Writing Prompts
This is something of a continuation of Friday's post on inspiration, as writing prompts have long been used to combat a lack thereof. Lately, I've been seeing quite a lot of writing prompts around and I have to wonder - are they good for anything more than a quick exercise?
In my opinion, they work for the same reason that I sometimes blog when I'm in the midst of a bout of writer's block - they kickstart your synapses, get your hands moving on the keyboard and, for a little while, get your mind off of your project, which sometimes is all you need. Quite often, however, when I see a writing prompt, it's couched in the context of something along the lines of "Need an idea for your next story? Here are some prompts". For me, it just doesn't work that way.
What do you make of them?
In my opinion, they work for the same reason that I sometimes blog when I'm in the midst of a bout of writer's block - they kickstart your synapses, get your hands moving on the keyboard and, for a little while, get your mind off of your project, which sometimes is all you need. Quite often, however, when I see a writing prompt, it's couched in the context of something along the lines of "Need an idea for your next story? Here are some prompts". For me, it just doesn't work that way.
What do you make of them?
9 Comments:
Writing Prompts are great only if you have the skills to take advantage of them.
I think prompts can be used more constructively than 'just a quick exercise'. No one's likely to frame up a great novel, but an idea to include in something larger, a turn of phrase, a character or a scene could well emerge.
"Memes" are all over blogs, to the point of distration, but they do get the keyboard clicking.
I use prompts to keep my writing, and maybe spark ideas, but I've never used a prompt as a key starting pointing for a major project.
Just surfing through... Not sure what writing prompts are.
Anyhow, looks like you've got an interesting site here (the first I've "prompted" to "write" about)..
Sorry...
Yes...cover your face in shame delmonti lol JK. Im still up in the air about writing prompts, although whenever im seriously burnt out with WB i do some "wildmind writing" (at least thats what i call it) I open up the dictionary, point to a word at random(read definition if i dont know it) then write the first word or sentence that comes to mind after reading that word. The i write a word or sentence that pops in my head from what i just wrote and so on. It starts to flow and eventually you just kind of let your pen and mind work in unison. go wherever your mind takes you, dont stop, and dont read what u wrote until your "finished" You get some interesting results from it sometimes.
Ahhh writing prompts. I use them to jump start my brain...but to they ever become anything..usually not. Usually I just need something to get me into a writing mood when I go into one of my slumps. They can lead to some fun stories though, cause usually I'll go crazy and write things I'd never usually write.
I like to use them sometimes to give me a jump start but have never used on for something that turned out better than just an excercize in writing.
Looks like most are of a similar opinion, then.
I wonder, though, why do you think some sites feel the need to portray writing prompts as ways to get your next great novel idea?
If you have the talents and the skills, you can make a book out any hint.
Even "LOL" could become a novel.
All you need are skills and writing is a roller-coaster ride.
I write from feelings.
And breathing is feeling to me.
What we see or hear affects how we breathe.
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