Prompts & Exercises
Submit your solutions to the writing prompts to exercise and improve specific areas of your writing with help from your peers.
Writing Prompts & Exercises (NEW!)Select a writing prompt then submit your written solution for peer feedback
Talking Heads Aug 07, 2009
Prompt: Imagine a conflict between two people and summarize it briefly using one or two sentences. Include a quick description of each person (age, profession, disposition, and background) as well as what the conflict is and what a solution could be. Using this information, write out a quick 500 word story in which the problem is either resolved or not and how the two characters get from discovery of the problem to the final decision. Now, here's the catch: You're not allowed to use anything other than dialogue. No dialogue tags (he said, she replied), no description of the surroundings or the characters action. Nothing except what each character says to the other.
Tags: DialogueDevil's Advocate Jul 25, 2009
Prompt:
Using one quick sentence, write out a belief you hold fervently. It could be religious in nature (“Jesus died for our sins.”), political (“Socialism is awesome!”), or anything (“Japanese culture is so much better than American culture.”) as long as it's a strong belief and as long as it could be debated. Now, using 500 words or fewer, write a story in which someone who holds your belief at the beginning of the story does not hold it at the end. To make this difficult, make sure you portray the character's end belief in a positive light. In other words, don't just ridicule them for changing their mind about something you believe, but portray it as if their doing so is a good thing.
If animals could talk... Jul 15, 2009
Prompt:
Ever wondered what it's like being something other than human? Here's your chance to explore the possibilities! Using roughly 500 words, describe a day in the life of some kind of animal from the animal's point of view. Your protagonist could be a rabbit trying to escape an oppressive warren, a house cat going to the vet, or a hyena who's been cut off from his pack. If you're stuck on what animal to use, try this list of animals for inspiration.
Apocalypse What? Jul 04, 2009
Prompt: Zombies, atom bombs, aliens and natural disasters all go hand in hand with the end of the world. But because of that, they've started to get a little... well, stale. What's the most original and believable method you can come up with to derail civilization and leave us all in ruins? Describe your apocalyptic vision in roughly 500 words.
Tags: Overcoming clichesThey took my toy Jun 15, 2009
Prompt: When I was in preschool I had a yellow little cash register that accepted fake coins. Every session we had a certain amount of time to play with the toy's we brought with us, if you didn't put it away in time you lost the toy. My parents still have the toy and when my kid was playing with it, the only thing I could remember about it was having it taken unjustly(not sure if this is true or not, but sure feels that way) away from me in preschool. What happened to you and your favorite toy?
Tags: childhood experienceHow do you start? Jun 01, 2009
Prompt: Final prompt of the series. You have told us what your dream is, what is stopping you. Now write a scene where you and your friend work out how you can start your dream now. Concentrate on the dialog and feeling behind it.
Tags: series, dream goal, dialog, sceneWhat's stopping you? May 25, 2009
Prompt: Last week it was to tell us your dream. This week is to tell us what is stopping you from doing it now. In 400 words or less, write a scene where you are telling your friend what is stopping you from doing your goal now. Remember concentrate on the dialog and the scene
Tags: series, dream goal, dialog, sceneWhat would you do? May 18, 2009
Prompt: What would you do if you weren't afraid, had the time, had the money, etc... Many people live lives dreaming of one day doing something, what is your dream? In 400 words write a scene where you are telling your best friend what you would do.
Tags: series, dream goal, dialog, sceneIf you had a million dollars May 04, 2009
Prompt: What would you do with a million dollars? Would you give money to the poor, buy the vacation house you always wanted, or would you store the money in a bank account for a rainy day? I know I would use some of it to start a company and become self employed. 300 words or less
Tags: practice, pretendYour Favorite Day Apr 27, 2009
Prompt: What was your favorite day, wedding, child birth, winning the lottery? In flashback style, describe the scene to us and make us feel like we were there. 400 words or less.
Tags: memories, flashbacks, sceneryYour Super Power Apr 20, 2009
Prompt: Growing up as a kid I always wanted to be able to fly; you know, like superman. What would your super human power be, and more importantly, what is the first thing you would do with it? In 300 words or less, make me jealous of your awesome power.
Tags: fantasy, fictionWhat motivates you? Mar 23, 2009
Prompt: Not long ago I had a job I hated. Each morning it was almost painful to convince myself to go into work. With my new job I look forward to going to work. How about you? Make us understand your joy or suffering in the day that is before you. 300 words or less.
Tags: personal, motivationWho Influenced You? Mar 16, 2009
Prompt: Think of someone who has influenced your life(good or bad). In 400 words or less, show us how they influenced you and let us understand your feelings toward them.
Tags: influence, story telling, member suggested promptPet Peeves Mar 09, 2009
Prompt: Luckily, a world exists where your biggest Pet Peeve is against the law. What historical event caused this law to be enacted? You were a supporter of the law, convince us we should be too. Oh yea, only 300 words again(this will be tough). Good Luck!
Tags: involving the readerStory Telling Mar 02, 2009
Prompt: What is the funniest or most embarrassing experience that has ever happened to you. Make us feel like we were there watching it. 300 words or less.
Tags: Story Telling, creative, humourCharacter Introductions Feb 22, 2009
Prompt: What is the craziest (yet publishable) way you can think of to introduce a character? Let's see it.
Tags: Character Introductions, funCharacter Development Feb 19, 2009
Prompt: List at least 10 traits about yourself, good or bad. Pick a trait and create a character who clearly shows the trait within 300 words. Remember to show us the trait instead of describing it, saying "he has a bad temper" isn't all that interesting.
Tags: Character Development