Writer's Resources
Seven Prompts for Writers
Writer’s block is an unwelcomed guest, and one I’ve never entertained in my twenty years of writing. Well, once I might have considered a chat with him, but when I refocused on the infinite possibilities for stories and book ideas, I simply had no need to be hoodwinked by such a charlatan.
We can indeed be inspired as we live out all the verbs of our lives. While shopping, weeding, driving, singing, crying, celebrating, birthing, cooking, arguing, dreaming, fuming, forgiving, eavesdropping, pretending, or dreaming.
Think of it. The possibilities are staggering. The stimulus is never ending. The potential is enormous.
But.
If you’re still staring at an empty page, try a few prompts to give the boot to that blocking brute. Writer’s prompts can also be a great tool to improve one’s craft or as a warm-up in the morning the way runners limber their muscles before taking on the road.
One excellent resource is The Writer’s Idea Book by Jack Heffron, published by Writer’s Digest Books. The book is chocked full of writer’s prompts (over 400) and is a marvelous tool for developing ideas for fiction and nonfiction works.
Below I’ve included a week’s worth of my own prompts. See how you like them. I hope they help. Then, the next time writer’s block competes for your attention, invite your muse over instead. He makes better company, and he carries his own weight!
1. Think of the most peaceful day you’ve ever had. Now imagine several events that will turn your perfect day upside down. Write that scene.
2. What is your most beloved material possession? Now imagine someone you trust trying to either romance or steal that treasure away from you. Write that scene and then read your work out loud.
3. Write a page of heated dialogue involving betrayal between two sisters who suddenly show up at the same day spa to get their nails done. Now write that same scene adding a humorous overtone. Which scene works better? Why?
4. Using internal thoughts write about the first time you saw the love of your life. Write your feelings out quickly without editing. Then polish.
5. Using alteration and the voice of a child, describe a birthday party gone awry.
6. Summon the worst nightmare you’ve ever had. Write the scene in first person. Now change the scene to third person. Which scene works better?
7. If you could create your own utopia, what would it be? Using all the senses take us there in a paragraph or two.
Writer's Tips
Read. I have discovered that the more I read the better I write.
Follow all leads from networking opportunities, writer's conferences, and tips from writer friends.
Look for "holes" in the marketplace. One way of finding holes is to talk to booksellers and librarians.
You might discover that there is a real need for a certain kind of book. Perhaps a number of patrons
have asked repeatedly for a particular subject and there are few or no books written on it.
Try brainstorming when you are out of ideas. Then when the ideas do flow, start a file for later use.
For example, you could have a file with character profiles, bits of dialogue, fresh book titles,
or other items that you could eventually use in a new piece of writing.
Read all your work out loud. It sounds simple but it is a valuable tool.
Titles are very important. Make sure that your title is the very best it can be for your work. If you
don't like it, brainstorm until you find a new one, or use a dazzling phrase from your manuscript.
If you feel a burnout approaching, and you're actually thinking about throwing in the towel,
put your work aside, read a book for fun--not for analyzing, start a journal, go on a writer's retreat,
or take a break by writing something very different from what you are accustomed to writing.
Try making a habit of writing, even when you don't think you're in an inspired mood.
Pray that God will guide you and help you be the best writer you can be.
Many popular authors have known plenty of rejection, so you are not alone if you have received
rejection slips (Years ago I collected a file folder full!) The bottom line is -- if it is your calling to
write, don't give up.
