weekly journal no. 5

Featuring one of my favorite writing prompts

Author

Kameron Morton
July 12, 2026

Last week on the blog, I mentioned some of the imposter syndrome I feel around trying to teach writing, despite having taught it before in professional settings. I thought I’d share with you a writing prompt that I did with my students back in the day that they really enjoyed (and maybe shake off some of that imposter syndrome in the process). Please reach out to me if you have questions about the prompt, or if you end up using it!

Plot Beats Prompt

This can be adapted to any story you enjoy, from short stories to movies to TV shows, all you have to do is strip off the details and identify the core story beats. This particular plot outline was taken from the short story “Foundations of the Earth”, written by Randall Kenan. Note that reflects here is shorthand for either the protagonist remembering something or a full-blown flashback. Up to you how to interpret it.

  • The Protagonist (P) and ‘friends’ noticed something odd while at P’s house.

  • Among friends is Special Guest (SG).

  • Friends are actively not commenting on SG despite their presence being odd.

  • P reflects on original invitation they extended to SG.

  • P reflects on the recent death of Significant Person (SP).

  • P reflects on secret they learned about SP after their death.

  • P reflects on their belief system via dream/vision (could be anything from a literal dream to a drug trip, dealer’s choice!).

  • P reflects on how they first met SG.

  • In present, ‘friends’ want P to do something about the odd thing they noticed.

  • One Friend (F) decides to take action and goes to confront oddness

  • P reflects on SG, SP’s secret, and death in general

  • In present, F attempts to ‘fix’ odd thing

  • P tells F to knock it off and is supportive of odd thing (is odd thing a person? an animal? up to you!).

Promoting myself is hard, but I’ve gotta do it, right?

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