West Side Story (writing prompts!)

And some inspiration from Oscar Hammerstein by way of Stephen Sondheim.

May 30, 2025

Your Daily Creative Inspiration

Before we get to today's writing prompts, here's Stephen Sondheim talking about what he learned about lyric writing from Oscar Hammerstein:

“His kind of lyric writing was very understated. His lyrics don’t read very well. They sing, when they’re good, they sing great. Whereas, if you read Cole Porter’s, they’re very entertaining. Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, when you put it on paper looks vapid, but it’s not when it’s sung. That’s another thing he understood, which is how rich music is, and lyrics have to be underwritten. That’s why poets generally make poor lyric writers. Not always, but generally they do, because the language is too rich. It’s like what they call in England 'over-egging the cake.' It’s over-enriching something, so that you get drowned in it. I firmly believe that lyrics have to breathe and give the audience’s ear a chance to understand what’s going on. Particularly in the theater, where you not only have the music, but you’ve got costume, story, acting, orchestra. There’s a lot to take in. The whole idea of poetry is denseness, is concision, is abutment of images, and that sort of thing. You can’t do that when you’ve got music going, and expect the audience to take it in.”

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Your Daily Writing Prompt

Okay, now let's write! Today’s prompts were inspired by West Side Story.

EXERCISE #1: “Something’s coming, something good.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about something you’re looking forward to. Visualize the best possible outcome.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a list of all the characters in your work in progress and freewrite/brainstorm the happiest endings each of these characters could have.

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EXERCISE #2: “Maria, the most beautiful sound I ever heard.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone you love and write everything you can about their name. What does their name say about them? In what ways does their name make them who they are?

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, go back to that list of characters in your work in progress and write about what each of their names means.

EXERCISE #3: “We’re gonna cut ‘em down to size tonight.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Think of someone who has played a “villainous” role in your life. Imagine you’re talking to them and write everything you wish you could say to them.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist stands up for themself and puts someone in their place.

EXERCISE #4: “I feel stunning and entrancing.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Make a list of at least five positive qualities you possess, then pick one or two to write about more deeply.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, do this for each of the characters in your work in progress.

EXERCISE #5: “Somewhere we’ll find a new way of living.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: I want you to daydream for a few minutes. If you could live somewhere new, where would it be and why?

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where one of your characters talks about a dream they know probably won’t ever come true.

EXERCISE #6: “A boy like that will give you sorrow.”

PERSONAL PROMPT: Write about someone who broke you in some way.

NARRATIVE PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, do some freewriting about your protagonist’s relationship and break-up history.