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Abstract

            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*LCb12wvqf4R5LV-KtGUy6A.png)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="e1c9"><a href="undefined">CJ Coop</a> breaks into the MMU grounds with a series of stories. Be warned, he’s *very* protective of his apples… er, points. We’ll find out what his score is later; for now, enjoy!</p><div id="b8a1" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/phantom-of-the-forbidden-orchard-a-dark-tale-of-love-mysteries-7aec39ce5434">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Phantom of the Forbidden Orchard: A Dark Tale of Love &amp; Mysteries</h2>
            <div><h3>Uncover the dark secrets and forbidden love in a mystical orchard. Will Aria find her peace, or forever remain trapped?</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*2U4Rb7mal1L0RTRxgvCS1w.png)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="159f"><a href="undefined">Bradan Writes Stories</a> summons a demon and gets revenge on a nasty witch in his most recent MMU response. Brilliant! 24 points!</p><div id="8228" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/shadows-of-revenge-4986093a25cb">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Shadows of Revenge</h2>
            <div><h3>“A Tale of Betrayal, Magic, and an Unholy Alliance”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*TmGwcXn7nq-DNHOBFUL0Zw.png)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="11ad">I asked for a sea shanty, and <a href="undefined">JF Danskin</a> delivered! He gets all the 24 points, saves the day, and makes off with the booty!</p><div id="993b" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/yo-ho-ho-and-anchors-down-b3830ae72b38">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>“Yo-Ho-Ho, and Anchors Down.”</h2>
            <div><h3>A short story</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Rm0_xZzHp388wyay)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="4871">Did I challenge <a href="undefined">Aria Wraithe</a>, Queen of the Macabre, to a spooky Hallowe’en Mash-Up? You bet I did! And I’m gonna continue all month! She digs up 9 points with a 100% awesome tale!</p><div id="7fcf" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/post-mortem-blues-6d7e6f2dff79">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Post-Mortem Blues</h2>
            <div><h3>It’s rough being dead.</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*mG_rItVZklSsvWj7)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="8fed"><a href="undefined">Jonathon Sawyer</a> brought his Seedling Challenge out for hijinx on the high seas with this lengthy mashup! A vitamin-enriched 24 points for him!</p><div id="2e98" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/tessa-and-the-dracolich-7da3edd24ccd">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Tessa and the Dracolich</h2>
            <div><h3>Seedling Challenge (5) x Monday Mash-Up Response</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*qioSkRQ_PGSeioiR)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="87aa"><a href="undefined">Nerdishwrites</a> tries to topple the Mash-Up empire with a coup, offering 14 backstabbing points!</p><div id="cfb4" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-murderous-will-8b795514166b">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>The Murderous Will</h2>
            <div><h3>Misunderstandings can lead to deadly mistakes</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*STZmCC9Ki7U-JUjp)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="9226"><a href="undefined">E.A. Col

Options

quitt</a> recruits a pirate crew with the promise of 17 buried points!</p><div id="bd28" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/on-the-blossoming-bess-74da5955d338"> <div> <div> <h2>On the Blossoming Bess</h2> <div><h3>A flash fiction</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*ShCM3II04saHLqtTdQkJxQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="9c8e">Ever look at an image and just get a flood of new ideas? Brains can be funny like that! I hope you check out <a href="undefined">Sweet Chaos</a>’ AI image prompts (We take turns making Mondays awesome!). Her most recent prompt is below! Make sure to follow her and <a href="https://medium.com/@luvmysuperkids/subscribe">subscribe </a>to receive her emails!</p><div id="d78a" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/infinite-possibilities-prompts-6cbef8c35975"> <div> <div> <h2>Infinite Possibilities Prompts</h2> <div><h3>Abandoned — or an illusion?! — Images to spark your writing imagination.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-2qRj0sjqjQiBFCAsqt3xQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="ce4e">Things aren’t looking so ‘hot’ for Intern #4! Well, just try not to step in the flames, I guess.</p><p id="4eb5">On with the prompts!</p><h2 id="c414">Main Theme (Worth 2 points, flip a coin or choose one!):</h2><h2 id="7a68">Prompt #1:</h2><p id="8308" type="7">Make a deal with a devil/demon!</p><p id="d447">What is the arrangement? Will both parties try to weasel out of it? Maybe you think you can outsmart such a creature…</p><h2 id="381e">Prompt #2:</h2><p id="e119" type="7">Cause severe pain or trauma to your Hero!</p><p id="e949">Maybe it’s not the decisive final blow that defeats the hero, but (As we discovered with <a href="https://readmedium.com/monday-mash-up-32-4f32d7eee882">Mash-Up #32</a>) every journey has its trials, right? Maybe this is one of them (Or maybe we’ve been rooting for the losing side all along?)</p><h2 id="2458">Constraints: Worth 1 point each (Choose 4 or roll 4 6-sided dice):</h2><ul><li>A contract signed in blood</li><li>A handful of jelly beans</li><li>A ritual to summon someone/something</li><li>A character dressed like someone else</li><li>Stop and ask for directions!</li><li>A (human) heart? Gross!</li></ul><h2 id="3fc8">Hardcore Constraint: Worth 2 points (Flip a coin or choose one):</h2><ul><li>A child won’t stop asking questions</li><li>Somebody tries “<a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mansplain">Mansplaining</a>” the situation</li></ul><h2 id="055c">Literary Device (Worth 5 points):</h2><ul><li>Utilize <a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/circumlocution/">circumlocution</a> to effect in your story!</li></ul><h2 id="79c7">Rules:</h2><ol><li>Write a story based on one of the main prompts, including as many of the constraints in your story as possible.</li><li>Word limit is between 100–2000 words.</li><li>Use the tag “<a href="https://medium.com/tag/mashups">Mashups</a>” so we can more easily find your story.</li><li>Tag me <a href="undefined">Jonathon Sawyer</a> because I love a full inbox! I will also highlight your stories in the next Mash-Up!</li><li>Publish wherever you want but consider <a href="https://medium.com/the-kraken-lore">The Kraken Lore</a> because we love fiction!</li><li>Challenge your favorite hero to this Mash-Up or a future one! I challenge <a href="undefined">CleverandWtf</a>, <a href="undefined">Grim Flandango</a>, and <a href="undefined">Aria Wraithe</a> to make with the spooky in this or a future Mash-Up! I’d also like to see <a href="undefined">Sara Fellers</a> throw her hat into the ring!</li><li>Add a section that tallies up your points (your score/14) at the end of your story. (<i>Worth 1 point</i>)</li></ol><p id="2fb2" type="7">Get Kraken and see you in 2 weeks!</p><div id="0122" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/write-for-the-kraken-lore-990d4f424abe"> <div> <div> <h2>Write for The Kraken Lore</h2> <div><h3>Join the crew of the best fantasy and fiction writers!</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*dqpcbfRG-JbA6CpKkc3mEw.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Author Tools |Writing Prompts |Mash-Up

Monday Mash-Up #34

Story writing prompts to spark your creativity

Is she angry? She looks angry… |Image generated by Author via NightCafé AI

The vile demoness growled as she touched my shirt, the simple motion leaving it charred and burnt.

“You’ll tell me your secrets,” she whispered inside my head. “How do I win all the Mash-Up points — the cookies, the hearts, minds and souls of all the Kraken Lore writers and editors… EVERYTHING!!!!!”

I squirmed in panic from her closeness and intense heat and glare. “I-I just volunteer my time here! If you want to participate in the Mash-Ups you’ll just have to follow the updated rules and new style guide and write an epic story just like the rest of them!”

Well I wasn’t going to betray my close family of writers by telling her to read, follow, clap and comment on other authors’ work. I’d never undermine the Kraken community we’ve built here together! That’s no better than those terrible AI-generated comments, or worse — comments telling you about bitcoin offers!

Just in time to save my sorry hide, Intern #4 poked her head through the door. “I’m sorry to d-disturb you,” she stuttered, “but there are several violations I’ve documented here, not the least of which is all this fire…” She motioned around my smoldering office.

“Yeah. Thanks, Susan.”

Highlights of Past Contributions:

I’d be cursed if I didn’t mention this one again, because H.R. Parker just HAD to write a killer Mash-Up in 5 parts! So here it is in its entirety in case you missed it! 14 edge-of-your-seat points!

Sieran Lane continues his “Hidden Hearts” Saga. This one gets 4 points, but he promises more to come, so follow the ongoing series as it updates!

Andrew Crocker met the challenge to face the MMU with fierce pirate gusto, did some swashbuckling, and came out victorious! Loot the treasure chest — I’m sure there’s 27/24 points in it for you! (Never argue with a pirate!)

Sweet Chaos faced a spooky Mash-Up challenge with a sad and sweet response for a perfect, if a little ghostly, 24 points!

CJ Coop breaks into the MMU grounds with a series of stories. Be warned, he’s *very* protective of his apples… er, points. We’ll find out what his score is later; for now, enjoy!

Bradan Writes Stories summons a demon and gets revenge on a nasty witch in his most recent MMU response. Brilliant! 24 points!

I asked for a sea shanty, and JF Danskin delivered! He gets all the 24 points, saves the day, and makes off with the booty!

Did I challenge Aria Wraithe, Queen of the Macabre, to a spooky Hallowe’en Mash-Up? You bet I did! And I’m gonna continue all month! She digs up 9 points with a 100% awesome tale!

Jonathon Sawyer brought his Seedling Challenge out for hijinx on the high seas with this lengthy mashup! A vitamin-enriched 24 points for him!

Nerdishwrites tries to topple the Mash-Up empire with a coup, offering 14 backstabbing points!

E.A. Colquitt recruits a pirate crew with the promise of 17 buried points!

Ever look at an image and just get a flood of new ideas? Brains can be funny like that! I hope you check out Sweet Chaos’ AI image prompts (We take turns making Mondays awesome!). Her most recent prompt is below! Make sure to follow her and subscribe to receive her emails!

Things aren’t looking so ‘hot’ for Intern #4! Well, just try not to step in the flames, I guess.

On with the prompts!

Main Theme (Worth 2 points, flip a coin or choose one!):

Prompt #1:

Make a deal with a devil/demon!

What is the arrangement? Will both parties try to weasel out of it? Maybe you think you can outsmart such a creature…

Prompt #2:

Cause severe pain or trauma to your Hero!

Maybe it’s not the decisive final blow that defeats the hero, but (As we discovered with Mash-Up #32) every journey has its trials, right? Maybe this is one of them (Or maybe we’ve been rooting for the losing side all along?)

Constraints: Worth 1 point each (Choose 4 or roll 4 6-sided dice):

  • A contract signed in blood
  • A handful of jelly beans
  • A ritual to summon someone/something
  • A character dressed like someone else
  • Stop and ask for directions!
  • A (human) heart? Gross!

Hardcore Constraint: Worth 2 points (Flip a coin or choose one):

  • A child won’t stop asking questions
  • Somebody tries “Mansplaining” the situation

Literary Device (Worth 5 points):

Rules:

  1. Write a story based on one of the main prompts, including as many of the constraints in your story as possible.
  2. Word limit is between 100–2000 words.
  3. Use the tag “Mashups” so we can more easily find your story.
  4. Tag me Jonathon Sawyer because I love a full inbox! I will also highlight your stories in the next Mash-Up!
  5. Publish wherever you want but consider The Kraken Lore because we love fiction!
  6. Challenge your favorite hero to this Mash-Up or a future one! I challenge CleverandWtf, Grim Flandango, and Aria Wraithe to make with the spooky in this or a future Mash-Up! I’d also like to see Sara Fellers throw her hat into the ring!
  7. Add a section that tallies up your points (your score/14) at the end of your story. (Worth 1 point)

Get Kraken and see you in 2 weeks!

Writing Prompts
Writing Challenge
The Kraken Lore
Mashups
Halloween
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