Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion (writing prompts!)
And some inspiration from novelist A.S. Byatt.
Your Daily Creative Inspiration
Have you read A.S. Byatt’s brilliant book, Possession? If you haven’t, fix that asap. It’s so gripping and beautiful. (The official book description should be enough to hook you: “A tale of two young scholars researching the secret love affair of two Victorian poets that's an exhilarating novel of wit and romance, an intellectual mystery, and a triumphant love story.”) Just read it.
And for our daily dose of inspiration, here’s A.S. Byatt talking about how writing enriches her life. I think about this quote often:
“I think of writing simply in terms of pleasure. It’s the most important thing in my life, making things. Much as I love my husband and my children, I can love them only because I am the person who makes these things. I, who I am, is the person who has the project of making a thing. And because that person does that, all the time, that person is able to love all these people.”
Countdown Until My New Book Comes out!
Write a Romantasy comes out in 91 days. Pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/439nY1x
Your Daily Writing Prompt
Hello writers! Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. So put on some old Cyndi Lauper tunes and get writing.
EXERCISE #1: “I have nothing to wear.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of three specific outfits in your closet – outfits that maybe you wear on specific occasions – and write about how those clothes make you feel and how they affect who you are.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, imagine you’re inside your protagonist’s closet and freewrite about the clothes that they own. Write at least one anecdote about a specific outfit.
EXERCISE #2: “This is so weird. I didn’t know you were living in L.A.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about someone you’ve lost touch with who was, at one point, important to you.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist has a chance encounter with someone from their past. They should learn something about this other character or themselves.
EXERCISE #3: “Do you think since it’s the last night of school and I might never see him again, that maybe he’d dance with me?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Make a list of things you HOPE for. Include a range of small and large hopes. Once you have at least five hopes on your list, write about one of them more deeply.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue for one of the characters in your work-in-progress where they talk about a hope they had that didn’t work out. Pick a character who you want to get to know better.
EXERCISE #4: “Have you been terribly unhappy with me all these years?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a relationship you would like to improve. What are three things you would like to change?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one character confesses to a great unhappiness.
EXERCISE #5: “You are so WEIRD.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about your weirdest qualities.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist does something out of character – something they never expected to do – in a moment of desperation.
EXERCISE #6: “High school was like this nightmare prison to me. I just couldn’t breathe there, y’know?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write your worst memory from high school.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, brainstorm at least three awful memories from your protagonist’s teen years.
EXERCISE #7: “I think we should go back in there and show those people they don’t matter to us.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write what you wish you had said during a confrontation that you avoided.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist stands up to an asshole.
EXERCISE #8: “Hey guys, they’re announcing the winner of the vote.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time when you won something.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue for one of your characters where they wistfully talk about either a big win or a big loss.
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
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