What’s Your Favorite Writing Prompt or Exercise?
By Jane Friedman
July 23rd, 2012
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While catching up on New Yorkers this weekend, I ran across a delightful piece by Rebecca Mead, “Earnest.” (Read it online.) It’s about Jeff Nunokawa, who writes one Facebook note per day. Mead writes:
Nunokawa typically takes a literary quotation—Edmund Spenser, James Merrill, Joni Mitchell—and elaborates upon it, sometimes for a line, sometimes for a paragraph or two. Nunokawa’s notes are meditations: half literary-critical, half confessional. He writes one a day. “I write as soon as I wake up, because that is when I am most alert and most anguished,” he said. “Each one takes between twenty minutes and four hours to write. It’s almost like a Lacanian session. [Read more.]
Which got me to thinking … Do you have a favorite writing prompt or exercise that you rely on for inspiration or guidance?
From now through Sunday (July 29), we’d like to hear about your favorite prompts/exercises in the comments. (Be sure to indicate the source of the prompt/exercise, if appropriate.) On Monday, we’ll randomly select one commenter to receive a free selection of journals from Miro, in a nifty canvas tote. We’ll also collect and post the best prompts from what’s shared.
Image: Balloon via Flickr and Haeckel Ascidiae via Wikimedia Commons
Category: Writing
The Virginia Quarterly Review
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:18 pm
My favorite writing prompt is taking one of my favorite pens and a notepad, and writing down whatever I feel at the moment. Sometimes a scene, or actually describing my emotions, a description of what I see/hear/touch etc. Definitely gets the creative juices flowing so I can focus on brainstorming for the actual book I am currently writing. :-)
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
My favourite writing prompts come from strangers. I will set up a typewriter (yes, the real, mechanical kind) and write “30-second stories.” People will come yp and I ask them for a name and a place, or an object and a situation or activity and write a short story based on what they give me. It only takes a few moments. I hand the story to the person and write down the basics of the best ideas. Those ideas can become longer pieces. I love doing this for an hour or more. It keeps me sharp and the people I interact with get a story and see a typewriter in action. I also get instant feedback on ly ideas, which doesn’t suck.
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:22 pm
My prompt is my sleepy subconscious. I write as early as I can possibly wake and before my conscious thoughts get in the way. It’s astonishing to me what I create during my first cup of coffee and before the rest of the house wakes up.
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:24 pm
“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.”
― William Faulkner
I write every day. Whether its nonsense or formed structured work is irrelevant. Writing the morning thoughts out of the way clears my head for more cohesive writing. For me Inspiration arrives promptly at 3.00am every morning and leaves at 8.00am most days. I used to lie in bed cursing the fact that I couldn’t sleep. Then one am well over 20 years ago I had enough, I got up and wrote and its been that way ever since. Be Well Martin A. Egan
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:30 pm
I have a list of adjectives from A to Z. I pick one at random, look it up and use the definition to write a quick story of around 2000 words. I require myself to use the adjective several times throughout the writing. I also use the synonyms to give myself variety and learn other words that mean the same. And if the definition gives me noun, adverb, verb then I have to use the adjectives in those forms as well. I’ve learned a lot of new words doing this and better uses of old stand-bys.
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I like to keep it simple. “I remember…” or “I see…” always get my juices going. Also “I want to write about…” is good.
July 23rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
My favourite writing prompt is a piece of good writing from an author I respect. At the moment I’m working to convert one of my non-fiction books (on the media) to a graphic version –either online or in paper. So, reading a few pages from Paul Buhle’s “Wobblies! A Graphic History of the Industrial Workers of the World,” or Franke James’ “Bothered By My Green Conscience” really gets the ideas percolating.
July 23rd, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I take a walk and pick up an object–a leaf of basil, a book, a handbill, a toy, a trinket, a blossom, a radish, a cactus plant, a candy wrapper, a newspaper, a pine cone that appears to be wrapped in green cloth it is so smooth, an orange cherry tomato, a frozen yogurt stick–and write about it, weaving it into a scene, with sensual details. I use this in teaching writing students, as well, grabbing objects to bring in a bag to class (a box of mac ‘n cheese brought out fascinating stories from several students).
July 23rd, 2012 at 7:39 pm
I like to start by writing about a place, usually some kind of built environment, that I have fond memories of. Describing what I remember about the place overlaps with the story (or stories) of myself and others in that place, and helps lead me into more focused writing.
July 23rd, 2012 at 9:00 pm
I like putting my characters into situations that are 100% outside of my novel. So my protag might end up on the set of I Love Lucy or another 1950s-era sitcom. Doing this forces me to consider avenues of character exploration that I couldn’t otherwise get into because I’m so inside my novel world.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:59 am
“And so…” allows me the freedom to move the characters/situation or myself to the next place. Frequently, from the unfolding of a response, I discover what came before, kind of like working a maze backwards. I’ll use it with no existing character or story in mind also, as a way of getting just getting words on the page. My version of priming the pump.
July 24th, 2012 at 2:49 am
A phrase or an arbitrary set of 3 to 4 words that I come across in books, films, road signs, advertisements is the most frequent writing prompt for me. The phrase or the set of 3 to 4 words creates a kind of chain reaction of images and words in my mind. I need to scribble them somewhere or it is lost. This becomes the essence of a piece that I write during my writing time.
By the way, thank you for introducing Jeff Nunokawa and Rebecca Mead’s writings.
July 24th, 2012 at 5:00 am
[...] Over at the VQR blog, I’m looking for writers to share their favorite writing exercise or prompt. One random commenter will win a selection of Miro journals in a nifty canvas tote. Click here to [...]
July 24th, 2012 at 9:01 am
My favorite prompt is usually a note to myself that I leave after I’ve written the last paragraph of the book I’m working on and am ready to call it a day. In other words, I always leave something unfinished, something to meditate on for the rest of the day and night.
July 24th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Photographs often inspire me to write. Music will bring on a certain mood that I need . And reading poetry. Those are the three things that prompt me onto the page when I need a shot of creative caffeine.
July 24th, 2012 at 9:18 am
My favourite writing prompt is taken from The Pocketbook of Prompts: 52 Ideas for a Story. “Choose two historical figures and send them on a blind date. Write it from three perspectives: each of the figures and someone watching the date.”
July 24th, 2012 at 9:23 am
I have an “inspiration” folder on my computer where I keep a collection of photographs that have caught my eye, either when surfing on the web or photos I have taken myself. Whenever I am looking for a new idea, I go to that folder and randomly choose a photo to spark my imagination!
July 24th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Starting out with a random line of dialogue, from whatever source, often works well for me. Once I can get characters talking, things will keep moving from there. I’ve also used random dictionary words and, if I really can’t get anything to happen, I’ve tried reading poetry collections and just making lists of words and phrases that appeal to me, and seeing what that mixture inspires. In general, though, I find that for me, the simplest and most wide-open types of prompts tend to work best.
July 24th, 2012 at 9:42 am
I use Evernote to jot down ideas digitally all day, all the time. Then, when I’m ready to spend some time writing, I sit down, look through my newest notes and when I read over something I’ve marked that strikes me… I see that as inspiration for my next writing topic.
July 24th, 2012 at 10:13 am
My favorite writing prompts have come from looking at art photography. It’s amazing the stories your mind will conjure up based on the talent and creative output of another. Browse through Flickr for some enlightening writing!
July 24th, 2012 at 10:44 am
My favorite writing prompt is to set my timer for 5 minutes and write about whatever I have on my mind. When the timer rings, I stop and begin a sentence with these words: “What I really want to say is. . . .” This stops the rambling and brings me to the heart of the story, where a writer really needs to be.
July 24th, 2012 at 11:51 am
I’m always looking for novel ways (yes, pun intended!) to spark a deeper or more interesting point of view, so I’ll often take a page from a book I’m reading or writing and completely alter the point of view–first person to third person limited, for instance, or from the daughter’s point of view to the mother’s, just to see where the characters will take me.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Graffiti scribble the first haiku that comes to mind on an index card, even if it makes no sense to me, then write about what it means (or give it meaning) for 20 minutes. Might be good for nothing but usually can be drawn into some other work in one way or another.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
I start every story pretending I’m sitting on a bar stool. In my head, I turn to the person sitting next to me and I say, “Did I told you the story about…?” And fill in the rest. It’s a psychological thing that works for me. Because if the story isn’t entertaining enough to tell at a bar full of strangers, there’s no sense in writing it.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
My favorite is to be in a cafe and eavesdrop, and use the most interesting bits to begin. Real dialogue is a great starting point, for me, because it gives you a bit of information about each person and also reveals something about the situation.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
My favorite prompt is have two people talking in a bar. Anywhere in the bar, and any kind of bar. One of the characters usually says something very interesting and it turns out to be its own story. It combines two great things for writing: writing and eavesdropping. I never let myself know where the conversation is going and I use as little description as possible. It only takes a couple pages and can be a great exercise in dialogue.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
I don’t have specific sources that I use fro writing prompts. Often times, because I write SF, things I read in Scientific American or other science articles will spark my imagination. When I write children’s lit, I’ll look to my kids and their friends for inspiration. :)
July 24th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
My favorite prompt is to start with, “I want to write about …” that usually gets me going off into the essence of what I would really like to get down. Sometimes I use this prompt as a way to re-focus and re-send the piece-in-progress to a deeper, more authentic place.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
My favorite exercise to help me write is…. exercise. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve figured out the solution to a problem in my manuscript during yoga at ACAC in Charlottesville.
Yoga focuses my mind and clears away the clutter of daily annoyances. I’m not thinking about what to fix for dinner or how my son is doing in college during yoga. My mind is free and enlightenment descends on me during final savasana.
July 24th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Anything recommended by John Gardner in his important book, The Art of Fiction. He has a list of exercises. One of the shorter examples: 4c. Describe a landscape as seen by a bird. Do not mention the bird.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Over the past year, I’ve found that the best writing prompt for me is to start writing about my narrator character as if I’m talking to someone about her, as in, “Gee likes. . .” or “Gee thinks. . .” or “Gee hates. . .” but, as I keep writing, I find that I’ve shifted in my character’s voice and my writing has become her dialogue or a scene that I can use for the novel. I’ve used this prompt/technique in quiet, writerly-like spaces, as well as in a busy high school cafeteria and it helped me get to where I needed to be in my story.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
My favorite writing exercise is to just start writing. Flow of consciousness I think we used to call it in the 1970′s. If you are block, free flow writing will unblock you because you aren’t trying to do anything except write. You can write your thoughts or feelings either about your current writing project or your life in general–usually everything comes out. Sort of the hard copy version of verbal diarrhea.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Honestly? It’s tucking my three children into bed at night then getting down to writing – if I write well enough I might not have to go back to work teaching and be able to stay at home with them- nothing more promting.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I set aside 15 minutes during my lunch hour each workday to “freewrite” in longhand from either a picture or word prompt. I call this period my “Daily 15.” The output can either be added to a current WIP, or an entirely new idea altogether.
July 24th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
My favorite writing prompt is sitting on the patio watching the sunrise with an open journal in my lap and a pen in hand. Listening to the birds as the sun crests the trees clears my mind and guides my focus.
July 24th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Writing on a song and why it matters to you, or mattered to you can prompt weird sense memories and forgotten details. The first pop or rock song that appealed to you as a child, the missing pieces of adult experience to be filled in later. Listening to the songs that “changed my life” when I was thirteen can be thrilling to the point of synesthesia with notes, or really anticlimactic and empty, giving me the (possibly misguided) cool feeling I might be 1/3 less dumb. It is low pressure and takes you on flights of imagination and otherness which end up leading to either staring into space or, preferably, writing into it, and getting at something you might have otherwise missed.
July 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
My favorite writing prompt is to type–from memory–some of my favorite quotes. Remembering how the author said it usually primes my own creative pump. There’s nothing better than typing felicitous words to prompt you to start filling your own blank page.
July 24th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
A quick drive around town. For whatever reason the dull state of my mind in traffic prompts some great ideas for my book, which I jot down on sticky notes at a stoplight. It’s then quite exciting to return home with my pile of notes to write.
July 24th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
I came across the book, Crafting the Personal Essay, by Dinty W. Moore, when I started a (just because I can) blog. With chapters on such things as metaphors, pursuing rabbits, and conflict, I’ve found the exercises well suited to exploring my mind to see what’s in there. Highly recommended.
July 24th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
What gets my creative juices going? Listening to a bible study, sermon, or other well-written speech. There’s something about hearing someone else expound on a subject that gets my brain into action, especially if there’s something I disagree with. Not terribly helpful in my fiction writing, but it’s a great prompt for blog posts.
July 24th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I have a circle of photographers and visual artists on Google+ and what I do is open that circle and start writing about the newest image posted, a free flowing, free wheeling bit of prose. If that doesn’t get the juices flowing I go on to the next, etc.
July 24th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
For a dose of inspiration, I turn to my favorite authors and read a brilliant passage. That usually revs me up and challenges me to tackle the blank screen or page. There’s nothing like reading compelling prose to motivate me to write.
Another great way to clear the cobwebs — going out for a long walk or run. I let my mind wander and I return to my desk refreshed and calmer, and my mind flush with ideas.
July 25th, 2012 at 12:56 am
A favorite prompt is to think of a situation confronting a character, but for which I don’t yet have a “solution.” Then I turn on a recording device and use a fake accent to mimic the voice and attitude I imagine the character would employ. The pressure from having to extemporaneously improvise what the character could say sparks new thoughts. Often there are surprises which are dredged out of my subconscious mind. However, sometimes the character breaks out into a song I never heard before. This can be a bit freaky.
July 25th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
From Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, I practice writing “morning pages” in my journals. What really helps me get going is that I have a heading I use to begin each day. I Number the day for how many days I’ve written in a given week, write the day, date, location where I am, time, and weather, using no abbreviations. By the time I complete that opening I have written almost 2 lines, depending on the size of my journal and the state the weather. My pen is moving and I keep going. Then if I run out of ideas or am boring myself, I’ll begin a new paragraph with the prompt, “Issues?” to see if I am avoiding some aspect of my life. This often leads me to reflect on my lack of creative production and that segues into actually writing on the project at hand.
July 25th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
My favorite writing exercise is to grab my notebook and pen, set a timer for 20 minutes and write anything and everything that comes into my head. I’m not allowed to stop, edit or critique. It’s all about getting words down on the page.
July 25th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
In my current writing group we do writing prompts & exercises together to get the juices flowing. I’m fond of the Found Objects exercise, where each person blindly pulls an item out of a bag, writes about it for 5-7 minutes, then picks another item, another 5-7 minutes of writing, then a final item is picked. For another exercise on character development I brought in four Barbie dolls, all dressed differently and with “props” (a miniature book, a letter, a guitar, a missing shoe), and we each picked a doll to write about. Lots of fun.
July 25th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
A writing prompt I use often (and teach to others at every opportunity) is to take two dissimilar ideas and force them into a story together. The prompt can go even further to specify where the dissimilar ideas have to come from. For example, flip through a newstand magazine and randomly pull out two photographs. Now, FORCE those two items (pictured in the photograph) into a story. Let the inherent tension work in your story’s favor.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:03 am
http://shartley.edublogs.org/tag/literacy/
green grain inspired me to write http://livecitizen.blogspot.com/2009/03/green-grain.html
July 27th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
My favorite prompt does not rise to the lofty ones listed above. It works for all ages and stages of writers and pulls me out of a slump when deciding what to say next with characters, plot, settings, etc.
If I had a magic wand, I would…
July 28th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Open the phone book, pick two names at random and create characters around them. Imagine not just their looks, but fears, loves, tics… And then when that’s done write about the day they meet.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:13 am
I love doing writing prompts, but I think my favorite exercise is doing
July 28th, 2012 at 10:14 am
I love doing writing prompts, but I think my favorite exercise is doing the Morning Pages from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. It really lets my mind wander on paper and I have come up with great solutions for my writing as well as my life while doing them.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:17 am
I take notebooks everywhere with me: to work, to the beach, to the mall. I never know when an idea or inspiration for a scene or character will fly into my head, and I need to get it down, NOW! This surprises me, and most people who know me, for I am a technophile, having all the latest gadgets for capturing and manipulating data, but for my writing ‘research’ and character /plot develoment – nothing compares to having a notebook, paper and pen at the ready when my muse pops in and says, “See that creepy guy sitting there on the bench outside of Victoria’s Secret? Yeah, well that’s your character, Jim…”
July 28th, 2012 at 10:17 am
I try to read at least an hour a day, and it really gets my creative side going if I start writing as soon as I’ve done my reading.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:20 am
I love Rex Pickett’s writing advice on Twitter. This is one of my favorites that always kicks me into action: “Writing for me was the taking of everything that was the worst of me & trying to transmutate it into art so that I could live with myself.”
July 28th, 2012 at 10:30 am
I read the news. The news is full of stories of people, crisis, and fascinating places that can prompt entire story lines. A picture can inspire a poem. An article about an accident can inspire a short story about a conspiracy against a government agent. While I am cautious about “stealing” stories from real life, I let real life inspire me.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Opening a book to a random page, picking a random sentence, then using it to start a story. Or making a story that leads up to and ends with that sentence.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Years ago, a teacher suggested that we sit somewhere public and people watch, writing about what we see. As I sat there, I began to think about who the people were and what they were doing, which led to my favourite exercise. When I’m stuck for ideas or just wanting to hone my skills, I pick a person around me and develop their character. I write their backstory and what brought them to where we are, ending with where they go next.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:15 am
My favorite prompt is a TREASURE HUNT POEM that came from a fellow PhD student in creative writing at Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee who heard it from her professor, Bill Harrold. (I pasted the prompt below). My favorite aspect of this exercise is the sheer JOY and AWAKENING the students (I only used it for undergrads) experienced when writing the poem.
Poetry Prompt: Treasure Hunt Poem
Go to the library. Wait until you see someone wearing a blue shirt headed towards a bookshelf in the stacks. Follow that person surreptitiously. Take out the book directly to the left of the book the person takes out, or closest to the point that you think they’re going to take out a book. Open the book at random and choose three words off a page. Photocopy that page, and circle the three words.
Go to the poetry section (roughly PR-PS on the 3rd floor here at UWM). Find a poet whose last name begins with your first initial plus three (ex. E + 3 = H) and is of the opposite sex as you. Turn to the final poem in the book. Read and photocopy the poem. The subject matter or theme of this poem will determine the subject matter or theme of your poem.
Go to the art section. Find a visual artist whose last name begins with the same letter as your last name. Open the book at random to a drawing, painting, or photograph. Make a photocopy. The title of the artwork will be the title of your poem. You will look at the art while you write.
Now, study all your materials one more time. Prop the artwork up in front of you. On the top of your blank page write the title of the artwork (title of your poem), and the three words you must incorporate. Reread the poem determining your subject matter. Now, write in white heat for twenty minutes. After your time is up, close your notebook and do something else. Come back to your writing at a later time and work it into a poem. Give yourself at least 20 minutes, no more than an hour, although this depends on your editing process. Turn in your photocopied materials with your final poem.
*You may turn this into an artistic collage (via cutting & pasting, using poster board and glue, etc.) or leave it black and white, as you see fit. Don’t forget to include your title! Also, be prepared to discuss your artistic process next week when you present your poem to the class.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:18 am
My go-to writing technique involves getting my backside in the chair and keeping it there long enough for me to get engrossed in the project at hand. Here’s how it works:
I set aside an hour and roll a die, then multiply whatever number I roll by 10. That’s how many minutes I must sit with my backside in the chair and I must write something, but as soon as I put in my allotted time, I can go do something else.
This technique tricks me into starting, and usually even if I only rolled a 1, by the end of just ten minutes I’m so engrossed in my writing that I keep working anyway to the end of the hour. Sometimes I work even longer than that. Rolling the die makes it into a sort of game, like there’s a chance I could just roll a 10 minutes and be done with it. The die also takes the work of deciding how long to work out of my hands. After all, if chance dictates that I should write 10 minutes, then it’s not me being a slacker, it’s a decree from the Fates themselves.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:26 am
My previous post was a prompt I use in teaching, but what works best for my own writing (either poetry or fiction) is the “THINGS PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME” prompt. Write down ten things folks have told you or that you’ve overhead folks say that have impacted you, such as “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me” or
“My father used to make us __” or “I think she’s an alcoholic” or “They used to hide gold in the baby’s diaper” or “She used to dream in German” … Choose one and either have your character say it, or have it said to them. It’s great for character development and writing dialogue.
July 28th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
I start with “Why did the chicken cross the road?” to get my writing juices flowing. By the time my chicken has finished another daily adventure, I’m ready to tackle the current work in progress.
It’s amazing how much trouble a chicken and a road can cause together.
July 28th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Sharing two:
Tell me about a place you know well.
Tell a relationship story. Think sibling, parent/child, friendship, or romantic.
July 28th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I am an avid people watcher, sometimes not even a subtle one at that. I write my characters based off of the lives I imagine strangers walking by are living. Sometimes when I am stuck and need to use it as a writing exercise, I do this as well, and save them to a document called, “Future Characters”. It’s fun looking back on some of the people I have come across, wondering where their ‘real’ lives have taken them since we crossed paths. It helps me build characterization skills, and when I do look back, I am always glad I saved the snippets, for seeing how my writing has improved at least.
July 28th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
My favourite writing prompt is describing a person that inspires you. It encourages you to think about all of the qualities you like in a person, and can potentially be an excellent way to develop characters in your stories.
July 28th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I use the favourite writer’s questions: What if?
If you’re ever looking for writing prompts when your standby prompt doesn’t work for you, I have a selection to choose from at http://wrightingwords.wordpress.com.
July 28th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
My favorite writing prompt is:
Dear Dr. Rodewald …
Dr. R. was an English professor at Stephen F. Austin University. I wrote my first novel in an independent studies class under him. He marked it up in red, but he gave me an A-. I suspect for just finishing the project. I had so much dialogue and not much introspection and I remember he wrote in bold red letters all through it, “Think! Think! Think!” where my characters should be thinking. I hear his voice when I write and so when I sit down and face a new project–no matter what it is… I write for him.
I always think, Dear Dr. Rodewald, Once upon a time there was a girl who truly wanted to be a writer. Thank you for your encouragement.
July 29th, 2012 at 12:03 am
Have a couple of helpful prompts. Elizabeth Berg’s book on writing, “Escaping into the open: The art of writing true” has tons of prompts and exercises. Another is one my writer’s group uses called “Storymatic.” It’s a box of business size cards full of hundreds of plots, characters. Scenarios, etc. Sometimes I just need a place to jump off tom and both these work great for me.
July 29th, 2012 at 12:37 am
I’ve been writing sestinas lately, and the fun has been coming up with or coming across groups of words to use as end words. For instance in a documentary on the making of the Grateful Dead’s AOXOMOXOA and AMERICAN BEAUTY, lyricist Robert Hunter said he wrote “Brokedown Palace,” “To Lay Me Down” and “Ripple” in one day in London (side note: that’s amazing). So I used the end words hunt, broke, lay, down, rip and pull.
A favorite way I got from THINKING FAST AND SLOW by Daniel Kahneman. In it he talks about how one word can suggest others so I took the word firewater, then found five words that also made words with fire and another five with water (thank you, dictionary.com). Then I wrote a sestina with fire and the five water words and another with water and the five fire words.
July 30th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Something that helps me to get going is to start writing in my journal, “I want to write about …” Usually, by freewriting on what I really want to write about, I get to the heart of where a new piece should start or a current piece should go.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
In your top five, “What If?” is among my favorite books for prompts, as are Pat Schneider’s “Writing Alone and With Others,” and Judy Reeves’ “A Writer’s Book of Days.” I like using quotes and pictures as prompts, as well. Of ones I’ve come up with, this one worked well for me: “Pick an element: earth, wind, fire, water (also suggested in various cultures and genre are ‘space,’ ‘time,’ ‘salt’). What is its significance to you or your character?”