I’m sure you’ve heard the adage that “actions speak louder than words” or something along the lines of “well done is better than well said.” These time-honored phrases simply mean that your deeds need to match your words.
For today’s writing prompt, we’re going to turn that upside down!
Pamela’s Prompt: Words Speak Louder Than Actions
Yes, you read that correctly. Let’s pretend one of your characters in your writing can’t “show” your reader what they are doing. The reader can only “hear” them. It could be that the character is only a far-away voice on a ham radio or maybe the character is trapped somewhere and needs help. Perhaps the character is trying not to make a loved one worry.
What would the character say? How might his or her words change the conflict in the scene? How might they alter the plot? How could other characters react to him or her?
Many years ago, I saw a movie set during World War II in England. (I don’t remember the name of the movie, but if it’s familiar to you, please let me know in the comments.) The gist of the movie was this: A British pilot and a radio operator have never met; however, they frequently speak over the radio as he returns from bombing missions over Germany. Each time, he flies toward the cliffs of Dover, they chat and flirt as she guides him safely home. Until. . .
The end of the movie is a scene that’s heart-breaking. Their conversations have led to a romance of sorts, and they had made plans to meet for a date soon. But, as fate would have it, his plane has been hit with shrapnel and is rapidly losing altitude. He is also wounded. He knows he’s never going to make it over the white faces of the cliffs of Dover, so he keeps his conversation light and carefree with her, all the while we (the audience) know he is going to crash.
He could have told her that he knows he’s not going to make it and he could have said how much he would have liked to have met her in person. Instead, he continues to flirt with her over the radio and makes her laugh. That’s what he hears until the plane crashes into the cliffs, and he is killed. She eventually realizes what has happened. Like I said, the scene was heart-breaking, and has stayed with me for years.
Anyway, let’s write. Set a timer for five or 10 minutes and free write on how Words Speak Louder Than Actions.
Get ready. Get set. Go!
I hope you’ve found this prompt helpful.
Happy writing!