A terrible thunderstorm leaves you without power. When the storm is over you head outside and notice a neighbor heading your way. She's afraid the food in her fridge will go bad, so she's invited you and two other neighbors over for dinner—and it turns out to be one of the most memorable nights of your life. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

After six months of mailing resumes all over the city, you finally have a bite. Though under-qualified for the position, you attend the interview anyway because you desperately need work. As the boss starts to ask questions, you notice that he's not reading from your resume—it's someone else's. Instead of correcting him, you go with it. Write this interview. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You're hosting a 4th of July party at your house. Your closest friend is in charge of the firework show and it's a spectacular display of colors in the sky—that is, until one rogue firework misfires into your neighbor's home and catches her roof on fire. Write this scene. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

Where is your favorite place to read and why? You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

Recount the day you took the driver's test (whether you successfully got your license or not). If you've never taken the test, write how you imagine it'll go. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You're trying to lose weight and decide to keep a weekly diet journal. Write four short journal entries that show your progress (or lack thereof) over the span of your first month. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

At an Internet café, you've accidentally stumbled across an unlikely family member's MySpace page. What do you find? How do you deal with it? You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

Forrest Gump once said, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get." What is writing like? Write a simile that starts with the phrase, "Writing is like ... ." You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You and a friend have just finished a lovely meal at your favorite restaurant. But things take a turn when you notice that the waiter has scribbled an unexpected—and startling—message on your bill. Write this scene. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

The government has issued a warning that a particular (and common) household item is having an unusual side effect on children. Worse yet, you own this item. You rush home to check on your kids. When you get there, you're shocked to find that your kids have ... . Write this scene. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here