Remember when writing prompts were just a list of random words?

I used to pull prompts from a big book of 1,000 story starters, and they were so vague I'd just stare at the page. Then I found a site that gives you a full scene setup, like 'a librarian in Seattle finds a note tucked into a book returned 50 years late.' Having that specific place and problem made writing so much easier. What's the best detailed prompt you've ever found?

3 comments

3 Comments

anthony_campbell8818d ago

Detailed prompts can be a crutch though. They hand you everything on a plate and leave no room for your own ideas. Sometimes a vague word list forces more creativity because you have to build the whole world yourself. Getting a full scene setup feels like following instructions instead of writing. The real challenge and fun comes from making something out of nothing.

wendysanchez18d ago

Totally get that. Saw a prompt once about a baker who accidentally uses salt instead of sugar in a wedding cake, and has to fix it before the reception. That kind of concrete mess just gets the story going instantly.

tylerj2218d ago

But what if the salt cake IS the story?