Imitation is Key to Finding Voice

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

It's The New Thing

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

Switching Mindsets

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)

Change of Pace

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 #5

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 #3

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.

No Writing Week #1

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.

Simple Character by Chaotic Shiny Gen

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).

Get to Know Your Character Week #7

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

Get to Know Your Character Week #6

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

Get to Know Your Character Week #5

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

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

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

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

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?

Hasty Words

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?

Love and Laughter

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

Foodie

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

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

Personal Preference

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.