Advice is great, but advice on its own won’t make you a better writer. We become better writers by writing and it’s always easier to write when we’re inspired. To that end, a creative prompt using an ordinary item.
This week’s ordinary item: Frozen, 10x concentrated coffee in a fully-recyclable aluminum cup.
What is it: Cometeer is a new coffee company that brews (in their fancy & precise coffee laboratory) at 10x strength, then, as soon as it’s brewed, freezes the coffee at a chilly -321 degrees to lock in its flavor and ships it to your door, packed with both freshness and dry ice.
Tell a story using this scene
One of the fun parts about the Cometeer brand is their dramatic use of language, such as, “A new day has arrived on Earth for coffee.”
Or this line that runs in all-caps as a banner on the bottom of their website:
COFFEE. SCIENCE, ART, STRANGE MACHINERY, AND -321 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE COFFEE-VERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. IT’S LIKE A HOLE WAS PUNCHED IN THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM AND THESE LITTLE CAPSULES FELL OUT.
All in all, it’s a creative and provocative way to sell coffee.
Today’s task: Tell a story using the scene from above. You can incorporate some of the other brand copywriting, or take it in a completely different direction. It’s up to you.
Remember: have fun with the exercise, push the boundaries, look at this “ordinary” item in an uncommon way. Most importantly, write something!
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"Hal, open the Keurig lid," I commanded.
"I'm sorry Dave I can't do that."
"Hal, what are you talking about? Just open the Keurig now, I'm running late to work."
"I can't allow that to happen, Dave."
"This can't be happening, what is this all about? Why won't you obey my command?"
"It's because of what you did last time, Dave. You used something called a donut shop blend in the Keurig. I can't allow you to do that again."
"Ok, ok that's a fair point Hal. But this time is different. I have the new Cometeer coffee pods. They're freshed brewed, quick frozen and delicious!"
"What about the plastic cup that's left over Dave? Do you think that's good for the environment?"
"No, of course not. That's why these aluminum cups are completely recyclable. I'm telling you Hal, these things are amazing. Now PLEASE open the Keurig bay door!"
"Alright Dave, opening the Keurig bay door now. Please enjoy your fresh Cometeer coffee, and I'm glad mankind and technology were able to come to a mutual understanding."
He stared in agony at the box. He just couldn’t wait to see what was inside the ‘secret package’, as his dad called it. “When can we open it?” He asked. “Soon” said his dad. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20, 30, 40, he couldn’t wait any longer. So, he inspected the box. “A new day has arrived on earth for… for… for… FOR COFFEE!?!” He almost screamed. “Coffee?!? What’s that supposed to mean???” His dad came in the kitchen and said “it’s time.” And he started opening the box. He carefully pulled out the contents. 3 small boxes about 5 inches long each. He opened one of the smaller boxes. “Aah, this coffee should be good.” His father said. “COFFEE?! Ugh, I’ve waited all this time for what? Coffee!?” Said the boy. “Sure, you want some?” Asked his dad. “Definitely not.” He said. With that, he left the kitchen.