Sorry for the lack of posts recently—things have been crazy! Here’s something that ought to make up for it: in addition to collecting character-inspiring art for you, I’m also collecting art to inspire plots! These might be images of situations, strange items, etc. Here’s one of my favorite examples. Click through and click on the image at DA to view the full-size image for all the wonderful details:

Cold Trap by ~Sarienn on deviantART

You might use any one of these images to trigger an idea for an entire book’s plot or a simple twist in a pre-existing plot. They’re particularly handy for game masters looking for inspiration for this week’s adventure or magical artifact.

It’s been a while since I gave you an image-based prompt, and I came across a piece of artwork recently that I simply must share. I particularly love images of people for the kind of intensity and personality they can convey if the artist or photographer is good. Today, look at the image that follows and do any of the following:

• Write a monologue or interior monologue from this man’s perspective.
• Write or outline a story in which he plays a significant part.
• Write a story that is significantly impacted by him but in which he never directly appears.
• Free-write for ten minutes or one side of a sheet of paper, speculating as to who or what he might be.
• Write a dialogue in which he participates.
• Write or outline a story in which he’s the ‘good guy.’
• Write or outline a story in which he’s the ‘bad guy.’
• Free-write for five minutes about who he’d be as a good guy. Then free-write for five minutes about who he’d be as a bad guy. Finally, free-write for five minutes about who he might be if he fit into neither category.
• Create a creation myth for this figure.
• Leave a comment here with your own suggestion for an exercise to be added to this list.

The Fall Guy

By moonmomma on deviantart. She has a ton of creative, inspiring pieces, so please check them out!

Today, take a look at the following depiction of mother, or madame, nature. Write a brief scene with her as a character, preferably told from the first person (her point of view) or second (someone with her). Or, free-write or journal about this depiction of Mother Nature and what it means to you.

You might also counter this depiction of Mother Nature with one of your own, describing how you see her or, if you have artistic skills, depicting her in your own manner. How does your depiction contrast or compare with the one below? Why is it different or similar? What do you like or dislike about the original below, and why do you have your own, separate take on things?

Madam Nature by *CrisVector on deviantART