Top Gun (writing prompts!)

And some inspiration from the sadly-gone Jill Sobule.

May 09, 2025

Your Daily Creative Inspiration

Before we get to today’s prompts, I want to share these thoughts on success from Jill Sobule—a ‘90s icon from my childhood who left us too soon last week.

“Someone told me once that the best thing you could feel as an artist is that you are providing something. You’re almost like a social worker, a social provider. That can mean a lot of different things. If I play a concert and manage to entertain someone who was maybe feeling miserable or unhappy, that is success. If I make something that someone related to or that made them feel better or made them think, that is success. Whether you are doing that for just one person or a million, it doesn’t really matter. You are successful.”

I just think that’s lovely. What were your successes this week?

Countdown Until My New Book Comes out!

Write a Romantasy comes out in 108 days. I am so excited for you to start using the prompts in this book. Pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/439nY1x

Your Daily Writing Prompt

Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie TOP GUN.

EXERCISE #1:”Remember boys, no points for second place.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time when you suffered a loss and what you learned from that loss.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, brainstorm/freewrite about your protagonist’s biggest loss. In what ways do they still feel that loss?

EXERCISE #2: “She’s lost that loving feeling.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time when you fell out of love with someone. How did you know?

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write about your protagonist’s most recent experience with heartbreak.

Share Your Daily Writing Prompt

EXERCISE #3: “I’ll fly with you.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about a time someone went above and beyond to help you out when you needed them.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist asks someone for help. For the drama of it, let’s say the other character doesn’t come through in the way they should.

EXERCISE #4: “Your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something you are the BEST at.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a monologue where your protagonist talks about their best quality. Let them speak with their ego.

EXERCISE #5: “You can be my wingman anytime.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Make a list of ten things you love about your best friend.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, who is your protagonist’s closest confidant and friend? Write a scene where they reminisce.

EXERCISE #6: “I feel the need...the need for speed.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist makes a dangerous choice.

EXERCISE #7: “You don’t have time to think up there. If you think, you’re dead.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Make a list of things you are highly skilled at, then pick one to write about more deeply.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one of your characters teaches another character how to do something. Include some sort of seduction in the scene, however you want to interpret that word.

EXERCISE #8: “Every time we go up there, it’s like you’re flying with a ghost.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something that haunts you.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a scene, write a scene where your protagonist revisits a mistake from their past.