Writing Prompt Story Starter: The Timeless Sea


the sea

Is there a place where you can be alone, yet not feel lonely? When you need to gather your thoughts, or you want to feel like time has stopped? That’s the sea.

The sea as an inspiration is limitless.

The sea can rage, be calm and full of promise or present danger. The stories that spring to mind while gazing at the waves can be filled with romance, adventure, danger or hope . . . at any time in history too.

So what about our picture? A lone man looking out to sea. Is he reminiscing? Perhaps he’s waiting for someone to join him? Could he be meeting someone in secret? Is a marriage proposal about to occur?

Or maybe, after, a year of lockdown, he finds himself unable to be around lots of people again and craves some peaceful moments. The sea remains the same no matter what’s happening on land.

The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too.

These are the words of Vincent van Gogh, and the great artist is right. Whether life is calm or stormy, there’s a story in there somewhere.

What do you think? Does it make you think of an historical story?

Travelling has been disrupted for a while now, so perhaps the first thing you think of is a story set on a luxury cruise liner?

Maybe Jane McDonald will be on it? Whatever it is, it’s your story, so get writing!


Click here to take a look at more Story Starters from “The People’s Friend”. 

Tracey Steel

Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, Tracey has found her perfect place on The Friend as she’s obsessed with reading and never goes anywhere without a book! She reads all the PF stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!