Magic Talisman Writing Prompt

Question

There is a magic talisman that allows its keeper to read minds. It falls into the hands of a young high school student. How does this magic item change the student's life? Do they use the talisman for good, bad, personal advantage, to help others, etc.? 

Answer 1

What is it you are trying to do with these questions? I ask because one could answer "yes" to each of them and be done with it--but we will have learned nothing about that student nor the world.

Rather than, "Does it changer their life?", which we know without a doubt it will, maybe ask, "HOW will it change their life?" This is a much more difficult question to answer because there is no one single answer. Think about it, many of us wish we knew what our friends REALLY think of us, but...what if they don't like us? What if we find they think we are boring? What if that time we asked them to hang out and they said they were stuck with their parents they were actually hanging out with other friends? Friends that they would be embarrassed if they knew you?

But to the question itself, "Would they use it for good or bad?"; more than likely, they would start by using the talisman for personal gain--but the story would only be interesting if there was a change in the person, and they eventually used the gift for good.

That's what makes a story compelling--all stories are about journeys and discoveries, and the most compelling journey is the inner journey and the most significant discovery is of the self.