Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash
Where did this come from?
This thought crossed my mind as I was cutting my toenails. Yes, I do that. It’s one of those everyday human activities that doesn’t get much airtime—and for good reason. Except… what if the heroine is sitting on the edge of the tub, clipping her toenails into the bathroom wastebasket, when she notices a pregnancy test half-buried under tissues and Q-Tips? Suddenly, that moment has real narrative weight.
Or your hero could be brushing his teeth and, in the reflection, sees something in his eyes he’s been avoiding. Now, the simple act of brushing his teeth becomes plot-relevant.
Finding prompts.
Little scenarios like these can serve as prompts. You can find them everywhere. In my writing circles, we use quotes, what-ifs, poems, or opening and closing lines of famous books as prompts. These nudges help get words on the page, and they often take you to unexpected places. Where you start a writing session is rarely where you end up, and that’s okay—it got you writing, didn’t it?
Sometimes I use prompts to demonstrate or practice specific writing techniques. We work on dialogue, hyperbole, or imagery, surprising ourselves and each other. And sometimes, we just get silly. But we always have fun.
Look around you. What could you use as a prompt? Remember, it’s just landing gear to ease your pen onto the page.
You can also join us and let me surprise you with some prompts. Come, write in community. The Autumn Writers Circle begins September 12th.
Not ready to take this step yet? Contact me and we’ll have a chat about your writing projects or dreams. You can get on my calendar here. No pressure or hard selling. I love to talk to writers.
