My brother just shared with me that he and his fiancé are planning on getting scuba certified prior to their trip to Hawaii in the fall. I am jealous. Some of you may recall, I was hoping to get recertified this year. I wanted to utilize something I enjoy to do something good for the environment. It has to be put off for the time being, so I suppose an underwater Writing Prompt will have to suffice.
Are you looking for a little writing excursion? A break from the routine? If you’re inspired, join me in this week’s Writing Prompt Challenge and share your creation!
Brian Koppelman is a screenwriter, showrunner, and producer. A few years ago, Screencraft collected a series of his tweets and compiled them into a list of 101 screenwriting lessons. I reread them a couple of weeks ago, and while there are obviously a number of useful tips, there was one that stuck out to me in particular.
95. Sometime in the first week of a new creative project, write down all the reasons you’re excited about it. Refer back to it during the long slog through the middle.
For writers, after months (or years) of working on a project, we may find ourselves out of touch with the “why” in the why we chose to write this story. Maybe we’ve lost the inspiration. Maybe we’ve lost a little of the love.
Sometimes, it really is a slog.
Our path is a lonely one, and we often only have ourselves to rely upon. None of us wants to be that person who claims to be a writer. We are writers. And sometimes we need little reminders, sticky notes, or what-have-you to keep the momentum flowing. We need to make it easier on ourselves – it may be a lonely path, but it’s also not an easy one – so do what you can.
I make a lot of notes when I have a new idea. I try to sit with it for a little while and write down all the initial thoughts that come to me, but I like this tip of creating a list of reasons why I’m excited about it as well.
As a screenwriter, I rely heavily on imagery. It’s one of the reasons I started the Writing Prompts, but also why I have oh so many Pinterest boards (with more to come with the new story ideas in development). I have found that having a visual representation of the inspiration behind a piece to be beneficial, often.
Waterhouse’s Psyche Entering Cupid’s Garden – Touchstone for Fate(s)
I choose color coordinated binders for each screenplay; the color is usually representative in some manner. I like the ones that have a sleeve cover, so I can put an image that correlates to the script at the front. You may have come across some of them in my Scribbles. I call them “touchstones”. I generally settle upon an image fairly quickly when starting a new script. As you’ve seen with the writing prompts, I go with my gut.
Whatever tethers you to your current WIP, put it in your eye line. Let it be present as you make your way forward. If you don’t have one, I would recommend finding one. Obviously, don’t get stuck in a Pin hole, like I have done on so many occasions, but spend a little time seeking something out that will aid you. Create a list of the reasons why this project excited you, so when the barely-wrote-a-word days come, you have a reference, and then maybe they don’t seem so bleak.
Have any writing tips to share with the community? Let’s help each other out!
I’ve had a week, so instead of sharing this week’s Writing Prompt on Wednesday, as is the norm, it is now Saturday, even later than I planned yesterday.
I didn’t know what I was looking for in the way of imagery this week. I’m still celebrating the completion of a new script and thought to find something representative of it, and then I found this.
I was not a history fan when it was required in school, but have since become quite fascinated with different time periods and often include some aspect within my screenplays, so I found myself drawn to the photo above and the story potential.
Feeling inspired? Want to join me in a little free write or flash fiction? If you’re ever inspired by any of the prompts, please don’t forget to share! I look forward to seeing your creations!
This week’s writing prompt is completely different from the one I shared last week. You might even wonder as to my thought process in that decision. I just go with what speaks to me in the moment.
The thing is, I’m working on finishing the first draft of a screenplay that shares similarities with the image above. I have the final polish on Fate(s) and then it’s going out into the world, so I think I may have wanted to save this image until I could focus my attention on that story again.
Are you feeling inspired? Need a break from your routine with a little free write or flash fiction?
I look forward to reading your creations! Happy Writing!
For this week’s writing prompt I was torn between two images. I went with the first one, perhaps the other will be next week’s…
As some of you may know, I love lost worlds, history, and fairytales, and this image seems to combine a little bit of each.
I’m still a few edits from taking part in the writing prompt challenges myself, but would be delighted to read your creations. If any of the prompts have inspired you, please be sure to share!
Ah, you know me. Whatever grabs my attention becomes the week’s Writing Prompt. This week I was intrigued by the idea of hands, and all they are capable of.
Hands can bring comfort and pleasure. They reach out in desperation or to protect. They can inflict harm and reveal menace. We can convey a number of wordless meanings with them, or use them to emphasize that which is being said. We use them for everything.
So are you up for using them as part of this week’s Writing Prompt Challenge? I hope this offers you a little inspiration for a free write, a bit of flash fiction, or maybe an opportunity to add to your own work.
Looking for a little inspiration? Want a break from your writing routine? Join this week’s Writing Prompt Challenge! Don’t forget to share your creations!
In the free photo gallery available via WordPress, the search bar already comes with a suggested term and subsequent photos to give you an idea of the variety of images available. “Patterns” was the suggested term – that’s a bit on the nose, Universe, but I hear you – and this breathtaking image was among them.
If you need a break from your own writing and are looking for a bit of inspiration for a free write or some flash fiction, I hope this imagery brings about a spark of creativity.
I found myself drawn to the stark contrast of this image, a place that would be amazing to actually visit, so it became the prompt for this week’s challenge.
Wednesday is Writing Prompt Day! So how is it I haven’t shared one since mid-November…? I know I was personally struggling to find time to dedicate to them, I’m still on my (original stories) writing kick, but considering they’re something I enjoy seeking out, all I can say is, “Eek!”
So let’s start this new year off with a bit of light hearted, or maybe not, writing fun.
As is the norm, I chose the first image that struck me, and I am surprised to say, I had a curious stirring of the imagination towards a story idea. I wrote down the line that came to me, and I’ll revisit it to see what sort of foundation it may form. I don’t know just yet if it’s going to be part of the WP challenge or if it’s a full blown screenplay. Either way, color me intrigued.
What about you? Are you feeling the tickle of inspiration?
I hope you’ll join me in this week’s challenge. If you find yourself inspired by any of the writing prompts I’ve posted, please don’t forget to share! I can’t wait to see what you all create!
A Writer's Discrepant Memoirs and Other Tales 