writing is worth writing too!

In other news, I’m working through my editing list as well for book #3 of the Magical Realms Series. (It’s getting closer to being done!)

And if you’re just here for the prompt of the month:

“The day was scorching hot and bone dry, the air smelled like burnt toast, and everyone’s nerves were on edge. Only Zeke was calm. He patrolled the perimeter, making jokes about…”

Complete the Story

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com
prompt, Writing

October 2021’s Prompt

AJ Niblock

Happy Spooktober!

This is a busy month for me. I am trying to keep my blog going, edit my third book, and prep for NANOWRIMO.

Editing is going well, but I may be getting to the point where I need to send it to my editor. A fresh set of eyes might be good at this point.

Blogging is… well, you’re here, so good.

And prepping for NANO is new for me. I’m not normally a prepper, but I’m trying something new this year. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes. I’ve just started prepping today, so it’s very, very new to me.

If you’re here for the prompt for the month:

The moon broke through the clouds, and the four of them stood there, frozen, waiting for something to happen. They were in the middle of an open field, and it was as if a spotlight had been trained on them. Suddenly, without warning…

Complete the Story

I’m excited about this one! It’s October and the prompt has a moon in it! This seems like good karma to me!

Happy reading and writing today and every day!

prompt, Writing

September 2021’s Prompt

AJ Niblock

It’s September! I love this month! And I’m working very hard to get the draft of my third novel sent to my editor by the end of this month! (Wish me luck!)

If you’re here for this month’s short story prompt:

After my father’s stroke, he started crying all the time. He cried about everything: sentimental commercials, pop songs on the radio, or…

Complete the Story

Now go get writing!

Happy reading and writing today and everyday!

prompt, Writing

August 2021’s Prompt

AJ Niblock

I don’t know how or why I’m so far behind with everything right now. I haven’t been that busy, but I’ve just been spending too much time having fun instead of writing. At this point, I need to finish 3 short stories this month!

Well, let’s get this horse pointed in the right direction… here is August’s short story prompt:

When he tried to express himself with words, he could never get it right. But with his hands, he could shape things, mold things, and make things. He had discovered that gift as a young boy when he…

Complete the Story

I also need to back track and write a story for June and July.

Here is June’s prompt in case you missed it:

It was like an echo from the past, or a dream that he was only just now remembering. He recognized everything about the room, even though he was sure he’d never been there before. He knew the paintings on the walls, could name the artists who’d painted them. The only thing that puzzled him was…

Complete the Story

And here’s July’s prompt:

“Clarissa,” she said, correcting her teacher. Names were important. For years, she’d been embarrassed about her name and wished it were something ordinary. But then something happened that changed her mind. That day…

Complete the Story

I can do this! The story for June is basically done, just needs some polishing, but the other two haven’t left the station.

Anyway, I have things to do…

Happy reading and writing today and everyday!

prompt, Writing

July’s Short Story Prompt

AJ Niblock

It’s the first of July! This month I am not messing around, and I fully intend to get my blog caught up and everything else I’ve meant to…

I woke up feeling pumped today, so I’m hoping to continue that energy this month! I’ve got my to-do list prepped and I’m focusing!

Without further delay, here is this month’s short story idea:

“Clarissa,” she said, correcting her teacher. Names were important. For years, she’d been embarrassed about her name and wished it were something ordinary. But then something happened that changed her mind. That day…

Complete the Story

If you follow my blog, you’ll know that my goal is to write a short story every month using the prompt. In addition, I write a minimum of 1000 words, and the stories are all connected for the year. This year the stories are set in a smallish town with several magic users going about their normal lives. So far, the teenagers of the town have been my focus. I’m still hoping I can find a way to connect the teens together as the year goes on.

Happy reading and writing today and every day! Stay tuned for June and July’s stories (I’m still a little behind).