Random Words Writing Prompt

Feb 19, 2021 | Blog, Challenge, Short Stories

This afternoon in Virtual Writers Group, the kids requested a random word writing prompt. This is a prompt where I give five random words that may or may not be related, and then you come up with a story that includes those words somehow. I picked five words and they set to work.

One of the participants finished early and asked if he could give me five words to challenge me to write a story based on his words. I agreed as it sounded fun. These are the words he set me:

Helicopter, Mountain, Wise Owls, House, Forest, Camera

Here is my story:

The house sat quietly on the top of the mountain. It was peaceful and, since the people had left, wise owls had set up residence and the forest had grown up to the door. The house was all but forgotten.

It wasn’t until Mike flew past in a helicopter, camera in hand. He was surprised to see the abandoned house on the mountain, surrounded by forest and inhabited by wise owls.

That is pretty much what I wrote, I have just cleared up some spelling and a couple of words here and there. It was a fun challenge and the kids enjoyed my efforts. They were also amazed that I had been able to link all the words.

For any writers out there, if you are stuck and looking for a challenge, pick some random words and write a story.

Latest Blogs

Shiny New Story Syndrome

Shiny New Story Syndrome

I have seen a lot of authors post about what they call a 'struggle with shiny new idea syndrome'. I don't struggle with it. I embrace it! Last year, I came to realise that that is how my brain works. I will be working on one idea, then my brain will go 'nope, not...

How AuDHD Shows Up In My Reading

How AuDHD Shows Up In My Reading

The other day, I shared a bit about how ADHD shows up in my writing. Today, I thought I'd share a bit about how it shows up in my reading. I love books, I always have. They have been a means of escape and regulation for me for as long as I can remember. Even at...

My AuDHD Writing Brain

My AuDHD Writing Brain

I am an author and booklover, and I'm AuDHD. One way this shows up in my writing is that I can sit and write 6,000 words in an afternoon, as I did on Sunday! I found an old manuscript I wrote for the Chapter Book Challenge many years ago. It was very rough and I...