Creative Writing Prompt: The Dinner Party

9.19.2013


I got this creative writing prompt from a blog linkup. Everyone uses the same first sentence and writes a short piece of fiction. You know I'd be all over this. It's been a while since I actually sat down to write a fiction piece, and the exercise was quite fun even though I can tell I'm out of practice. Writing fiction is no joke. Let me know what you think!
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To say I was dreading the dinner party would be the understatement of the century.

I had been looking forward to it. That was before I knew he was going to be there. 

I’d never been to the Richardson house, but ever since I moved to Summerset, I had heard stories about the dinner parties that were hosted there on the third Thursday of every other month.

For as much as they were talked about, the dinner parties were a mystery to the townspeople. Talk was, the Richardsons didn’t invite just anyone to one of their dinner parties, but no one knew the exact criteria required for an invitation. I was delighted yet surprised when the envelope arrived. After all, I’d only been living in Summerset for four months and didn't know many people. Still, I'd heard rumors about Richardson parties, and when I saw the scrolling cursive addressed to Miss Evangeline Harper, I knew an invitation was inside.

For three weeks, I counted down the days. I bought a new dress and practiced what I was going to say to Mrs. Marla Richardson. I pictured making my grand entrance to the stately old house on the hill at least a hundred times. Everything was going to be perfect.

Then, the day before the party, I got a phone call. It was from him, telling me he was going to be at the Richardson dinner party too. After we ended the call, during which I had barely been able to say anything beyond a few mumbled words, I stood in my kitchen and stared at my phone in shock as the setting sun wove twilight shadows across the tiled floor.

“How did you find me?” I whispered to the empty room.

The sun suddenly dipped below the horizon. Then the light vanished, and I shivered.

LeAnna said...

But...but...who IS he? ;)

Michelle said...

I was wondering if you were going to do this one! 'setting sun wove twilight shadows' mmmmmm girl, that's good stuff right therr!

Jeneric Generation said...

Ooooh, I love it! So, are you going to write the rest of the book? How DID he find her?

PAM said...

You got me hocked...I wanna go to the party

Amy said...

snap!!
what is going to happen?!
HOW DID HE FIND HER?!
what did he do...why is she running.
girl seriously, i'm hooked and I would love to read more! :)

kristyn said...

Love this! The last few lines are perfection. You should join in on Fiction Fridays! :)

Toni D. said...

Oh wow, very intriguing! :)

Becky said...

What a fun idea! Loveeee the last line! What happens at the dinner party?! :)

Unknown said...

wow! I really loved that! :)
You definitely got me into it!!! :)
from the beginning reminded me a bit of a Great Gatsby, but then all went a bit unexpectedly. Well done you! :)

Unknown said...

wow! I really loved that! :)
You definitely got me into it!!! :)
from the beginning reminded me a bit of a Great Gatsby, but then all went a bit unexpectedly. Well done you! :)

{.cassandra.} said...

Love it. I'm hooked. Please write more! =]

.candace. said...

Umm hello amazing writer!! Loved this little taste of writing!

kerri @ cheshire kat said...

Oh you are so good. Lovely piece, lady!

Breenah A said...

You're gonna finish writing this, right?

Anonymous said...

Giiiirrrllllll.....you got mad writing skills! :)

Claudz said...

please write more!

http://purplelipsandperfectsmiles.blogspot.com/

Jenn @ What You Make It said...

Oooh love it!! Gives me goosebumps : )

Emily Hornburg said...

Oooo! I love it! Can you make a part two?

From Foothills to Fog said...

ohhhh I love it! I want a part 2! Such a fun little read, well done!

Jena Roach said...

Love it!
Super intriguing. I love writing prompts :)

Amanda said...

Ooooh, I like this. Who is HE?!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

I think you need to add to the story every week!

Helene in Between said...

how can i be at this party?! you are good girl.

Unknown said...

Oooo, creepy! In an exciting kinda way. :D

Rachel said...

And then what happened?? Are you just going to leave us hanging??

Sarah Lorenz said...

Very nice! I love seeing how everybody ran with this prompt. And I love the last two lines, they gave me chills <3

Susannah said...

I'm loving everyone's take on this prompt! You have me wanting more!!!

Allison said...

The consensus, it seems, is that you're going to have to continue this in a series. I vote yes. :)

Ashley said...

I wanna know what happens!

NShea said...

I love it I love it I love it! Why the shiver? Who is he?!
Please finish!
Newest follower. :)

Betsy said...

oooooh! goosebumps :)

Kiki said...

That was so good, Amanda! I actually wrote on this same prompt (I totally did the Blogtember challenge, too!) but definitely didn't write in the same direction. You should totally revisit this fictional piece or just write more fiction in general. That last line (and even the last paragraph) has me begging for more!

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