WRITING FROM PROMPTS #1

This blog serves many purposes for me, including holding myself accountable for actually taking the time to write. Therefore, I have been in search for writing prompts to create scenes, monologues, poems, journal essays, and even essays. Do you have any favorite prompts or a prompt you'd like to see me write about? Share in the comments!

The following scene is written from a prompt found on a New York City based production team's Instagram's page, called De Frente Productions (@defrenteproductions on IG):

Write a scene with two characters who haven’t gotten any sleep.

CHARACTERS:

SARAH: Stubborn and headstrong, had the idea to make a long drive in one day.

MER: More reserved, a bit of a pushover, can be very emotional.

(GPS: Siri voice.)

SCENE: Two friends are on a road trip. They have been driving all day, into the late evening. It is now 2:35AM, and they are feeling drained. The GPS occasionally chimes in, giving them directions to their destination.

MER: Are you sure you don’t just want to pull over and sleep at a hotel- or a cheap motel- for the night? We can start back up super early tomorrow and still make it in for your first class.

SARAH: I already told you Mer, we’re getting there tonight. Plus, I don’t want to have to spend $45 for a cheap, nasty, old bed.

MER: (Lowering her voice.) Well, I mean, we can always split it.

SARAH: I said no.

MER: Okay, mom.

SARAH: (Sounding defeated but still adamant.) Come on, Mer.

MER: Well, you just don’t always have to be so stern with me. I know we’re both tired and I’m really just looking out for our safety.

GPS: KEEP LEFT TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY 461, NORTH, TOWARDS YOUNGSTOWN.

MER: According to the GPS, we still have an hour and a half to go. If I get behind the wheel again, my eyes will literally shut-

SARAH: Well then I’ll just drive the rest of the way!

MER: That’s what I’m trying to avoid! We’re in this together and I know you’re tired too, Sarah! The whole point of driving home and back together was to help each other out with these long-ass drives.

SARAH: Mer, I just can’t be late for class tomorrow. I have everything riding on this last semester. I need to prove that I’m worth being in this class.

MER: Is that what this is about? The school knows we’re out-of-state. I feel like they should be able to allow some leniency if you’re a little bit late. You just need to communicate that.

SARAH: You just don’t get it. I need to prove myself. I'm not like you and your perfect family and I’m definitely not ending up like my family; they’re late for everything. Now that I’m about to be on my own, I am not letting them affect how I behave in the real world... Not anymore at least

MER: But it’s not that black and white, Sarah. Life happens.

SARAH: (Becoming visibly distraught.) No, Mer. Please, I just want to get there. Honestly we should have started driving since yesterday and then maybe we could have stopped somewhere... but...

MER: (Sighs in agreement.) Okay. (Becoming lighthearted.) But can we pull over at the next gas station? I have to pee and I want to get us some Red Bulls or something if we’re really going to drive the whole way.

SARAH: (A sense of relief washes over her, she becomes emotional again, knowing that her friend is supportive of the plan.) Yeah, we can do that. It’s probably a good idea, I’m sure I’ll have to pee when we get there too. (Chuckles.)

MER: Oooh, perfect. Let’s go into the bathroom together then and take some “no sleep” selfies! “Hashtag, all nighter”! (Smiling at Sarah.)

SARAH: (Recovered from the emotions.) Yeah, okay.

#andscene