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The Dead Friend – Writing Prompt from Gregory Frost

It’s here! StoryADay May 2017 is here!
I know you’re excited, so I won’t take up much of your time.
Just remember:
  • Set your own rules for the month
  • Get to the end of the story
  • Post in the blog comments or in The Victory Dance group
That’s it!
Here’s your first (optional) writing prompt, from Gregory Frost, who is not only a great writer, but is also a wonderful writing teacher here in Pennsylvania. If you get a chance to see him at a conference or a college don’t miss it!

The Prompt

You attend the funeral of an old friend.
Afterwards, in the mail you receive a postcard. It’s from the friend, and it reads β€œI’m not dead. Meet me Tuesday night at 8 at ____________.” And signed by him/her.
First make a list of possibilities for how this could be the case.
Begin your story with, or after, the arrival of the postcard.

Β About Gregory Frost

Gregory Frost is the author of eight novels (including Shadowbridge, Lord Tophet, and Fitcher’s Brides) and various stories of the fantastic, including β€œNo Others Are Genuine,” a Stoker Award finalist, and β€œLock Up Your Chickens and Daughters, H’ard and Andy Are Come to Town,” a collaboration with Michael Swanwick that took home an Asimov’s Magazine Readers’ Award for 2015.
Leave a comment to let us know how your story turned out or post in Β The Victory Dance group. And we’ll see you back here tomorrow

16 thoughts on “The Dead Friend – Writing Prompt from Gregory Frost”

  1. Loved this prompt … trying to decide to stop where I left off on Monday or to keep going … I can see this developing into a novella or at least a small collection of short stories!

  2. I liked the prompt! However, I went with a previous flash fiction I wrote two years ago and wrote up a nine page sequel. I had such fun with it I might write up another sequel.

  3. Thanks for the challenge. I completed NANOWRIMO last November but lost my momentum with the holidays. This is exactly what I needed to get back into daily writing habit. Love this first prompt! I’m a panster and have written about a thousand words so far. Can’t wait to see how it ends😜

  4. Thank you Julie, I’ve never participated in this type of challenge before. I’m really looking forward to it! Wonderful first prompt.

  5. Great prompt! I like that this version leaves the meeting place blank. I’m going to have fun with this one.

  6. Thank you, Julie, for putting together this challenge. What a fabulous first prompt. I can’t wait to get started.

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