Journal Prompt #4 Writing Assignment

Write a creative story that follows the plot diagram. Begin with an exposition that establishes who the character is and their goal. Then, introduce the conflict that stands in their way. As your character faces this conflict, focus on how they develop and change as a character. What do they see? How does it change them? Is it for the better or worse? Think about how you can continue to build suspense throughout.

Pick Your Prompt: Choose one of the following prompts to write a short story about. You may alter the prompt to fit a specific genre (fantasy, horror, mystery, sci-fi, romance, etc.)

Option 1: At a Chinese restaurant, your character opens their fortune cookie and reads the following message: "Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You must leave the city immediately and never return. Repeat: say nothing."

Option 2: At the airport, a stranger offers your character money to carry a mysterious package onto the plane. The stranger assures your character that it's nothing illegal and points out that it has already been through the security check. Your character has serious doubts, but needs the money, and therefore agrees...

Option 3: At a garage sale, your character buys an antique urn which they think will look nice decorating their bookcase. But when they get home, they realize there are someone's ashes in it…