The Write Prompts

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A Word or Two to Get You Started

What is a writing prompt? It is a word, picture, phrase, quote or set of directions to help you kick start your writing for those days when you just can't get anything to percolate.


In this lens you will find a few of the above options to help you journal or start your next short story as well as some really great book ideas and other writing inspiration.


This lens is updated every Sunday.


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December Prompt Challenge 

Something to work on throughout the month...

The biggest day in December tends to be Christmas (unless you're a shopper then it's Boxing Day). I thought of doing 31 days of Christmas related journaling (you can still choose to do that on your own if you like -- 31 days of why you love/hate Christmas). From now until Christmas we will be bombarded with music, decorations, traditions, and the pressure to shop every where we go. Here, I want you to relax and let it go.

Every day for the month of December I want you to take at least fifteen minutes and write about a world without Christmas. For the religious people in the audience I'm not talking about a world without Jesus (unless that is something you want to write about). I'm talking about a world without what Christmas -- specifically the month of December-- has become for the majority of people in North America.

For now the title of your piece is December. Start off the month with a setting and two or more people and expand from there as the month goes on. At some point during the month you need to figure out exactly why there is no Christmas (this will be the fun part). Each day before writing reflect personally how you feel about what is going on in your real life during this month of December and create the opposite in your new world -- a world without Christmas.

If you like you can write a non-fiction piece about a world without Christmas or even a long poem. As long as you are growing the piece every day of December. If you wish you can conclude on the 25th but why not take it until the end.

This Month...

Considering supporting a literary magazine like Room.

Daily Word Prompts 

One a day keeps procrastination at bay...

Here are a week's worth of daily prompts. Don't read ahead. Get your pen or word document handy then pick a day, read the word and start writing. Mark each word on your calendar as a reminder.
  • Day One:
    Casualty
  • Day Two:
    Peripheral
  • Day Three:
    Always
  • Day Four:
    Wonders
  • Day Five:
    Gossip
  • Day Six:
    Screen
  • Day Seven:
    Quilt
  • When the week is over write another piece using all of these words.

The Write-Brain Workbook 

366 Exercises to Liberate Your Writing

Never face a blank page again with this full year of "writing exercises and games designed to get thoughts brewing and the pen moving across the page." Inside you will find: 366 10-minute exercises to build momentum and turn off the left side of the brain.

Get The Write-Brain Workbook from Amazon.

More to Get You Going 

A little more than a word please...

Need more than a word to get you started? Follow the pink star to find seven sentence prompts throughout this lens; one for each day of the week.

Here's what it looks like:

*

Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

*In 500 words (or more) write about a mischievous cat named Rex. Either from an inside or outside perspective.

The Writers Book of Matches 

1001 Prompts to Ignite Your Fiction

This writing instigator is packed with more than 1,000 creative writing prompts for beginning and professional writers. It uses situational, dialogue and point-of-view changing prompts to help writers with start stories, expand imagination and break writer's block. It is laced with sidebars full of humorous and inspiring quotes from famous authors which can be used as further prompts.

Get The Writers Book of Matches from Amazon.

Author Q & A's 

For inspiration...

Ever wonder what professional writers do for inspiration, procrastination or the business of writing? Then check out these author Q & A's for insight.

Visit Author Q & A.

Mind-Body Magic 

Creative Activities for Any Audience

"Whether you're looking for an effective way to illustrate a point, an evocative spark for creativity, an effective prelude to problem solving, or a memorable closing, Martha Belknap's vivid guided imagery, powerful mnemonic devices, and affirming metaphors for life will motivate participants to absorb and apply your message. Make any presentation more powerful with one of these 40 feel-good activities that generate surprisingly deep results. Brief (2-10 minute) exercises stretch the mind and body, activate energy, stimulate creativity, calm the restless, and set the stage for learning."

Get Mind-Body Magic from Amazon.

Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

* Here are ten words. Start writing incorporating the words in as you go along: laughing, tools, box, domestic, opinion, bugs, over, forgive, rule, crazy.

Set your timer and for the next 10 - 15 minutes then write something using these ten words.

Caffeine for the Creative Mind 

250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain

"Chock-full of useful exercises designed to help readers tap into a daily creative buzz. Features an edgy sketchbook design (by the authors) for visual allure. Appeals to anyone looking for easy ways to jump start their creativity. For any designer or creative type who wants to quickly limber up their imagination on a daily basis, Wired helps readers get into the creative zone, from which all their best work springs. Packed with 15-minute simple and conceptual exercises, this guide will have readers reaching for markers, pencils, digital cameras, and more in order to develop a working and productive creative mindset."

Get Caffeine for the Creative Mind from Amazon.com

Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

*For the poetry writers: french kissing.

Your form is: Each * is a word. You pick the largest number of words per line.

*
**
***
****
*****
****
***
**
*

An Exaltation of Forms 

Poetic Inspiration Through Poetic Forms

An Exaltation of Forms: Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art

An Exaltation of Forms: Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art

Amazon Price: $27.95 (as of 12/21/2009)Buy Now

This is one of my favorite poetic form books. "An Exaltation of Forms is an indispensable resource certain to find a dedicated audience among poetry lovers. The editors invited over fifty contemporary poets to select a poetic meter, stanza, or form, describe it, recount its history, and provide favorite examples. The essays represent a remarkably diverse range of literary styles and approaches, and show how the forms of contemporary English-language poetry derive from a wealth of different traditions."

Inspiration & Motivation 

Writer's Little Instruction Book

"More than 300 practical writing insights, pieces of instruction, and nuggets of wisdom covering craft, inspiration, and publication -A friendly format that's value priced, for instant application anywhere, for anyone -Expert advice from an engaging and experienced "writer's writer" who knows the advice authors crave to hear. Aspiring and published writers alike will welcome the practical and witty lessons in these engaging new books."

Get Inspiration and Motivation from Amazon.

Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

* Write 400 words (or more) about a man dressed in red who is gossiping about the man across the street.

Taking Flight 

Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings

Join Kelly Rae Roberts "on a fearless journey into the heart of creativity as you test your wings and learn to find the sacred in the ordinary, honor your memories, speak your truth and wrap yourself in the arms of community. Along the way you'll be inspired by: Step-by-step techniques-learn the most-loved mixed-media methods of the author and seven talented contributing artists, and combine them in fresh and unexpected ways. Thought-provoking prompts and quotes-along with encouraging stories, insights and gentle guidance for finding your bliss, whatever your art or craft. Plenty of eye candy-pages and pages of the author's endearing artwork, along with the varied works of the contributors."

Get Taking Flight from Amazon.

Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

*Write 300 words from the perspective of woman who has forgotten her keys and is trying to get into her second story apartment.

How prompt are you? 

Do you incorporate prompts into your daily writing practice?

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Writing Prompt 

Get ready to write before you read...

*Spend at least 15 minutes writing about your interpretation of this quote: "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers." ~ James Thurber

The Writer's Idea Book 

"With over 500 idea-generating prompts, this is the book you will reach for time after time to jump start your creativity and develop original ideas. Four distinctive sections offer dozens of unique approaches to "freeing the muse," each geared toward a different stage of writing."

Get The Writer's Idea Book from Amazon.

Wide Open 

Inspiration & Techniques for Art Journaling on the Edge

A collection of 50 cards inspirational cards and a creativity journal. Each card is designed to stretch your observational and chronicling skills.

Get Wide Open from Amazon.

Writing Prompt 

Prompt Get ready to write before you read...

*Opening a book and taking the first line from a chapter is a great way to get a prompt when you're in a pinch. It's important to mark them in your writing so you don't inadvertently pass them off as your own at a later date.

You may recognize this line from Leon Uris's A God in Ruins.

"A Catholic orphan of sixty years is not apt to forget the day he first learned that he was born..."

Continue writing for 10 - 15 minutes (or longer).

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words 

Image-Driven Story Prompts and Excercises for Writers

Photographs make great writing prompts for the visual writer. They are even good if you are not a visual person because they force you to step outside your comfort zone. This book shows that a picture IS worth one thousand words. Your written words. It contains 110 photos that promise to provide you with visual inspiration for your story writing. But just in case you need a little more of a shove a written prompt is tagging along.

Get A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words from Amazon.

Visual Prompt 

Sometimes we need something a little visual to get our creative juices flowing. Study the image for five minutes then journal or write about it.



Photographer - Marlan Hammes. After you have written about this image take a journey over to the photographer's photostream for more inspiration.

Journal Magic! 

Lessons in Therapeutic Writing

"This book contains just about everything you'll need to help you open the door, break through your resistances, and get started with your journal writing. The sooner you begin your writing life, the sooner you will discover the magic and power that you carry within." Vent, brainstorm, remember, reflect, and learn.

Get Journaling Magic! from Amazon.

A "Word" Prompt 

I love words! Words make great prompts and lead to new ideas. Add this new word to your writing today.

iota: Dictionary.com Word of the Day
iota: a very small quantity or degree.
Presented By:

Book-in-a-Week 

Want to write more? Want to do it along side other writers with similar goals, like writing a book? Visit Book-in-a-week and get your BIC HOK TAM game on!

Rather write on your own? Then here is some butt in chair, hands on keyboard inspiration for you to wear while writing.
Women's Plus Size V-Neck Dark T-Shirt

Women's Plus Size V-Neck Dark T-Shirt

From: Book-in-a-Week

Price: 26.99 Buy Now

Large Mug

Large Mug

From: Book-in-a-Week

Price: 15.99 Buy Now

Calendar Print

Calendar Print

From: Book-in-a-Week

Price: 6.99 Buy Now

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More Writing Block Busters! 

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You know how writers some times suffer from writers's block? Well bloggers sometimes suffer from blogger's block. Memes are foramalic templates that bloggers can use to provide interesting content to their blogs when they feel they don't have a crea...

Writer Feedback 

Are the prompts helping you write?

Leave me some thoughts and suggestions.

Or a healthy dose of kudos!

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Previously Featured Books 

No book shelf is ever too big...

I often get asked about previously featured books. In an attempt to save you a step or two in finding them, here is a listing of the POPULAR books that have been previously featured on this lens. Happy writing!
The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination

The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination

by: Jason Rekulak

Here's a huge nudge for your creativity. Or a 3" x 3" x 3" block that is. This creativity block contains 672 pages including 200 photographs designed to get the juices flowing. When you need a nudge flip the block open anywhere for an idea or exercise. You'll also find bits on how some of the top authors find their ideas and inspiration. Be warned! This book takes away your writer's block excuse.

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/21/2009) Buy Now

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words: Image-Driven Story Prompts and Excercises for Writers

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words: Image-Driven Story Prompts and Excercises for Writers

by: Phillip Sexton

Photographs make great writing prompts for the visual writer. They are even good if you are not a visual person because they force you to step outside your comfort zone. This book shows that a picture IS worth one thousand words. Your written words. It contains 110 photos that promise to provide you with visual inspiration for your story writing. But just in case you need a little more of a shove a written prompt is tagging along.

Amazon Price: $17.09 (as of 12/21/2009) Buy Now

Journal Jumpstarts: Quick Topics and Tips for Journal Writing

Journal Jumpstarts: Quick Topics and Tips for Journal Writing

by: Patricia Woodward

This popular little book has been updated to include more than 100 NEW topics to "jumpstart" your students when they need help finding something to write about - making a total of more than 400 topics. It also includes the most practical advice you are likely to find on the subject of journal writing in the classroom.

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/21/2009) Buy Now

Unjournaling: Daily Writing Exercises that Are NOT Personal, NOT Introspective, NOT Boring!

Unjournaling: Daily Writing Exercises that Are NOT Personal, NOT Introspective, NOT Boring!

by: Dawn DiPrince, Cheryl Miller Thurston

"The more than 200 impersonal but engaging writing prompts in this exercise book help students practice their writing skills without asking them to share personal thoughts they would rather keep to themselves. Quirky, challenging, and humorous, the ideas encourage lighthearted creativity with such topics as writing about a girl named Dot without using any letters with dots (such as i or j), describing a person named Chris by the reactions of others as he walks into a room, or creating three completely different sentences with the word crumpled."

Amazon Price: $9.32 (as of 12/21/2009) Buy Now

The Pocket Muse

The Pocket Muse

by: Monica Wood

"The rich variety of exercises will help writers to create entire stories or focus on a single aspect of their writing. It will also encourage them to think about how they write in new and surprising ways. The Pocket Muse is truly a unique book, both fun and effective. It will teach, cheer and inspire writers as never before."

Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 12/21/2009) Buy Now

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by BigGirlBlue

I'm a writer, an artist, and a brilliant procrastinator. A daily prompt is a good way to warm up or give your mind a break from your current... (more)

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