"Sun Goes Down" by Lil Nas X (writing prompts!)

And some inspiration from Celeste Ng.

Before we get to today’s writing prompts, let’s start with some words of inspiration from Celeste Ng: 

“I once heard Michael Byers—one of the professors at the University of Michigan, where I did my MFA—say that at a certain point, the book starts to be a collaborator with you. It’s almost like it starts to tell you how to write itself. I love the idea that, at a certain point, the book starts coming into tune, begins to resonate with itself. Part of what you do is you kind of listen for the note you’re hitting, as you try and find ways to bring the whole thing into resonance. So much of writing is about finding ways to trick yourself into letting go, ways to lull that analytical part of your mind to sleep, and just plunge in—like that exercise I did with my students. It’s about just seeing where you end up, allowing yourself the freedom to put down a bunch of details, making connections your analytical self might throw out.”

Today’s prompts were inspired by the song Sun Goes Down by Lil Nas X

EXERCISE #1: “I wanna run away.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: If you could run away and start a new life RIGHT NOW, what would that life look like?

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, freewrite about your protagonist’s lowest moment.

RANDOM ELEMENT: a secret

EXERCISE #2: “You got plenty of every hurt and heartbreak.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about your worst heartbreak.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where someone breaks your protagonist’s heart. Where they’re given news that they don’t want to hear, and that they aren’t READY to hear.

RANDOM ELEMENT: something misplaced

EXERCISE #3: “Strangers make you feel so loved, you know?”

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about the most intimate relationship you’ve ever had with someone that was exclusively virtual or remote.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist opens up to a stranger. Let them open up and explicitly talk about what they’re going through—as an exercise, have them say more than they might say to any of the other characters in your story.

RANDOM ELEMENT: ENVY

EXERCISE #4: “I’m happy that I made that jump, that leap of faith.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a time when you took a huge risk and did something you were afraid of. When you stepped outside of your comfort zone.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, I want you to make a list of things that would make your protagonist uncomfortable. Try to come up with at least fifty things.

RANDOM ELEMENT: a miracle

EXERCISE #5: “People who throw dirt on your name.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about your most toxic relationship. Why did you let this person treat you badly?

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist stands up to someone who treats them like shit. Write them an aria.

RANDOM ELEMENT: feeling safe

EXERCISE #6: “Can they sense my fears?”

JOURNALING PROMPT: What are you most afraid of?

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a quick list of ten things your protagonist is afraid, then write a scene where they have to face one of those fears.

RANDOM ELEMENT: justice

EXERCISE #7: “I prayed God would take it from me.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: I want you to think of a higher power (any higher power – it can be God, or Beyonce, or a dead grandparent: whoever you want to talk to) and write about something you’d like their help with.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist prays to a higher power (and again, you can define that however your protagonist would).

RANDOM ELEMENT: abundance

EXERCISE #8: “Only place I felt like I belonged.”

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a place—a location—that embodies “safety and comfort” to you.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, I want you to freewrite about the locations where your story takes place. Where does your protagonist feel safest and where do they feel the least safe?

RANDOM ELEMENT: waiting

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