Day 8.smelled like Grandma

9. "I don't think that goes there."

10. step one: die

11. crackled like dried plaster

12. trapped in a soda can

13. smell of old books

14. faint sound of grenades

First week--with uses--can be found at:http://nanowrimo.org/forums/usa-illinois-naperville/threads/131364

These prompts were collected at the Kick-off in October.KatherineWriting will post one of these each day in the Naperville forum (and edit this post) and people can respond to the post with how they used it in their novel. (If they used it.) Or how it caused them to look at their story in a different way.

Special prizes will be award at the TGIO for:

* Most creative use of a prompt. (But keep it PG-13.)

* Most prompts used.

* Led to the most unexpected turn in the story. (Keep it clean.)

* Most ______ (to be determined)

* And, starting on December 1st, there will be a side contest to see who can use at least half of these prompts in the shortest short story that makes some kind of sense. (Maybe we'll read them at the TGIO, or the first Journey meeting. (Journey is the year-round writing group.)

Must RSVP and be present at TGIO (Thank Goodness It's Over) party on December 7th to win a prize.

But anyone, and everyone, can try to incorporate the prompts into their writing if they wish.

"Henri says it smells like Grandma," Fiona said. "But since she always wore expensive perfume, I think that's a good thing. It can be difficult getting used to the nuances of a new relationship at this stage in life. Half the time I'm not sure what he means."

He crossed the yards and sat down next to her before speaking. Isnt it a little bit warm out to have a blanket? He nudged her shoulder, leaning his body against it, just for a moment. Under the light from the back door, he could make out the large colored blocks of a quilt, sewn from twenty or more different fabrics.

It was hers, she answered, with a faint smile. Gemma didnt have to explain who she wasof course it was her grandmothers. It even still smells like her.

----

My whole novel is based around the death of a grandmother, so this was really easy for me, but I think it gave the moment an added touch of sincerity.

He frowned what was it about her demeanor? Never happy, even her smile ended in a frown, reminded him of someone. He inhaled. Granny Agnes! Not only did the nurse act like her she even smelled like grandma.

9. "I don't think that goes there."

When Sol saw Mark struggling to connect the breathing mechanism he unplugged the air tube from the water recycling port. I dont think that goes there. Then he found the filter mounting and competed the connection before handing Mark the helmet.

She put on the shoes, and walked over to the closet.

"I don't think that goes there," he said.

"Pardon?"

# # #

Kinda lame, but at least I kept it clean!

In order to keep myself calm during this lunch date, I had been fiddling with the cap to my Snapple bottle, popping it quietly to the rhythm of the songs on the loudspeaker system. I happened to turn it over as I was getting ready to throw my trash away, and read: Snapple Fact 829 Women's hearts beat faster than men's hearts. I wasnt so sure about that.

Easy to fix. You should have heard Oelson talking to Research. Sol laughed. He pointed to the generator and said, Step one: die. You get the die and then fabricate the five other units. I thought Wyatt was going to blow a gasket, but I gave him no support. Oelson and Jake are going to test it this time.

11. crackled like dried plaster

I didn't get yesterday's in yesterday's writing.:(

I think that's the first one I missed, although I have gone back to an earlier scene for some of them. But can't figure out where yesterday's, or today's, go. Oh, dear, I may be slowly down.

I scanned the whole chamber. Got k-null shielding at all exits. No pathogens. Even installed the gravity generator. That messed up the ceiling and walls. Theyd been covered a lattice of fine rock. As Oelson walked to the newcomers his footsteps crackled on the pebbly floor like it was old dried plaster.

The phrase echoing through her mind was 'Step one: die.' But that was wrong. 'Step one: kill the wife' made a lot more sense.

He set his latte on a folder on the desk, wondering why it crackled like dried plaster. Lifting the folder, he found the chips he'd half-eaten the day before, and a pile of peanuts. Maybe he should clean his desk one of these days.

"Now, don't go rushing home on my account. I have another month of camp. I can stick it out. It's not like I'm trapped in a soda can."

Today he would enjoy the party. Jenn came by her retro nature in part from her grandfather. Who else would have thought to serve soda from aluminum cans? Must have an interest in aluminum and bottling.

One of the teenagers attending had stuck his index finger into the cans opening and got his finger stuck. Spoiled corporate brat, Sol said to no one in particular. Calling for doctor.

Yes, Madame Gauyon said. Hell probably have a nightmare tonight about being trapped in a soda can.

I finished re-stacking the books and arranged the table just a littlebit neater as he spoke giving myself a few extra seconds to calm down from seeing his cheerful grin. It had been too long since I saw him smile at me.

Um Colleen, I dont think that goes there. He said.

As I looked back down I saw that I had completely mixed up my stacks of books and nothing was matching up in the correct piles. Damn his smile.

I can't believe I managed to keep that clean in a romance. ;)

<!--EndFragment-->

PBJ63010 wrote:I

I can't believe I managed to keep that clean in a romance. ;)

Good job.

KatherineWriting wrote:

PBJ63010 wrote:I

I can't believe I managed to keep that clean in a romance. ;)

Good job.

Thanks!

Me, I have only attended one meeting, but Ive been doing my homework. He lifted a leather bound folio for the table beside him. This was my fathers copy of the Councils Accord, smells of old books, because it is an old book. Signed by Harmony Englund herself. Ive found it interesting reading. Perhaps I should refresh your memories with Article 32.

In his dream, Gerardo watched a bright yellow army tank roll down a steep hill into a pile of penguins. There was a strong odor near the penguins, a combination of wet socks and old books, then a crash. The penguins turned into lawyers wearing white shirts and black suits. A black bird flew out of the army tank with something round in its beak. Gerardo woke with the faint sound of grenades ringing in his ears. "Careful! It may be primed!"

"It's just the alarm," his wife said.

# # #

Two in one! And I tried making the bird a squid, but it just didn't work. :(

(This is the bulldozer guy's dream the morning after his bulldozer went through the big glass window of the very expensive house next to his job site.)

Sol, youve got to return. Now. Jason said.

Hows he doing this? Sol asked. Were literally off the radar.

A drone just exited the skyway. Oelson said.

Im recording this. The image distorted momentarily. Dont have much time. Im on Harmony 7, which is anything but harmonious right now. Weve been training and warehousing our new product here. Have some infiltrators. About six hundred. Nothing our standard Security operations here cant handle.

The image vibrated. I love the faint sound of grenades. Only these are no longer faint. Our k-null shields will hold as long as they dont have anything heavier. Harmony 3 and 8 report similar activity. Theres chatter from the other corporations also.

Who knows what youll find when you get back? Sorry, but your vacations over.

"I got so many books from XXXs family when they closed their used book store. Oh that store seriously smelled amazing. There is nothing in the world like the smell of old books."

Just so happens my main character is the owner of a bookstore. This was pretty easy. :)

PBJ63010 wrote:

Just so happens my main character is the owner of a bookstore. This was pretty easy. :)

easy is good.

Trapped in a soda can

Oh no. All eyes were on her, and her eyes were looking down at the can. I think. She shook the can lightly, and the rattling inside was enough to indicate to everyone that the key was very likely trapped in the soda can.

Toms mouth dropped open and he stared for a second, helplessly, at the can of coke that had kidnapped his car key. Though, really, it was his niece that had kidnapped them, the can had just been an unwitting accomplice. Grabbing the can from his sister-in-law, he was jogging into the kitchen and draining the remaining liquid into the sink. Shaking it a few extra times, he cursed under his breath when all that was produced was a jingling from inside the can and no key falling out into the sink. I cant get it out, was all he said, glancing back towards the others and then Karen, who still stood by the door and was attempting to keep her breathing as even as possible. Her eyes were on him, though; trusting that whatever solution he came up with would be the right one. As long as he came up with a solution quickly.

"I am immediately hit with the sent of old books and grandmas."

Then Shaoura retreated a little further to pull the quilt off the bed, and rolled it up as she walked back to the door.

Shaoura?

Like I haven't stolen worse things. Anyway, it still smells like grandma.

Katherine,

This prompt lead me to write an entire chapter in which my main character breaks the embargo on one of his corporation's colony production planets. This also provided the setting for him to solidify his alliance with another major player in the political/economic scene of his day.

I would not have gone there if you hadn't chosen this prompt.

TRRDEDEAN wrote:Katherine,

This prompt lead me to write an entire chapter in which my main character breaks the embargo on one of his corporation's colony production planets. This also provided the setting for him to solidify his alliance with another major player in the political/economic scene of his day.

I would not have gone there if you hadn't chosen this prompt.

Cool. One of them (allergic reaction) still has me pondering whether a side character should have a tragic back story or not. If I don't use it this year, I may well use it another time since it's a good tragic back story.

Crackled like dried plasterand caught nothing but air

"Until he opened his eyes. And the realization that he was not flying, but falling, suddenly dawned on him. Flailing quickly, he tried to grab for anything that would save him and caught nothing but air. The fear and recognition of what hed done lasted only a second or two before his fall was abruptly halted by the ground below. The pavement crackled like dried plaster beneath him, leaving his body broken and distorted."