Improbable Press Blog — Writing Prompts

I think a prompt is everything that motivates you. It can be anything, and it doesn't have to have anything to do with what you go on to create, it's simply a catalyst. Maybe that's what this semi-regular column should be called: catalyst. Whether you're writing a poem or a polemic, if you're noodling on a novel or stewing over the next step in a short story, sometimes a lyric is enough to propel you forward – I know lyrics can often help me as I walk around grumbling to myself about a plot point – and speaking of point,...

Back with prompts in time for holiday time! Let this inspire you to write, should inspiration you wish! As ever this is for Anarion because she takes such a delight in these and gives delight with the stories she tells. Let your story find voice by sharing what's in that beribboned box. Or what you see at the corner of your eye when you look at those dots. Maybe the tale you'll tell is about what shadows see in the dark, or how Hades feels about the color black. Perhaps you'll start there and veer to a story about rain...

I'm not the only one who's missed these weekly prompts, so for those who've asked about them and for me, they're back! If you want a poke, a wee gentle poke, a soft poke, a pokey-poke to inspire you to pen a few words each week, consider this that. Look at the image, the words, both or neither, and write something. It may have everything to do with the prompt we've provided or nothing, it doesn't matter so long as you write. Put what you write in the comments below, because then it's out there and we can all see...

We're back! Back. Back. And do you want to know why? Why we're going to start posting prompts again? Because I missed you. I missed your stories. Your wonderful, amazing, ridiculous, funny, sad stories. Every single one of you told tales I couldn't wait to read and I'm going to ask you to do it again. Shall we begin? More… Royalties and Who’s Out to Get You White Knights (Writing Prompts) Escape the Maze (Writing Prompts)

Holidays… Japan's celebration of the new year, Ōmisoka. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.  The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. The pagan-derived Christian holiday of Christmas. These are your prompts this week, be directly inspired by them, veer wildly, combine, mush, mix, invent a holiday or celebration all your own As ever these challenges are here to prompt writing of any and all kinds. What you write may be connected or unconnected, loud or quiet, polite or profane. You do you. The Whole Point is to Write Something If you want to write something that is. And maybe think about that this...