The Sunday Comics (writing prompts)
As always, let's start with a quote. This is David Cronenberg, answering the question "Does the artist have any moral or social responsibility?" DC: “No. No. Still doesn’t, after all these years. Still irresponsible, after all these years. As a citizen, of course; as a parent, of course. But as an artist, that’s where the paradox is, your responsibility is to be irresponsible. As soon as you talk about social or political responsibility, you’ve amputated the best limbs you’ve got as an artist. You are plugging into a very restrictive system that is going to push and pull and mold you and is going to make your art totally useless and ineffective.”
Take what you will from that. I think it's interesting and I somewhat agree with it, with the added caveat that the artist also can't be an asshole.
Inspiration really is everywhere…
Today’s prompts were inspired by punchlines from today’s Sunday Comics:
Let’s jump right in with a really heady prompt. THIS IS DILBERT, PEOPLE.
EXERCISE #1: “Give me a moment to reassess my entire existence.” (Dilbert)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Imagine you’re 100 years old. Write about what you hope you’ve learned.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, think about your protagonist and brainstorm/freewrite about everything they’re proud of.
RANDOM ELEMENT: unfinished business
EXERCISE #2: “Do NOT exchange insurance info.” (In The Bleachers)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about an accident you were involved in. How did this accident change you?
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue where your protagonist tells the story of their worst accident.
RANDOM ELEMENT: a light in a dark place
EXERCISE #3: “Some of us got a rep to protect.” (Candorville)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Make a list of ten things your friends might associate with you, then pick one item from your list and write about why you love this thing.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one character reveals to another character something they heard about them before they met them.
RANDOM ELEMENT: nature
EXERCISE #4: “I yelled IN HERE from nine different rooms.” (Baby Blues)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Pick a random room in your home and write about an important moment that took place in that room.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, image where your protagonist lives. Pick one room in their home where you’ve never set a scene. Try to really visualize it. And then write a scene using this location. Include: frustration, yelling, a lost item.
RANDOM ELEMENT: a pungent odor
EXERCISE #5: “What a nightmare! Right off the start, everything started going crazy!” (Blondie)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about something you’ve survived.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue for your protagonist where they talk about a nightmare they went through and how they got out on the other side.
RANDOM ELEMENT: feeling trapped
EXERCISE #6: “You went overboard with the purses and bags, but you got all my old shoes. How many steaks should I bring home for you?” (Marmaduke)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about an object you no longer own that you miss.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist finds something important they thought they had lost.
RANDOM ELEMENT: animal instincts (I just realized the deck is being funny giving us this card on the Marmaduke prompt)
EXERCISE #7: “We’re on in five. Shouldn’t you be getting into costume?” (Bizarro)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Write about a costume that you wear in your everyday life.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, brainstorm all of the things your protagonist might hide from others.
RANDOM ELEMENT: waiting
EXERCISE #8: “Think globally, act locally, take it personally.” (Frazz)
JOURNALING PROMPT: Make a list of things that offend you. They can be big or small. Petty is totally fine.
FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist goes off on someone over a petty grievance. It’s fine if they’re being totally irrational. Let it be an offended aria.
RANDOM ELEMENT: a moment of discomfort
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