Freely Written: Short Stories From a Simple Prompt

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Up, Up, and Away , two friends take flight before parting for college The prompt for today's story was inspired by my first ride in a hot air balloon. It was a fun and somewhat surreal experience, and I wanted to capture some its details while they were still fresh. If you have a suggestion for a story prompt, please let me know!  More about Susan Quilt...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Cheese , a retro '80s photo shoot gets some added flair Last episode's prompt came from my best friend's son, Lincoln McMullan. Today's came from his older brother, Myles. Thanks, Myles! I'm not sure if this was a serious suggestion or more of a joke, but I ran with it!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, incl...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Getting Lost , Stanley explores the Maze of Mirrors  The prompt for today's story comes from one of my younger listeners, my best friend's son, Lincoln McMullan. Thanks, Lincoln! I love when people send me prompt suggestions, so if you have an idea, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standal...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, The Frog and the Lotus , a frog goes on a quest for a magical blue lotus The tale in this story has the flavor of a fable, though you can draw your own conclusions about its moral! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's short stories for...

Send us Fan Mail Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 61 to 64. Check back for new stories every other Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to those story episodes before this one! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writ...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, If I Could Fly , Jerry wants to go to the pool, his mom wants him to do a little writing first Today's prompt captures the struggles of parents who just want their kids to keep up with a little learning over the summer and kids who just want to spend their break with their friends. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Sandy Beach , a destination wedding brings new friends together Today's prompt celebrates the start of summer. Sun and surf, wind and waves, there's a lot to love on a day at the beach... maybe it's time for an ocean getaway.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series:...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Goulash ,  Ronny's dad serves up a magical dinner Today's prompt was inspired by a random online article about goulash. This traditional Hungarian dish inspired a loosely related American version that was a favorite when I was growing up, though I haven't thought about it in years.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, in...

Send us Fan Mail Today's story, Summer Camp ,  features a summer camp and a little magic Today's prompt was inspired by a chat at a recent book signing event.  It wasn't a specific suggestion but talk of silly lyrics from an old camp song gave me the idea.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psych...

Send us Fan Mail Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 56 to 59. Check back for new stories every other Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to those story episodes before this one! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writ...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, What Did You Hear? ,  Alice has a talk with her teenage daughter Today's prompt simply came from a question I heard on a random TV show. Sometimes a phrase jumps out as a good prompt and I run with it. This was one of those times.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The P...

Send us Fan Mail *Exciting News!* A new book, Freely Written Vol. 1 , is now available! It features 20 stories from this podcast and makes a great gift for story lovers!  In today's story, You are My Sunshine ,  Gene adjusts to life back in the office after working from home. Today's prompt was inspired by a my beautiful yellow coffee mug that says "Hello Sunshine!" It's a...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Forgiveness ,    a young women treks up a mountain in search of mystical answers Today's prompt was inspired by a book I was reading that talked about forgiveness. That's always been a complicated topic for me... so I turned it into a writing prompt. I'm not sure how I feel about the story that came out, but it's something to think about....

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, The Academy  a shimmering door leads students to their futures Today's prompt was inspired by the Academy Awards. While I'm not one to watch award shows, they do dominate the news. Seeing the word over and over led to the realization that "The Academy" could be a great writing prompt.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes no...

Send us Fan Mail Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 51 to 54. Check back for new stories every other Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to those story episodes before this one! Two references in today's episode: The firs...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, The Lost Hour,  reality bends for an ER nurse working through the start of Daylight Saving Time Today's prompt was inspired by the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, an insanely annoying period when some of us are forced to cope with "springing ahead," losing an hour, and feeling out of sync with a suddenly shifted schedule. (Can you tell I&ap...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Tautology,  a sensible nature can also be helped by some street smarts Today's prompt came from my friend David Fisher. Thanks, David! I wasn't sure where to go with this one but started typing and let the story take shape as I worked the prompt in. If you have a story prompt suggestion, please let me know! Message me or look for Freely Written on...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Yikes on Bikes,  An online name generator offers crazy results Today's prompt came from my friend and fellow writer, Jonny Lupsha. Jonny is the author of several books, including the Fogworld series, which is set in a future where poisonous fog has blanketed the earth and survivors have built cities on the backs of massive creatures that emerged from th...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Nefarious,  Kelsey waits in the shadows for a mysterious stranger Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from my friend Stacy Foster, who has been a solid supporter of my writing and a top patron on my Patreon page. Thanks, Stacy! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels...

Send us Fan Mail Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 46 to 49. Check back for new stories every other Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to those story episodes before this one! You can now buy Freely Written shirts and merch...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Duck à l'Orange,  a duck reminds our friends Sheryl and Ted of the goose that was once in their house Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came to me randomly when I started thinking about common expressions, and then switched to French phrases.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, The End of an Era, two friends discuss what counts as an era and how to know when it's over Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from more of a random thought about how people can find different meanings in the same statement. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone nove...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, A New Leaf, a royal hunting party offers a fresh start Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from more of a random thought about how people can find different meanings in the same statement. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psyc...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, The Spirit of Christmas, love and loss come together during a magical mountain journey Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from more of a random thought about how people can find different meanings in the same statement. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and...

Send us Fan Mail Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 41 to 44. Check back for new stories every other Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to those story episodes before this one! You can now buy Freely Written shirts and merch...