Prompt Writing at its Finest
I'm always asked how I get my ideas for my novels. And I don't have a straight answer. Sometimes I get inspiration while washing my hair in the shower. Or driving to/from work.
When I am lying next to my feverish son in the wee hours of the morning. Or even just as I am about to drift off to sleep myself. They come from everywhere.
Blog posts on the other hand--since I try to post daily--are a bit harder to sustain. As you can see from some of the dribble I write here, aren't always as planned as I would like (or thought out). So, from time to time, I've turned to the blessed Internet to help me. And boy, is there a lot to be had out there.
Right now my favorite daily writing prompt site is from the Writer's Digest (link here). I haven't publicly posted any of my responses on this blog yet for fear of laughing myself silly, but this site is a real treasure.
First, the writing prompts aren't full of that rudimentary crap. Oh you remember them. Think back to high school English or Creative Writing 101 in college. Writing assignment number 1: Free write about the word Love. Ready. Set. Go.
...
Did you feel like grabbing a pen and spiral notebook and writing til your wrist hurt?
Neither did I.
So, since I started this little ole blog of mine, I've been on the hunt for a good writing prompt generator. Something that is clever, entertaining, and motivates one to actually write more than the free write classic, I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. (For those of you not familiar with the free write exercise. You write for about fifteen minutes, NONSTOP until some timer rings. I cope with the I-don't-know-what-to-write dilemma by filling the page with the exercise mantra).
Anyway, back to topic. I love the Writer's Digest Writing Prompts because they are above all else motivating. Original. Funny. And hell at least a bit more intriguing than the old classics. Don't believe me? Well take a look at today's little ditty:
....
Right?
Well maybe it is just the writer in me. But hey, give them a looksee trust me. You'll find at least one of the prompts that strikes your fancy. And what's writing 500 words when I write 80,000 word novels?
* My response to this prompt is incoming. I think I may have found a new obsession. It might even entice me to start a regular writing prompt response feature on the blog. What do you think?
When I am lying next to my feverish son in the wee hours of the morning. Or even just as I am about to drift off to sleep myself. They come from everywhere.
Blog posts on the other hand--since I try to post daily--are a bit harder to sustain. As you can see from some of the dribble I write here, aren't always as planned as I would like (or thought out). So, from time to time, I've turned to the blessed Internet to help me. And boy, is there a lot to be had out there.
Right now my favorite daily writing prompt site is from the Writer's Digest (link here). I haven't publicly posted any of my responses on this blog yet for fear of laughing myself silly, but this site is a real treasure.
First, the writing prompts aren't full of that rudimentary crap. Oh you remember them. Think back to high school English or Creative Writing 101 in college. Writing assignment number 1: Free write about the word Love. Ready. Set. Go.
...
Did you feel like grabbing a pen and spiral notebook and writing til your wrist hurt?
Neither did I.
So, since I started this little ole blog of mine, I've been on the hunt for a good writing prompt generator. Something that is clever, entertaining, and motivates one to actually write more than the free write classic, I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. (For those of you not familiar with the free write exercise. You write for about fifteen minutes, NONSTOP until some timer rings. I cope with the I-don't-know-what-to-write dilemma by filling the page with the exercise mantra).
Anyway, back to topic. I love the Writer's Digest Writing Prompts because they are above all else motivating. Original. Funny. And hell at least a bit more intriguing than the old classics. Don't believe me? Well take a look at today's little ditty:
Santa Claus is considering retirement and is looking for a successor. You’ve decided to apply for the gig. Explain why you should be the next Santa, and what changes you’d make to the North Pole workshop.*Don't tell me your mind wasn't reeling after the first sentence. Santa Claus. Successor. Hell, that could be an ENTIRE novel at this point.
....
Right?
Well maybe it is just the writer in me. But hey, give them a looksee trust me. You'll find at least one of the prompts that strikes your fancy. And what's writing 500 words when I write 80,000 word novels?
* My response to this prompt is incoming. I think I may have found a new obsession. It might even entice me to start a regular writing prompt response feature on the blog. What do you think?
Labels: Internet, links, writing prompt
