One of the hardest things about writing is that one actually has to write. Or at least, begin writing. At this very moment, hundreds of writers are staring at their screens or pages with words hovering in their minds and waiting to be written. And then comes the sudden urge to check email, get a cup of coffee, or make that all-important phone call. Or the contradiction that writers know all too well – wanting to write with every fiber of their being but lacking the inspiration to get started or keep going.
For many writers, even the experienced ones, the reasons not to write often seem to be more compelling than the reasons to write. They would be surprised to learn that using a writing prompt can spur them into action; in fact, prompts are the best cure for two ailments that have plagued authors over the centuries – procrastination and the lack of inspiration.
What Are Writing Prompts?
A typical writing prompt offers a basic story idea that allows authors to draw on their own imagination and inspires them to start writing. A lot of people use prompts to write short stories or a piece of flash fiction. Sometimes, the idea expands and grows into something bigger and more complex.
Writing prompts come in many forms. Some encourage non-fiction writing, some are meant for personal exploration, and others target specific genres. Some prompts for fiction writing consist of a single word that sparks the author’s creativity, much like the kindling of an emotion or feeling. Other highly effective prompts ask questions about a character or storyline – Is the protagonist a bookworm? Do they like the outdoors? Then, there are prompts that start a story – He was walking along a busy street, hands in pockets, looking furtively over his shoulder. Was someone following him? He walked into a cul-de-sac, not knowing it was one. What happens next?
Regardless of the form, writing prompts are a wonderful resource for writers. Here are five reasons why they not only help writers get started but also produce some startling results.
Reasons to Use Writing Prompts
1. Battling Writer’s Block
Most writers encounter writer’s block at some point in their careers. It often happens when they sit down to write and are confronted by the dreaded white page. And instead of writing, they sit staring blankly at the page or screen. It is common knowledge, however, that writer’s block has nothing to do with an author’s talent, skill, or experience.
Writing prompts provide just a bit of a head start, forcing writers to rely on their creativity to build the rest of the story. That’s why multiple writers can use the same prompt and still come up with entirely different scenarios. Moreover, since a lot of “original” work is inspired by other works, regularly using writing prompts can help writers’ creative juices flow and possibly encourage them to come up with a fantastic piece of writing. Just putting up a prompt in big bold letters at the top of a blank page has been known to alleviate even severe cases of writer’s block.
2. Crafting Stories from Unlikely Beginnings
Orson Scott Card once said that everybody encounters a thousand story ideas every day but fails to see them; good writers, on the other hand, can see five or six of them. Writing prompts train writers to spot potential story ideas in unlikely places and gain inspiration from concepts that might not immediately catch their fancy or seem too difficult at first glance.
For instance, a writer who specializes in alternative histories or magical realism might be a bit underwhelmed by the possibilities of a seemingly trite prompt such as “The New Neighbors.” But persevering with the topic might show them that “boring” or “hard” are just synonyms for “calls for more creativity.” It can also help them push the boundaries of their creativity and get out of their comfort zone, as scary as the process might be. And if a writer can force themselves to do this exercise, they will be able to make the most of the stories floating around them.
3. Improving Writing
Authors often use prompts to warm up and exercise creative muscles. So, writing using them is generally considered “disposable” writing, not “real” writing.
Writers are usually less attached to their prompt-inspired writing than they are to their work-in-progress. This makes them more receptive to making sweeping changes (and improvements) to something that is perceived as a ten-minute writing exercise, even if it means starting afresh, thus making them better at the craft of writing. Prompts inspire less attachment to a piece of writing and encourage more improvement.
4. Writing Faster
Writing prompts offer starting points from where an author’s imagination can take off. They also enable authors to write faster because there’s no reason to worry about grammar or syntax. Writing prompts do away with writers’ constant need to add more detail or correct spellings, and before they know it, the entire story is out on the page.
5. Making Writing Enjoyable Again
It is commonly assumed that writing is (or should be) an enjoyable process most of the time. But, as all writers know, writing is mostly hard work with a few moments of release and pleasure thrown in. Prompts help writers rediscover the joy of writing, take their minds to unexpected places, give satisfaction, and boost imagination. In a nutshell, using writing prompts is just a lot of fun.
How to Use Writing Prompts
- The process starts with finding a place to write. It could be a park, a public bus, the neighborhood coffee shop, or a cosy nook at home – basically any place that inspires a writer to write.
- The next step is to set a timer for a predetermined amount of time and continue writing until the timer goes off.
- Using a prompt with a writing group or a partner and sharing the results can be beneficial. While this is not a requirement, many people find that the best thing about writing is having someone else read and respond to their creative efforts.
- Writers can later decide if the prompt-inspired writing resonates with them, is something that needs to be written, and is worth rewriting. If they chose to share it with a group or a partner, what kind of feedback would they receive? Many find that what they wrote was worth the trouble of further exploration. A good tip is to put the piece of writing away for a day or two and then come back to it.
