This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Time for a little bit of Monday motivation in the form of a writing prompt to ease us into the week. Continue the story below and feel free to share your resulting work in the comments, send us a link on Twitter or Facebook, or jot it down in a never-to-be-seen document on your computer.
With an unexpected Saturday all to yourself, you take off on an impromptu jaunt to the seaside. Wandering through the side street shops at leisure, you find yourself drawn to a grandfather clock in a dusty, old antiques market.
'How much?' you ask the owner.
'It’s not for sale,' he replies gruffly without looking up from his newspaper.
Unwilling to take no for an answer, you try again. 'I’ll give you a good price for it.'
The newspaper lowers and the shop owner – white-whiskered and weathered – meets your gaze. You stare at one another for a long moment.
'The clock isn’t for sale,' he says carefully. 'But what’s inside is. If you’re really interested, wait for the 13th chime and then turn the key. It’ll take you to any point in time you wish for precisely 13 minutes. When the time is up, you’ll return here and pay the price.'
You nod good naturedly and laugh as you turn to leave. You get it, he doesn't want to sell the clock, there's no need for silly stories.
Before you make it to the threshold, however, the clock begins to chime …