Wordsworth Station

Pet Peeves

2010-02-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

Writing Prompt:
What drives you absolutely crazy as a writer? Is it a trait you have yourself, or is it some personality quirk of another?

Imitation is Key to Finding Voice

2010-02-22T04:55:00.000-08:00

Writing Prompt:
Write a short story in the style of the author that you are currently reading at this moment.

Timing is Everything

2010-02-12T12:57:00.001-08:00

Writing Prompt:
Start writing beginning with the line "Another question, another day...". Don't stop for 20 minutes.

Who's Speaking?

2010-02-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

Writing Prompt:
Write a poem from the perspective of an inanimate object

Courtesy of Me

2010-02-03T21:50:00.001-08:00

Writing Prompt:
Comment on the quote "All poetry begins at 3 am, and doesn't let you go until 5 or 6."

Huddled in Some Attic, Somewhere

2010-01-31T17:02:00.001-08:00

Writing Prompt:
Which cliches about writing amuse you, and which of them set you wild? What cliches would you like to break professionally, and which ones would you like to embody in your career?

Artist's Journal #9

2010-01-09T03:32:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry about the type of author you want to be in 20 to 30 years. How do you get there? What do you do to achieve that?

Artist's Journal #8

2010-01-08T03:31:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write about your publishing goals for the next five years.

Artist's Journal #7

2010-01-07T03:30:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write about your publishing goals for the next year.

Artist's Journal #6

2010-01-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry about the intersection of reality and fiction in your writing, whatever genre you favor.

Artist's Journal #5

2010-01-05T03:28:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry that personifies your creativity. Call it a Muse, give her a name and a personality. What do you love about your Muse? What would you change?

Artist's Journal #4

2010-01-04T03:24:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry listing things that you know you can do to make yourself a better writer.

Artist's Journal #3

2010-01-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry listing all your good qualities as a writer- mastery of technique, true to life dialogue, dedication, etc.

Artist's Journal #2

2010-01-02T03:20:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry about what has kept you motivated through all the years to stick with writing, and being a writer.

Artist's Journal #1

2010-01-01T03:21:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a journal entry about the moment that you knew you wanted to be a writer.

A Different Kind of Artist's Journal

2009-12-05T04:42:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Create an artist's journal. It should have limited writing, but should be able to recall emotions clearly thorugh visual images. This is something in between a scrapbook and a diary about the creative process.

Here are a few websites to help you get an idea of the artist's journal:

Aisling's Artists Journal

Book #1

Book #2

The New Black

2009-12-04T04:39:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Free write for 10 minutes on freckles. Are they a pro? a con? Can it define one's personality, or are they inconsequential? Are there other things that having freckles might affect?

Stereotypes are Real

2009-12-03T04:38:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a piece about the stereotypical mad inventor.

Flarf Poetry

2009-12-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a flarf poem.

It's The New Thing

2009-12-01T04:24:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a brief piece in the style of a cell phone novel. (around 1,000 words)

Switching Mindsets

2009-11-30T04:20:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write about high heels from a male perspective if you're female, and from a female perspective if you're male. (around 500 words)

Plaid and Polka Dots

2009-11-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a piece about a stereotypical college professor. Don't focus on the clothing but be sure to mention it.
approx. 600 words

Free Write

2009-11-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Today is a free write (no time limit, no word count) on beauty (of any kind- person, place, or thing).

The Dreaded Form

2009-11-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a one-act play around a tragio-comedic subject.

Change of Pace

2009-11-26T02:10:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
This week I challenge you to write in a different format than what you normally use. Normally write on the computer? Try pen and paper. Normally write in pencil? Try a pen in a fancy color. Whatever you do, don't allow the different medium to stop you from writing. The point is to see how the change affects your writing- not in a "oh this is uncomfortable" manner, but do you think differently? Do you use different vocabulary? Do you write slower, or faster? Do you deliberate over each word, or does it flow more naturally? Do you write in a different tone, or in a different mood? Does your character/ theme/plot change with the format?

Time Travel Week #10

2009-11-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
You are sometime in the future! Write for 20 minutes.

Time Travel Week #9

2009-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Prompt:

You are an poor English person convicted of a crime, and being sent to Australia's penal colony. You may write either before, during, or after the trial, but don't forget to included what crime you committed, whether you were innocent or guilty, and the reasoning behind the crime, your arrest, and your sentencing.

Time Travel Week #8

2009-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

Because I thought of a lot of fun prompts, we'll just keep going for a while. =)

Prompt:
It's 1917 and the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution. Write a piece either from the perspective of someone within the Winter palace (but not necessarily a royal) or from someone that's storming the gates. But do try to avoid a Disney character for one of your own creation.

Time Travel Week #7

2009-11-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
It's caveman days at Wordsworth Station. Write a piece about the time period, either from a first person perspective or from a third person POV.

Time Travel Week #6

2009-11-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Today you are a Viking- but whether you are one back in the homeland or one of Erik the Red's crew colonizing Greenland is up to you.

Time Travel Week #5

2009-11-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
You are a scribe for the Chinese Imperialistic Court, working in the Forbidden City. But your job is being threatened- why? by whom? for what purposes? etc.

Time Travel Week #4

2009-11-19T08:51:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Let's head off to the Mayan empire, circa 1500s just before or just after the Spanish come into contact (your choice). What is the civilization going through at this particular moment (focus on the collective, rather than an individual character today)

Time Travel Week #3

2009-11-18T02:24:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a fiction piece about the American 80's... and the nightmare in which you time-traveled back to the days of big hair and power ballads.

Time Travel Week #2

2009-11-17T02:22:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
If you could time-travel to the French Revolution, who would you want to meet for coffee?

Time Travel Week #1

2009-11-16T02:20:00.000-08:00

It's time travel week here at Wordsworth Station! I'll be giving you a time period and a location, and you have to write about it!

Prompt:
If you could time-travel to Renaissance England, who would you be? Why? What sort of activities would you do? How would you be employed (or would you)?

The Good Ole Years

2009-11-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Find some of your early writings... the more hilariously bad, the better. First, tell yourself how great you've become since then. Second, see what you can improve. Third, actually do it. Sit down and re-write one or two brief pieces. Fourth, laugh really hard. Now doesn't that make you feel better?

1,000 Words

2009-11-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Just something to contemplate. Do a ten minute free-write on whatever comes to mind after viewing this image.

No Writing Week #3

2009-11-11T02:45:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Today, find theme songs for each of your characters, and a track list for the entire work. If you can, match a song to the issues that you are discussing in the piece- a theme song for a theme, if you will.

No Writing Week #2

2009-11-10T02:44:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Today spend around 30 minutes surfing the internet for pictures of your piece's physical setting. Get as specific as you can- including weather pictures for a particular scene, a single location like a house, commercial strip-mall, etc

No Writing Week #1

2009-11-09T02:39:00.000-08:00

That's right. You read the title right. This week is "No Writing" themed, which means no words, just creative thinking. Don't worry, the prompts all make perfect sense.

Prompt:
Visualize your main characters' face(s). Now, no matter your talent level, try to draw them. This should have you work out details that you might not think of- crow's feet, freckles, moles, small scars or acne, etc. If you can't picture your character well enough to be able to draw them (regardless of the end result) then you need to work on the particulars.

Bibliophila and Me

2009-11-02T03:19:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
Write a piece about when you first fell in love with books.

Festival Week #7

2009-11-01T01:06:00.000-07:00

Writing Prompt:
The end of holidays are using a let down, just as there is a certain sadness when morning's light truly illuminates a carnival, or when the festival is taken down and packed up, or when the circus leaves town. Write a piece on this sort of situation. It can be a memory from childhood, or a fictionalized piece from any character's perspective, or a poem on the general emotion. Get creative.

Festival Week #6

2009-10-31T01:03:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
If you could create a haunted house, what would you include? Try to write as if the reader was actually walking through the haunted house, and create dramatic visual images.

Festival Week #5

2009-10-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write about your favorite Halloween (or similar holiday) costume from your childhood. Why did you want to dress up as that character? What made the costume great?

Festival Week #4

2009-10-29T02:50:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
If you could have anything, what would be the ultimate Trick or Treat prize? NO candy, but keep it within the Trick or Treat tradition.

Festival Week #3

2009-10-28T02:17:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write about a childhood memory at a carnival or festival. Stick to what you remember, then re-write the piece later with more fictionalized embellishments. What did you tweak? Why? What did it add to your piece?

Festival Week #2

2009-10-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece about circus clowns from several perspectives:
1) the clown(s)
2) a child's/ children's
3) an adult's
4) a non-human character (the lion in the booth to the right anyone?)

Festival Week #1

2009-10-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

This week will deal with all things festival, country fair, carnival, and mardi gras!

Prompt:
Write a scene full of polka dots, stripes, and bright colors... that is NOT set in a festival.

Farm-ward Bound

2009-10-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around a farm, or write a piece that has a main character straight off the farm.

Defy Boundaries

2009-10-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a poem/song about unrequited love from the perspective of an 50+ person. (Can be the object of the love, or the person who loved, or an observer, or whoever! Have fun)

Simple Character by Chaotic Shiny Gen

2009-10-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
I was poking around Chaotic Shiny Generator, and found this character description:

He has a number of scars and ashen skin. He likes tortured pasts and spicy food. He is creative and not very competent. His favourite sin is gluttony.

Write an expanded character profile/bio (approx. 500 words), and a short introductory scene (approx. 5oo words).

Deal or No Deal

2009-10-22T01:54:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
If you made a Faustian bargain, what would you do with that power? Can you take any of those desires and recognize valuable literary themes to include in your work(s)?

Imitation

2009-10-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a scene/poem/piece completely in the style of your favorite author.

Repete

2009-10-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that begins and ends with exactly the same sentence. Must be less than 1000 words.

Recountre

2009-10-19T02:03:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write about your earliest childhood memory.

Three Objects Week #7

2009-10-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece centered around chalk, a sprinkler system, and a palm tree.

Three Objects Week #6

2009-10-17T01:55:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around lace, a video game, and a hockey stick.

Three Objects Week #5

2009-10-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around fruit gummies, the TV , and window curtains.

Three Objects Week #4

2009-10-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around a pearl necklace, a gun, and a handkerchief.

Three Objects Week #3

2009-10-14T01:42:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around a cell phone, a phonograph, and a (unnamed technology of the future).

Three Objects Week #2

2009-10-13T01:39:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around a book, a bell, and a bracelet.

Three Objects Week #1

2009-10-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

This week will have you write any sort of piece that centers around three random (and sometimes bizarre) objects.

Prompt:
Write a piece that centers around a rubber ball, iced tea, and kleenex tissues.

Get to Know Your Character Week #7

2009-10-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
What is your character's favorite self-indulgent/guilty pleasure movie? Book? Other?

Get to Know Your Character Week #6

2009-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
What is your character's favorite "pick me up"?

Get to Know Your Character Week #5

2009-10-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
What would be your character's last-minute, go-to Halloween costume, the one worn every year?

Get to Know Your Character Week #4

2009-10-08T02:58:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Today spend around 30 minutes surfing the internet for pictures of your characters- try for less-known celebrities as well as up-and-comers. Base your decisions on physical traits rather than roles played, although personality can be a (small-ish) factor.

Get to Know Your Character Week #3

2009-10-07T01:19:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
What is your character's favorite band? Favorite song? Can you incorporate it into a scene somehow?

Get to Know Your Character Week #2

2009-10-06T01:05:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Does your character have a favorite outfit? Be specific. Don't just say a dress, but say a black silk halter dress. Don't just say t-shirts and jeans, but say Levi's 501 and a Kiss concert shirt. Give background. Is the dress a gift? Was the concert tee actually from the concert, or ordered online but passed off as the real thing?

Get to Know Your Character Week #1

2009-10-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

This week is going to be full of prompts centered around character development in fiction. Hopefully this will spark new scenes and greater familiarity with your star.

Prompt:
Does your character have any self-delusions? Are they destructive? Are they helpful? What purpose does this delusion serve?

The Art of Correspondance

2009-10-02T02:50:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Write a letter to an English or creative writing professor/ teacher that has helped. inspired, or motivated your writing in a significant manner. Tell that person how you see that influence continued today, and how it has affected your writing style and/or career. If you want to go that extra step, actually send the letter to the professor/teacher, if applicable.

Logophile

2009-10-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Find a really rich, evocative word from the dictionary that you didn't previously understand. Write a piece centered on this word, but match the genre/plot/tone match the nature of the word.

Paint Swatches

2009-09-30T02:10:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
What is your least favorite color? Write an entire piece on why you dislike that color, but in third-person narrative and without referring to yourself. Must be at least 500 words.

Hasty Words

2009-09-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Remember your favorite literary argument (such as the scene between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.) Now rewrite it as if the trigger (Mr. Darcy's proposal) never happened, and the argument never happened. What now?

Switch It Up

2009-09-28T02:04:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Re-write the words of your favorite song into a poem. Now, can you do it backwards-- rewrite your favorite poem into a song? What about your favorite quote from a novel or short story?

Love and Laughter

2009-09-27T02:24:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Remember your favorite literary love scene. Now rewrite it where everything goes comically wrong.

Foodie

2009-09-26T02:02:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
We are often asked what our favorite food is. Now, take your favorite food, and write about it in detail, to the point of obsession. You are writing an ode, a love song to your favorite food. Try to write as long as you can. Aim for 500 words. Now, do the exact same thing for your least favorite food- but you still have to love it. If you want, do it from a character's perspective.

One Liners

2009-09-25T02:23:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Create a piece beginning with this phrase:
"I was the last man home..."

Personal Preference

2009-09-24T02:28:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Recall your least favorite literary character, the one you love to hate. Now, write a sympathetic piece in which they are the main character.

Comfort Zone

2009-09-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Even if you normally hate fan-fiction, try a little bit of it today. Write a scene or two with your favorite characters from your favorite TV series. Now ignore social conventions- are you actually proud of your writing? Your writing, not the character development or even plot. Why? Try and find out what hidden technique created that spark.

Counting Off

2009-09-22T02:32:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Create a piece that deals with the repetition of numbers. However, don't just write those numbers over and over, like someone counting. Think outside of prose- try to include the numbers in the narrative, or in the plot, or as a theme.

Word Play

2009-09-21T02:30:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Create a piece centered around a word... but you can't actually name that word. (And yes, I mean a word, not a concept.)

Polar Opposites

2009-09-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Take your favorite literary character, and create the polar opposite. You have to imagine a new character, and not one already included in the book. Write a couple of scenes in which the two people meet: one amiable, one when they argue, and one with a sympathetic attitude towards your created character.

Location, Location, Location

2009-09-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Now, normally I keep hours with the rest of the working world, but sometimes you just need one blog to make is through the weekend. And creativity certainly doesn't stop based on what day of the week it is.

Prompt:
Sometimes stepping out into the big outdoors can completely change your thinking. So today the challenge is to write someplace different than your normal workplace-whether it's outside or just down the street at a diner or at the library or wherever your Muse takes you.

Speaking Fancy

2009-09-18T08:14:00.001-07:00

If you could have a phone conversation with anyone in the world (still living) who would it be? Write a dialogue between you two, but don't add in emotions, internal thoughts, or any other writing other than your dialogue. Try to show all the details through the conversation alone.

Opposite Thinking

2009-09-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
I have a habit of writing with women as my main characters, and rarely focus specifically on the other gender. So now... write an piece about what it's like to be the opposite sex. It can be about any profession, any age, etc; and it can be from first person POV or thrid person POV, but it has to be about living life as a (male or female) and "typical (male or female)" experiences.

Dreams

2009-09-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Prompt:
Have you ever had a reoccurring dream? If you have, you know how bizarre it is to focus on a single or single set of images that reoccur multiple nights in a row. Write a piece in which you describe your reoccurring dream, or create a story/poem/song, etc in which another character experiences this phenomena. Describe the dream in detail- it can be a nightmare, or something funny, or something really bizarre (I have been dreaming that all my hair dye washes out, and I am left with gray hair!)

Welcome!

2009-09-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

Good evening everyone, and welcome to my newest creation, WORDSWORTH STATION! I'm very excited and proud to have this blog. I hope that it will be a place for all writers to find creative inspiration. The purpose of Wordsworth Station is to provide daily prompts to get your Muse started, whether you fancy fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction or some other genre. So no more chatter, let's get writing!

Prompt One:

If you had absolutely no limitations in life, what would you personally do? Now, what would your character do?

Artist's Journal #11

2009-01-11T04:32:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
What is one thing that you have done within the past 6 months that has improved your writing?

Artist's Journal #10

2009-01-10T04:28:00.000-08:00

Prompt:
What obsticles in your writing have you overcome lately? How did you do it? Can you continue with this trend by changing it slightly to make it longterm?