Harry Styles (writing prompts!)
And inspiration from Michael R. Jackson (the playwright)
Your Daily Creative Inspiration
Now before we get to today's writing prompts, I wanted to share this quote from this great Times profile of Michael R. Jackson:
It took Jackson decades to achieve the kind of clarity that Usher yearns for and to distill it into this play. “The only reason why I come to any of these conclusions is because I spent almost 20 years working on one piece of art,” Jackson said. “And the exercise of that forced me to have to really be thoughtful and really be open to changing my mind. I’ve changed my mind so many times with new information coming along.”
I find it so inspiring that he spent 20 years working on A Strange Loop. And when it finally premiered, it became a Pulitzer winner on Broadway. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM PROJECTS. That's the first lesson. The second lesson is: always be open to new discoveries in your writing.
Countdown Until My New Book Comes out!
Write a Romantasy comes out in 101 days. Pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/439nY1x
Your Daily Writing Prompt
Okay, now let's get to it. Today’s prompts were all inspired by Harry Styles songs.
EXERCISE #1: “You know it’s not the same as it was.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone who you used to be really close to but who you feel distant from now. Write about what you miss about how things used to be.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one of your characters tells another character they wish they were still as close as they used to be – let them reminisce.
EXERCISE #2: “I don’t want to be alone.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about your own experience with and relationship to the act of being alone.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist is alone. How do they behave when no one is around? When no one is watching them? Really explore their “alone” behavior.
EXERCISE #3: “You’re wonder under summer skies.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you love (a partner or family member) and write a list of metaphors describing them. When you have at least 10, pick one to expand on.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, do this for your protagonist. Make a list of metaphors to describe them. Write with love. ADORE your protagonist as you’re describe them.
EXERCISE #4: “What if I’m someone I don’t want around?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about your worst quality.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, freewrite about your protagonist’s worst qualities, then write a scene where they exhibit at least one of them.
EXERCISE #5: “Why won’t you ever say what you want to say?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you need to confront and say EVERYTHING you want to say to them. Do not hold anything back. Go TOO FAR.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist tells another character their most true, most honest, most revealing thoughts. Have them go so far that they get in trouble.
EXERCISE #6: “He takes a boat out, imagines just sailing away and not telling his mates.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Imagine an alternate life for yourself. If you could make ONE really big move or change, what would it be? And where might that path lead?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, think of a moment where your protagonist makes a big decision. Now freewrite what might happen if they made the opposite decision. Even if it’s not what you want for your story at all, just as an exercise explore that alternate path for them.
EXERCISE #7: “Why are we always stuck and running from the bullets?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time when you avoided dealing with a problem. What were the consequences?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue where your protagonist confesses to something they’re running away from.
EXERCISE #8: “Tell me something I don’t already know.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something personal that you’ve never told anyone. It can be something serious or something goofy.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, freewrite about each of your main characters’ secrets.
Thank You For Being Here
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Write a Romantasy!
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