Thursday, January 12, 2017

Using Writing Prompts As A Jumpstart To Fuel Your Stories



We can all use a boost, sometimes. If there’s a hurdle to clear, that quick burst of energy comes in very handy. But where does it come from? Do you have some stashed away? Writers aren’t that different from runners in that sense. They both need stamina. They also must practice laps.

Today I’m going to discuss the idea of using writing prompts to jumpstart your stories. Some of us might think of this as being an academic exercise or something better suited for classrooms than for “real” writers. Baloney. I use writing prompts because they work. It gives you perfectly good material to cull from. What you do with it is up to you.

Recently, I’ve found that using writing prompts has taken my material into a new direction. I’ve also linked into a dedicated Wednesday Writing Prompt Group that welcomes all genres and styles. I really look forward to Wednesdays because I get a fresh burst of ideas and writers probably more so than regular pokes need motivation. It can be lonely out there for us keyboard-clackers.

Writing prompts can be used solely as an exercise. No doubt about that. You do run treadmills and go to spin class, right? Why shouldn’t you tighten your prose in a similar fashion? I find it particularly helpful because the use of writing prompts narrows my parameters, sharpens my focus. It’s not that I don’t have an objective when I sit down and write, but the objective is crystal clear with a writing prompt. It helps us stay on track.

Writers need to accept that everything they write shouldn’t necessarily be published. We have big egos so we don’t want to admit that, but it’s true. A good prompt might give us a few pages. That’s gold. Some of us might crank out more and some of us might crank out less. I’d liken this material to stock footage. You never know when you might need it so hang onto it. If you lose it or if the dog scarfs it down, you can always write more.

Here are 5 Types of Writing Prompts that you can add to your arsenal.

1 – Keyword and Themes


Have a Bag of Index Cards marked with Keywords and Themes. Let’s say you pull a card with the word, “door” then you must use the word door in your story. Clear, concrete images usually work best: “door”, “hammer”, “vampire”, “squid”, “window”, but you can spice things up with “brighten”, “fall”, “lofty”, ‘baggage”, “wonky” that will approach the thematic and slightly more esoteric side. A good mix is probably best.

2 – Opening Line

“It was a dark and stormy night.” “The druids huddled in a circle and chanted their great spell.” “Marjorie snuck the candy in her pocket and walked away.” Any type of intro is fine. You can take these stories in any direction. You may not even be fond of these intros, but they gives you starting points.

3 – Last Line

This can be very helpful. In fact, many writers do this for their work. It gives you direction. “They lived happily ever after.” “Pervis frowned at the scar, but decided to live with it.” “Edith tiptoed out with a great big tangerine slice of a grin.”

4 – Topic

First kiss. Scary experience. A memorable sleepover. Any of these will work.

5 – Combining (Theme and Last Line) or (Topic and Keyword) or any Combination

That could be an interesting way to approach it too.


Who benefits from writing prompts? I’d say all writers do, but if you want some specifics, here are 5 categories that can really benefit. You be your own judge if you fall under any of these categories.

1 – Character-driven writers

Now I mean this in its broadest sense. Character-driven writers tend to throw plot out the window if given the chance. Not that plot-driven writers can’t benefit from tightening too.

2 – Those of us With a Gift for the Tangential

Ok so maybe I sometimes fit into this category. I can empathize for sure. If you feel your prose if getting way off track, a keyword or theme can really tighten your focus.

3 – Students

If you’re a student then you might really love this or you might not. I find that students are more receptive to the prompts because they are hungry to produce lots of material.

4 – Writers Who Have ha d Long Lay Off

This can be a major blessing. Writers who are anxious to get back to the notebook or the iPad will benefit from the starting point. For me, reading articles usually prompts me to write, but we all find inspiration from different avenues.

5 – The Unfortunate Souls Suffering From Writer’s Block


You had the masterpiece going gangbusters and then kerflooey, not another word. Crickets. Nobody is asking you to admit to this form of literary kryptonite, but if you have ever been stricken with it then it couldn’t hurt to try a new springboard. Writing prompts have done wonders in this area.


Okay I think that give you an idea. Now it’s you turn to go out and write. Bring a pen!

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