Day 317 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Take a quiz to determine your character’s spirit animal and write a story based on the results.

Erin: Tiger, a cool spirit animal, right? Except it’s so cliche. Sometimes I wish i could trade in my stripes, but i know who I am.

Shannon: “Why do you want my help?” I narrowed my eyes, unable to see how I fit into the equation.

“Your tattoo shows you have a butterfly spirit animal, and I’m looking for a transformation. I need someone who can help me with that. Someone open to consistent change, preferably some who craves it. You’re bored here, aren’t you? Come with me,” he tempted.

I smiled because what he said was true, but I needed more than that. “Show me your animal,” I demanded.

He lifted his shirt sleeve without hesitation to reveal a crow tattoo, and flashed his ice blue eyes up waiting for my reaction.

“I’ve never met crow,” I whispered, understanding why he kept it hidden.

“You may never again,” he smirked. He was very persuasive, but then again he could be using magic on me. It didn’t matter though, because I longed for what he could offer. I was sick of safe. I knew there had to be more out there, and I wanted to see it. “Yes or no?” He interrupted the wheels spinning in my head.

“Yes.”

Discover your character’s spirit animal.

Day 316 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Let “The Sound” by the 1975 inspire you.

Shannon: “He’s here,” I shouted to my friend over the loud music.

“You can’t know that,” she shook her head laughing, not putting up with my ridiculousness.

“No I’m serious I can feel him. He’s close,” I looked around trying pick him out of the huge crowd.

She joined me in looking, “I don’t see him, do you?”

I shook my head, and then started walking away.

“What are you doing?” she called after me.

“I’m finding him.”

Erin: The first time that I met her Ex I was intimidated to say the least. He was just about 10 times better looking than myself. The second he introduced himself though “G” spun in our direction like a top. It was almost as if she had a sixth sense to him. The terror in her eyes put an ease to my mood. He wasn’t competition. I know it’s bad, but I was a little relived by her reaction.

I know the sound of your heart.

Day 315 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Stick your character in a place they can’t escape.

Erin: When I woke up in the tiny box like room I had this gut feeling the worst year of my life was beginning. When I saw Kens beady eyes in front of the locked door I knew it was.

Shannon: I concluded that I wasn’t getting out this place today, probably not tomorrow, and if I was unlucky enough it could be years from now. I’m making a promise to myself on this sheet of paper that I’ll never give up. I’ll always fight to make my way back to the world I once new. I won’t forget it. I will never let myself be satisfied here, because I know where I belong.

What does your character do when they can’t get out?

Day 314 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: What is your character’s favorite song?

Shannon: Alanis Morissette’s “You Learn”

Erin: Baha Men’s “Who Let The Dogs Out”

What song is your character listening to on repeat?

Day 313 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Describe the moment an artist finds their inspiration.

Erin: The first second, I looked into my baby boy’s eyes I knew the story my paintings needed to tell.

Shannon: I was in math class when I saw the story playing out in my head. It was beautiful and the equations on the board paled in comparison. I couldn’t focus on anything but my questions for the characters. I needed to know all the whys and what happens next. I love that feeling. That point where everything makes sense, even when it’s brand new.

Kissed by a muse.

Day 312 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about soulmates who refuse to be together.

Shannon: “He’s waiting. Are you going to go to him?” Adam questioned.

My lip trembled as I took a moment to think. I shook my head before I could let the idea take me too far.

“What ‘s wrong with you two,” Adam let out a disappointed huff. “You pick up where he ends and he does the same for you. I see you too flow together like you’ve know each other your whole lives, and I want to find something like that, but I doubt I’ll ever be that lucky. Why are you both so hell-bent on staying apart?” He had a quite anger, the worst kind.

I didn’t need a reminder that I’d regret this. As I held back tears, I sternly told him, “It’s dangerous. Bad things happen when we’re together. He knows that too. He shouldn’t be here, but I understand. I need to protect everyone,” I breathed in to steady my voice, “Not just our hearts,” I whispered, wiping my eye before a tear could fall.

Erin: “We keep running into each other,” Lances sly smile covered his face.

“Stalking me much,” I teased.

“It’s not my fault the universe won’t give up on the fire we have.”

“I’m married,” I reminded.

“For now,” he challenged looking into my eyes and moving to the next table.

Star-Crossed Lovers by choice.

Day 311 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about an object that has sentimental value to your character.

Erin: Her favorite sleepwear was a nightgown with holes in it. But it used to belong to her mother. No matter how long it had been since they lost her she could swear a little of her smell lingered in it.

Shannon: I know I can find this book anywhere, but it’s not about the book, it has never been about the book. It’s about the summer we read it together. It’s about the stains on the pages that bring me back to a different time. It’s about the notes we wrote in the margins. I kept it close to my heart, maybe a little too close. That is why I lost it after all.

Make something irreplaceable.

Day 310 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Let Sabrina Carpenter’s “Why” inspire you.

Shannon: “You’re so annoying. Why is it so hard for you to make a decision?” Amber teased me.

“Well why don’t you ever take your time and think things through. Maybe you be a little more pleased with your choices,” I argued.

“I”m very satisfied thank you. Don’t you push your lifestyles choices on me,” she shook her head.

“Fine, we can order now,” I informed her, as we got in line to order completely different items. Our tastes were so different along with almost everything else. Yet even with all our differences I can’t imagine falling for anyone else. There doesn’t have to be a reason and maybe that’s the best reason of all.

Erin: I rolled over to see her gorgeous eyes already staring at me. “You ever wish I was a morning person too?”

“Why,” she asked genuinely confused.

“So, you didn’t have to sit awake in bed waiting for me to get up,” I mumbled still in my half-asleep state.

“I don’t have to now. I could get up and do laundry or make breakfast or whatever. In fact, I could probably get back before you knew it.”

“Why don’t you?”

She hummed. “I love my lazy weekend mornings. You sleeping gives me an excuse to have them. Plus I like watching you sleep,” she winked with a giggle.

Let differences inspire your story.

Day 309 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Incorporate these 3 words: Privilege, Untrustworthy, & End.

Erin: He lost the privilege of my trust. The hurt behind his eyes over me calling him untrustworthy was nearly comical. The only problem was when I tried to explain where I was coming from he didn’t understand. I wanted to salvage what we still clung on to, but him being clueless meant it was the end for me.

Shannon: “Tell me about this one mama. What’s his curse,” my daughter questioned, placing the book of clients on my lap. Then she snuggled into my side, ready for story time. She was a curious one.

“Ok one, but then you have to go to bed,” I agreed and she didn’t argue, just pointed eagerly at a face. “Ah this one,” I began, “He was born to a life of privilege, and he was cursed with never spending a single day wanting something he couldn’t have. Until one day he was denied the thing he carved most. There was no end to what he would do. He became uncaring, untrustworthy, and unkind. Because of this he never succeeded.”

Let these words lead the story.

Day 308 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Describe your character’s living situation.

Shannon: After our parents died in the accident we were sent off to live with our aunt and her family. I knew it would be different going from a three bedroom to mansion, but I didn’t expect to hate it. I thought it would be nice. I’d have my own bedroom, and basically anything I wanted. I should have been happy but it didn’t feel like home. Dinners were proper, cooked by a chef, and placed on top of intricate table decorations. There was a private theater for an unforgettable movie experience. Even a private pool, and a hot tub. It was fun for the first month, but the affect soon faded. I started missing the imperfections of the past. I missed eating dinners on the couch as we all found something to laugh about. I missed watching movies as a family on our old, tiny TV screen. I missed sharing a bedroom and having to share pool space with strangers. It’s strange, but life has been duller since I got here.

Erin: She is homeless in a sense. She is not poor though. She is rich in experiences and connections. She has a network of friends across the country and she hops from home to home. She experiences what she wants to and then searches for more. Her relationships just kept compounding and doing what she loved payed off. People lived to read her stories and she lived off of the revenue from her blog. To her she had complete freedom in that fact.

What’s home like for your character?