If you had to choose between yesterday and tomorrow, which would you pick and why? You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You're cleaning out your garage and, hidden away in a back corner, you find an old shoebox. The box is heavier than it should be. When you open it up, you find cash—$40,000, to be exact. Where did the cash come from, who hid it there and why? You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You're walking through a cemetery and you pass the grave of a World War II veteran. Write a scene from his life story. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You're taking a business trip and, as luck would have it, you're upgraded to first class—something you've never done before. As you sit down in your new, more comfortable chair, you notice that the person sitting next to you is a famous musician. Write this scene. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

Thinking back to your childhood and the many Halloween costumes you wore, which costume was your favorite and why? You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

You awaken with amnesia in what looks to be an igloo. You have $4 and a rock in one pocket, and a toothbrush in the other. Someone is staring at you. Write this scene. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

When out to lunch with co-workers, you bump into a close friend who refers to you by a nickname. Because of its unusualness, the nickname catches the interest of one of your co-workers who asks for the story behind it. Start your story with, "This may come as a surprise, but ... " and end it with, "And that's how I got the nickname (fill in the blank)." You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

After 42 years with your company, the day has finally arrived: your last day of work. Your coworkers throw you a lunch retirement party. After cake, one coworker asks you to reflect on your years with the company. So you do—and you hold nothing back. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

Write about an intense game of Scrabble that takes an ugly turn for the worse. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here

A hurricane hits in the South and folks are asked to evacuate. You're out of the hurricane's reach and offer your home up to anyone seeking refuge. A family member takes you up on the offer. When she arrives, she describes—in vivid detail—her experience. You can post your response (500 words or fewer) here