10 Tested Writing Prompts /Part 2/
Last week, we discussed several writing prompts to help you get started or unstuck (here is a link if you missed it). Let’s check the next portion of these prompts, plus a special bonus at the end. Enjoy!
#6
Set a timer for 20 minutes, and just write whatever comes to your mind. It doesn’t have to make sense or be connected. This is a great trick to get you in a creative mode - the feeling that you have already written something will help you get unstuck. You can repeat this little ‘exercise’ several times a day. You can also actually use what you’ve written during those short intervals for your current WIP, take only some words, phrases, or sentences, or use it as an inspiration for a scene/chapter/story plot.
#7
Break down big tasks into smaller steps. Use a notebook to write down ideas, characters, and places. Again, you will have a solid base on which you can build.
#8
Imagine you are telling a story to a friend in a letter. Have a specific friend in mind when writing it; this way, your writing will feel intimate and genuine.
#9
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t like what you’ve written. Remember, writing is a process and a learning experience. Don’t expect to have the perfect novel with your first draft. Not even with your second or third. Everything could be improved; that’s why we write - to learn and grow.
#10
Take a walk! There’s nothing worse for creativity than staring at a computer screen for hours. We hear this so often, but fresh air (or simply more oxygen) does miracles for our brain.
At the end of the day, remember that you are doing this for yourself! You are writing because it makes you happy and you like it, because you have a goal that wasn’t imposed on you, and it is your decision. Don’t allow frustration to ruin your joy, and if it becomes too much - you are allowed to take a break (but make sure you set a deadline for that, too).
Bonus:
This one just came to me in the shower… I was thinking about the dream I had last night (don’t worry, I’m not going to waste your time describing it). It was so absolutely bizarre; I started to develop an entire story in my head about it - just like every writer would. So my last bonus prompt is this: write down your dreams as soon as possible after you wake up. You can use a dream journal or just a regular notebook, but try to be as detailed as possible. This will have two benefits:
You’ll be exercising your writing skills.
Even if you don’t see how it fits your WIP at the moment, the dream might be used as a (sub)plot, inspiration, character idea, or an imaginary place.
It all depends on how weird your dreams are, and after my last one, I might just have a fantastic story to write :-)
I hope this has been useful, and I wish you happy writing! Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you are looking for advice, need an editor, or just want to chat with someone - my contact details are everywhere on my website and social media.
