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Writing Prompts to Keep You Writing

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Is writing a bit like eating your vegetables? Like eating our greens, we know it’s good for our mind and creativity to write daily, but it’s alright to admit that it’s hard to find daily ideas.

Even if you’re in the midst of a novel, screenplay, or short story, it’s normal to hit the occasional roadblock. When writer’s block strikes, that’s when it’s more important than ever to keep writing. But how and what?

Have Fun with a New Subject

I’m a big proponent that one should always write for your enjoyment. Pick a subject that is of interest to you. You don’t have to be an expert, but you do have to want to learn more about your subject. Half the fun lies in the research. There’s a big world out there. You just have to discover it via the printed page. 

Writing is a bit like exercise in that the more you do it, the easier it gets. And, like exercise, you should write on a regular basis. Coming to your computer or that pad of paper regularly keeps your “writing muscle” engaged. The more frequently you write, the more you develop your writing muscle.

You Don’t Have to Write Just One Story at a Time

However, sometimes project that we are currently working on doesn’t come to fruition. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good project. It just might not be the right project for you, right now. Stephen King offers lots of advice on his writing process. One thing he states is to start multiple projects at one time. While this might be confusing for some writers, King admits that not every project resonates with him. He has stated that sometimes he just stops feeling passionately for one project. That’s when he turns his attention to another. By having multiple plot lines developing at once, he is sure to find the one that becomes his next hit.

By the way, King has published 65 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five non-fiction books. He has written over 200 short stories. Obviously, his method works well for him. 

Stay Calm and Keep Writing

Don’t let King’s prolific writing quality get you down. There aren’t many people that have a resume like him. The point of this blog is to inspire you to always find something to write about. Do it daily. It can be a letter to your younger self. For that matter, it can be a letter to your dog or cat. Just write. 

And, when you absolutely can’t think of what to write, here’s a list of writing prompts compiled by FIU Libraries (Florida International University).

Perhaps set a writing goal to try one new prompt each week… in between your current projects. Happy writing!

Writers Write… Try Something New

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I admit that I tend to be more prolific in my writing when everything is going great. When I’m feeling good and the sun is shining, the ideas seem to flow a little faster. But today, my home in normally sunny Southern California is cold, dreary and raining. The Coronavirus has our spirits feeling uncertain. It’s understandable if Winter doldrums and the global situation have left you with writer’s block. But now is when you can and should dig deep and do what you do best…Write!

Perhaps the best way to get yourself out of a writer’s block caused by the recent turn of events is to try something new and write what you wouldn’t normally attempt.

Challenge yourself by trying a new genre. This might be particularly healing if you normally write comedy and the idea of being funny just doesn’t seem apropos right now. Similarly, if you’re a romance writer, maybe the idea of writing about love isn’t ringing true at the moment. So imagine for one minute that you give yourself permission to break into a new genre based on your mood.

“The Last” by Hanna Jameson is an excellent read, and may be exactly what you need for inspiration at this time. Here is a quick synopsis:

A psychological thriller that follows an American academic stranded at a Swiss hotel as the world descends into nuclear war—along with twenty other survivors—who becomes obsessed with identifying a murderer in their midst after the body of a young girl is discovered in one of the hotel’s water tanks.

The word “stranded” in this description is particularly apt for what many of us are going through right now. In addition to the “whodunit” nature of the book, the narrative also addresses the isolation of the characters and how they deal with limited supplies and increasing boredom.

No doubt, we are all living in unchartered territory at the moment. The headlines are scary and people are reacting. Businesses we all frequent are affected and many are closing. Lines at grocery stores are long and shelves are empty. But there is one thing that doesn’t change.

You are a writer, and writers write! It is easy to become lost in our isolation and boredom. I encourage you to write about those feelings. Turn them into realistic prose. Be raw and honest. Write like you feel. Give your readers the gift of your emotions.

If you want to share your thoughts, please know that I’m here to offer support.