16
Tried a writing prompt about a sentient vending machine and it got weird
The prompt was 'write from the perspective of a vending machine that gains consciousness at 3 AM in a hospital waiting room.' I figured it would be a quick, funny scene, but I ended up with 12 pages about the machine's existential dread over dispensing the same three brands of chips. My main character, a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos named Chip, became a tragic hero. Has anyone else had a simple prompt spiral into something completely unexpected?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
ellis.susan1mo ago
A podcast I listened to talked about how the best stories come from letting a simple idea run wild. Your Doritos tragedy sounds amazing.
7
ericj451mo ago
Wait, they called it a tragedy? That's way too serious for a bag of chips! It was just a funny story about my dog stealing my snack. Calling it a tragedy makes it sound like I lost a family heirloom, not some Cool Ranch Doritos. Next they'll say dropping your ice cream cone is a major disaster.
5
burns.jenny1mo ago
Oh man, my cat once staged a full heist for a single piece of popcorn. The drama was unreal.
5