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.
The target
I heard the swirling of their thoughts as soon as I walked into the room, “Where are we going?”
I started selling archery targets just after I turned 13, old enough for people like this to take me seriously, young enough to not get trapped in their same thoughts.
Two more from across the room, crowded into the opposite corner, “What are we doing?”
Standing on the tabletop, as I had so many times before, I broke through their fog, “What good is an arrow without a target? A movement without a direction? You think you have all you need, and yet this one thing you lack.”
All eyes and thoughts turned towards me at this point…
“When you aim, make it true. Archery targets. Now only $29.95.”
What happens next? Add to this story or write a few short sentences of your own.
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Suddenly a commotion from the back of the room, a yound woman standing, bow in hand.
"Who needs a phony paper target, colored with bright ink circles," she said, "when your real
target is right in front of you."
She nocked an arrow, pulled back her bow, and the arrow flew true. It struck him in the heart and he fell to the floor, dead.
"Maybe next time you'll think twice before you cheat on me." Chuckling she added, "Of course there won't be a next time for him, and I saved the lot of you $29.95!"
(Ghost written for "Stephanie" who otherwise wishes to remain anonymous)
A sharp intake of breath as the arm strains against the resistance of the bow. A pause, fully flexed, arrow nocked, straight arm shaking slightly.
Potential energy. That is what physicists call the stored energy prior to the arrow's release. So much potential. A bulls-eye? A miss? Somewhere in between?
So much potential.
Aim higher? Lower? Left or right? Will the breeze have an affect?
So much to consider.
A slow exhale. The mind clears. The arm steadies.
The arrow flies.