Writing prompts!!!
Writing prompts!!
Write a story about a summer a few years ago.
Write something dystopian, where society is terrified to break one certain rule…
Write a tragic romance which ends in an untimely death for someone
Write a fantasy story set on a mechanical floating island in the sky. But someone on board is hiding a secret that could bring them crashing down…
Ill try do more sometimes (:
@JosieBiddulph
These sound so interesting and unique! 😍
@cyanessence interested in picking any of these prompts? 💛
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
@JosieBiddulph
Great prompts! I have been looking for inspiration. I especially like the idea of a floating society hiding a secret, with someone discovering it and bringing the whole thing crashing down. Intriguing... I might get to writing!
Thank you!
@JosieBiddulph
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
I thought about posting to Reading & Writing, but I made a post there recently and do not want to take up too much space. Plus, as you two specifically were the catalysts for this story, I thought I'd share it here. I don't think I quite stuck to the original writing prompt, but regardless, it resulted in a new story. The prompt worked. I hope it's enjoyed! I'm never quite satisfied with my writing. I present:
Life was good. Floating through the sky on a small island above the endless clouds, everyone, for the most part, had everything they needed. Of course, there were limitations: reproduction was controlled as there was limited space; food was distributed carefully so as to make use of limited resources; and noise was kept to a minimum so as to not disturb the peace of others. Screaming was a crime, and if one made repeated offences, they were thrown into the clouds.
It was a well-rounded society. Art thrived, science reigned, and philosophers were revered. Teachers and doctors were prized, athletes admired, and faith was accepted. The economy boomed. Law kept everything in check. Open forums held discussions on how things should be. Technology was like magic: sometimes, the clouds would creep up, but they had machines to clear them without disturbance.
There was one that was quite unhappy. He was in a loving relationship, but as he had little merit, he was denied from starting a family. "If only there was more room", he thought. It was believed the island was the only ground in existence: no-one had ever seen another island.
This one had little direction in life. He was not smart or athletic, creative or coordinated. He did not fit in where he wanted, and so was dissatisfied. His dissatisfaction made him an outcast. He refused to scream though. He valued his life and the little he had. He was one of the simple workers, and although society respected his role, he wanted more.
Lost in thought one day, this one mused: "I seem to think. Perhaps I should try philosophy?" He had never actually tried. He did not do particularly well in school and so assumed the world of reasoned thought was not for him. So, he ventured to the library and picked up a book.
In it, the writer questioned if there was anything below the clouds. For this curious one, the idea was tantalising. "Something below nothing? An other side to void?" He could not let go of such ideas. The writer had theorised a way to enhance the machines that blew away clouds. The writer wondered what would be seen if all the clouds were blown away.
"Falling...", he thought, "but towards what? What pulls us down?" It was a seed that would grow and define him. This one had an idea: a vessel to carry people down through the clouds, gently and slowly, like a leaf in the wind.
This one had not only the challenge of building such a device, but of convincing people to go with him. He saw no point in going alone. He thought of something: a way to go up. This way, if the clouds seemed truly endless, they could ascend and return to the island.
He formalised his idea and brought it to the open forums. It sparked a revolution, and flight was invented. At first, it only allowed brief trips of fancy off the island, but progress was surprisingly quick. Soon, his vision of a vessel capable of penetrating the depths was fully realised. It could not carry everyone, but not everyone wanted to take the trip: technology occasionally failed and there was definite risk.
The day of the journey arrived. A sizable group of explorers gathered, including this one's loving and faithful partner. The group prepared for unlikely success: they packed all things necessary for a new society if they happened upon another island.
And so, the descent began. Vision was obscured. Like a child expecting a gift on Christmas, hopes were high. The island was great, but the idea of another island was inspiring. Artists had created works depicting a sister island, and musicians had sung of the mysteries of the clouds.
The impossible happened. The clouds ended, and they felt the sun shining upon them again, but from below. This one looked down and bore witness to vast oceans surrounding a truly unfathomably large mass of land, with a gentle sun illuminating all at the centre. One could even gaze upon it without going blind. It was more than beautiful, it was divine. As all had grown accustomed to not screaming, the air was filled with gentle and reverent comments, mostly "wow".
The vessel landed, and life began again. The one that began the journey was overjoyed that he now had the space to start a family. The people on the original island assumed the explorers had descended to their doom, but were eventually proven wrong. The new society advanced rapidly thanks to an abundance of resources, and one day sent vessels back to the world above the clouds. The journey had taken civilisation to a veritable paradise.
Many generations came and went. From the island in the sky, the stars shone. In time, a new one thought: "What lies amongst the stars?" A seed that would grow and define them.
A new journey began.
What a beautiful story! I loved the ending especially, I think you are very gifted writer 😊
Writing prompts can spark fresh ideas and help writers overcome creative blocks. They encourage different perspectives, improve storytelling, and make regular practice more enjoyable. Before sharing or submitting your work, using a plagiarism checker https://uniqecheck.com/plagiarism-checker/ can provide extra confidence in its originality. Whether writing fiction, essays, or journal entries, a simple prompt can become the starting point for something unexpected and meaningful.