Freely Written: Short Stories From a Simple Prompt

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, Writer's Block ,  we revisit friends who once had a goose appear in their house Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came from thinking of phrases that include the word 'writer' and it led back to characters from Episode 4, A Goose in the House.  More abou...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, Break a Leg ,  mixed messages and awkward interactions take center stage Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came to mind after a conversation about theaters beginning to reopen post-pandemic.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two sta...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, Nature vs. Nurture ,  a young girl contemplates her life as bees buzz in her family's lush garden Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt was inspired by a trip to a beautiful walled garden at a historic home. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels,...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's story, The Passage of Time,  a mysteriously glowing corridor has appeared in Aoife's kitchen pantry. Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came from the literal passing of time as the calendar continues to progress through 2021.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly...

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 11 to 14. The section on episode 11 mentions the book Memories of Survival, click here to learn more. Check back for new stories every Tuesday. Every fifth episode (like this one) will offer bonus commentary on the previous 4 stories. To avoid spoilers, listen to...

Send us Fan Mail This week's story, Power Hungry, features an international contest between dueling and dancing robots.  Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt was inspired by the sight of a Univeral Power Supply... which has nothing to do with robots, dueling, or dancing, but sometimes that's how freewrit...

Send us Fan Mail This week's story, The Cat's Pajamas, travels to a far-off land where a lion has reservations about his newfound friendship with a cat wearing pajamas.  Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came up because it's a fun phrase and... why not? More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly...

Send us Fan Mail This week's story, Equivalence, centers on a conversation where a young couple's choice of movie uncovers a deeper issue.  Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came from the name of a game in a skill-building app called Elevate .  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels...

Send us Fan Mail This week's story, A Stitch in Time, took a fantasy turn with an old woman and a mystical cloth that provides otherworldly entertainment for a royal court.  Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came from a hole in my sweater.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, includi...

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 6 to 9. Check back for new stories every 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 writes novel...

Send us Fan Mail This week's story, A Light in the Dark,  is an eerie tale of a mysterious light in a dimly lit house.  Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came about from nothing more than the simple thought of there being a light in a dark place. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, i...

Send us Fan Mail This week's writing prompt, Creepy Ghost Lady, was inspired by Susan's recent appearance on Meanwhile at the Podcast , a show about comics and pop culture with hosts Georga Hanna, Kristin Gollhofer, and Rodney Roberts (aka the ArtNerrd ).  Listen to Episode 103 of Meanwhile at the Podcast to learn more about Susan's writing and hear some freely written stories share...

Send us Fan Mail This week's writing prompt, Take a Seat, was inspired by yoga and meditation teacher Gretchen Schutte. Thank you, Gretchen! Gretchen has a podcast and virtual yoga studio (where Susan also teaches!) both named Peace in the Pause. You can learn more at peaceinthepause.com .  You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story break? In this episode, author Susan Quilty shares a short story based on the writing prompt The Elephant You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler S...

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 1 to 4. Check back for new stories every 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 writes novel...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story break? In this episode, author Susan Quilty shares a short story based on the writing prompt The Goose in the House You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story break? In this episode, author Susan Quilty shares a short story based on the writing prompt A Drop in the Ocean You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Tra...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story break? In this episode, author Susan Quilty shares a short story based on the writing prompt Membership You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler Soc...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story break? In this episode, author Susan Quilty shares a short story based on the writing prompt Grocery Store Sushi You're welcome to suggest writing prompts for future short stories. Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Tra...