May 26 2008
What is a Writing Prompt
In a former virtual life, I was known as The Prompt Writer. In a nutshell, I provided a series of writing prompts for my fellow writers. Since moving on to blogging, I’ve had a lot of people ask me just what the heck a “prompt” was. I was kind of shocked to find that no everyone knew what a writing prompt was, but then again, a lot of the people in the blogging world don’t see themselves as writers. So, what is a writing prompt? Simply put, it’s an idea or suggestion about things to write about. Every week, I’d post 20 different ideas, or prompts, for my fellow writers. In turn, they’d have a wide variety of ideas to write about, no matter if they wrote in fiction or non-fiction. I still offer writing prompts on my personal blog every Sunday, but they’re more for bloggers than for regular writers. However, they can be used by anyone.
Anyway, I became The Prompt Writer as a fluke. Like most writers, I suffer from bouts of writer’s block. During one of these bouts, I sat down with a notebook and pen, and began thinking of things to write about. Some of my ideas were just stupid, while others were flashes of sheer brilliance. By the time it was all said and done with, I’d filled that notebook and had started in on a new one. That’s when I had the idea to share my ideas with other writers who were suffering from writer’s block.
I can tell you from experience, that no matter what anyone else says, writer’s block will come. Usually at the worst time possible. But, from time to time, I’ll be posting writing prompts here for anyone to use as they see fit. My writing prompts will always be free, and all I’ll ask in return is that if you become the next Stephen King or John Grisham, please remember me. LOL
Hi from a fellow prompt writer - I’ve run the “wake up writing” website since 2000 - and like you I fell into the niche by some kind of fluke! For me it was the opposite to you however. I was someone who wanted to write but never knew where to start, then literally overnight, the creative muse fairy arrived and sprinkled some creativity sparkle over my head as I slept and the next day I was literally oozing ideas. I thought it was maybe a short lived thing at first, but it didn’t go away and so I started giving out writing prompts. One of the best things is the emails I get from people who tell me that I’ve helped them out of a block, or given them an idea that sparked an article or novel. I know your blog will be a popular site with writers!
Holy Cow, KatieAnne, I remember you. I used to run The Write Sites colum for The E-Writer’s Place, under Shery Ma Belle Arrieta in the late 90’s through 2002. It’s so good to hear from you.
I’m having a lot of fun here so far. I think this is going to be one of my favorite endeavors so far.
Thanks for stopping by, you just made my day.
I love your page, but I was just going to say that with my failing eyes its a little hard to read if its not highlighted cos the text is so light, other than that its a beautiful page.
Hey Tina,
I’ll see if I can’t fix that. I might have to change themes to do it, but I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks honey.
Let me tell you, writing prompts have saved my sanity (well okay, that’s questionable) more than once when I thought I had Writer’s Block. I’ve since learned that Writer’s Block is an excuse
Hey Michael,
You’re right, it is an excuse. But there are some people out there who just need a push in the “write” direction. LOL
Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to stop by when ever you want.
No Michael, Writer’s Block isn’t an excuse, it’s acceptable procrastination!
Katie-Anne
LOL,
That’s what it is!!! LOL
I host several of my own blogs. This one started out as an experiment that has taken on a life of it’s own.
And as for The Prompt Writer, well, she’s not completely gone. She’s just aiding the other personalities through this virtual writing world. LOL
Thanks honey. It took me a long time to get all my personalities to get along. Some of them don’t like each other. LOL