Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the benefits of writing prompts, why you might want to do them even if you don’t need to, and then we each present some prompts, free for the writing. We select one and go off and do it. In the next episode, we share the results of our writing prompt workshop!
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What is the purpose of writing prompts? And how are they useful? When and how should you use them? And what kind of formats can you see them in? We share our own experiences and share some prompts. Join us for a writing prompt and listen in next week as we read our free writing aloud.
What we talked about:
What is our experience with writing prompts? (0:27)
What is the purpose of a writing prompt? (1:18)
How are writing prompts useful? Are they just for the beginning writer? (6:12)
How can you use writing prompts to help generate more creativity? (7:25)
Do writing prompts have a specific format? (10:18)
What is the best or the worst experience you have ever had with a writing prompt? (12:40)
We reveal our prompts. (20:56)
The free writing rules we used for our writing prompt. (29:17)
The Prompt:
You wake up in a cage to find you’ve been undergoing genetic alterations. What newfound skill do you have, and why will it make returning to society extremely dangerous?
LINKS
Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.
Things we mentioned:
Want more about these topics? Check out:
Writing Prompts part 2: Our freewriting
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
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Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com