Typescript will post a new challenge each Wednesday to encourage creativity and inspire conversation. Feel free to talk about the challenge or share your writing results in the comments section below by leaving an excerpt and/or a link to your own site or blog.

The spark of inspiration can be found anywhere you choose to look. From a title of a song to a sketch found on a napkin, from an overheard conversation to a character profile, these stories are waiting to be discovered and told.

Yesterday’s blog post discussed how a character interview, that is, learning more about the character through their likes, dislikes, and backstory, can move a plot forward and create realistic, believable characters. Whether you’re looking to start a new story or to propel another one forward, the character interview can provide the spark of inspiration you’re looking for by adding layers to breathe life into the story.

But what if you’re still looking for that story to tell? What if you don’t have a plot or even a setting in mind, nevermind a character. What then?

Life is made up of stories. And stories involve people. So if plot is what you’re looking for, look no further.

Writers tend to follow a recipe based on generic descriptions when beginning to develop their characters — there’s that girl-next-door with a rebellious streak, that bad boy with the heart of gold. While these might provide the basic identity of a character, finding out who they are and asking why can provide the motivation behind the actions, offering depth and dimension and even propelling a story forward.

Let your characters guide you; listen to their story.

After all, it’s theirs to tell.

Challenge: Use the questions below as a starting point to begin your character interview and spark a new short story or, as a greater challenge, a poem.
(Hints: Try to refrain from answering the questions as yourself. Instead, answer as your character would, be creative and use whatever first comes to mind.)



What is your favorite board game?

What is your preferred method of travel?

What was your favorite subject in school?

What is your evening routine?

What’s your favorite snack food?

What kind of car do you drive?

What’s in your refrigerator?

What was your favorite cartoon as a child?

Who would you call in an emergency?

What do you receive in the mail?

What’s on your bookshelf?

What’s the last place you were in?

What’s a nickname from your childhood?

What’s your favorite letter, word, phrase?