MY MOTHER NEVER...

I love this story prompt from Mslexia. It's personal, it's immediate, and it's absolute, requiring either an explanation or a reason why the the absolute might not have been so absolute that one time.

It might or might not prompt an actual story. You may have to work it a little. But, I'm pretty sure it will get you writing.

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"Here’s a goodie to gnaw on from our previous Fiction Competition judge Louise Doughty. ‘Why are the three words “My mother never…” such an effective opener to a short story? Because they introduce three of the essential elements of storytelling: voice, character and conflict. First, it’s a first person narrative. Second, the character of a mother is someone we all recognise (for good or ill). Third, that word “never” implies a conflict to come. (How much weaker that opener be if it was “My mother sometimes…”?)"