Best in Show (writing prompts!)
And a writing challenge for you...
Okay, you guys, I gave myself a challenge last week. Mostly because I’ve been feeling very inspired lately and I want to ride that wave of inspiration — so I decided I want to bang out a new spec script in two weeks. Usually it takes me a few weeks to outline a script, and then I’ll spend a few months writing it. (If there’s a paycheck and a real deadline at stake, I’ll write MUCH quicker — but spec scripts always seem to come a little more slowly.) I’m halfway through my two week challenge and I’m on page 41. I’m feeling good about getting this draft done by my arbitrary deadline!
What are you working on right now?
What take on an arbitrary deadline with me?
Your Daily Writing Prompt
Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie BEST IN SHOW.
EXERCISE #1: “We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you’re close to and list at least seven interests you share. Then pick one from your list and write about how it has brought you two closer together.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a list of things your protagonist is interested in. See how many things you can list. Do not try to be profound. When you feel you have exhausted their interests, pick one and freewrite about why they like it.
EXERCISE #2: “We met at Starbucks. Not at the same Starbucks but we saw each other at different Starbucks across the street from each other.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone else you’re close to – a friend. How did you meet? How has your friendship evolved?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, pick two characters from your work-in-progress and write the scene where they first met. Include a question that isn’t answered.
EXERCISE #3: “Thanks a lot, you stupid hotel manager!”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about your worst customer service experience.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one character needs to tell another character SOMETHING IMPORTANT, but the second character has had a shitty day. Start the scene with a story about bad customer service.
EXERCISE #4: “I can’t dance. I was born with two left feet.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about one thing you hate about your body and one thing you love about your body.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, brainstorm/freewrite everything your protagonist feels about their own body.
EXERCISE #5: “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something you feel embarrassed about, and how it makes you feel when others perceive this embarrassing thing.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one of your characters catches another character in an embarrassing, compromising position.
EXERCISE #6: “A bloodhound not only has a great nose, but they can talk.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of an animal you love – it could be a current pet, or a childhood pet, or a friend’s pet – and write an ode to this animal. What can you learn from them?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your main character has to deal with an animal. Maybe take a scene you’ve already written, rewrite it from memory but add in an animal to complicate things.
EXERCISE #7: “I used to be able to name every nut that there was.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: What about the dumbest thing you’re an expert in.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your characters bond over useless knowledge. Give one of them a secret that is weighing on their mind but that they aren’t ready to talk about.
EXERCISE #8: “I’ll gouge your right eye out with my thumb, you little freak.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Vent about something that pisses you off.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write an argument between two of your characters. Have them go too far and say things that they wish they could take back.
Thank You For Being Here
Pre-order my new books coming soon from Adams Media/Simon and Schuster!
Write a Romantasy! 99 Prompts to Write a Tale of Heart and Heroism
Write a Dystopian Novel! 99 Prompts to Write a Tale of Ruin and Rebellion
Get my prompt books: https://www.camdenhighstreetbooks.com
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Commission a prompt via Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/erikpatterson
Read one of my plays: https://www.camdenhighstreetbooks.com/plays
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