How do you get prompts for writing practice?
sentharia asked:
Is there a website you use with writing prompts? If so, what are the websites you use? Do you flip randomly through the dictionary and try to come up with a story or poem based on the word you choose? (Flange, WTF is a flange? Oh shit, schwa! But that has such a limited use!!!) Do you sit there and poke yourself in the forehead with your finger until something either pops into place or you get a bruise? What do YOU do?
Is there a website you use with writing prompts? If so, what are the websites you use? Do you flip randomly through the dictionary and try to come up with a story or poem based on the word you choose? (Flange, WTF is a flange? Oh shit, schwa! But that has such a limited use!!!) Do you sit there and poke yourself in the forehead with your finger until something either pops into place or you get a bruise? What do YOU do?
Tags: Bruise, Dictionary, Limited, Schwa, Writing Prompts
July 14th, 2010 at 7:17 am
One of the best exercises I have used for this would be to keep postcards or greeting cards in a recipe box then you can pull them out randomly. You can also take pictures from magazines of people.
If you want live practice you can go to the mall food court and just watch people. Try to write a story or poem based on what your impressions are. Try and get into their head by looking into their eyes. Try to get past the first impression of the picture or person and see past.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:48 am
There are lots of websites that give you writing prompts.
July 15th, 2010 at 12:56 am
You want ideas on how to write short little things for practice?
I don’t know about any writing prompts online (but that would be cool).
When I write, it’s like a movie in my head. So I choose a film scene, or a picture, or maybe a certain song that sparks an emotion; then I write. My computer and notebooks are filled with tiny one or two pages of randomized scenes.
When you feel like writing, just look at your keyboard, your pencil, or into space and watch for an idea in your head.
For example, you see a book in your library. It reminds you of two people who are playing chess in a park. And then your creative juices take over. Maybe one person has a limp in the right leg. Did they get it from war? A gun shot from the mafia? Write it out!
It could become your next novel, or just a writing exercise.
edit: This is a book I love. It contains prompts, and random things that can help with a writer’s block.
July 17th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I have journals w/ snippets of dialogue that I like but didn’t use in other stories. Another has character studies. Another has plots, several pages for each one so I can fill in details as I need them. I keep a small pad in my purse to jot down ideas on the go. At home I turn on music, sit in a comfortable chair & play “What If?” Sometimes it’s in reaction to a song, other times to my musings.
I don’t usually have trouble coming up w/ ideas. If I do, & the above ideas don’t stimulate my mind, then I glance through the book The Writer’s Idea Book by Jack Heffron.
[edit] You shouldn’t have any trouble w/ ideas. I liked your image of hitting your forehead w/ your finger & getting a bruise. Very funny–very visual. I knew exactly what you meant.