Writing Prompts…..How Do You Eat Yours?

Posted on by

Apologies to my non UK readers who don’t recognise the title of this post. It’s in reference to the TV ads we have here in the UK for Cadburys Cream Eggs. Every different advert asks at the end, “How Do You Eat Yours?” as everyone eats their Cadburys Egg differently….apparently lol.

Anyway, back to the post lol

Writing prompts…..I love them, but I know some people don’t. I know that if I’m struggling, I can always rely on a prompt to get those creative juices flowing. Many of my followers will know that I’ve been doing a prompt a day since the 1st January, and it has turned me into a bit of a preacher lol. I cant help it, it’s something I’m quite passionate about. Even when I’m really not feeling it (regarding my WIP) I still write every day…..and it’s the prompts that have kept me going. Without them, when I’m feeling really down on myself, I could quite easily go weeks without writing a word 😦

Way back in February, I wrote a post Prompts, Good or Bad? because I was beginning to get the distinct impression that most people don’t like them. almost like, if you use them, well, you obviously can’t think for yourself.

So, as I’m a bit anal *coughs* I find myself collecting ideas to use as writing prompts. I recently stumbled across this idea from Amanda Webster on her Write On The World blog. Wow, that’s a goooood one. I’m really loving that idea.

Here are some of my recently used prompts:

20120603-073557.jpg

20120603-073653.jpg

From Judy Reeves
The colour of midnight
“That night I was happy”
It shimmers in the distance
What waits at the top of the stairs

I tend to mainly use photos (that I’ve taken or that I’ve stumbled across in magazines) and specific writing prompts. But, I’m interested to hear……tell me what method of writing prompts do you use? That is, if you use them….and if you don’t, to settle my nosey streak, why not?

By the way…..how would you feel about me posting some of my prompts?

41 thoughts on “Writing Prompts…..How Do You Eat Yours?”

  2. I like picture prompts. I follow quite a few blogs that put out posts every week that are word prompts. I love them! I think they really help jump start waning creativity and have led to longer stories for me. So, post away because I’ll participate. Are you going to use a mr. Linky so people can link up?

    Like

    Reply

    • Yep, I have to say, I’m with you hon. I prefer picture prompts definitely 🙂

      Ooooo, errrrr, linky thing? Lol….I’m not very technically minded lol
      I guess I’ve kind of been doing a picture prompt every Sunday, but I guess I could turn it more into an actual prompt post 😉

      Thanks honey xx

      Like

      Reply

  3. I use prompts as a way to stay sharp by writing on things my main writing doesn’t focus on. It’s kind of like trying to be more worldly so your original work has more scope and truth and has considered enough alternatives. One should never stay in one place for too long lest you become stuck.

    Like

    Reply

    • Hi Elias, thanks for stopping by 🙂

      I totally agree! I’m editing my novel, so not actually writing anything to do with it, if you see what I mean, so prompts keep me actually writing. Plus, I now have 6 months worth of further story ideas that I can develop if I want to 😉

      Xx

      Like

      Reply

  5. Aw, I miss those Creme Egg adverts. They have the eggs here is Aus, and advertised them last Easter with different ways to torture and splat the poor little personalised eggies.

    Regarding writing prompts, I’m not hugely into them. Probs because I’ve currently got too much on my hands with WIPs. But even out of all that action, I don’t tend to use prompts very much, although if I do get inspiration from anything, it would certainly be from visuals rather than words. Calling to the creative side in me to interpret as I please.

    Like

    Reply

  7. Vikki, I love writing prompts so post them. I look at it two ways. One, I love to see the different way people’s minds work when referring to the same item whether it’s a quote, a photo, or specific words. And two, I tend to like people to tell me to something as long as they don’t tell me how to do it. Haha. Look forward to seeing them.

    Like

    Reply

    • Hi Sydney 🙂

      That’s a good point hon. It’s always fascinating in my writing class when our tutor gives up a prompt. The stories people come up with are always so different and then can give you further ideas 🙂

      The question is, should I post my responses to the prompts too?

      Xx

      Like

      Reply

  9. I enter competitions – as these often have themes, first lines etc these act as prompts.
    Sometimes I overhear a great phrase or piece of dialogue and try to work that into a story.

    Like

    Reply

  10. Mmmmmm Cadburies cream egg mmmmmmm. Ok just a little day dreaming there…

    yes picture prompt day sounds like a good idea. and post responses
    oh that was weird – did you post 3 pics Bracelet, house pic with for sale sign and pills. The house pic seems to have gone. wonder if it was one of those pop up things?

    back to y cream egg mmmmmm…

    Like

    Reply

  11. They do have Cadburys Creme eggs in the US, but not the same commercials.

    I like snippets of songs I listen to, as prompts, or a small thing from a tv show, recast into something else.

    Like

    Reply

  12. We all get a prompt from something we heard or see, things trigger in our minds and seem to wonder inside putting it out to think about giving us a form to work with, story to play around with and next thing we know its showing on paper good or bad we tend to make it happen come alive that’s what we do sometimes. Have fun with your prompts always looking for something new thanks for the invite here Will

    Like

    Reply

  13. I’ve never understood the idea that prompts are only for those who can’t come up with their own material. Any writing prompt can lead to something more or stand alone as a fun exercise. People can do them or not do them; it’s an individual choice.

    I came up with a few prompts a while back and keep meaning to post them on my writing blog, but I still haven’t gotten around to it. Maybe there’s no point.

    Like

    Reply

  14. I would love to see your prompts, and as I know you’re going to ask – yes I’d like to see your responses too, but may I suggest you leave it a bit first? I loved it when you posted that picture of the couple, and then posted your response a few days later.
    You never know, you may be able to kick-start me into writing responses as well, and it would be interesting to see what others make of it too.
    Could you collect in responses and approve them when you’ve had a few perhaps?
    I drop by every day, btw – don’t often comment, but do look forward to hearing what you have to say for the day 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    • Lol, thanks Lin 🙂

      Hmmmmm, yeah, I guess I could leave it a couple of days 🙂

      I’m not sure there’s a way to hold back comments. It seems that once you’ve been approved once, your comments re always approved lol

      Awwwww, thanks honey 🙂

      Xx

      Like

      Reply

  15. I like prompts and don’t see anything wrong with them. Prompts can inspire a touch of inspiration. I don’t use them on a regular basis though. If I come across a prompt and it inspires me, then I write and if not, then I don’t. I don’t force the writing. Would love to see your prompts. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  16. I don’t use them mainly because I have a lot of things I want to say so I guess I don”t need them right now. But that’s not to say I won’t use them in the future. As a rule for people who use them I think they’re great.

    Where do you find them?

    Like

    Reply

  18. Sometimes I’ll use them if I’m stuck on something I’m already working on. But for the most part, I don’t really need them. Ideas are in my imagination as long as I’m unstressed and I’m filling my daily writing bag.

    I’d love to see your prompts as well as your responses. That would be neat.

    Like

    Reply

  19. Pingback: A Week in Summary: 24-30 June: The Art & Craft of Writing Creatively

Lets chat!