Shutterstock / FamVeld©This week’s writing prompt is shopping. ‘Tis the season for it. The chances are that lots of you are currently Christmas shopping or looking for Black Friday deals!
Food shopping
You might be thinking, how on earth can I make an interesting story out of a boring old food shop? What could happen during a routine food shop to change your character’s life or outlook? The best thing is that it certainly wouldn’t be expected!
Your story could be set at a big supermarket, or a local farm shop. What about a zero-waste shop?
Is your character adding food to their basket online, ordering a delivery or using click and collect?
Christmas shopping
Has your character already finished their Christmas shop and tied neat bows on each gift? Or have they only just realised that Christmas is four weeks away?
Are they involved in a Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange? How do they feel about it?
Have they picked out a name in Secret Santa but don’t have a clue what to get for them? Perhaps they thought they’d picked out the perfect gift, but it doesn’t get the reaction they thought it would.
Is your character determined to find all their gifts at local Christmas markets? Or have they even decided to travel abroad to visit famous markets?
Alternatively, has your character put a ban on buying gifts? Are they trying to have a sustainable Christmas? Maybe this year, all gifts must be handmade or is there something they have at home they could re-gift?
Big Sale
Does your character swear by Black Friday sales, only to realise they’ve been had?
Do they pick up items because they’re on sale even if they don’t need them?
Perhaps they’ve been saving for ages to buy something in the sale, but when they finally have enough the item is sold out.
Maybe there’s a closing down sale at your character’s favourite local shop. Surely, there’s a way to save the shop itself though . . .
Engagement ring
Your character is planning to propose, but where to start? How will they figure out what size to get? Silver or gold? What kind of stone? They haven’t ever discussed it!
Will they decide on a less traditional ring? Perhaps they get the rings tattooed on their finger instead!
There are plenty more shopping experiences that could make for a good story – school uniforms, books, cars, clothes, baby showers . . . Whatever inspires you!
Abigail Phillips Abbie is the newest member of the fiction team at the "Friend." She loves how varied the role is - every day is different and there is always a new story to read. She is keen to work closely with established writers and discover new writers, too.
