25 Writing Prompts x 2

Could you explain me what "prompt" is. I tried finding out, but I am still not sure.

A writing prompt is a word, phrase or sentence that sends you on your writing way. I prefer one-word prompts. Let's say the prompt is "red." You might write about childhood memories of your mother's red lipstick or a bicycle that you had. Or you might write about the time a ketchup packet exploding on your shirt. Or you might recall that you can't stand the color red, and then write about your dog.

Other prompts: Monday, "at the wedding," "breakfast," "flat tire," "rain," "broken," "where?" and/or "daisies." The possibilities are endless.

A prompt is intended to inspire you to the page. You will commonly hear people say, "I want to write, but I don't know what to write about." The idea of a prompt is to give you something to write about.

There are many, many websites and literally hundreds of books that are jam-packed with writing prompts. Do a search for "writing prompts" and you'll find several sites, some of which invite you to sign up for a daily email prompt.

I send out a prompt three times a week to a group of writers that have attended my workshops. We write and then share via "reply all."

In our group, we write for 10 minutes on the prompt. The idea is to write what comes naturally without pausing to worry about choice of words, spelling, punctuation. The writing should be organic and free-flowing. Later, if you want to pluck out certain elements and elaborate, or if you want to craft the words into a polished piece, that's great. But the initial writing is simply to serve as inspiration.

Generally, when we write on a prompt, we can share, but we don't subject it to criticism.

I like simple, general prompts that have universal appeal.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the explanation. Can a prompt be also longer, a sentence, or for example a picture? Or melody? Something else than just couple of words, that is my question.

The longer and more detailed a prompt is, the more it narrows the possibilities. A prompt like "rainy day" lends itself to narrative, memoir, fiction, discourse on the weather or mood--it can take the writer in a host of directions, which is the point. Prompts are really great to unstick a stuck writing mind.

A longer prompt -- e.g. Michael was shocked by Betty's choice of attire. -- limits the possibilities by laying out a structure that the writer must work within.

A longer sentence or a picture is consider a "story starter" rather than a prompt. In my writing group, we use prompts that are usually one or two words, sometimes three. My favorite prompt of all time, which led me to write one of my best pieces ever, was "at the wedding." Three words. But you wouldn't believe where it took me.

If you have a large group of writers, and they all write on the same one-word prompt for ten minutes, you would be amazed at the different journeys inspired by a single-word prompt. If you ask them to write on a full sentence, you will likely find the stories all confined to whatever was laid out in the sentence, like about Michael and Betty. One- or two-word prompts turns a writer loose, which is the point.

Writing prompts are intended as exercise for the writing muscle.

Story starters (photos, opening sentences) are just that.

I don't know what you mean by "melody" but again, the prompt has to have universal appeal in that it can be whatever the writer wants it to be. Not all music inspires all writers.

You can check in with Artistic, but as a long-time writer and writing teacher, I define "prompt" as one or two words, perhaps three--just a little something to inspire the writer and get the pen moving.

Sorry I didn't get back to this sooner. Message me if you need more info.

Thanks Wordsmith for the detailed info.

Popcorn: Prompts can be any of the things you listed. It's just something to get a writer started. For example: You could write as a prompt:

• Use a front-page headline from today's newspaper to start a scene.

• Turn to page 16 in any book and use every 16th word on the page.

• Write about the word: orange

• Challenge yourself. Set a timer for 15 minutes. How much can you write of your work in progress in that time?

• A man walked into a bar ...

Prompts can be anything. The idea is simply to get a writer started down a path.

HTH.

F.A.

Love the explanation between story starter and prompt. Makes it easier now to do mine for the swap

Thank you for clearing. When searching prompts in internet, many are longer than three words. I will join the other swap with 50 prompts (unless there will be the hundred one).

Partners have been assigned. Let's get swapping!

Prompts are mailed out to my two partners today. Happy writing!