Titanic (writing prompts!)
Plus a playwriting class and my books are 25% off for the next 3 days!
Have You Ever Wanted to Write a Play?
Before we get to today’s Titanic-inspired writing prompts, I need to let you know that I’m teaching a Beginning Playwriting Class on zoom and I want *you* to come write a play. After you read through the details below, email me at erik@erikpatterson.org if you’re interested or have any questions.
Tuesday nights, July 22-Aug 26, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Pacific Time
July 22: lecture and writing exercises
July 29: no class but I will be scheduling 20-minute 1-on-1 sessions with each writer to discuss what you're writing as you get started
August 5: 10 pages due, we'll read as a group and discuss, plus writing exercises
August 12: 10 pages due, we'll read as a group and discuss, plus writing exercises
August 19: 10 pages due, we'll read as a group and discuss, plus writing exercises
August 26: 10 pages due, we'll read as a group and discuss, plus writing exercises
PLUS: you get access to optional guided writing sprints twice a week for the duration of class (every Sunday from 12-2pm and every Wednesday from 6-8pm PT)
This is a 6-week intensive ONLINE class to help you find your voice as a playwright. Through lively discussion, writing exercises, and critique, Erik will guide you towards the first draft of a new play. The class is geared towards beginning playwrights, but all are welcome: come get a refresher course in the basics of playwriting. You've got a play inside of you: let's get it onto the page.
You will be writing 8-10 pages per week. By the end of our time together, you will have the tools to finish a first draft on your own. I expect all writers to have a kernel of an idea for a play to discuss at our first session. It doesn't need to be fully fleshed out. It could be an idea for a character, or a theme you want to write about, or an idea for a scene. Some sort of jumping off point that we can discuss.
Class fee is $350. Included in that class fee, you are invited to participate in a 2-hour guided writing session I host on Zoom every Sunday from 12pm to 2pm Pacific Time and every Wednesday from 6-8pm Pacific Time. (Sprints are usually $20 a session, but you'll get in for free.)
Class size is limited to eight writers to ensure there's time to focus on each writer at each session. To ensure your spot in class, send a non-refundable deposit of $50 to me via Venmo at @Erik-Patterson-1. The rest of your payment is due before our first session.
Pre-order my new prompt books for 25% off!
Okay, Barnes and Noble dot com is having a 25% off sale on all preorders through Friday, July 11th. It’s online only, and you have to be a member of Barnes and Noble, but it’s easy and free to join, and only takes a minute. Go grab copies of Write a Romantasy: 99 Prompts to Craft a Tale of Heart and Heroism and Write a Dystopian Novel: 99 Prompts to Craft a Tale of Ruin and Rebellion right now!
Use the code PREORDER25.
Your Daily Writing Prompt
Hello writers! Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie Titanic.
EXERCISE #1: “Yes, ma’am...I got everything I need right here with me.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Imagine you had to pack all your things and move right now, make a list of at least 5 sentimental things you would want to pack. Then pick one of those things to write about more deeply.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue where your protagonist talks to another character about an object that is meaningful to them.
EXERCISE #2: “Don’t you do that, don’t say your good-byes.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you didn’t have a chance to say a proper good-bye to. Write everything you wish you could have said to them.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a good-bye scene. Let’s say only one of the two characters knows that it’s a good-bye.
EXERCISE #3: “A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about one of your secrets. Try to pull out something that you’ve buried so deep you’ve nearly forgotten it.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one of your characters confesses a secret... And let’s say the reaction they get isn’t what they expected.
EXERCISE #4: “I don’t know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all of this.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: What do you want to complain about? Write a rant right now.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, brainstorm/freewrite about things (big and small) that bother your protagonist.
EXERCISE #5: “It’s been 84 years and I can still smell the fresh paint.”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write you earliest memory. Be as descriptive as possible. Make up any details you can’t remember.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, do this exercise for your main character. If you have time, come up with multiple early memories for them.
EXERCISE #6: “But this ship can’t sink!”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about an argument you had where you later realized you were in the wrong. Try to think of an argument that was passionate and had some stakes and consequences. Maybe a “wrong” you’ve never admitted to before.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write an argument between two of your characters – think of something that they both have conflicting passionate opinions about and then have them GO AT EACH OTHER.
EXERCISE #7: “Step up on the railing. Hold on, hold on. Keep your eyes closed. Do you trust me?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you trust and write about three pivotal moments in your relationship.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, do some freewriting about the people who your protagonist is closest to.
EXERCISE #8: “I’m gonna dance with her now, all right?”
PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of a specific memory that involves dancing – whatever comes to you first – and write everything you can about that night.
NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene that either starts or ends with two of your characters dancing. Include a moment of connection and a moment of misunderstanding.
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
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
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