The Feather on the Wall and Other Writing Prompts

In our first prompt today, we have an odd accessory pinned to the wall. What room do you think they’re in—whoever “they” turn out to be? Grab a pen (quill optional) and see what kind of story you can weave from one of the prompts below. 

• “Why is that feather pinned on the wall?” asked….
• What’s your favorite kind of bird?
• Jane was shocked when she heard the parrot say….
• An ostrich wanders into your backyard. What happens next?

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Personally, I think ostriches are scary.

Comments and stories welcome below!

Photo courtesy of Marie Hale at flickr

A Shaky Situation and Other Writing Prompts

What is that person standing on in the first prompt, and why is it a bad idea to stand on it? If you don’t get any sparks from that prompt, keep reading until you find something that inspires you. 

• “I wouldn’t stand on that,” she said, right before ….
• A lot of people thought it was a mistake when I….
• Linda realized that she’d turned the wrong way when…
• What do you think of the idea that nothing’s a mistake if you learn a lesson from it?

Common writing advice is to “start with the day that’s different,” and the day something goes wrong is always “different,” isn’t it? Comments (or good stories) welcome below!

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Picture courtesy of Newsome Antiques on flickr

Thoughts of Summer and Other Writing Prompts

Pick one of the prompts below and cook up (or would that be "barbecue"?) a story about summer. 

• Summer makes me think of....
• Ellen said, "Camping always sounds like a good idea until...."
• Define "summer beach read." 
• What was summer vacation like when you were a kid?

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Photo courtesy of Klearchos Kapoutsis at flickr

The Book Collection and Other Writing Prompts

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." ~Stephen King 

Where is “she” in prompt number one: a massive library, or in a room with just a few books? And who’s she talking to: an adult or a child? All the details are up to you if you tackle prompt #1, but you can also browse the other prompts. Try them all, if you’re feeling bibliophilic.

1. "How many books do you own?" she asked...

2. Describe three books that have influenced you greatly.

3. "I found your little black book," said...

4. Combine a book, a loaf of bread, and a cactus in a story or poem.

Pick a prompt and get to work! Leave a comment to tell me about the results.

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Photo courtesy of Tom Mascardo at flickr

Tattoos and Other Writing Prompts

Body art is the theme of today’s batch of writing prompts. We’ll start our potential reflections on personal ornamentation with a glimpse into that all-important moment of decision: who is that guy in the first prompt, and why does he want something put on his body permanently?

• He decided to get a tattoo because….
• Have you had anything pierced?
• “Your hair looks like….”
• What’s your favorite article of clothing? Where did you get it? 

Personally, I’d love to get a tattoo. Do you have one? 

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Photo courtesy of by Micael Tattoo Faccio at flickr

The Desert in Spring & Other Writing Prompts

The desert can be spectacular in spring... but what are those flowers hiding, there in the first prompt?

• The patch of yellow desert flowers covered...
• Have you ever had an unpleasant encounter with a cactus thorn(s)?
• The dirt road led into the Joshua Tree forest...
• What's your favorite thing about the Mojave Desert?

For bonus ideas: 
Are you familiar with the story of the Mojave Phone Booth?

Photo courtesy of Michael Dorausch at flickr.

Introversion vs. Extroversion & Other Writing Prompts

Did you know “introvert” is not synonymous with “shy”? Generalizations and stereotypes abound about both extroverts and introverts. Today’s writing prompts will lead you to consider the differences between the party animals and wall flowers among us:

--Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert? Why?  

--Jennifer hated going to parties because….

--After Ben volunteered to deliver the eulogy, he remembered that….

--What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done in a public place?

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On the subject of introverts, I recommend: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. (Yes, I’m introverted.)

Picture by Eddy Van 3000

Climbing Mount Everest & Other Writing Prompts

What’s your favorite form of exercise?  This batch of writing prompts uses physical activity to inspire a mental workout. Get at the starting line and see where one of these takes you:

~Ellen decided to climb Mount Everest because….
~He watched Willy throw the golf clubs, one by one, into….
~“I think we should play tennis,” she said, inspiring him to reply….
~He told his wife the bowling league met on Thursdays, but the truth was….

What’s the most challenging physical thing you’ve ever done? Marathon, back packing, sky diving?

Photo courtesy of PeterGene

Gold Hunting & Other Writing Prompts

I was cruising around Outside’swebsite when several headlines caught my eye, inspiring me to post another installment of Prompts with Links. Certainly, one of these headlines (or articles) will inspire you to take an adventure of the written kind (a ten minute adventure, in which you write without stopping or crossing out or questioning the direction you’re going—judge your results after the buzzer goes off).

--Woman Twice Rescued Hunting for Gold 

--Super Mosquitoes to Invade Florida

--Man Says Bear Stopped Lion Attack

--Four Confirmed Dead in Two Days on Everest

Which prompt inspires you?

Photo courtesy of D'oh Boy (Mark Holloway)

The Wardrobe Malfunction & Other Writing Prompts

Have you ever had an article of clothing rip open, fall off, or otherwise fail you? I’ve had to find creative solutions to the unexpected failure of everything from shoes to bikini tops. Those embarrassing sartorial moments are the inspiration for this week’s writing prompts. Try on one of these prompts, and see if you can stitch together a story:

~Sam heard the fabric rip and realized....  

“~Give me your shirt,” she demanded, “because….”

~The elastic wasn’t strong enough to withstand….

~Have you ever used duct tape, paper clips, or staples for an emergency clothing repair?

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What's your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?

My picture of a pair of jeans that failed my hubby at a most inopportune time.

The Traveling Companions and Other Writing Prompts

Over dinner with friends last weekend, I wound up talking (too much) about vacations I’ve taken—in particular, some of my trips that went awry (to use that term loosely). Those trips inspired this week’s writing prompts. Grab a prompt and jet away, figuratively, into a story… 

• Hawaii was beautiful, but her traveling companions were….
• “I’m going to Boston with or without you,” he said, “so you can stay at home or….”
• I found the graveyard charming, until….
• The night before her flight home, she found out she was allergic to….

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What about you? Do you have a trip-gone-awry story?

Photo Info:

My photo of  Ka Lae/South Point (the southernmost point in the United States), on the Big Island of Hawaii, 1995.

Message in a Bottle & Other Writing Prompts

Here’s a twist on my usual writing prompts: actual headlines, linked to their respective articles. I’d bet that if the headline itself doesn’t spark a story (any kind of story, in any form, by the way), then something in the article will. Pick one and dig in for ten minutes to see what you can create (remember, no backspacing, no crossing out… just write).

~"Message in a bottle returns to writer's family after 76 years"

~"Poor sleep can lead to feeling unappreciated in your relationship"

~"Writing letters to complete strangers can make the world a better place"

~"Oldest marathon runner plans to retire, aged 101"

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Photo info: Copyright by Moyan Brenn

Writing Prompts: The How of Writing

Many writers have a routine that eases them into the waters of creativity. I recently changed my routine, which got me to thinking about how we write; our writing spaces and the things we do to call the muse.

With that idea in mind, here are four writing prompts:

1. Describe your perfect writing space.

2. The one thing I have to have when I write is…

3. First drafts: Longhand or computer? 

4. Have you had an interesting experience while writing in a public place (Starbucks, the library, etc.)?

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Photo courtesy of @sahxic < twitter - Sarah Scicluna

The Return of Writing Prompts

When my writing group was meeting on Wednesdays (I miss you all, by the way, wherever you are), I created writing prompts each week to give everyone a warm-up exercise.

~What’s your favorite food?

~At the top of the stairs…

The goal was to spark an idea that could be used in any way: poetry, fiction, memoir, or essay, and it didn't matter how tangential the piece might be to the actual subject or question in the prompt. Crossing out was strongly discouraged and no dictionaries were allowed. We took ten or fifteen minutes to craft our impromptu pieces. Sometimes we came up with gems, and sometimes we wrote clunkers.

~Describe your first car.

~Combine a bowl, a lamp, and a dog toy in a story/poem.

Writers are often dismissive about prompts since no writer has a shortage of ideas. I think of prompts as an exercise, or something akin to Suduko for people who like to write.

What do you think you could do with one of the prompts above? All were popular with my group.

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My first car was a Ford Granada that looked a lot like the one in the picture above. Photo courtesy of Dave_7.

The Trash Can & Other Writing Prompts

• An overflowing trash can….
• Do you do any volunteer work?
• What's your favorite period of history?
• The wilted roses….
• She said, "I should have…."
• Use this quote as inspiration: "There are no secrets better kept than the secrets that everybody guesses." --George Bernard Shaw, from "Mrs. Warren's Profession." 

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If you've never used a writing prompt before, you may want to read my sidebar note, "What is a Writing Prompt and Why Would I Use One?"

Photo courtesy of Jason McArthur

Rolling the Dice & Other Writing Prompts

• Andy rolled the dice. . . .
• Are you afraid of insects?
• The last time she called. . . .
• In 1936. . . .
• Amy said, "I've never liked. . . ."

#

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Image courtesy of Alan Cleaver

The Broken Cup & Other Writing Prompts

• The cup broke....
• Pets are....
• Use this quote for inspiration: "Be the change that you want to see in the world." --Mohandas Gandhi
• My family....

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Photo courtesy of Michael Hashizume

The Casino & Other Writing Prompts

Pick a prompt that intrigues you in some way. Freewrite for ten minutes on the story it inspires--write without stopping or editing your work. At the end of ten minutes, you may have a story worth exploring. Or you might not. Don't worry about how it will turn out--just write!

--Ann walked into the casino....

-- I like spring because....
-- Dan began smiling. "Really? If that's true, then...." -- Is your clutter under control?
-- Combine a box, a tape recorder, and a fish in a story or poem.
-- If only he'd known....

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Photo courtesy of William Picard at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/837612

The Wind & Other Writing Prompts

Looking for a little inspiration? Pick a prompt and freewrite about whatever the prompt brings to mind. Write without stopping, and minimize your corrections. Just write!

--The wind blew so hard....
--Describe the last wedding you attended.
--"That hole's not nearly deep enough," said Terry. "It'll need to be a lot bigger for...."
--He was waiting at the corner....
--Do you like to go out, or would you describe yourself as a "home-body"?
--Combine paper clips, batteries, and tulips in a story or poem.
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Image by Christian Ferrari - http://christian-ferrari.blogspot.com/

Running Away & Other Writing Prompts

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for a fresh batch of writing prompts, hot off the hard drive. Pick a prompt and write about anything it brings to mind. Write without stopping for ten minutes. Minimize crossing out words, and don't even think about using a dictionary. At the end of ten minutes, who knows what you might have?

--Eric decided to run away because....
--For dog lovers: do you prefer big dogs or small dogs? Why?
--The clock ticked....
--Betty was frustrated. She said, "It isn't funny, Ernest. How can you laugh about...."
-- The view from the top of the mountain....
-- Combine firewood, a wind chime, and a rat in a story or poem.

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Photo courtesy of Brennan Paezold at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/398823