Writing Exercises/Prompts
For anyone who wants to write but is struggling, you have my empathy. But don't give up. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to face a blank page or empty screen. Anyone who's ever written knows that. In my experience, the only way it gets easier or we improve is through practice. (Well, I don't know if it really ever gets easier; you just learn to push through the fear.)
So if you've been wanting to write but have kept putting it off out of fear or insecurity, let today be the day you put down at least a couple words. It all counts.
Don't give up.
++++
*waves hello to all the writers out there*
willgirl and I have been posting writing prompts/exercises at The Anti-Boneyard. Below the cut are some of the ones I've recently posted.
1. Write a scene without using any adjectives. How does your approach to descrïption change when you are unable to rely on traditional modes of descrïption? What aesthetic choices does that limitation encourage you to make?
Source
2. Write about the passage of time.
Source
3. Write about a selfish act.
4. Recall an uplifting experience and write about it.
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
5. Write about the "fickle finger of Fate."
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
6. Create a story or poem inspired by a line in a Margaret Atwood poem: "We are learning to make fire."
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
7. Write something you've been afraid to write, even if it's on a small scale. So, for example, if you've been intimidated by the thought of dipping into a particular character's point of view, try that -- even if it's only for a drabble. Or maybe you have a story that's already in progress, but you were worried that readers might throw rotten vegetables at you if you went down a particular road. Do it anyway. Challenge yourself to write something that feels risky or intimidating. Allow yourself to stretch and grow. What's the worst that can happen? ;)
8. Write about jealousy.
9. Photo prompt:
10. Cause and effect.
11. Write about a resolution a character failed to keep.
If you'd like to share some exercises or prompts of your own, feel free to comment on this post. Or if you write something in response to any of these exercises and want to share it, comment or send me a link. However, you're not obligated to share. In other words, do whatever you want with these. I just hope they prove useful for someone. If you'd like to see the previous exercises I've posted, just click on the tag below. Happy writing!
So if you've been wanting to write but have kept putting it off out of fear or insecurity, let today be the day you put down at least a couple words. It all counts.
Don't give up.
++++
*waves hello to all the writers out there*
willgirl and I have been posting writing prompts/exercises at The Anti-Boneyard. Below the cut are some of the ones I've recently posted.
1. Write a scene without using any adjectives. How does your approach to descrïption change when you are unable to rely on traditional modes of descrïption? What aesthetic choices does that limitation encourage you to make?
Source
2. Write about the passage of time.
Source
3. Write about a selfish act.
4. Recall an uplifting experience and write about it.
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
5. Write about the "fickle finger of Fate."
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
6. Create a story or poem inspired by a line in a Margaret Atwood poem: "We are learning to make fire."
Source: creativewritingprompts.com
7. Write something you've been afraid to write, even if it's on a small scale. So, for example, if you've been intimidated by the thought of dipping into a particular character's point of view, try that -- even if it's only for a drabble. Or maybe you have a story that's already in progress, but you were worried that readers might throw rotten vegetables at you if you went down a particular road. Do it anyway. Challenge yourself to write something that feels risky or intimidating. Allow yourself to stretch and grow. What's the worst that can happen? ;)
8. Write about jealousy.
9. Photo prompt:
10. Cause and effect.
11. Write about a resolution a character failed to keep.
If you'd like to share some exercises or prompts of your own, feel free to comment on this post. Or if you write something in response to any of these exercises and want to share it, comment or send me a link. However, you're not obligated to share. In other words, do whatever you want with these. I just hope they prove useful for someone. If you'd like to see the previous exercises I've posted, just click on the tag below. Happy writing!