Speed (writing prompts!)
And some inspiration from David Lynch.
When we quote something we definitely saw in a TikTok, are we still pretending we read it in an article, or are we finally admitting where the information really came from? Your answer to that question will determine where I found the inspiration for this: so my new thing is, every morning I ask myself “what’s going to be the best part of today?” And it’s been an incredible mindset shift. January and February were a bit overwhelming, with the fires and our country imploding, and it’s been really easy to get overwhelmed. But when I ask myself “what’s going to be the best part of my day,” I start LOOKING for good things. And when you look for the good, you find the good. And it grows, too, because you experience one good thing, but how do you know that good thing is the BEST part of today? So you’re still looking for more good things, better good things. And the bad stuff doesn’t weigh as much.
Your Daily Creative Inspiration
Before we start writing today, here’s some inspiration from David Lynch:
“There’s trillions of ideas. If we just keep one little fish that we love, that becomes even more bait. Now more will swim in. If you’re writing a script or a book, scenes will start emerging. Characters will start coming alive. And if they don’t come, just like with fishing, move to a different part of the lake. Get some different things going and think from that place. They’ll start pouring in.”
I really like the idea of moving to a different part of the lake when we're feeling stuck. Amen.
Okay, today’s prompts were inspired by the movie SPEED.
EXERCISE #1: “A bomb took out the cables. Bomber wants three million dollars, or he blows the emergency brakes.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something you want DESPERATELY – a person or a thing whose absence looms large in your life – then brainstorm all the things you might do to get this thing.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, think of something your protagonist WANTS and then write a scene where they’re feeling INCREDIBLY DESPERATE. How far would they go to get this thing? If you feel like you’ve pushed them to the brink, push them even further.
BONUS ELEMENT: include a lie.
EXERCISE #2: “Last time I partied like that, I woke up married.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about the wildest night you ever had. Maybe it’s a night you tried to forget – do your best to remember as many specific details of that night as you can.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist confides in another character about a night that got out of control. Let’s say they want something from this other character – they’re using the story to get closer to this character in some way...
BONUS ELEMENT: include a series of questions.
EXERCISE #3: “I’m sight-seeing. I hate to use the word ‘tourist,’ but it’s not like I can hide it!”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about your favorite travel destination. What was something you were surprised to discover about this place the first time you went there?
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, put your protagonist in their favorite location. What is the best thing that happened to them here and what is the worst thing that happened to them here?
BONUS ELEMENT: include an item of food.
EXERCISE #4: “If everyone will just stay in your seats and remain calm and quiet, then we’ll be able to defuse the...problem.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Outside of the rooms in your own home, think of a room where you’ve probably spent more time than any other room. Pick a specific location, a specific room. Imagine yourself there – imagine you’re sitting in the center of that room, looking around. Write down the first memory of this room that comes to you.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a list of locations that ARE NOT ALREADY IN YOUR STORY where your protagonist might spend time. Are there any parts of this character’s life that you might be over-looking? Brainstorm them now...
BONUS ELEMENT: include a description of a texture.
EXERCISE #5: “It’s a dead end.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time in your life when you consciously pivoted, when you made a choice for yourself that you could not have predicted.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, start a scene with that line: “It’s a dead end.” It can be literal or metaphorical.
BONUS ELEMENT: include a description of the weather
EXERCISE #6: “There’s a gap in the road. Couple miles up.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time when you did something dangerous.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist breaks a law.
BONUS ELEMENT: include a car
EXERCISE #7: “I’m gonna rip your fucking spine out, I swear to god.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Is there anyone who you’re angry at right now? Write a rant saying everything you want to say to them (even if you wouldn’t actually say all of this in real life). GO OFF.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist unleashes a torrent of anger at another character. Let this be exhilarating for them.
BONUS ELEMENT: include at least five swear words
EXERCISE #8: “Is this seat taken?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: I want you to write a “meet cute” scene... If you’re in a relationship, write about how you met your significant other. If you’re single, let’s do some manifesting and write about how you would LIKE to meet someone...
NARRATIVE PROMPT: ...and if you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist meets someone they’re attracted to. (If they’re in a relationship already, then make this a source of conflict – perhaps they’re feeling feelings they shouldn’t.)
BONUS ELEMENT: include a touched hand.
Your Daily Recommendation
I try not to think of books as “guilty” pleasures because we shouldn’t feel any guilt about the things we love. Along those lines, I just read these two books that I kept calling “trashy” because they’re fun murder mysteries, and now that I’ve finished them both (in record time, mind you, because I COULD NOT PUT THEM DOWN) I have decided they are High Art. You must read The Plot and The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz. The Plot is about a writer who steals the plot of his novel from one of his dead students, his book becomes a best seller, and then he starts getting messages from someone who knows what he did… I can’t tell you anything about The Sequel without giving too much away about The Plot. Read both!
Thank You For Being Here
Get my prompt books: https://www.camdenhighstreetbooks.com
Attend a writing sprint with me on Zoom: https://www.patreon.com/erikpatterson
Commission a prompt via Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/erikpatterson
Read one of my plays: https://www.camdenhighstreetbooks.com/plays
Your Daily Writing Prompt uses affiliate links, where possible. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.