Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge #303
Posted: January 28, 2013 Filed under: Copy Challenges 55 Comments »This is a writing prompt. Bet you can’t do it! Take the 10 random words below and crush writer’s block by creating a cohesive, creative short story! And remember: after (if) you finish entering your submission into the comment field, highlight your words and click the bold button to make them stand out and help you determine if you forgot any words. (If you’ve missed previous writing prompts, we BET YOU CAN’T do those, either.) NOTE: Our bolding plugin is gone, so you’ll have to put <b> and </b> around each of your words if you want them to stand out, but NOT REQUIRED THOUGH.
- Exit
- Product
- Policy
- Violate
- Act
- Satisfied
- Variety
- Use
- Set
- Beat
NOTE: Don’t copy and paste from MS Word. Use a program like notepad that removes formatting or just type in the comment field itself. Also, finish your submission, THEN bold the words. Thanks. (And don’t forget to tweet this and share it with your friends.)
Fraudulent use of the Clinton, Ohio Wormhole for last-minute shopping trips to Hoboken, New Jersey created a minor economic maelstrom in both cities. When word got out that Clintonians had found a way to beat the teleportation tax, thousands of consumers converged on Clinton – some from as far as twenty miles away!
Sadly, most folks didn’t realize that the loop-hole was simply a super-slick Möbius March along the inner wall of the wormhole. Since a march took twice as long as a tunneling, the effective savings from not paying the tax came to about ten cents per hour. The shoppers wouldn’t have cared, anyway. Society was at the point where people were not satisfied until they could violate at least one policy before breakfast.
Despite the minuscule effect on individual pocketbooks, the macroscopic calamity of the collective caused the closure of the Main Street Variety Store in Clinton, and the sharp rise of top hat prices in Hoboken. Abigail Higginbotham rolled up the awning one last time before she Möbius Marched to Hoboken to buy vanilla-scented pyjamas for her grandchildren. Yes, the irony was lost on her. Perhaps she was too set in her pecuniary ways to see the teeth marks on her hands.
Fred Gingham closed the report. As he handed it back to the eager reporter, he declared, “The Beacon Journal has no use for such fluff pieces. Why don’t you go cover the mayor’s emergency plan for the impending heat wave?”
Roger Alistair snorted. He would not be put off so easily. “Look, Fred. You have plenty of flacks who can follow the fleet or cover the story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Those reporters are carefree. Me? I got a degree in economics and I have a responsibility to the citizens of Akron!”
Fred laughed. “Um, you do know that people buy our paper for the coupons, right? They’re not interested in your information products or your clever interpretation of the Las Vegas Hookers Guild vs. the Mann Act!” With uncharacteristic rudeness, Fred shoved Roger toward the exit.
“Hey, that was some of my best work!” Roger stumbled over the threshold clumsily. As he walked away, defeated, he noticed a top hat rolling along the pavement. As there was no owner in sight, he picked it up, dusted it off and plopped it on his head. A merry tune intruded on his dark thoughts and he sauntered down the street, humming Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off!
Mitch, you leave me speechless from laughter. Love it!
Thanks, Liss! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Mitch
Ditto for me.
Thank you, Steve!
Cheers,
Mitch
Nice play on the classic Alice in Wonderland line!
zennjennc, which line is that? I was totally referencing a different body of work
Cheers,
Mitch
@Mitch: insert standard book comment here!
Shane, it’s foremost on my mind, these days. I spend a bit of time out in space – doing research
Thanks for the encouragement!
Cheers,
Mitch
[...] Originally appeared on CreativeCopyChallenge #303. [...]
[...] is my submission for Creative Copy Challenge #303. Click on over and take the challenge yourself, or just read the comments to see what others have [...]
Interestingly grim, actually. Seems you’ve hinted at a whole subtext of stifling creativity in the workplace!
Cheers,
Mitch
Yep, that’s the way it usually is.
Oddly familiar of workplace politics
Not really like that for me, but am glad I only have 1127 days left.
Interesting
@Steve: A shorty with a moral. Cool!
It feels weird here. Standing here strips me of rationality.
It violates my senses.
Move! Although I see the exit, I do nothing to advance towards it.
Why? Someone told me I shouldn’t perform an act of recklessness if I didn’t acknowledge the consequences. I guess I didn’t believe them. If anything, it’s a product of constant indifference.
A variety of assumptions could be made by now, but it all seems fairly innocent to an onlooker. That is until no one remains.
Setting course for this event, it knocks the air from my lungs. Backed into a wall, reality beats sense back in, or is it just the pain?
It hurts. Stop. I want to say, but these words stay trapped in my throat.
True. Had I expected something out of participating in this? I once thought I did, but it’s the world’s shameful policy to use others like a toy and throw them away once uninterested.
Satisfied? Wiping my lips, a smile bids me farewell and disappears out of the door. I pick myself up and recompose myself.
In the process of fixing myself and gathering my things, tears well up in my eyes, yet I don’t permit them to spill over. What had I expected?
Awesome and Deep!
K, you are making me go, “Hmmmmm….”
This totally took me back to the days when I used to go clubbing – talk about a fish out of water. I’m curious: what setting do you have in mind?
Cheers,
Mitch
Leave the setting to the reader. I think everyone can take it differently based on their own experiences. I took it total different way than @anklebuster and that’s the beauty of it.
@K: Deep stuff! Well done again.
“She’s not here, Tom. It’s a trap,” Saal said.
“If it were a trap, they would have sent more than one.”
Tom rose and followed Rebecca’s scent until he saw a clump of hair soaked in blood. His heart skipped a beat, knowing she was suffering because of him. He scanned the area and saw a set of glowing eyes watching.
“Did you act alone or did King Ulvarg send you?” Tom asked.
The lone wolf emerged from the shadows, approaching Tom with caution. “I would not violate the policy of the pack to see you like this. The King grows impatient to have his vengeance. The longer you defy him, the more your mate will suffer.”
“He is a fool if he thinks I will just hand over my child and myself to him to satisfy his vengeance. The game is set and I will not stop fighting him,” Tom growled.
“Calm yourself, Tomas. There are many who feel the King’s revenge is unfair, especially to your mate and young one. We used to be satisfied taking orders but now a variety of unjust dealings have caused a riff in the pack. Your exit has created a loyal following. You have many on your side.”
“Will they fight for me?”
“Perhaps, but you must speak to them. Tell them the whole story,” the wolf said. He backed away as Saal appeared to stand by Tom. “The King knows of your part in this too, jackal. You are an enemy now.” He turned back to Tom and motioned him to follow. “Come now. I must return before the hour is gone.”
Tom nodded. They followed the wolf back through the woods to a designated area where a portal appeared at the top of the hour. Tom and Saal followed the wolf through before it closed again.
##
Billy reached the campsite hours before the federal agents would appear. He’d heard a portion of the 911 call through his dispatch and raced to get there first. He approached the crazed man, who smiled at his arrival. Billy checked the phone near the man’s head. Dead. The man chatted excitedly about his prize and the nice lady on the phone. She’d promised him more prizes and he’d told her his location. Billy nodded as he pulled his revolver from its holster, lined it up with the man’s forehead and pulled the trigger. He released the man’s arms from their restraints and repositioned the body. No one would fault him. Another deranged murderer dead, the product of a broken environment no longer preying on the unsuspecting. They’ll make him a hero.
Billy pulled the t-shirt from beneath the man’s head and placed the bloody garment in an evidence bag. He smiled as he thought of returning it to its owner.
Liss, as always, this series is great! My wife and I are doing a FRINGE marathon, so duplicity is especially delicious right about now!
Cheers,
Mitch
Glad you are enjoying! It’s so much fun to write. I know where I want it to go but I have to wait for the words to move forward. Loving the challenges.
Liss, this just keeps on going and going. Do the words sometimes cause a change in the direction you really want to go? It really doesn’t seem like it when reading along.
I have the idea in my head where I want the story to go. Sometimes the words add a curve to my plan but I work it out.
Spoken like a true pantser!
Liss
The thrown curve doesn’t show in the writing that I can tell.
This is becoming my weekly habit.
Sweet! That means I’m doing it right
@Liss:Coming along nicely. How many words is this series up to? Just curious.
I’m at chapter 20, I think so 60 words!
[...] Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge #303 [...]
ok. how do you do that? I click on Writing prompts…but it doesn’t go anywhere.
Meredith, that’s a scary little enforcer you’ve got running loose!
Cheers,
Mitch
Yes, somewhere in my setting or their setting allowing pingbacks is checked. Since I put the link in my post it auto posts. Nice. Click on the titile next to profile graphic whenever you see that. When I can get to it I’ll post the words here, but the pics don’t follow
The picture was frightening enough – I think I’ll skipp THAT bus tour, zennjennc!
@Meredith, got my comments crossed- I clicked here to tell you to click the Trackback title itself: Federal Bus Tourist Act « nightmare of daytime
Cheers,
Mitch
Thanks, Mitch and Zeenjennc
Or here’s the actual post for your reading pleasure (can’t send the pictures through):
“Get set to see the Grand Canyon sights. Please sit back and use your seat belts. This safety policy is in accordance with the Federal Bus Tourist Act. Failing to follow instructions from the attendants violates this act. Notice the emergency exit windows and roof exit with red levers. In the event of an accident or emergency, pull down on the red levers and push out. Please remain together, safely near the bus.
We have a variety products for purchase on the bus, cash only.
Ride Canyon Transportation and beat the heat. We hope you are satisfied with the tour.”
I had seen that photo before, but your words really got to me.
Scary picture!
@Isn’t that a real place? Thought I was that somewhere.
The key to her behavior and anger was that she wasn’t very satisfied. With anything. It wasn’t really a policy of hers to put strangers into headlocks, but sometimes, while on the beat, she felt she had no choice. There was plenty of threat out there. Besides, she was only 4 feet tall. Having Terrence nearby didn’t allow for her usual exit, so she had to act as if…as if she gave a shit for the riff raff running around this town.
Unfortunately, Terrence put the rules out there and the costs for violating them. He had a nice variety, but she preferred to use her own set of persuasive products. She just hoped she hadn’t blown it this time with that young kid. Maybe she was lucky Terrence stopped her when she did. She didn’t need a killing on her hands and she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t have done the deed.
I like “her own set of persuasive products”
thank you!
Left me wondering if she is a cop or a reporter. Either one, she sounds like a very strong woman.
she is neither.
@Meredith: Ohhhh, this is interesting! I bet you could continue this into something juicy!
Actually, I’m using this forum to help spur things along on something I’m writing. Sometimes, I just need a little extra nudge with some rules or words I wouldn’t normally put together. Thanks Shane!
[...] Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge #303 (creativecopychallenge.wordpress.com) [...]
Freestyle quickie:
The product exited shortly after entry. An explosive policy of violated action. Satisfied that it’s gone. A variety of regrets set in as I beat myself up and promise to never use their laxative again.
EEEURGH! LOL
This specific blog post, “Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge
#303 | Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge” was excellent.
I’m impressing out a copy to clearly show my buddys.
Thanks a lot,Zachary
Here is another one, playing catch up
Repression
Violate this act
be satisfied with consequences
variety of tools set
beat them all into submission
policy and product our exit
use whatever force necessary
control the situation