When Ideas Are Seeded: Writing From A Prompt


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Vision 79

 

When Ideas Are Seeded:

Writing From A Prompt

By

Dawn Bonanno

Copyright © 2015, Dawn Bonanno, All Rights Reserved

 

Ideas are marvelous things, floating in the air, waiting for the lucky writer to snatch it and mold it into literary magnificence. Consider for a moment, what would happen if someone handed you an idea, something different than you'd normally consider? It's a good stretch for the writing muscles, but it might also spark a story you'd never have thought of on your own.

A writing prompt can be anything supplied by another source: a photo, a phrase, a quote, a song, artwork, the news. Prompts are popular especially among short story writers. There are entire books containing prompts, podcasts directed toward writers, and even writer's groups.

Books don't need to be writer specific to be prompt-worthy. Take a walk through Barnes & Noble, especially the foyer and the bargain racks. There are tons of 'cool, but how will I ever use this' kinds of books. These are the perfect story prompts. A current favorite is Confucius, Sun Tzu, and a plain little book titled 50 physics ideas you really need to know by Joanne Baker. Try skimming books of this nature when you've got a character in mind and need a problem to throw at her.

Podcasts are continuing to grow in popularity. One of the more popular writing based podcasts is called Writing Excuses. (http://www.writingexcuses.com) The tag line: Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart. On the contrary, the authors hosting this podcast are current professionals in speculative fiction (Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Brandon Sanderson, and Dan Wells) who remember what it's like to seek publication and want to improve one's craft. They're currently in their tenth season and started a new format: a writing workshop. A weekly podcast focuses on one topic per month, dedicating three of their four broadcasts to different elements of writing stories. They've suggested some great ideas for prompt sources. I recommend starting at January 2015 for the start of the workshop.

Other sites that may seed an idea for you: Deviant Art (http://www.deviantart.com/), Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/), Google+ Communities featuring photography and art, and one of my favorites, Seventh Sanctum (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/) which contains generators beyond your imagination: story ideas, characters, martial arts moves, and did I mention the Super Ninja generator? Seriously, go play.

Writers groups are interesting creatures, especially the ones that don't just tear apart work you've already written, but push you to create new words. (Positive peer pressure, anyone?) One such example is Liberty Hall Writers (http://www.libertyhallwriters.org). Weekly flash challenges are posted in the form of two prompts called triggers. Writers have 90 minutes to bang out a first draft and post it anonymously to the group. Yes, 90 minutes. It takes a few tries to get a story done in that time frame, but the combination of a new prompt and the adrenaline of WRITE NOW NOW NOW does something to put the muse in full riot gear. The following week, the stories are lovingly critiqued, with encouragement to continue working and developing the piece.

The magic of writing from a seed, regardless of the source, is that your mind is being tapped for something different. It's like riding a roller coaster, frightening in the 'what have I gotten myself into' ascent, and the heart pounding descent of 'I finished something new and different!'

What about the actual writing: how does one start with an idea or character and end up with a story? The first thing you want to do is browse through your source whether it's a book, a site, or a magazine. When something tickles your mind, hold onto that. Something about it attracted your attention. What about it can grow into a character? Or a problem? Or a world? Like any other story, start with that spark and grow your story elements around it. Don't settle for the very first thought that jumps into your head: knead it a bit, develop it into something more complicated. Figure out what you want to happen, then give it an ending and a beginning. Summon the words.

Are writing prompts for you? Pick a seed, my fellow writer, and see what grows.

 

Citations:

50 physics ideas you really need to know by Joanne Baker - ISBN-13: 9781435147416