Breaking the Waves (writing prompts!)
And some thoughts from Lars Von Trier.
Before we get to today’s writing prompts, I want to share this quote from Lars Von Trier:
“There’s nothing real about cinema. This handheld camerawork of mine, incidentally, is not about imitating life. It goes back to these fundamental and very complicated questions: where do we place the camera and why? There are no specific rules for that, only conventions. When I ask myself why I do certain camera movements or setups, I find out that this pointing manner in which I use the camera is a direct translation of my own curiosity: what interests me? Who do I want to look at or listen to? There is always some personal logic to where the camera goes. There are reasons.”
Obviously, this is a director’s point of view, but it’s interesting to think about in terms of our writing. Where are we, as writers, placing our camera and why?
Okay, let’s write.
Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie Breaking the Waves.
EXERCISE #1: “I think you’ve got yourself involved in something that is out of control.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about the last time you felt like you were in over your head. How did you cope?
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, what is the worst thing that can happen to your protagonist? Write the scene where that thing happens. Make things extremely difficult for them.
RANDOM ELEMENT: youth
EXERCISE #2: “God gives everyone something to be good at.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Make a list of three things you are good at. Then pick one of those things and write about why this activity is beautiful.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a list of your protagonist’s hobbies. Imagine you are filling out a “likes and dislikes” section of a Tinder profile for them.
RANDOM ELEMENT: distance
EXERCISE #3: “I don't understand what you're saying. How can you love a word? You cannot love words. You can't be in love with a word. You can only love another human being. That's perfection.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Think of someone you love, then think of one specific thing you love about them, whittle it down to one word. Write about all the ways in which that word defines them.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue for one of your characters where they talk about the deepest love they ever felt.
RANDOM ELEMENT: horror
EXERCISE #4: “You must learn to endure. You know that.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about something you feel you must learn to endure.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, what is your protagonist’s greatest challenge? Brainstorm and freewrite everything you know about what they need to learn during the course of your story.
RANDOM ELEMENT: someone shouting
EXERCISE #5: “Love is a mighty power, isn’t it?”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about something irrational you’ve done in the name of love.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a fast list of choices your protagonist might make during the course of your story, then write a scene where their love for someone influences one of these choices.
EXERCISE #6: “Can you even tell us what matrimony is?”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write either a diatribe or a toast to the idea of marriage and all of your beliefs about matrimony.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist confesses something they’ve never said about either their marriage or another character’s marriage.
RANDOM ELEMENT: a fall
EXERCISE #7: “I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t trust you.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Who is the least trustworthy person you know? When and how have they broken your trust?
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist finds out another character broke their trust.
RANDOM ELEMENT: lust
EXERCISE #8: “She hasn’t got the strength.” “She’s stronger than you and me.”
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a moment when you surprised yourself with your own strength.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist stands up for either themselves or someone else, where they exhibit great strength. Give them a monologue where they express a deeply held belief. Let it be epic.
RANDOM ELEMENT: a sad song
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