Week 1 Writing Prompt: Surfing with the Mummies

Tell me where is fancy bred? In the heart or in the head?
        (William Shakespeare, via Willy Wonka)

Sometimes figuring out where to start your story is the hardest part of writing. Writing prompts can help us push through the fear of beginning by forcing us to start with a seemingly random line or element. 

Read Chapters 3 and 4 in What If? and do the Chapter 4 exercise, "Begin a Story with a 'Given' First Line." Use the first line "Where were you last night?" or one of the other options Kittredge lists.  Write a short story, around 2-3 pages, or set a timer for 15 minutes. (If you are inspired, feel free to go over.)

Use at least three of these random plot, setting and character elements from our class-generated list. 

PLOT:
mummies attack
time travel
Crusades
a forbidden romance

SETTING:
the beach
the 1950s/early 60s era
a haunted mansion, used as a set for a Disney movie

CHARACTERS:
a surfer bum
uptight lifeguard
rookie cop
James Brown

Good luck and have fun!