StoryBug

Hiding

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Where does your character go when s/he needs to hide from the world? Why does this place make your character feel safe?

Resolutions

2012-01-02T05:56:00.001-08:00

If your character were to make a resolution, what would it be and why?

Dangerous Temperatures

2011-12-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Has your character ever been dangerously hot or cold? How did s/he get into that situation? How did s/he recover?

Making Your Own Luck

2011-12-12T07:40:00.001-08:00

Does your character believe in making his/her own luck? Or does s/he wait for things to come along?

Hatred

2011-11-28T06:12:00.000-08:00

What (or who) does your character absolutely hate? Why does this specific person or thing push your character's buttons?

Seasons

2011-11-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

What's your character's favorite season? What is it about the weather and/or time of year that appeals to him/her?

Costumes

2011-10-31T06:13:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character wore a costume. Was s/he dressed up for a special occasion or was the costume meant to be a disguise? Why did your character choose this specific look?

Remembered

2011-10-17T06:38:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about how your character would like to be remembered. What kind of legacy does s/he hope to leave behind?

Festivities

2011-10-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a festive event your character attended. How did your character celebrate? Did s/he fit in?

Despair

2011-09-19T05:56:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was filled with despair. How was s/he able to come out of it?

Sore

2011-09-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was sore from head to toe. How did s/he recover from this exertion?

Time

2011-08-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

How does your character experience time? Is s/he always in a hurry or does time often drag for him/her?

High Pressure

2011-08-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

How does your character deal with high pressure situations? Does s/he stay cool or cave under the stress?

Fear

2011-08-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about the last time your character felt truly afraid. What, specifically, was s/he afraid of?

Melancholy

2011-08-01T16:34:00.001-07:00

What makes your character feel melancholy? How often does s/he feel that way?

Beliefs

2011-07-18T07:28:00.001-07:00

What kinds of beliefs--religious or otherwise--drive your character? Why are these beliefs so important to him/her?

Mentor

2011-07-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about someone who's a mentor to your character. What has your character learned from this person?

Holiday

2011-07-04T04:10:00.001-07:00

What is the most meaningful holiday for your character? Why is this one so special to him/her?

Motivation

2011-06-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

What does your character do when s/he is lacking motivation? How does s/he get pumped up?

Off-Limits

2011-06-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about something your character would never admit to anyone, not even to him/herself. Why is this topic off-limits?

Taken Away

2011-06-13T05:54:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about what would happen if the thing your character loves the most was taken away. What would s/he do to try to get it back?

Hot

2011-06-06T07:03:00.001-07:00

How does your character deal with being hot? What does s/he do to cool off?

Cooped Up

2011-05-23T04:54:00.001-07:00

If your character was cooped up somewhere because of bad weather, how would s/he pass the time? What would make confinement more bearable?

Keeping Secrets

2011-05-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character had to keep a big secret. Why did s/he have to stay quiet? Did s/he slip up and reveal the truth?

Laughter

2011-05-09T06:02:00.001-07:00

When was the last time your character laughed uncontrollably? What was it about that moment that amused your character so much?

Sick

2011-05-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was very ill. What did it take for your character to recover? Who took care of him/her?

Choices

2011-04-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a decision your character is dreading having to make. What will happen if your character doesn't choose?

Decisions

2011-04-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about one of the most important decisions your character has ever had to make.

Frustration

2011-04-04T07:25:00.001-07:00

How does your character deal with frustration? Does s/he keep trying or does s/he give up when things get too hard?

Nostalgia

2011-03-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

Does your character ever get nostalgic? What makes him/her long for the "good old days"?

Time Management

2011-03-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

How does your character do with time management? Is s/he the kind of person who stays on top of things, or who often gets buried?

Tired

2011-03-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

How does your character act when s/he is tired? How is your character affected by lack of sleep?

Luck

2011-03-07T06:06:00.001-08:00

What kind of luck does your character have? Is s/he always in the right place at the right time? Or in the wrong one?

Friendly Influence

2011-02-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

Who is your character's favorite person to spend time with? What traits (good or bad) does this person bring out in your character?

Jokes

2011-02-21T04:58:00.001-08:00

What's the best (or worst) joke your character has ever told? Is s/he the joking type?

Three Little Words

2011-02-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

How often does your character tell people s/he loves them? Has your character ever said those three little words?

Simplify

2011-02-07T06:16:00.001-08:00

How could your character simplify his/her life? How might your character's life improve because of this change?

Bad Habits

2011-01-31T05:27:00.000-08:00

What's a bad habit your character has that s/he would like to get rid of? How long has your character had this habit and how likely is s/he to overcome it?

Pleasantly Surprised

2011-01-24T05:18:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was pleasantly surprised. What was so special about the surprise, and what effect did it have on your character?

Grossed Out

2011-01-17T07:09:00.001-08:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character had to do something vile or disgusting. How did s/he handle it?

Anticipation

2011-01-10T05:31:00.001-08:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was anxiously waiting for something (news, an event, etc.) How did s/he pass the time?

Hope

2011-01-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about where your character draws hope and strength from when things are at their darkest. What keeps him/her going?

Snow

2010-12-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

What have been your character's experiences with snow (or cold weather)? Were they ones your character was able to handle?

Family Visits

2010-12-20T05:29:00.001-08:00

How often does your character see his/her family? Is this a time of stress or comfort for your character?

Neurotic

2010-12-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

We all have our little neuroses. What is your character neurotic about? Why might s/he be so particular about this thing?

Ideal Temperature

2010-12-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

Does your character run hot or cold? In what temperature/climate does she feel the most comfortable?

Family Ties

2010-11-29T05:44:00.001-08:00

How does your character fit into his/her family. Are they a source of comfort or conflict for your character?

Optimist or Pessimist

2010-11-22T07:03:00.001-08:00

Is your character more of an optimist or a pessimist? What in your character's upbringing or past experiences might have made him/her this way?

Humiliation

2010-11-15T05:17:00.000-08:00

What's the worst, most humiliating thing that could ever happen to your character? Why is your character so sensitive to this particular thing/event?

Rain

2010-11-08T07:29:00.001-08:00

For five minutes, write about what your character most enjoys doing on a rainy day. When was the last time s/he was able to do this activity?

Waiting

2010-11-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was anxiously waiting for something. Why was the outcome so important? How did things work out for your character?

Fear of Pain

2010-10-25T04:48:00.000-07:00

What kind of pain is your character most afraid of? Why does this type of pain have such an effect on your character, and what lengths would s/he go to in order to avoid it?

Wishes

2010-10-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about something your character wishes were different about him/herself. Does s/he want to be stronger, smarter, braver? How might this trait be helpful to your character?

Bringing Out the Best

2010-10-11T05:43:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about someone who brings out the best in your character. What is it about this other person that has such an impact on your character?

Flaws

2010-10-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

Write down some of your character's flaws that annoy other people in the story. Then think about how those flaws affect your character's story, and if any of them might also be strengths.

Awkward

2010-09-27T05:25:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was in an awkward situation. How did s/he get into that situation and what (if anything) did s/he do to make it more bearable?

Injured

2010-09-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time your character was injured. What caused the injury and how well did it heal afterward?

Cleanliness

2010-09-13T05:36:00.001-07:00

What is your character's level of cleanliness? Has s/he always had this standard? Why might cleanliness be so important (or unimportant) to your character?

Sleepless

2010-09-06T07:19:00.001-07:00

When was your character's last sleepless night? What caused it, and what did your character do to try to fix the problem?

Cleaning Up the Mess

2010-08-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

What was the last mess, physical or otherwise, your character had to clean up? What caused the mess and how did your character feel about having to put things right again?

Desired Ability

2010-08-23T06:27:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a skill or ability your character wishes s/he had. Why does your character desire this skill? What would s/he do with it?

Hidden

2010-08-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about something your characters wishes she could reveal about him/herself. Who would s/he tell this secret to? Why does it have to stay hidden?

Relaxed

2010-08-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was completely relaxed. What might s/he do to get back to feeling that way again?

Bad News

2010-08-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

What is the worst news your character could ever hear? How would s/he react to it?

Perfect World

2010-07-26T04:29:00.001-07:00

If your character could create a perfect world for him/herself, what would it be like and why? What would be in that imagined world that could never occur in the character's real life?

Beasts

2010-07-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

What beasts or creatures does your character fear? What happens when s/he encounters them? How can your character overcome that fear?

Exhausted

2010-07-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character was utterly exhausted. What caused him/her to be in this state? What did s/he do to recover?

Fear

2010-07-05T05:57:00.001-07:00

What is the most frightening thing that's ever happened to your character? How did s/he deal with it?

Feared Journey

2010-06-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a journey your character hopes s/he will never have to go on.

Destroyed

2010-06-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about an object your character destroyed, either accidentally or on purpose. What was this object, what significance did it have for your character, and why did s/he destroy it?

Out of Control

2010-06-14T07:52:00.001-07:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character felt completely out of control, either emotionally or physically. How did s/he cope? Was s/he able to regain control?

Rumors

2010-06-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

Has your character ever been the subject of a rumor? Or has s/he ever started a rumor about someone else? For five minutes, write about that experience and how it affected your character.

Pets

2010-05-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a pet your character had or has. How does s/he feel about this creature? Has it played an important role in your character's life?

Lost

2010-05-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

I could have you write about "Lost" the TV show, but instead let's look at a time when your character was lost, either physically or emotionally. How did your character react? Is s/he still haunted by that day?

Recurring Dreams

2010-05-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a dream (or nightmare) that your character has had more than once. How does s/he feel about it? What does s/he think it means?

Anger

2010-05-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

When was the last time your characters lost his/her temper? For five minutes, write about that incident, what triggered it, and what its effects were.

Bad Things

2010-05-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about the worst thing your character ever did. How does s/he feel about it now? Does anyone else know about it? If not, will your character ever tell anyone?

Physical Activity

2010-04-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

What kind of exercise or physical exertion does your character do? Is s/he forced into it or does s/he do it voluntarily? Is there something else s/he would rather be doing?

Sense of Touch

2010-04-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about your character's sense of touch. What kinds of textures does s/he find soothing or pleasant? What kinds of textures does s/he try to avoid? Are there textures that s/he associates with certain memories?

Idols

2010-04-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about someone your character admires and wishes s/he could be more like.

Reliving a Memory

2010-04-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a memory your character wishes s/he could relive. What was special about that time and place? What makes that moment worth revisiting?

Skills

2010-03-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about a skill or ability that your character has. How did s/he learn this skill? Is it a rare or common one to have? Would/could your character pass it on to someone else?

Catch Phrases

2010-03-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

We all have specific words or phrases we use in certain situations. What does your character say when s/he's excited? What does s/he say when something goes wrong? How does s/he verbally express surprise or disappointment?

Lost Object

2010-03-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

For five minutes, write about an object your character lost and wishes s/he still had. What made this object so special? What has your character done to try to find or replace it?

Creativity

2010-03-08T06:00:00.001-08:00

Is your character creative? If so, write about how s/he channels that creativity. If not, write about something s/he does that might be considered art.

Chores

2010-03-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about the responsibilities or chores your character dreads. What does s/he do to try to avoid them?

Cringe-Worthy

2010-02-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a memory that makes your character cringe whenever s/he thinks about it.

Collections

2010-02-15T05:53:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a collection your character would have if s/he could. What types of things would s/he collect and why? What would your character do with this collection? Would s/he share it with anyone else?

Stinging Words

2010-02-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Write about the worst thing your character has ever said to anyone. Then write about the worst thing that has ever been said to your character. What were the consequences of your character saying/hearing those things?

Restricted

2010-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character felt restricted and confined. Then write about a time when s/he felt unrestricted and free.

Flow of Words

2010-02-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a time when your character couldn't stop talking. Then write about a time when s/he was absolutely speechless.

Stuck in a Room

2010-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write a scene in which your character is forced to be alone with someone s/he dislikes. How does your character act to this person's face? Why does your character dislike this person so much?

Procrastination

2010-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about what your character does at times when s/he is feeling unmotivated. What are his/her methods of procrastination?

A Far-Away Place

2010-01-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about a place your character has never been to, but that s/he longs to see. What about this place calls to your character? Why has s/he been unable to go there?

Laughter

2010-01-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

For five minutes, write about what makes your character giggle, what makes him/her laugh, and what makes him/her guffaw. Is there anyone else who shares your character's sense of humor?

Memorable Gifts

2009-12-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

What is the best gift your character ever received? What is the worst? What, specifically, made these gifts memorable, and (if they're objects) does s/he still have them?

Avoided Places

2009-12-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

Most of us have places we don't like to go. For five minutes, write about a place your character tries to avoid and why s/he stays away from it.

Stressed Out

2009-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

People often act differently when they're tired or anxious. For five minutes, write about what your character does or says in times of fatigue and stress that s/he might not do or say ordinarily.

Distinct Voices

2009-12-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Write a scene between your main character and his/her closest confidante using only dialogue. Make sure to make each character's voice distinct so it's easy to follow the scene without being told who's speaking.

Favorite Food

2009-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

What is your character's favorite food? What specific memories, places, or people does s/he associate it with?