Category: Prompts

  • Yard Sale Find, But . . . Prompt #260

    What kind of writing prompts do you like? Let me know and I’ll see if I can create prompts to meet your desires.

    Today’s writing prompt is inspired by one of my all-time favorite authors, Hal Zina Bennett.

    What if . . .

    Yard SaleDuring a long car trip, you stop at a yard sale in a strange town and find an interesting picture frame. It holds the photo of a familiar face —your fiancé’s or fiancée’s! There’s a passionate inscription to a stranger, dated three weeks ago.  Write about what happens next.

    From “40 Prompts To Get You Writing,” The Writer Magazine, February 2012.

    Hal Zina Bennett is the author of more than 30 books including: Write From the Heart: Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity; Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes & Exercise to Jumpstart Your Creativity; and Writing Spiritual Books: A Bestselling Writer’s Guide to Successful Publication. Hal has helped writers embrace their creativity and develop successful book projects for more than three decades.

    Marlene C

  • Someone Who Is Always There For You Prompt #259

    Write about someone who is always there for you. Or someone who needs you. 

    To Kill a Mockingbird I thought of this prompt when reading the quote from To Kill a Mockingbird:

     “I was to think of these days many times. Of Jem, and Dill…and Attticus. He would be in Jem’s room all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.”

    Let me (Marlene) know if you have a favorite quote. . . I can use quotes for writing prompts and for Tuesdays – Quote Day on The Write Spot Blog.

    Marlene C

  • Stumped for writing ideas? First lines . . . Prompt #258

    Vivi with book 2011First lines from books can make good writing prompts.

    “There was death at its beginning as there would be death again at its end.” The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

    “Whenever my mother talks to me, she begins the conversation as if we were already in the middle of an argument.”   The Kitchen’s God’s Wife  by Amy Tan

    “I woke up to find the message in my left hand.”  Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox

     

    “I drove up to the restaurant and parked, then leaned back in my seat to think for a moment.” The Celestine Prophecy  by James Redfield

    “We used to stay in bed most of the weekend”  My Dream of You  by Nuala O’Faolain

    “Take care to chop the onion fine.”    Like Water For Chocolate  by Laura Esquivel

    Click here for more first lines for writing prompts.

    Marlene C

  • Antique inspires transportive writing . . . Prompt #257

    Singer Sewing MachineChoose an old object from your home. If you don’t have one, find a picture of an antique.

    Imagine that when you touch the object, you are transported to its original time and place.

    Where are you? What happens? How do you interact with the object? What emotions does the object evoke?

    Prompt inspired from Rochelle Melander, excerpt in The Writer Magazine, February 2012

    Marlene C

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  • Glimpse through the fog. Prompt #256

    FogWriting Prompt:  Glimpse through the fog.

    Set your timer for 15-20 minutes. Write whatever comes up. Keep writing until the timer rings, or until the fog lifts.  Yeah, that might take awhile.

    Marlene C

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  • Know your characters intimately. Prompt #255

    renoir-dancing-150x150How to flesh out fictional characters . . . Give them depth . . . Get to know them intimately.

    Let’s say your fictional character has just received devastating news such as a job loss, death of a family member or close friend.

    How does he react?

    What are her immediate thoughts?

    What actions does he take next?

    Imagine your fictional character had an epiphany about a betrayal, a loss, an old grievance. . . something new has been revealed. What does he or she do?

    Take a few minutes to write about the purpose this character serves in the story.

    Ready?  Just write!

    Marlene C

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  • No one knows . . . Prompt #254

    ledger.ink wellToday’s prompt:  No one knows. . .

    You can write from real experience, or respond as your fictional character would respond.

    No one knows . . .

     

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

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  • Survival Kit . . . Prompt #253

    Survival Kit

    What would you put in a survival kit?

     

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

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  • Dead End . . . Prompt #252

    Dead EndToday’s Writing Prompt:

                    Dead End

                    OR:

                    One Way

     

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

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  • Elevator Pitch. . . Prompt #251

    Rachael HerronThis has been Rachael Herron Week on The Write Spot Blog. It’s been fun highlighting her and her work.

    Today’s writing prompt is inspired by her latest book, The Ones Who Matter Most.

    “What begins as one woman’s search for truth becomes a deep bond forged between the unlikeliest of people. Their surprising journey reveals how strangers can quickly find themselves to be family, and how kindness can bridge even the widest of gaps.”

    Choose something from this synopsis, or elevator pitch, to write about. Perhaps:

    Write about a kindness offered to you, or something kind you did for someone.

    Or, write about a surprising journey.

    Or, write about a stranger.

    Write about what a search revealed.

    Write about family.

    Note: An “elevator pitch” is a short summary of a book or project that can be explained in the time it takes an elevator to go from ground floor to the 30th floor.

    Marlene C

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