Four Writing Prompts: Mysterious Gift

Good stories center on the clashing of characters’ goals and motivations. Sometimes a character’s goals and motivations arise upon receiving a mysterious gift. Here are four writing prompts for stories that involve the motivation of resolving the mystery of a gift.

Man vs. man
As the main character attempts to find out why he received a mysterious gift, he learns that another person wants this item. What actions does this nemesis take to commandeer the gift? Why does the main character simply not give up the gift? What is the secret behind the gift?

Man vs. society
The main character possesses a wonderful talent – a “gift,” as others in society term it – perhaps as a musician or an artist. What if the main character does not wish to express his gift as society wishes him to? Why does he want to act contrary to society’s desires?

Man vs. God(s)
A gift comes in the form of a “miracle.” What if the main character, though, doesn’t see it as a miracle? What if this miracle is not enough to resolve a need, wish or prayer?

Man vs. himself
The main character possesses an ability – a “gift,” as some view it – that he views as a terrible burden. In fact, the character doesn’t want to use his gift. Why is this? And what if a crisis arises that only the main character can resolve by using his special ability?

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My name is Rob Bignell. I’m an affordable, professional editor who runs Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the manuscript needs of writers both new and published. I also offer a variety of self-publishing services. During the past 15 years, I’ve helped more than 400 novelists and nonfiction authors obtain their publishing dreams at reasonable prices. I’m also the author of the Storytelling 101 writing guidebooks, four nonfiction hiking guidebook series, and the literary novel Windmill. Several of my short stories in the literary and science fiction genres also have been published.

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