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  1. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: See my opening remarks on the purpose and intent of this prompt series here. As always, feel free to alter the characters' genders or ages if you like. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- O. Henry Short Story Prompt 2 – The Last Leaf Sue and Johnsy (nickname for Joanna) are a young couple. They live in a small walk-up apartment in a Bohemian part of the city – which means dirt-poor. They are artists and survive hand to mouth by selling works to publishers and people on the streets. At the start of autumn, Johnsy falls ill with a fever. Sue tries to nurse her as best she can, but calls in a doctor. The doctor says the young woman's problem is mainly a loss of the will to fight on. In a bedside scene, Sue cites all the reasons Johnsy has to live, and mentions specifically her lifelong wish to see and paint the Bay of Naples. It's no good; Johnsy has gained a morbid obsession she tells her partner about. Out one of their bedroom windows is the wall of the building next door, upon which clings a mature ivy vine. Johnsy says that once the final leaf falls, so will her life on earth. Sue tells her to rest, and redoubles her efforts to paint and get some money for medicine and healthy food. She pops downstairs to enlist the help of their German neighbor, Old Behrman. He is a painter too, with a Moses-like appearance, but an alcoholic who laments never painting his 'masterpiece.' Sue tells him about the ivy Johnsy has on her mind, and the man scoffs. Nevertheless, he agrees and goes upstairs so Sue can paint him in their bedroom while she keeps an eye on her sick partner. Days go by. Johnsy only grows worse, and the weather turns cold and blustery. One by one the ivy leaves fall, until one morning, letting the shade up, the couple sees only one remaining. They fear for the worst, but Sue has sold her painting of Behrman and gotten good food and medicine. The next morning, even though the night had been stormy, the leaf is still there; it tenaciously hangs on. After a few more mornings like this, Johnsy revives with the nutritious sustenance (along with tireless love and care), and says her obsession was silly. Besides that, she has plenty to live for, not the least of which is painting the Bay of Naples alongside her spouse. Later that day, horrible news comes that Old Behrman has been taken to the hospital with a fever and pneumonia. He's not expected to live through the night. The prompt: write your own version of this story and provide a twist that explains how the Last Leaf was able to save Johnsy's life. If you want to know what O. Henry's 'twist' is, PM me and I will tell you. Otherwise, try to devise your own.
  2. Opening Remarks for the Series Why do this? Why use the scenario of another author's story to prompt you to write your own version? I have been kicking this prompt concept around in my head for a while, and think it's a way to help us see the Short Story form means more that just it being short. It is a genre of writing as well defined as Novels or Plays, and must have the following basic components: - Setup - Development - Climax/Twist - Denouement (which is the aftermath, and which is optional). It seems simple enough – and it is – but this discipline allows for unlimited opportunities. This form is also amazingly well-suited to paranormal matters. Some of F. Scott Fitzgerald's best Short Stories freely explore this area where he (as far as I know) never went in his novels. O. Henry was another master of the twilight world of off-shot connections, and his integration of memorable twists with elements of love and romance make him ideal for us to study. The system will work like this: I give you the title and a summary of the characters and action to you get inspired and wanting to write your own version of the story. You scrupulously avoid looking up and reading the original. The prompt is for you to write your own story, and not get caught up in the published version. O. Henry is such a compelling spinner of prose that it would be nearly impossible to read the story and not be drawn in by how he told it; read it after you post yours. Gender: I will give you the name and gender the author chose for his characters, however, I strongly suggest you explore switching up the sexes and feel free to explore same-sex love matches. The twist: I will not provide it in the prompt. If you want to know how O. Henry resolved the conflict, PM me and I will tell you. You're free to use it or come up with your own. So without further ado, I will draw back the curtain on the initial offering…. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- O. Henry Short Story Prompt 1 – The Green Door Rudolf Steiner is a ne'er-do-well. One evening after a lonely dinner, he's walking down a city street thinking that all the adventure has gone of out modern life. He longs for the unexpected, wants the inexplicable to happen to him – just once – and if it turns out romantic, so be it. Up ahead he notices an impressively sized African American handing out advertising cards to the passersby. Usually he doesn't take one, but tonight he does and sees the only thing the card says is "The Green Door." He watches some people discard what the same man had given them, and sees they are all the same standard advertisement. He swings back a couple more times, and each time, the man gives him the same 'Green Door' card. Rudolf figures it must be related to the building the man is standing in front of, so he goes inside. He climbs each flight and finds only regular doors, but then on the top floor, he sees it. The Prompt: write your own Short Story based on this scenario, and what adventure waits behind "The Green Door." If you want to know what O. Henry's twist is, PM me and I will tell you. Otherwise, try to devise your own. _
  3. O. Henry Short Story Prompt 5 – The Purple Dress Suit Is it mid-October already?! Time to start thinking about a holiday writing project. This O. Henry piece is perfect. It’s warm, humanitarian and set for Thanksgiving (however, feel free to change the holiday to Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, New Years, or anything that’s coming up). With this prompt I’m trying a different approach to emphasize Short Story structure. I’m leaving it more barebones so you have room to fully explore/develop the characters and scenes. This means giving away the twist for just this one time. I have also ‘gayed up the joint’ for the holidays, but you are more than welcome to return Matty and Grayson to the female gender (in which case their names are Maida and Grace). Note: See my opening remarks on the purpose and intent of this prompt series here. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- O. Henry Short Story Prompt 5 – The Purple Dress Suit I. Setup O. Henry begins with a few sentences on the color purple. You may do the same, or launch your story in a way to bring attention to another aspect of the tale. Whichever way you wish to provide the setup in the reader’s mind, don’t write it straightaway. Maybe sketch out a couple ideas, but only write the opening to the story once you’ve completed the other parts. The start of a Short Story is critical, and sometimes the last word affects the first one the viewer will read The setting: the Bee-Hive is one of New York’s most influential fashion websites. They can make or break a trend. Working there means stress and low wages, but once a year, the boss throws one of the most anticipated Thanksgiving fetes in town. The day before the holiday, a hotel ballroom is rented, and Bee-Hive staff, contributors, suppliers and clients are thrown a fashion-centric party. Yearly bonuses are also handed out on Tuesday of Thanksgiving week by Mr. Ramsey, the second in command. II. Development What is the spirit of this time of year? You decide what conversations and scenes develop the three principal characters. – Mr. Ramsey; sexy man in charge. Everyone knows the 28-year-old will eventually take over for Mrs. Bachman, the site’s owner. Lots of the Bee-Hive ladies have tentatively turned their sights on him only to learn two ‘negatives.’ For one, he’s a “health crank” who eats nothing that tastes good and has ideas about cold showers and walks in the rain (without coat and umbrella) being good for the constitution. The second item of interest to disappoint the girls is that he’s playing for the other team. – Matty: young Midwestern transplant who’s passionate about fashion’s potential to make a person’s mark. He responds well to couture and has a wardrobe to show it. Ergo, most of his meager salary goes to him looking noticeable and tasteful. Several months ago, Mr. Ramsey presented a slideshow on the “color forecast” for fall and winter. He projected two colors would dominate and catch everybody’s eye later this year: Zanzibar red and murex purple. For eight long months, Matty’s been scrimping and secretly planning a stunning purple dress suit for the Thanksgiving party. He intends to break the Ramsey ice once and for all. No mere off-the-shelf piece, he’s contracted one of the website’s best-known clothes maker. He just needs the final flush of his yearly bonus to payoff the tailor; naturally, his credit cards are maxed out. – Grayson: another Midwesterner and Bee-Hive fashionista, he takes life a bit more casually. For example, on a whim, he moved into Matty’s building in Soho. Now they live one floor apart in roommate situations, and have talked about getting a place of their own together at some point in the future. For now, it’s all they can afford. Secretly, Grayson noted Mr. Ramsey’s color forecast and has a department-store suit in red for the big party already hanging in his closet. His cards are maxed out as well, and he lives more hand-to-mouth than his buddy. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the friends are chatting at work and discover each other’s ‘secret.’ They agree to let the best color suit win the day tomorrow, and possibly Mr. Ramsey’s sexy heart. III. Climax/Twist Ten o’clock Tuesday evening finds Matty lounging in his room going over the in-progress pix of his new suit. All he’ll need to do is pop down to the shop tomorrow and pay off the last bit due. It will be close with his other monthly expenses, but he can swing it because his bonus is safely deposited in his checking account. There’s a sudden clamor at the front door. It’s Grayson in tears. He sets down his numerous shopping bags. It turns out Grayson’s roomies have put a padlock on his bedroom door, insisting he pays up the two months back rent that’s due. He can’t get in, and informs Matty that his bonus money is already spent on Christmas gifts for himself. He does not know what to do. Matty goes through some internal debate and decides there’s only one thing to be done. He writes Grayson a check for the amount due on Matty’s purple suit. Grayson jumps for joy, and makes a hasty exit with the ill-considered words: “See you at the party tomorrow!” Matty is sad. He spends most of the night sitting by his window, doubting himself, life, love – everything. He won’t be able to go tomorrow, and would not be seen dead at this fashion event in ‘old’ clothes. Wednesday, Matty is alone and the gray skies make him stay in and clean the apartment. He tries not to think about the party now in full swing as late afternoon slips into evening. It seems to him that the good guys never do win. Later, he gets a call. Reluctantly answering, it’s the tailor. Matty has to explain what’s happened and apologize that he can’t pay the man. The tailor says Matty is a good person and to come on by to pick up his suit; the man knows he’ll be paid eventually. Overjoyed, Matty dashes off, ignoring the rain starting to fall and the fact that the party is winding down and will soon be over. It’s getting really late, so he dresses in the tailor’s changing room, and since the hotel is only one long Manhattan block away, starts to run. Now it’s really pouring, but Matty has never been happier and glowing in health. Rounding the last corner, he literally runs into another nut out in the rain with no protection. Matty finds himself in the arms of Mr. Ramsey. Speechless, Matty sees the man smile, but not at his suit, at the vigor and joy in Matty’s heart. Ramsey says he’s glad he’s not alone in preferring to walk in the rain. He missed Matty at the party, and wonders if they shouldn’t grab a cup of coffee instead. IV. Denouement (optional) O. Henry does not provide a glimpse of the future, but as there are many relationships at play (Ramsey’s future with the Bee-Hive; Matty and Ramsey’s future; the future of the friendship between Matty and Grayson) you can consider writing one for your version of the story. _
  4. Hi All, Note: Just to review the purpose and goal of these prompts, let’s remember a Short Story is not just a story that’s short. As developed by American writers for over 200 years now, it has specific parts, and the form allows for nearly unlimited creativity. These prompts are here to help you build confidence in crafting your own Short Stories. The sections yours should include are: - Setup - Development - Climax/Twist - Denouement (which is the aftermath, and which is optional). For further details, see my opening remarks on the series here. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- O. Henry Short Story Prompt 4 – Witches’ Loaves Martha Meacham is a practical and pragmatic businesswoman. At age 40, her corner bakery and donut shop is the kind of urban gathering spot where everybody knows your name. She has money in the bank, but sometimes thinks it’s too late to have the love of her life walk beneath the tinkling bell attached to her shop’s door. One day she begins to pay more attention to a particularly offbeat client of hers. Immediately after the morning rush on Tuesdays and Thursdays, an unassuming man in his fifties, with wire-rim glasses, steps up to the counter to buy a pair of day-old dinner rolls, which are priced to move at two-for-one. His routine never varies: never a donut; never a slice of cheesecake; never a croissant. He’s neat as a pin in his attire, but Martha notes his business-casual clothes are a bit worn around the edges, like he hasn’t replaced them in quite a while. His manner is always polite, and the shop owner detects a German accent. Thinking about him at odd moments during the day raises pity in her breast. She begins to suppose the odd staining of sepia and black on his fingertips means he’s an artist. That thought makes her even sadder. She imagines him toiling the day away in some dingy attic loft, painting his heart out, to only sit down later to a meal of tap water and two stale dinner rolls. To confirm her suspicion, she brings down a small painting from her apartment upstairs. It’s a Venetian scene she’d picked it up at an auction because she liked the colors, but otherwise she knows nothing about Art. True to her suspicion, the next time he’s in, the German takes note of the painting and starts his first conversation with her. He says she has a fine picture there, and it sends her pulse racing. “Do you think so?” she asks. “Indeed, although the perspective is a little off.” Now a few more changes occur at the corner bakery. On certain days of the week, flowers appear on the counter by the day-old section. And though her regulars rib her about it, she takes to wearing a particular silk blouse a friend gave her long ago. She feels the blue and white polka dots cheer up the place. The German and she engage in friendly smiles and chitchat about the weather each time he comes in, but Martha does not know how to take their ‘relationship’ to the next level. One day while he’s there, a great parade of sirens sounds from down the street. Patrons rush to the front windows to watch the firetrucks go by, and Martha takes a notion into her head. Quick as can be, she rushes the customer’s stale dinner rolls over to the pastry cream gun – the kind used to inject donuts with the light and buttery filling. By the time the commotion dies down, she hands the man his rolls already bagged up. That day at lunch, she dreamily pictures her artist at work. Pictures how he’d stop for a bite, and encounter a surprise. He’d taste the sweetness and know it was from Martha…maybe he’d know more too. Her reverie is broken abruptly by the angry sound of her shop bell. When she goes to the front, the German’s pulling his hair out in frustration and fuming in his native language. The only word she can make out clearly is Hexenbrot, because he repeats it so many times. Fortunately, the man’s accompanied by a younger coworker who can translate. The Prompt: write your own Short Story based on this scenario, and what has happened to upset the dinner-roll client. If you want to know what O. Henry's twist is, PM me and I will tell you. Otherwise, try to devise your own. _
  5. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: See my opening remarks on the purpose and intent of this prompt series here. As always, feel free to alter the characters' genders or ages if you like. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- O. Henry Short Story Prompt 3 – Hour of the Dogman Urban life. A melancholy picture of a certain time of the evening comes into focus. Life in the big city means apartment living for most, and that goes for pampered pooches as well. More often than not, it’s the one not-so-in-love with Fido who has to take him out as soon as he gets home, before any mention of dinner is made. Sam Telfair is one such person. While his spouse's obese, precious little terror inspects every tree base, and snarls at every other dog – and Sam alike – his mind wanders over the scene. First he notes with sadness how he is hardly alone. Several young men walk dogs they obviously have no connection with. Primped dogs with bows, ribbons, and frilly pink leads. Next he wonders how his life got to this point. He never wanted to live in the city in the first place, but his partner snagged him in the Western town where they resided, and ambition to 'make something of your life' was forced down his throat; that and having to move to the city because that's 'where everything happens.' Sam is not so sure. He muses that perhaps he left a good thing behind – Sam has a romantic past too with someone, and regrets. While he's walking, he gets the surprise of his life. As if by some trick of fate, 'he' of all people is there. Jim Berry slaps the Dogman on the back and says, "There you are!" It turns out Jim is in town for the day and was on his way over to Sam's place for a visit. Sam says it's better if they go to a bar. So they sit outside and drink freely. They catch up, talk about their current lives, and of their past too. It's getting late. Jim has a train to catch; Sam regards the canine ball-and-chain he's tethered to – the dog's anxious to get home and be fed – and realizes he has a decision to make. The prompt: write your own version of this story. You decide what Sam does at the end, and why.
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