Freely Written: Short Stories From a Simple Prompt
Short stories spark your imagination. Join author Susan Quilty as she uses simple writing prompts to free-write her way into strange, silly, or poignant tales. Weekly episodes offer new stories, while bonus episodes share Susan's commentary on previous stories. To learn more about Susan and her books, visit SusanQuilty.com.
Episodes
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 16 to 19.
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 novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA...
In this week's story, Muffin of the Month, Derek tries to get out of his Muffin of the Month Club subscription
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt was inspired by a random ad for an actual Muffin of the Month Club.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic ...
In this week's story, Spaghetti and Meatballs, ?Jeff and Tiffany plan a menu for their daughter's upcoming visit?
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt may have come from a craving for spaghetti and meatballs!?
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Travel...
In this week's story, Weak in the Knees, Hillary would rather forget a rather embarrassing incident at work
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt simply came up as a common phrase that could be used in a number of different ways.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: T...
In this week's story, Unicorns and Rainbows, Arwyn the rainbow farmer tends her herd of silver unicorns
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Otherwise, prompts are chosen in random ways. This week's prompt came from a unicorn-themed mini bubble wand. Unicorns and rainbows are everywhere... why not put them in a story?
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels a...
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 16 to 19.
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 novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA...
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 about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including t...
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 standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Trav...
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, including two standalone novels and her current YA series:...
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 writes novels, including two standalone novels and her cu...
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 those story episodes before this one!
More about Susan...
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 freewriting goes!
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly wr...
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 writes novels, including two standalone novels and her c...
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, including two standalone novels and her current YA seri...
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, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The ...
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 novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA s...
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, including two standalone novels and her current YA series:...
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 shared by George and Hanna.
Suggestions for writing prompts...
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 in random ways.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty main...
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 Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written ar...
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