Shows
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#100. It’s the One Hundredth Show! AAAHHHH!Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry based on the previous show’s prompts. Subscr...
2026-02-1445 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#99. IT IS TIME… For a WIP Update and Oodles of Cozy Fantasy FictionYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry based on the previous show’s prompts. L...
2026-01-3149 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#98. Discoverability as a Writer and How to Push Through Self-Doubt (Plus Stories Galore!)Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry based on the previous show’s prompt...
2026-01-1754 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#97. Maintaining Positivity Around Your Goals and Celebrating Your Writing Achievements - Launch into 2026!Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry based on the previous show’s prompt...
2026-01-0343 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#96. Christmas Special! Playing the Word Game of Exquisite Corpse in Person, and a Snowy FairytaleYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writingcraft. Listeners share their own flash fiction and poetry based on the previous show’s prompts; then another 3 laugh-out-loud rounds of Exq...
2025-12-2054 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#95. Goal Setting, the Indie Writer’s Voice and a Short Story by MoonlightExtra material: Read Anna Tizard’s interview on goal-setting in the December issue of Indie Writer’s Voice magazine at https://www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/creativecommuneYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate prompts and stretch your imagination. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which...
2025-12-0646 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#94. Trying Out A New Story Brainstorming MethodYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate prompts and stretch your imagination. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poet...
2025-11-2253 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#93. Unexpected Insights From Fantasy Con and a Heap of New Short StoriesYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate prompts and stretch your imagination. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writingcraft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry base...
2025-11-0840 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#92. Halloween Special—A Brimming Casket of Creepiness (Short Stories and Poetry)It’s the Halloween Special! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in an Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts to inspire unexpected story ideas. Today’s episode showcases some amazing short fiction and poetry from my talented listeners, then another 3 new rounds of Exquisite Corpse lead to an unexpected, haunting story (but not your run-of-the-mill Halloween tale). Plus, don’t miss this Halloween offer: the bizarre and creepy “I” For Immortality is at the special red...
2025-10-2546 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#91. Listeners' Short Stories Rock! - Getting Into the Halloween MoodYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author,Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate prompts and stretch your imagination. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to themost unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry base...
2025-10-1140 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#90. To Handwrite Or Not To Handwrite? Plus a New Dreampunk Short StoryYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into creative writing. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been so rich in discovery and surprises, using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate prompts and stretch your imagination. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to themost unexpected story ideas—and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. Listeners are also warmly invited to share their own microfiction and poetry base...
2025-09-2745 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#89. Forgotten Ideas, Imagination-Compost, and a New Haunting Short StoryYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into the imagination. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been such a wild adventure until you’ve tried using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of creative writing craft. This show includes 3 new laugh-out-loud game results, which (of course) lead to a new, haunting dark fantas...
2025-09-1337 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#88. Finish Your Short Story! Plus New Dark Fantasy FictionYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author,Anna Tizard, in a funny and dark Alice in Wonderland-style journey into the imagination. Brainstorming and writing short stories has never been such a wild adventureuntil you’ve tried using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinatingexploration of creative writing craft. This show includes 3 new laugh-out-loud game results, which (of course) lead to a dark fantasy tale full of myster...
2025-08-3039 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#87. How Stories Find Their Own Path (Includes Dark Fantasy Short Story--With Tentacles)Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into creative writing and short stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of writing craft. This show includes 3 new laugh-out-loud game results, which (of course) lead to a dark and mysterious tale from the depths of the ocean. Find the Spotlight Indie Podcast interview no. 1 (my author journey, methods and...
2025-08-1639 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#86. Exciting News -- and a Strange New Mystery AwaitsYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into creative writing and short stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.To watch the Spotlight Indie interview go to: Author Chat & Roll for Insight with Anna TizardSubscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list andreceive an e-book to begin your journey into The Book of Exquisite Corpse (includes exclusive material not published anywhere else). Go to www.annatizard.com.INTRO: Hello imaginative people. I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 86 of B...
2025-08-0235 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#85. The Creepy Carnival Story Gets Creepier! Laughs, Gasps & Crazy PromptsJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the imagination with tips, techniques and tools you can use to write suspensefulcreature fiction. Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas. The results are imagination-bending and a real workout for your creative writing.It’s the ultimate writing prompt challenge. Your weekend is not weird enough (or creative enough) without Brainstoryum!Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and receive an e-book to begin your journey into The Book of Exquisite Corpse (includes excl...
2025-07-1953 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#84. Stirring the Imagination with “Word Food”; and a Creepy Carnival Story BeginsJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna usesthe surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing. Listen to brand new short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” button to compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along theway: practical ideas that you can use to write suspenseful fiction, e...
2025-07-0538 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#83. Writing Fights With Purpose & How Stories Can Show You What You NeedThe ultimate writing prompt challenge. Your weekend is not weird enough (or creative enough) without Brainstoryum!This is the third and final episode delving into tips and techniques on fight scene writing, with reference to Marie Brennan's outstanding book, Writing Fight Scenes.Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna usesthe surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for yo...
2025-06-2144 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#82. More on Writing Fight Scenes – and an Alice in Wonderland-Style StoryJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna usesthe surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Listen to brand new short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” button to compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along theway: practical ideas that you can use to write suspenseful fiction, e...
2025-06-0741 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#81. Fight Scene Special! How to Write Fight Scenes Plus Zany Ideas and New Short FictionJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna usesthe surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Today's episode showcases experienced authors' hot tips and hot takes on how to write fight scenes, followed by 3 new story brainstorms, and a brand new short story - which, naturally, includes a fight scene!Your weekend is not weird enough (or cre...
2025-05-2454 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#80. What Can We Learn From the Miss Peregrine Series? (Plus New Short Story Ideas)Joinaward-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’simagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna usesthe surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas bymixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results areimagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Listen to brandnew short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” buttonto compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along theway: practical ideas that you can use to write suspenseful fiction, especiallyfantasy.It’s theul...
2025-05-1040 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#79. New Approach to Short Story Writing – and a Chocoholic’s Confession!Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Listen to brand new short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” button to compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along the way: practical ideas that you can use to write susp...
2025-04-2641 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#78. And Now for Some Dragon-Related News (With Lots More Short Story Ideas)!Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once profound, surprising, funny, and extraordinary. Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Listen to brand new short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” button to compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along the way: practical ideas that you can use to write susp...
2025-04-1244 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#77. Monsters of the Soul: Erie New Short StoriesJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the writer’s imagination – at once, profound and hilarious, existential and quite silly. Annauses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas by mixing listener’s word suggestions into weird sentences. The results are imagination-bending, and a real workout for your creative writing.Listen to brand new short stories and scenes as Anna drafts them (she uses the “pause” button to compose them) and learn from tips, techniques and tools she shares along the way: practical ideas that you can use to write s...
2025-03-2946 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#76. Unique New Short Story Ideas – Writing Weird Creatures and Other CuriositiesJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the imagination with tips, techniques and tools you can use to write suspenseful creature fiction. Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas. The results are imagination-bending and a real workout for your creative writing.It’s the ultimate writing prompt challenge. Your weekend is not weird enough (or creative enough) without Brainstoryum!Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and receive an e-book to begin your journey into The Book of Exquisite Corpse (incl...
2025-03-1534 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#75. On Writing Short Stories for the Zeitgeist: Monsters EmergeJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the imagination with tips, techniques and tools you can use to write suspenseful creature fiction for the zeitgeist (including a juicy theory on what that means today). Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas.Ignite your imagination with the ultimate writing promptchallenge. Your weekend is not weird enough (or creative enough) without Brainstoryum!INTRO: Hello imaginative people! I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 75 of Brainstoryum. I’m ready to learn more about writing suspenseful crea...
2025-03-0151 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#74. Creature Feature: Learning How to Approach Monster StoriesWhether you like horror or not, fantasy is all about confrontation with the strange and the impossible.Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in an exploration of creature themes, with tips, tricks and tools you can use to develop your writing in new, exciting ways. Naturally, there’s plenty of experimentation with ideas, as Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas while applying new-found learning around the topic of writing monsters.A fascinating exploration of writing craft. Ignite yourimagination with these short story ideas for the ul...
2025-02-1547 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#73. The Trope Special: How to Make Your Short Stories and Novels Even More Original and Exciting by Using TropesCan tropes – story ideas which have been churned around and repeated for centuries, if not millennia – actually improve your stories and make them more original?
Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in an exploration of story tropes, with tips, tricks and tools you can use to develop your writing in new, exciting ways. Naturally, there’s plenty of experimentation with ideas, as Anna uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to generate short story ideas before testing out different tropes and seeing what happens next.
A fascinating exploration of writing craft. Ignite your
i...
2025-02-0156 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#72. Dealing With Doubt as a Writer – and Even More Gargoyles!Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into creative writing and short stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of writing craft. This show includes 3 new story ideas plus plenty of “how to” tips on writing craft. Ignite your imagination with these short stories and ideas for the ultimate writing prompt challenge.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tiz...
2025-01-1842 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#71. New Year: Setting Writing Goals Vs Following (and Loving) the Unknown PathYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into short story writing using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of writing craft. This new year show includes stories around circuses, gargoyles, hunters and a mysterious stone. Ignite your imagination with these stories and ideas for the ultimate writing prompt challenge.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email...
2025-01-0450 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#70. Christmas Special: Short Story-Hunting with a Lantern and… Some Aliens?*This episode is available as a mini ebook! Go to www.annatizard.com/brainstoryum for details*
Your weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into short story writing using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of writing craft.
In this slightly longer show, Anna delves into storytelling techniques to hook your reader from the very first line, plus how...
2024-12-2157 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#69. Short Stories, Tips on Writing and How to Hook Your ReaderYour weekend is not exciting enough without Brainstoryum! Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into short story writing using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into writing prompts which lead to the most unexpected story ideas – and a fascinating exploration of writing craft.
In this slightly longer show, Anna delves into storytelling techniques to hook your reader from the very first line, plus how to get un-stuck when you’re writing a new story. Grab a blanket – grab a pen! – and switch you...
2024-12-0747 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#68. Short Stories – Dark Tales of Dryads, Nymphs and Kelpies: Where Nature Meets Myth and TechnologyJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into unexpected stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words
are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into weird writing prompts which end up making more sense than they should! This time, nature spirits are the emerging theme, for three chilling story ideas. Grab a blanket – grab a pen! – and switch your imagination on with these stories and ideas for the ultimate writing prompt challenge.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of...
2024-11-2336 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#67. Short Stories Full of Moonlight, Dragons, Secrets and DreamsWhat does a dragon’s dream look like? Is there a ghost inside your clock? And how could a ceramic urn be venomous? All these ideas and more will be dug into,
with the dual power of pen and imagination…
Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into unexpected stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into weird writing prompts which end up making more sense than they should! Post-Halloween, the spooky
themes are still cropping up in these inspir...
2024-11-0937 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#66. Halloween Short Story Special: Time for Something GhoulishYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum.
Wine, poison, monsters, delirium and fights! Listen on to imagine these and more...
Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listeners’ words are drawn from the legendary Socks of Destiny and mixed into weird writing prompts which end up making more sense than they should! In this Halloween special show, Anna brainstorms stories from these game results,
finding spooky themes emerging, wherever she turns. The last Exquisite Corpse result inspires a co...
2024-10-2640 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#65. Live Session Story Game Results (Brighton Tell Tales) – and “The City of Perpetual Night”, a Chilling Short StoryYour weekend is not weird enough without Brainstoryum!
Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a journey into the imagination with weird and wild Exquisite Corpse writing prompts resulting from a LIVE GAME SESSION! In this special show, Anna will brainstorm stories from several Exquisite Corpses and finish with a completed short story based on some of these results. It will be creepy and dark, so grab a blanket and a hot beverage and be prepared for some shivers.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in Th...
2024-10-1233 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#64. Weird and Creepy Short Story Ideas (With Writing Prompts that are Fearsome, Serendipitous and Cruel)Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination with this new episode packed with creative writing ideas, stories and insights. Listeners share short story ideas based on “the creepy writing desk”. Plus enjoy 3 new writing prompts generated by the mysterious word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else! All at www.annatizard.com.
INTRO: Hello imaginative people! I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 64 of Brain...
2024-09-2840 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#63. Secret Tunnels into the Deep; and Writing “the Reasons Why”Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination with this new episode of creative writing ideas, stories and insights. Listeners wax lyrical on “the howling chalice” and “the intrepid ferryman”. Plus enjoy 3 new writing prompts generated by the mysterious word game of Exquisite Corpse. The show also explores deep insights about the writing process and the psychology of discovery writing.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else! All at www.annatizard.com.
2024-09-1443 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#62. Writers, Know Thyself! – And Venture into a Labyrinth of New, Thought-Provoking Story IdeasJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination with story brainstorms from listeners based on the “the ethereal
rune”. Plus 3 new writing prompts generated by the mysterious word game of Exquisite Corpse. The show also explores deep insights about the writing process and the psychology of discovery writing.
A creative writing podcast has never been so deep, wildly imaginative and playful all at once. Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published
anywhere else! All at...
2024-08-3140 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#61. Psychology of Writing: How to Balance Craft & Pure Inspiration, and Making Story Choices, Conscious and UnconsciousJoin award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination with story brainstorms from listeners based on “the intoxicating box”. Plus 3 new writing prompts generated by the mysterious word game of Exquisite Corpse. The show also explores deep insights about the writing process and borrows some thoughts from 20th century psychologist, Carl Jung.
No creative writing podcast has ever been so deep, wildly imaginative and playful all at once.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive materi...
2024-08-1749 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#60. Mysteries and Maps of the Imagination (Warning: Story Brainstorms May Include Uncontrolled Fits of Laughter)Join award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, in a wild journey into the imagination with story brainstorms from listeners based on the “brittle cartographer”. Plus 3 new writing prompts generated by the mysterious word game of Exquisite Corpse. Your creative writing adventure starts here!
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else! All at www.annatizard.com.
INTRO:
Hello imaginative people! I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 60 of Brainstoryum. 60? Really? It’s hard to believe...
2024-08-0348 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#59. The Mystery of Short Story Writing: Turning Wrongness into RightHow often it feels like you’re turning a wrong into a right, with stories. Turning a mistake or an injustice, into something that feels like it was meant to be.
Turning a problem into a solution.
This is ultimately what a story is made up of: conflict, tension – wrongness, things going wrong for the protagonist, and a struggle to make things right, or it may
be something that doesn’t quite make sense in the beginning, a mystery to be solved, and that’s the form of “wrongness” that is to be righted.
Join award-winning...
2024-07-2037 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#58. Writing Short Stories: The Doorway into Your Unconscious MindWriting short stories, even just brainstorming them, can give you insights into the workings of your unconscious mind - which can help define your voice as a writer as well as revealing the preoccupations that feed into your story themes. Join Anna Tizard on a journey of discovery, and enjoy three new story brainstorms using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. It's profound, it's fascinating, and at times, hilarious!
BEGIN INTRO: Hello imaginative people! I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 58 of Brainstoryum. Now, following the strange connections I discovered between the story ideas in th...
2024-07-0637 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#57. Inspiration Magic for Short Story Writers and Dabblers Everywhere – Time to Suspend Your DisbeliefJoin Anna Tizard on a journey down the rabbit hole where you'll discover the most unexpected story ideas - and the strange connections made by the unconscious mind. Listen as 3 new rounds of the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse generate 3 new stories. For fantasy lovers, Jungians, writers and imaginative folk everywhere.
2024-06-2237 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#56. Unleash Your Imagination and Storytelling Skills with Exquisite Corpse!Follow the white rabbit of your imagination with another crazy expedition into the story-generating game of Exquisite Corpse.
Today’s show features story ideas and flash fiction written by listeners, plus new 3 fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse, mixing your words into creative writing prompts.
Want more? Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get exclusive material from her series, The Book of Exquisite Corpse. All at www.annatizard.com.
2024-06-0835 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#55. Creative Writing Prompts Galore – Explore the Wild Garden of Your ImaginationEnjoy more zany, imagination-bending journeys into short story ideas for fantasy fiction using writing prompts generated by the surrealist word game of Exquisite
Corpse. It’s deep, it’s weird, it’s the most creative writing you’ll ever do.
Today’s show also features story ideas sent in by listeners based on “the myopic (short-sighted) gorgon”, plus 3 new writing prompts, impromptu storytelling and creative writing tips.
Check out Nick Vracar’s Exquisite Corpse-inspired story entitled, “Claire and Bethany Go to the Theatre”. Read the story or have a listen at nvracar.wordpress.com.
2024-05-2532 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#54. Writing Prompts with Magic, Monsters… and Morose Literary Magazines?Enjoy more zany, imagination-bending journeys into fantasy fiction using writing prompts generated by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Get writing!
Today’s show features story ideas sent in by listeners based on “the foggy box”, plus new short story ideas, impromptu storytelling and creative writing tips from award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get exclusive material from her series, The Book of Exquisite Corpse. All at www.annatizard.com.
INTRO: Hello imaginative people! I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 5...
2024-05-1132 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#53. Short Story Ideas: Weirdness, Wonder & Inventing CreaturesMore zany, imagination-bending journeys into fantasy fiction using writing prompts generated by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Get writing!
Today’s show features story ideas sent in by listeners based on “the boisterous rocking chair”, plus new short story ideas, impromptu storytelling and creative writing
tips from award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get exclusive material from her series, The Book of Exquisite Corpse. All at www.annatizard.com.
2024-04-2732 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#52. More Story Writing Ideas; Uniqueness & Originality; Clowns, Creatures, Hauntings & PlunderIt’s time once more to be inspired (and amused) by zany, imagination-bending writing prompts using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Today’s show features
story ideas sent in by listeners based on “the susurrant plunder”, plus snippets of storytelling exploring a rich array of new short story ideas and writing tips from award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else. All at www.annatizard.com.
INTRO: ...
2024-04-1339 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#51. Creative Writing Ideas Galore: Enter the Transdimensional World of Your ImaginationTime to be inspired by zany, imagination-bending writing prompts using the word game of Exquisite Corpse. Includes story ideas sent in by listeners based on “the transdimensional witch”, plus storytelling with a rich array of new short story ideas and writing tips from award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
"Hello imaginative people. I’m Anna Tizard and this is episode 51 of Brainstoryum. I hope l...
2024-03-3036 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#50. The 2nd Anniversary Special! A Celebration of Short Story Ideas & Writing SuccessesIn this 50th episode and 2nd anniversary of Brainstoryum, Anna Tizard shares some of the best (and weirdest) Exquisite Corpse writing prompts that have come up in the show; plus, successes from other authors who’ve used inspiration from the show to write and publish stories; listeners’ ideas based on the “pedantic staircase”; and 3 new rounds of the imagination-bending word game.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else! https://annatizardsubscribe.ck.page/e631e9eb31
2024-03-1633 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#49. A Sack-full of Short Story Ideas – Including Yours!Time for some zany, imagination-bending writing prompts using the word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Enjoy interactive storytelling and some great ideas for writing short stories,
with writing tips from award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard.
In today’s show, listeners and readers suggest their own story ideas based on a writing prompt from the last show: “the frozen chaise longue”.
Next, Anna mixes listeners’ word suggestions into bizarre sentences and brainstorms new story ideas from the results.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list...
2024-03-0235 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#48. A Creative, Collaborative Wonderland of Story IdeasTime for some zany, imagination-bending writing prompts using the word game of Exquisite Corpse. Award-winning fantasy and dreampunk author, Anna Tizard, mixes listeners’ word suggestions into bizarre sentences and brainstorms story ideas from the results. In today’s show, listeners and readers of Anna’s fiction
suggest their own story ideas based on a weird word combination that cropped up in the last show: “the fastidious spectre”.
Enjoy interactive storytelling and some great ideas for writing short stories, with some writing advice from an experienced fantasy author.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list an...
2024-02-1731 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#47. Dreampunk SpecialWriting prompts have never been so intriguing, challenging and fun. Listen as Anna Tizard brainstorms story ideas from bizarre sentences generated from randomised words sent in by listeners.
Today’s show takes on the theme of the dreampunk genre, with an announcement of a new dreampunk anthology release and some
dreampunk story ideas.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get
vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
2024-02-0235 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#46. Storytelling & Writing Prompt Games: A Ticket to the Circus of Your Imagination!Another 3 rounds of the magical word game of Exquisite Corpse to bring fantasy story ideas to life! Anna Tizard mixes YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results. Listen
and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. A ton of short story ideas and fun for writers and imaginative folk.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get
vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
2024-01-2032 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#45. Storytelling Fun and Creative Writing Prompts Using Exquisite Corpse (Snow-Blasted Circuses & Fairytale Retellings)Happy New Year! Another 3 rounds of the magical word game of Exquisite Corpse brings fantasy story ideas to life! Anna Tizard mixes YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results.
Listen and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. A ton of short story ideas and fun for writers and imaginative folk.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else! : https://annatizardsubscribe.ck.page/e631e9eb31
2024-01-0630 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#44. Merry Christmas! Free Printable Game Sheet to Download So You Can Play Exquisite Corpse Over the Holidays! (Plus 3 Story Brainstorms to Make You Go “Ooh”)Today’s show includes a Christmas gift: details of how you can download a free printable game sheet to play the hilarious and intriguing game of Exquisite Corpse at home with friends and
family. Plus: news of a very special offer on Kindle that is happening on 1st January, if you want to gorge yourself on fantasy books!
Enjoy another 3 rounds of the magical word game to bring fantasy story ideas to life! Anna Tizard mixes YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results. Listen and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. A to...
2023-12-2334 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#43. Short Story Ideas – Keeping it Creepy! (Creative Writing Prompts & Storytelling with Exquisite Corpse for Your Entertainment and Inspiration)Another 3 rounds of the magical word game of Exquisite Corpse to bring fantasy story ideas to life! Anna Tizard mixes YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results. Listen
and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. A ton of short story ideas and fun for writers and imaginative folk.
Today’s story ideas take some unexpected and creepy turns!
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get
vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
2023-12-0930 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#42. More Story Ideas Than You Can Shake a Stick At! – Creative Writing Brainstorms Using the Surrealist Word Game of Exquisite Corpse (and a Journey into Imagination)Another 3 rounds of the magical word game of Exquisite Corpse to bring fantasy story ideas to life!
Anna Tizard mixes YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results. Listen and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. Full of short story ideas and tips for developing them into something longer. A ton of fun for writers, and imaginative people everywhere.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get
vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
2023-11-2533 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#41. One Exquisite Corpse (Okay, Maybe Two!) For One Story Brainstorm – May Appeal to Fans of Neil Gaiman, Alice in Wonderland & Fantasy Adventures Gone WeirdAnother round (or two) of weird, magical fantasy storytelling with a touch of the monstrous! Anna Tizard uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to mix YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results! Listen and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold. Great for short story ideas and a ton of fun for writers and imaginative people everywhere.
Today’s show test-drives a new experiment in storytelling: using just one Exquisite Corpse to generate a story idea, and taking it as far as it can go.
Subscribe for free to Anna...
2023-11-1132 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#40. Halloween Special – Weird and Monstrous Story Ideas. Three New Journeys for Your Imagination with Plenty of Short Story Fodder!Enjoy weird, magical, fantasy story ideas with a touch of the monstrous! Anna Tizard uses the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to mix YOUR words into writing prompts, brainstorming stories from the results! Listen
and be inspired as ideas, plots and scenes unfold.
Short story ideas galore. A ton of fun for writers, and imaginative people everywhere.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
Join in at www.annatizard.com.
2023-10-2834 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#39. TRIGGER WARNING – Storytelling with Weird, Wild & GHOULISH Ideas for Fun and Inspiration – New Creative Writing Prompts (Fantasy, Fairytale and Horror)**WARNING: CONTAINS SOME GHOULISH & GORY IMAGERY. Although treated in a light-hearted storytelling style, the 3rd story brainstorm may be a trigger for some. **
Anna Tizard delves deep into writing prompts produced by mixing YOUR words into Exquisite Corpses and brainstorming stories from the results! Listen and be inspired as ideas and scenes unfold.
Also – find out how to get your limited edition copy of The Cat and the Shadows! (But be quick, because it really is limited!)
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of E...
2023-10-1431 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#38. More Wild Creative Writing & Short Story Ideas! New Writing Prompts (Fantasy, Small Town Gossip, and Gothic/ Horror)Once again, Anna Tizard takes the writing prompt game of Exquisite Corpse to extremes! Listen and wonder as she delves deep into short story ideas (and novel ideas) prompted by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse – using writing prompts made up of words YOU have sent through www.annatizard.com/play.
Listen and be inspired as ideas and glimpses of scenes unfold before you! And it’s all getting a bit gothic today.
Also – special announcements today about upcoming releases!
Have your pen and your im...
2023-09-3034 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#37. Creative Writing Mayhem! Wild New Writing Prompts & Story Ideas (Great for Horror and Fantasy)Today’s show is a bit different: Anna Tizard plays the writing prompt game of Exquisite Corpse, taking the “pause” button to extremes! Listen and wonder as she delves deep into her imagination, sharing snatches of scenes as potential new short stories (or future novels) emerge.
The story brainstorms are packed with wild new story writing ideas today, so have your pen ready!
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exclusive material not published anywhere else!
www.annatizard.com
2023-09-1631 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#36. Story Writing Secrets & Universal Tropes: Vigilantes, Superheroes, Villains and FlawsEnjoy a new discussion on creative writing techniques with insightful ideas to inspire your writing – whether you're writing short stories or novels.
Today’s show explores story tropes drawn from superhero tales, which we can twist and use for our own stories even if they have nothing to do with superheroes!
Then it’s time for some new writing prompts using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse. Listen, join in and be inspired.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus exc...
2023-09-0240 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#35: Creative Writing Techniques - First Person Point of ViewDreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing techniques and profound, psychology-based ideas to inspire your writing! There are also lots of ideas for short stories in particular, as the quickest and easiest way to get your writing published.
Today’s show explores the use of first person narrative, with examples from Anna Tizard’s upcoming collection of short stories.
After some technical insights, have fun with some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play for some seriously weird story ideas!
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and ge...
2023-08-1942 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#34: Creative Writing Techniques - Getting the Most out of Third Person Point of ViewDreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing techniques and profound, psychology-based ideas to inspire your writing!
Today’s show explores the use of intimate third person narrative, and how to wind in a mixture of mystery, distance and closeness to enrich your storytelling.
After some deep insights, have fun with some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play for some seriously weird story ideas!
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exqu...
2023-08-0542 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#33. Alice in Wonderland Special! Dare to be Different; Writing Outside the BoxDreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing techniques and profound ideas from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, to inspire your writing and your creative life!
Today is all about daring to be different and going beyond readers’ expectations.
After some deep-thinking insights, have fun with some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play for some seriously weird story ideas!
It is time to enter the Wonderland of your imagination.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Book of Exquisite Corpse plus e...
2023-07-2237 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#32. Alice in Wonderland Special: What Does it Mean? (And: How to Be Happy)Braced with a cup of tea and a pen
It is time once again
To enter Wonderland.
Dreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing techniques and profound ideas from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, to inspire your writing and your creative life!
Today I ask, what is Alice in Wonderland really about? Can it even show us how to be happy?
After some deep insights, have fun with some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play for some seriously weird story ideas!
Subscribe for fr...
2023-07-0835 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#31. Alice in Wonderland Special! Writing Extremes and Plot Experiments - A Mad Hatter’s Tea PartyDreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing techniques and profound ideas from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, to inspire your writing and your creative life!
Today is all about the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, the pinnacle of nonsense and mayhem in Wonderland.
After some deep-thinking insights, have fun with some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play for some seriously weird story ideas!
It is time to enter the Wonderland of your imagination.
Subscribe for free to Anna Tizard’s private email list and get vol 1 in The Bo...
2023-06-2442 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#30. Alice in Wonderland Special! Writing Tips From Wonderland - According to the Cheshire CatDreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing tips and profound ideas from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, to inspire your writing and your creative life!
Today we meet with the Cheshire Cat whose message is about finding our way; for there never was anyone who stepped into Wonderland who wasn’t lost.
After some deep-thinking insights stick around for some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse word play, where pure randomness, imagination (and fun!) will be our guides.
It is time to enter a Wonderland of creative writing ideas.
*Subs...
2023-06-1035 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#29. Alice in Wonderland Special! Writing Tips From Wonderland… According to the CaterpillarAward-winning dreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores more creative writing tips and profound ideas from the weird world of Alice in Wonderland.
It's time to hear from the Caterpillar. As this strange blue creature perches on the mushroom, staring at us through a cloud of smoke, what writing tips and ideas can we possibly glean from him?
Brace yourself for some deep explorations of storytelling craft.
Then follow the white rabbit of your imagination into more story brainstorms with the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Go forth and...
2023-05-2836 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#28. Alice in Wonderland Special! A Wonderland of Portals and Writing AdventuresUnable to see the Cheshire cat logo? Click here and feast your eyes on this!
Award-winning dreampunk and literary fantasy author, Anna Tizard, explores creative writing tips and story ideas from the weird world of Alice in Wonderland.
Randomness is a strong theme in Alice; being in a strange place, a foreign country where you don’t know the rules, or where rules can be broken. A bit like the landscape of storytelling and, certainly, of Exquisite Corpse.
So as the Cheshire cat grins from its perch in the tree, daring you to li...
2023-05-1333 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#27. Why Short Stories? (With New Exquisite Corpse Writing Prompts and Story Ideas Galore!)Episode 27: Why write short stories? What are the benefits to you as an author (new or experienced), especially if all you want to do is write a novel?
Submission info: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction: https://fandsf.moksha.io/publication/fsf/guidelines
Join fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard in another round of writing prompt games using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Liste...
2023-05-0137 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#26. Anna Tizard and the Fonts of Doom! (New Story Ideas and Writing Tips)Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard explores story ideas found in the most unexpected places: this time, the world of eerie fonts!
With writing tips, plotting ideas and weird journeys in the imagination using the ultimate writing prompt game: Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in and be inspired today.
2023-04-1539 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#25. Cats, Teapots and Secret Conundrums - More Story Ideas for Your Creative Writing!Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
To submit an original short story, poem or sketch to Sean McGillis's cat-themed anthology, email smcgillis248@att.net by 1st May 2023. (N.B. This is passed-on information rather than an endorsement of a publications or offer; as always, check terms and conditions wherever you choose to submit your creative writing.)
Go forth and be inspired!
2023-04-0135 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#24. New Short Story! Missing Magicians and Other Mysteries of the ImaginationEnjoy new journeys into the imagination with fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
2023-03-1842 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#23. Return of the Future Dog (and Other Writing Prompts)Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
2023-03-0444 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#22. Thieves, Piglets & Portals - Exquisite Corpse Story Brainstorms for Authors, Storytellers & Imaginists!Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
In episode 22, discover thieves, portals and a Surrealist cafe full of weird possibilities.
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
2023-02-1838 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#21. The First Exquisite Corpse Story Games of 2023! Androids, Orbs and Octopuses...Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Episode 21 showcases the first Exquisite Corpse story games of 2023.
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
2023-02-0436 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#20 NEW Short Story: The Bear and the Rediscovering Portcullis - Christmas special!Fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
Episode 20 is the Christmas special and features a short story inspired by the Exquisite Corpse: “The book-loving teddy bear solved the case of the rediscovering portcullis.”
Enjoy a tal...
2022-12-2953 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#19. Magical Calligraphers, Cat Gods & Gangsters! The Last Exquisite Corpse Story Games of 2022Is your life zany enough? Surely not!
Spark your imagination (and laugh your socks off) as fantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard creates stories using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Creative writing prompts have never been this unique - or challenging. Listen with pen and paper to see if you can come up with new story ideas and take your writer's imagination to the next...
2022-12-1042 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#18. Return of the Axolotl! New Writing Update PLUS New Humorous, Wicked and Weird Short StoryFantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
Episode 18 includes a short story sparked by an Exquisite Corpse result in the last show: “The petrified horse sold their name to the all-consuming axolotl (Mexican salamander).” Never fear - thi...
2022-11-2642 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#17. New Format! Personal update (giant balls!) & writing update (weeping cellos!) followed by Exquisite Corpse game play to inspire your writingFantasy and dreampunk author Anna Tizard writes stories and novels inspired by the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse.
Send words to annatizard.com/play and hear what happens when your entries are mixed with other people’s and pulled out of… The Socks of Destiny!
Listen, join in, fall about laughing – and open up your imagination to a whole new world of story ideas.
The new format begins here: a personal update, an update on her writing, followed by game play and story brainstorms.
2022-11-1235 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#16. The Completely Bonkers Halloween Episode – with 3 new short stories!It’s the Completely Bonkers Halloween Episode! Enjoy 3 spooky, mysterious and downright weird stories written by listeners, who’ve all been inspired by Exquisite Corpse game results on this very show!
Are you sitting comfortably? We have:
“The Deceased Griffin” by Margaret Homersham (inspired by the Exquisite Corpse: “The deceased griffin dug deep into the sackcloth pockets of the great vicar.”)
“A Tale of an Aggressive Centaur and a Gullible Acrobat” by Eryn McConnell (inspired by the Exquisite Corpse: “The aggressive centaur peered through binoculars at the gullible acrobat.”) Find Eryn’s other fiction and links here...
2022-10-291h 01
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#15. Introducing Midwinter Magic and Mayhem! (Stories and Inspiration Galore with Exquisite Corpse Writing Prompts)Today’s special feature is about a new anthology: Midwinter Magic & Mayhem edited by Frances Evelyn. Enjoy a dip into these winter-themed tales and find out what inspired the authors, as well as tips on inspiration – before we indulge in some fresh rounds of Exquisite Corpse in the end section of the show!
NOTE: The e-book of Midwinter Magic & Mayhem will be available to subscribers of Anna Tizard’s private email list as a free gift pre-publication on 8th October 2022, before it’s released on sale on 15th October. Make sure you subscribe at www.annatizard.com and hit t...
2022-10-0252 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#14. The Author Train Chugs On!Today’s show presents a mix of new story ideas based on Exquisite Corpses, suggested by listeners; storytelling from an evolutionary psychology perspective; a new book release announcement; more Exquisite Corpse game play; and a Halloween Challenge for you!
Halloween Challenge: Can you write a 400-2K word story based on one of these, or on an adjective-noun combo in any one of them (e.g. “humungous vampire”)?:
1. The disgruntled ghost hunter eloped with the anthropomorphic mushroom.
2. The brutal woodchuck picked a poisonous plant for the watery burgomaster (European mayor).
3. The deceas...
2022-09-1850 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#13. Balancing Description and Action in Storytelling (Includes Short Story: "The Space Package" by M.L. White)Episode 13 includes a journey into space! Sit back, relax and enjoy a short story by regular listener, M.L. White, who was inspired by the Exquisite Corpse:
“The pious wizard drifted across the universe with the eloquent courier.”
Next, a discussion about the tricky balance of description versus action, particularly in world-building fantasy; and how an experience in an oral storytelling workshop showed Anna Tizard how description can be used to deliberately alter the pace of a narrative where needed.
Finally, three new Exquisite Corpse games to generate new writing prompts, zanier than ever...
2022-09-0451 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#12. FRUSTRATION! Dealing with Constraints on Your time, Energy and Space to GET WRITINGAs ever, Anna Tizard is your reliably zany inspiration mystic, here to talk about creative writing, brainstorming story ideas and how to take your imagination into new, unchartered territory – even when time, energy and space (or lack of it) seem to be set against us.
Today, the show looks at frustration with time constraints and low energy, when even 20 mins seems too much. Plus: do we need a “sacred space” for our writing? If so, how can we create that space for ourselves?
Includes comments and tips from the lovely online author community. Plus another sessio...
2022-08-2152 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#11. Limitless Interpretations: Expand Your Imagination with New Story Brainstorms (Could This Be the Most Bizarre Episode Yet?)Today’s show is all about you! Anna Tizard shares listeners’ comments, feedback and some brand new (and incredibly weird!) interpretations of an Exquisite Corpse plucked from the Socks of Destiny in episode 10.
Is there no limit to the interpretations of these writing prompts?
It’s all in your imagination – literally!
Please send comments and ideas to www.annatizard.com/brainstoryum.
2022-08-0742 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#10. How Can the "20-Minute Magic" Work for Your Creative Writing? (With "The Forgotten Melody" by Frasier Armitage)How can you stretch your imagination and boost your creative writing skills with just a 20 minute exercise?
Episode 10 includes two exciting announcements - including the first short story written by a Brainstoryum listener! Plus the usual magic and weirdness of Exquisite Corpse.
Inspire your writing and brainstorm a new story today!
www.annatizard.com.
2022-07-2450 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#9. The Midnight Ship Has Arrived! (Includes Creative Writing Prompts with Exquisite Corpse)The Midnight Ship is complete! Don't forget to download your FREE e-book copy at this link.
The same link is also found at annatizard.com. Spread the word!
This short story simply would not exist without the jumbled-up word suggestions of M.L. White, Frasier Armitage, Dušan Farrington and @WeirdMicro. I have never previously come across a perfumed elf, nor have I ever associated a ship with invisibility or magic boots. All of these elements came together in a round of Exquisite Corpse played during episode 6 ("6-Story Challenge"), when listeners’ words were picked at rand...
2022-07-091h 02
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#8. What Happens Next (Part 2) - The Midnight Ship: Developing New Story Ideas After the Initial BrainstormFollowing episode no. 7 where Anna Tizard read out the first part of The Midnight Ship, today she explores the wonderful ideas for "what happens next" in this new story, with contributions from indie authors Tammy Nieuwoudt, Alessandro Bozzo and Mariah Bell (M. L. White).
Discussion includes: how beginnings and endings are intertwined; why character is so important even in a short story; and why it's worth pausing after your first venture into a new draft story to consider ALL your story development options.
Plus: 3 rounds of the zany surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse, for brand n...
2022-06-1949 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#7. What Happens Next? (Part 1) - The Midnight ShipBe part of a new story that came out of the 6 Story Challenge (1/5/22): The Midnight Ship.
Send comments to www.annatizard.com/brainstoryum.
Plus a new brainstorm based on the zany word game of Exquisite Corpse. Push your creative writing skills to the limit!
Listen, join in and be inspired!
2022-05-1529 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#6. The 6-Story Challenge! Non-Stop Story Brainstorming Session - Using Exquisite Corpse For Creative Writing PromptsOkay, this episode is going to be a bit different... A non-stop brainstorming session using 6 Exquisite Corpse results!
If you've sent words to www.annatizard.com/play, perhaps they are about to become part of a new story idea.
Why not join in, and pause the show as you try to come up with story ideas of your own? Difficult, challenging, zany and sometimes hilarious... brace yourself for a 6-story challenge!
2022-05-0147 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#5. The Shape of a Story: Building and Varying Tension in Your Creative Writing (followed by zany game of Exquisite Corpse!)Another insightful and unexpected discussion about inspiration, followed by a ZANY round or two of Exquisite Corpse.
This time, part 1 is all about how to vary the tension in your creative writing, drawing on some unusual tips and principles... drawn from the world of acting.
Part 2 is as bizarre as ever: Anna Tizard brainstorms story ideas mixing up YOUR words and phrases.
Tune in, be inspired - and laugh your head off!
And don't forget to keep those words coming in. The Socks of Destiny need you at: www.annatizard.com/pl...
2022-04-1728 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#4. Writing Around the Secret: The Necessity of the Unknown (includes unique creative writing prompt)Are you interested in the psychology of creative writing and the enigma of inspiration? Would you like to hear some unique writing prompts that can really enrich your storytelling? Try this week’s episode of Brainstoryum: Writing Around the Secret.
Stick around for the game of Exquisite Corpse at the end – this is story brainstorming in its rawest and purest form! As ever, this is profound, deep-thinking content, with a solid helping of humour too!
Don't forget to subscribe my Deeply Weird newsletter and send words and phrases for inclusion in the Exquisite Corpse game at ww...
2022-04-1030 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#3. Making a Surreality Together - Through Creative Writing and ReadingLast week's show was all about finding your unique creative purpose. But did the original Surrealists have a creative purpose, and what can that tell us about inspiration and creativity?
Another deeply weird and philosophical exploration, followed by 3 rounds of Exquisite Corpse.
Keep those words coming! - Please submit words at www.annatizard.com/play. You never know when they'll crop up in a Brainstoryum, to inspire a new story idea.
2022-04-0330 minBrainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing Prompts#2. Psychology of Writing: Your Creative PurposeHave you ever considered why you write or create? Is there a deeper reason? Just thinking about this topic can inspire you and enrich your writer’s journey.
Then, of course, it’s time for another brainstorm using Exquisite Corpse! Seriousness and silliness never held hands quite so tightly as they will today…
Don't forget to send me some words and phrases at www.annatizard.com/play - you may inspire the next Brainstoryum!
2022-03-2724 min
Brainstoryum: Short Stories and Writing PromptsNEW TRAILER (2023 update): Inspiration for Your Writing Using the Surrealist Word Game of Exquisite CorpseWelcome to Anna Tizard’s Brainstoryum! Be inspired - and have fun - using the surrealist word game of Exquisite Corpse to brainstorm unique new story ideas. Great for creative writers, odd bods and thinkers everywhere. Let the games and the story brainstorms begin!
2022-03-0404 min