Dialogue About 10 minutes
A character must deliver bad news without making a promise they cannot keep. Write their opening lines.
Use your own story, or invent something just for this.
Yours, Muse.
Make it yours.
Further reading to help with this task.
A little time for yourself.10:00
No alarms. No pressure.
Small tasks. Real craft. Your words.Keep a useful exercise. Come back when you need it.Keep exploring
Creative writing exercises by skill
Try an earlier task.
These short fiction writing exercises focus on one skill at a time. Use a character from your novel, try a short story idea or start with a blank page. Each prompt includes a hint and links to craft guidance.
- Monday 9 November
Too close to notice
Show a character overlooking an obvious detail because they are absorbed in a small worry.Point of view · 10 minTry it - Sunday 8 November
Start with a small offence
Write an opening paragraph where someone breaks a minor rule for a reason they consider excellent.Openings & endings · 10 minTry it - Saturday 7 November
The voice of expertise
Describe a badly organised cupboard through someone who takes organisation very seriously.Voice & rhythm · 10 minTry it - Friday 6 November
A reason to stay
A character means to leave a party. Give them a convincing reason to stay another five minutes.Scene · 10 minTry it - Thursday 5 November
Keep what sounds like you
Choose a paragraph and identify one phrase you would recognise as yours. Improve its clarity without losing its particular sound.Voice & rhythm · 10 minTry it - Wednesday 4 November
Say it once
Find a moment explained in both action and commentary. Try removing the commentary and read the result.Revision · 10 minTry it - Tuesday 3 November
An opening with a deadline
Start a story with someone trying to complete a small job before a visitor arrives.Openings & endings · 10 minTry it - Monday 2 November
Reveal it through use
Introduce a mysterious everyday object. Reveal its purpose when someone urgently needs it.Tension · 10 minTry it - Sunday 1 November
The final reply
Write the last line of a conversation as an answer that changes how we hear an earlier remark.Openings & endings · 10 minTry it