Writing Prompts…..How Do You Eat Yours?

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

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:

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?

Breakfast or Lunch?

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Today’s picture is another drawing by Martin Karlsson, currently on display outside The Tate Modern. I’m not sure what this one is called, sorry, but I love it. He’s caught the action so well 🙂

As I’m a huge fan of characters, rather than do a story for this one I’m going to do 2 characterisations….will share tomorrow 🙂

What story would you come up with for this pair? Would love to hear your ideas!

Picture Postcard & Where I’m Guesting

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m currently guesting over at Virginias blog Poeta Officium so do pop in and read my “One Most Important Piece Of Advice To Writers”

Now, where was I? Lol

I bought this postcard when I went up to the Tate Modern recently, because it intrigued me 🙂

It’s acrylic on canvas by a German artist, Martin Kippenberger and is called “Ohne Titel”. I thought initially it was a photograph!

I wonder what inspired him to paint it?

Would love to hear what story line you can come up with for this one?

I’ll share my ideas tomorrow 🙂

I’ve Been Out, Visiting

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I am no longer a guest virgin *cheers*

Ive done my first guest post, well, it’s not exactly a post, its a piece of writing, called Ashes, inspired by a prompt that CC gave me.

The prompt was being caught in the rain and if you want to go have a read, you’ll find it on CC’s Blog

I don’t often post my work online because you can’t get it published (ie sell it) if it’s already appeared somewhere online 😦 But, as I’m concentrating more now on my novel I’m not gunna worry so much about it 😉

so go have a read and tell me what you think 🙂

The New Zealander

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last weekend I went up to the Tate Modern which is probably my favourite gallery, as I’m a huge fan of modern art 🙂

As if the art work inside isn’t enough, there is also art outside. Martin Karlsson has a display of drawings outside to enhance the building work that is going on there. I find his work fascinating and soooo inspirational for stories (I will post some more in the coming weeks).

So today’s photo is “The New Zealander” by Karlsson.

So what is the New Zealander doing in a London Cemetery, so far from home?

Can’t wait to hear your ideas, and of course, I have my own theories that I’ll share tomorrow 🙂

Free Writing In Bath

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Bath the city, not in my bathroom….although, that’s not a bad idea lol 😉

I was up at 5am yesterday morning, sitting in the grounds of the hotel with my cup of tea by 5.15, and of course, with my notepad.

I was sat on a bench with this pond in front of me:

And with this view to my left:

A perfect setting for some free writing 🙂

My fingers are numb from the cold, but the ducks don’t seem to mind. Preening themselves on a rock in the middle of the pond. The only sounds are the cascading water from the fountain and the seagulls, calling to each other high above the tree’s. I’m surrounded by sandy Bath stone, drawn back in time to Jane Austen’s Georgian elegance. The trees towering over my head envelope me in an enchanted forest and remind me of just how insignificant I am. I’ve been coming here, on and off, for 17 years now, but i am such a small blip on this historical city. Nothing really changes, apart from the people, the constant stream of tourists. The stone facades weather and age, just like the people’s faces.

As you get older, birthdays inevitably bring with them a sense of loss. The idea that we’ve wasted years, thrown away chances and allowed ourselves to be pushed and pulled in directions we didn’t want to go. The hopes and dreams of childhood are long gone and the realisation of an ordinary life are what’s left. Most of us, just sit by our pond, like the ducks, with no attempt to make any impact on the world around us. Perhaps I don’t want to be a duck any more, not even one that lives in such beautiful surroundings.

Ooooo, that was a bit melancholy lol. Actually, I wasn’t in a melancholy mood, but I did continue this piece of writing further. It turned into the start of a story about a woman who walked out of her home on the eve of her 49th birthday. I haven’t got a clue why, or where she is going….yet 😉

Bath is my favourite city outside of London. I love the history of it, the Georgian elegance, and so did Jane Austen, who set 2 of her books there. I like the idea of writing a novel set in a place I love. And of course, you’d have to spend a lot of time there for research 😉 So whats your favourite city and why?

Who Are They?

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

To give my brain a rest on a Sunday, from now on, (ha bloody ha….like my brain will rest, I’ll probably spend most of the day thinking up blog posts for next week lol). Sundays will be photo sharing day. I take a lot of photos and most of them I use as writing prompts

So grab a pen, your notebook, and a coffee….and see what you can one up with for this?

Who are this couple? Why are they there? Do they live there? Work there?

What’s the story? I’d love to hear your ideas.

I’ll share my ideas tomorrow 🙂

Y is for…..

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Yasmin, who has been removed because I want to use her for my Nano 2012 novel.

Sorry you missed it 😦

A-Z Challenge

Ok, so that’s Yasmin……I’m thinking that something could definitely happen with the boyfriend, or, she gets so addicted to the money she’s making at the club that she decides to give up on uni? Choices choices lol

Yesterday’s prompt, about daddy’s pride didn’t really inspire anything so I’ll have a go at it tomorrow, when I do saying goodbye 🙂

W is for…..

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Wendy, who has been removed because I want to use her for my Nano 2012 novel.

Sorry you missed it 😦

A-Z Challenge

So Wendy seems happy enough, but is she? Really? I’m thinking that she could start her own business, selling her berets? Orrrr….. She starts seeing her boss again and Clare finds out and turns psycho? Or perhaps she does enter one of those talent shows and completely changes her life? So many options with this one 🙂

I spent most of yesterday getting up to date with my prompts. The one I liked the most was That Sunday afternoon which ended up being about a guy who bumped into a girl in a coffee shop. She then gets her boyfriend to beat him up 😦 I know, I know, but that’s how easily it can happen. You only need to be in the wrong place at the wrong time *shivers*

T is for…..

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Timothy, who has been removed because I want to use him for my Nano 2012 novel.

Sorry you missed it 😦

A-Z Challenge

Hmmmmm, so does Tim find out that Cameron is having an affair? Or, is Cameron up to something else? 😉

I haven’t talked much about my prompts have I? Lol….I’m still keeping up with them, just. Yesterday’s one was write about what happens and today’s is That Sunday afternoon….. Both will get done today, but I’m in Birmingham for the next 24 hours and it’s World Book Night lol. Busy, busy, busy…..