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. Biweekly 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
In today's story, Getting Lost, Stanley explores the Maze of Mirrors
The prompt for today's story comes from one of my younger listeners, my best friend's son, Lincoln McMullan. Thanks, Lincoln! I love when people send me prompt suggestions, so if you have an idea, please let me know!
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler ...
In today's story, The Frog and the Lotus, a frog goes on a quest for a magical blue lotus
The tale in this story has the flavor of a fable, though you can draw your own conclusions about its moral!
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 are created during quick writing breaks an...
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 61 to 64.
Check back for new stories every other 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 curr...
In today's story, If I Could Fly, Jerry wants to go to the pool, his mom wants him to do a little writing first
Today's prompt captures the struggles of parents who just want their kids to keep up with a little learning over the summer and kids who just want to spend their break with their friends.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychi...
In today's story, Sandy Beach, a destination wedding brings new friends together
Today's prompt celebrates the start of summer. Sun and surf, wind and waves, there's a lot to love on a day at the beach... maybe it's time for an ocean getaway.
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 fo...
In today's story, Goulash, Ronny's dad serves up a magical dinner
Today's prompt was inspired by a random online article about goulash. This traditional Hungarian dish inspired a loosely related American version that was a favorite when I was growing up, though I haven't thought about it in years.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: Th...
Today's story, Summer Camp, features a summer camp and a little magic
Today's prompt was inspired by a chat at a recent book signing event. It wasn't a specific suggestion but talk of silly lyrics from an old camp song gave me the idea.
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 ...
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 56 to 59.
Check back for new stories every other 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 curr...
In today's story, What Did You Hear?, Alice has a talk with her teenage daughter
Today's prompt simply came from a question I heard on a random TV show. Sometimes a phrase jumps out as a good prompt and I run with it. This was one of those times.
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 F...
*Exciting News!* A new book, Freely Written Vol. 1, is now available! It features 20 stories from this podcast and makes a great gift for story lovers!
In today's story, You are My Sunshine, Gene adjusts to life back in the office after working from home.
Today's prompt was inspired by a my beautiful yellow coffee mug that says "Hello Sunshine!" It's a new favorite from Barbarah Robertson Pottery, and it mad...
In today's story, Forgiveness, a young women treks up a mountain in search of mystical answers
Today's prompt was inspired by a book I was reading that talked about forgiveness. That's always been a complicated topic for me... so I turned it into a writing prompt. I'm not sure how I feel about the story that came out, but it's something to think about.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, i...
In today's story, The Academy a shimmering door leads students to their futures
Today's prompt was inspired by the Academy Awards. While I'm not one to watch award shows, they do dominate the news. Seeing the word over and over led to the realization that "The Academy" could be a great writing prompt.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA se...
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 51 to 54.
Check back for new stories every other 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!
Two references in today's episode:
The first novel in Jonny Lupsha's Fogworld series, Wandering...
In today's story, The Lost Hour, reality bends for an ER nurse working through the start of Daylight Saving Time
Today's prompt was inspired by the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, an insanely annoying period when some of us are forced to cope with "springing ahead," losing an hour, and feeling out of sync with a suddenly shifted schedule. (Can you tell I'm not a fan?)
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty main...
In today's story, Tautology, a sensible nature can also be helped by some street smarts
Today's prompt came from my friend David Fisher. Thanks, David! I wasn't sure where to go with this one but started typing and let the story take shape as I worked the prompt in. If you have a story prompt suggestion, please let me know! Message me or look for Freely Written on Facebook.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly wri...
In today's story, Yikes on Bikes, An online name generator offers crazy results
Today's prompt came from my friend and fellow writer, Jonny Lupsha. Jonny is the author of several books, including the Fogworld series, which is set in a future where poisonous fog has blanketed the earth and survivors have built cities on the backs of massive creatures that emerged from the ocean. The first book in the series is called Wander...
In today's story, Nefarious, Kelsey waits in the shadows for a mysterious stranger
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from my friend Stacy Foster, who has been a solid supporter of my writing and a top patron on my Patreon page. Thanks, Stacy!
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society. ...
Bonus episode today! Instead of sharing a new story, Susan is sharing her thoughts on the stories she told in episodes 46 to 49.
Check back for new stories every other 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!
You can now buy Freely Written shirts and merch at the Bitter Lily Books Online Shop!
More about Susan ...
In today's story, Duck à l'Orange, a duck reminds our friends Sheryl and Ted of the goose that was once in their house
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came to me randomly when I started thinking about common expressions, and then switched to French phrases.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic ...
In today's story, The End of an Era, two friends discuss what counts as an era and how to know when it's over
Suggestions for writing prompts are always welcome! Today's prompt came from more of a random thought about how people can find different meanings in the same statement.
More about Susan Quilty
Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.