Writing Prompt Story Starter: Mixed Fruit

I’ve selected quite a random photo for you this week as your writing prompt – as random as the mix it shows.

Peas in a pod, blackcurrants, strawberries and a lone raspberry. All home grown, I’m proud to say. Though the pride shouldn’t really be mine since it’s mostly Mr Fiction Ed who tends the garden. This is from last year’s crop, of course. It’s too early yet for this year.

So, what would you make of this pic? When I took it I was thinking of “thrown together”. Maybe people thrown together, all different but with one purpose – like the fruit and veg. Its purpose is to feed and nourish. Each brings its own qualities whether it’s vitamin C or minerals, or flavours or fibre. All equally valuable, but different. Just like people.

The obvious story is how different the member of a family can be, or the peas represent a newcomer to a family of fruit. Or a new neighbour on the block who’s different from the residents already there. But if I may I’ll say that they ARE the obvious stories – and I’m looking for the less obvious one.

I remember we had one a few months ago about a youngster taking up residence in a retirement community and the unexpected ructions it caused – that was a bit different. But beware: I don’t just want a duplicate of it!

It’s like trends in books. Since Eleanor Oliphant how many awkward heroines have we seen? I’m not sure what the first one was, but there’s a real glut of books just now with an older person as the protagonist, showing spirit and living life anew. Since “Gone Girl” how may unreliable narrators have we seen? How many wartime friendship books are out there?

It’s partly the fault of the publishers jumping on the bandwagon, but remember, writing is a creative art, and I want you to be creative with this writing prompt pic!