Please Be Prompt

The Prompt: A witch smokes a cigarette in a lake. She is thinking about cathedrals. A swan is playing golf behind her. It might be April Fool's Day, but this is no joke - Please Be Prompt is back! Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman return with a pair of poems based on the above prompt.  The hosts also discuss how their processes differ when writing poetry versus prose.  

The Prompt: Write a story about a liar and include a time machine. Also use the sentence - "This means war" On this episode of the the show co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman welcome guest Daniel Kearsey! That means of course there will be a trio of stories based upon this prompt. The first deals with a post apocalyptic future and the slim hope for something better.  The second deals with old friends who might be older than you realize. And the third tale of the episode deals with brothers whose imaginations might be closer to reality than they realize.   

The Prompt: The more dangerous a job is, the more it pays.  You just took a job offer to stand in an empty room and do nothing for $100k an hour. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman present two tales of odd jobs that seemingly pay too well. The first is all fun and games, that is until the game isn't fun. The second story deals with having your empathy turned against you.

The Prompt: Write a story about an archaeologist and include a musical instrument.  Use the line: "I can fix this." Bonus: There seems to be no one left on the planet. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman provide two stories based upon this particular prompt. The first is about a college class presentation gone wrong. The second is a parallel tale of two unlikely individuals meeting at an opportune time. 

The Prompt: Write a 1000 word story in the crime genre.  This is about a video game character and should include a single earring.  Also use the sentence "Leave me alone!" Bonus: the story involves a fight. It's back to just Ryan and Joshua this week!  The co-hosts have prepared two tales of video game violence and misdirection. First up is a story about playing video games so much it's like you're living in one. The second is about a character in a video game universe, just trying to do their job.

The Prompt:  You own the best saloon for a hundred miles.  You're no nonsense and good at your job: the saloon is clean, the barmaids are treated well, and the patrons are happy.  But when an outlaw bursts in with guns blazing, your happy little saloon is at risk.  A brawl breaks out, and you pull your own gun from behind the counter to get everyone to stop.  The outlaw points their gun at you, and you balk.  This isn't just any outlaw; this is the famed bank robber, wanted dead or alive by every sheriff in the west.  More importantly, they're your ex - the first and only person you've ever loved. It is a banner day for Please Be Prompt!  Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman welcome their very first guest to the podcast - Audrey Worthington! Which means there will be three prompted works to read this week! First is a story of the tragedy of scorned love and the mistake of running away into the frontier. Next is a reminiscence about the complexities of work/life balance in the harshness of the wild west. Lastly we have the next hit country song - a tragic ballad of love and scoundrels.     

The Prompt:  Write a 900 word story in the children's genre.  It's about a demon and should include weights.  Also use the phrase 'Whoopsidaisies!'  Bonus: Your character is hated by everyone. Well here it is folks!  We have the first completed prompt for season 2!  Two weeks have come and gone and co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman are ready to share what they've created. First up is a winding whimsical tale of children and demons which may or may not have an abrupt ending. Next, it's a children's story about a big city bureaucrat who arrives to lay down the law but releases an ancient evil instead. 

Welcome back to Please Be Prompt!  The podcast about writing, inspiration, and the journey through the process! It's season TWO!  Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman return ready to write!  On this premiere episode the co-hosts reintroduce the concept of the series and let you know what new aspects to expect from this second season. And of course we have what you've all been waiting for - the reveal of the first prompt of season two!   

The Prompt: Have a guest on the show and host a discussion about reading and what you're reading currently. On this BONUS episode of Please Be Prompt co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman welcome guest David Tavolier! David edits and produces the podcast and the three discuss some of the behind of the scenes of the show, reading versus hearing stories, and what they are reading currently.

The Prompt: Pitch an idea for a children's television program - to actual children. On this BONUS episode of Please Be Prompt co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman create and present ideas for children's TV shows.  Guests Lucy & Alice Witsaman, certified children and consumers of children's television programing, hear the pitches and share their thoughts. 

The Prompt: A story that involves both murder and time travel.  What alternative time lines were created and what changes from time line A and what stays the same? It is the first season finale of Please Be Prompt!  Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman traverse time and space to present you with this pair of stories. The first is about a time traveler who seeks a favor and the unforeseen consequences of granting such a request. The second deals with self reflection and the uncertainty of when our lives truly begin.

The Prompt: Wanting a fresh look you're lucky enough to get a makeover from a famous style guru.  But after a few days you realize their magic goes beyond fantastic hair, clothes, and makeup. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman return for this seasons penultimate episode.  They present two tales of life changing personal beautification. The first is a poem about a customer who seeks their outward appearance to match their inner self. The second deals with the acceptance of a new family, the rituals required to join, and the unexpected results afterward.

The Prompt: You live in a world where you can buy and sell bottled emotions.  It is a government regulated industry, but illegal dealers and black markets run rampant.  Some emotions are worth more than others. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman present two stories created from this prompt. The first deals with the perils of indulging heavily in certain emotions. The second is an emotion fueled romp through a dystopian wonderland. 

The Prompt: "Ladies and gentlemen, werewolves, vampires, and mermen - this is your captain speaking.  Welcome aboard.  Our flight to New Transylvania will take 18 years, 1 month, and 22 days." After hearing that announcement you knew too late that you were on the wrong flight.  Returning for another discussion about the writing process co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman present two new stories about getting stuck on the wrong plane. The first deals with an idiot who bullies his way onto the wrong flight. The second is about a monstrous young woman who thought she was ready for a brand new adventure.

The Prompt: You are the greatest villain to have ever faced against the heroes.  Your power is to heal others. On this episode co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman present two stories of villainous masterminds putting into action their evil machinations - with their healing touch. To start we have the tale of a truly villainous evil doer achieving their masterstroke in typical villain fashion. Next we have a climactic battle between heroes and villains which could mean death for some and a new beginning for others. 

The Prompt: For humans, heaven is a paradise.  For angels it's just a customer service job that never, ever ends.  Today is your first day on the job and you're already considering switching sides. On this 7th episode of Please Be Prompt, co-hosts Ryan Rimmele & Joshua Witsaman present dual tales dealing with heavenly affairs.  As it turns out there seems to be trouble in paradise. The first story is about a brand new ophanim who finds themselves in over their head, if they actually had a head that is. The second deals with the divine equivalent of the hesitation of hitting the 'send' button on a particularly important email.  And in heaven that hesitation can last an eternity.   

The Prompt: There are only two things I can't explain with science.  Magic and what happens after death.  Which makes dating a necromancer really trying at times. On this episode co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman unearth some long buried ideas from their rotting subconsciouses to bring you two tales that put the Romance in Necromancer!  The first is about a girlfriend who helps initiate an unexpected family reunion. The second deals with a woman who has to get her devoted boyfriend out jail.    

The Prompt: A person hears voices.  The voices don't negatively affect their life, in fact often times they actually help. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman call upon the voices in their heads to help them write new stories using this prompt.  The first story deals with a comforting voice emanating from a familiar spot.  The second tale deals with an unknown voice doing its best to mitigate some potentially hazardous ambition.       

The prompt: Your character is driving a rental car when they hear the thump of a flat tire.  After pulling over they realize the thump wasn't from a flat, it's coming from the trunk. On this episode co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman open their trunks to unload a pair of stories.  The first deals with a shady job opportunity gone wrong.  The second is about a strange anomaly which may never be fully understood.    

The Prompt: Write an 850 word story in the epic genre, it's about a mountaineer, and should include a pen.  Also use the sentence - "This is delicious!"  Bonus: Civilization has come to an end. Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman meet the challenge and offer up two such miniaturized epic stories.  The first tale is about a mountain village troubled by a fearsome deity.  The second entry is a poem detailing a glimpse of the end of the world.   

The Prompt: Create a 600 word story in the fantasy genre about a loving grandfather which should include a ripped up bank note.  Also use the sentence  - "Maybe we should just kiss to break the tension." Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman present two tidy little tales about bargaining with evil and survivors of an alien apocalypse.  They break down how each story came to be and discuss the unforeseen challenges of creating something from this first prompt.

Welcome to the very first episode of Please Be Prompt, the podcast about writing and the journey through the process. Every episode co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman are presented with a prompt and given two weeks to write something based upon that prompt. They'll share what they've created and discuss how each came to be! On this premier episode the co-hosts introduce themselves, examine the premise of the show, and reveal the first prompt. 

Audio trailer for the Please Be Prompt Podcast - arriving August 7th! Subscribe now and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! A Simpatico Production about the small inspirations needed to initiate the writing process. Co-hosts Joshua Witsaman & Ryan Rimmele present new pieces based on prompts they discover & discuss their writing processes & how each piece came to be. Music by Kabbalistic Village.