General writing tips

Creative writing is an art that thrives on inspiration, imagination, and practice. And one of the most effective ways to kick-start inspiration and imagination and get valuable writing practice is through engaging in writing prompts.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of how writing prompts can help you become a better creative writer.

1. Overcoming Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common challenge for many writers. It often stems from the pressure to create something original and meaningful – something that has to be ‘good’. Writing prompts offer a solution to this – they provide you with a scenario to write about, and there’s no pressure to be ‘good’, ’cause no-one has to read it.

It’s just a tool for writing practice – a creative author sandbox to play in, and nothing more. It doesn’t matter if it’s bad, and it can jump-start your creativity too.

When you regularly use writing prompts, you develop the ability to generate ideas quickly and adapt to different themes and genres. This practice can significantly reduce the instances of writer’s block and make it easier to start writing whenever you sit down at your desk.

2. Expanding Your Creative Horizons

Writing prompts often push you out of your comfort zone by introducing unfamiliar topics or perspectives. This exposure is crucial for growth as a writer. It encourages you to explore new genres, styles, and characters you wouldn’t normally try.

For example, if you normally write romance, a prompt focused on a science fiction scenario can challenge you to think differently and experiment with new storytelling techniques. This diversity not only broadens your creative horizons but also makes your writing more dynamic.

3. Enhancing Writing Skills

Writing prompts are an excellent way to practice specific writing skills. Whether it’s character development, dialogue, setting description, or plot construction, prompts can be tailored to focus on different aspects of your writing.

For example, a prompt that asks you to describe a bustling marketplace can help you hone your descriptive skills. Another prompt about a conversation between two strangers can improve your dialogue writing skills. By regularly practicing with prompts, you can identify and strengthen areas of your writing that need improvement and start focusing on those areas.

A good way to write in general, and certainly a good way to write thrillers, is to put your characters in a situation, and then say to yourself, what’s the worst thing that can possibly happen? And then make that thing happen. And then let your characters deal with it.

Charlie Lovett

4. Building a Writing Habit

Consistency is key to becoming a better writer. Writing prompts can help you build a regular writing habit by providing a structured yet flexible framework for daily practice. When you commit to writing something every day, even if it’s just a short piece based on a prompt, you develop discipline and maintain a steady flow of creativity.

Over time, this habit can lead to increased productivity and a greater sense of confidence in your writing abilities. The regular practice also means you accumulate a body of work that you can revisit and expand on in the future. It can potentially turn into a short story or novel.

5. Stimulating Imagination

Writing prompts often come with an element of surprise, which can stimulate your imagination in unexpected ways. They can introduce you to scenarios and characters that you would never have thought of otherwise, inspiring new ideas and story-lines.

For example, a prompt that starts with “Write about a world where the sky is green” immediately engages your creative faculties to build a unique setting and explore the impact of that setting. This kind of imaginative exercise keeps your creative muscles active and responsive.

6. Providing a Sense of Accomplishment

Completing a writing prompt gives you a sense of accomplishment and progress. Unlike longer projects that can take months or years to finish, prompts offer immediate gratification. This can be very motivating, as each completed piece builds up your confidence as a writer.

By accumulating these small wins, you develop a positive association with writing and maintain your enthusiasm for the craft. This sense of achievement can motivate you to tackle larger projects with greater determination. it can also build more resilience.

WEIRD WORD OF THE DAY: ADULTING. Meaning to behave like an adult.

7. Encouraging Experimentation

Writing prompts encourage experimentation with different voices, perspectives, and narrative structures. They provide a low-risk environment to try out new ideas without the pressure of perfection. This freedom to experiment can lead to unexpected discoveries and breakthroughs in your writing style.

For instance, a prompt that asks you to write from the perspective of an inanimate object challenges you to think creatively and approach storytelling from an original angle. Such experimentation can reveal unique narrative techniques and inspire fresh approaches.

8. Connecting with a Writing Community

Writing prompts are often shared within writing groups, workshops, and online communities. Participating in these activities can help you connect with other writers, share your work, and receive constructive feedback.

This sense of community provides support, inspiration, and valuable insights that can improve your writing.

Engaging with a community also exposes you to different interpretations of the same prompt, showcasing the diversity of creative expression among people. This exposure can broaden your understanding of story-telling possibilities and inspire you to push your boundaries.

Okay guys, there you have it – all the ways writing prompts can help you become a better writer. If you want to get a book on writing prompts and start playing around, try “301 writing ideas” by Chartwell Books or ‘Create a story’, also by Chartwell Books.

And now we’ll finish up on two different writing prompts. Pick which one of the two you like the best and get writing!

PROMPT NO. 1: Write a passage on a decision you’ve made in the past that you now regret. If you could go back in time, what would you have done differently?

PROMPT NO. 2: Write a really short story about this: you’ve just woken up in a parallel universe after surviving a terrible accident.

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