Improbable Press Blog — Writing Prompts

As noted previously, some weeks there are story themes and this week's writing prompt, though its dance card was not full (weeps delicately), it tended toward science fictional fills. Contemporary fantasy maybe?Whatever it is, I love these sorts of stories, and I love that you come and share yours here. What a delicious gift, to get something fresh-baked to read each week. Thank you for that.Speaking of 'each week' I thought maybe two weeks between prompts would garner more responses but I think I'll go back to once a week. I enjoy these too and two weeks seems, I don't...

Y'know, if you ever wanted to make a prompt for a future Thursday, I'd love to see what you'd create in this approximate style to inspire us. There are no rules on what you should do with these words and images, remember that. If they prompt you to write about a pencil falling in love with a piece of paper, if you never use the word concussion, sea, or coffee, you met the writing challenge anywho, cause here you came and here you wrote. So you do you, I'll do me, and hopefully you're as regularly surprised by what you...

Another week, another writing challenge for you. Yes this is woeful late but here it is, with unbalanced bees (maybe) and courage, and a fake lawn to make you think real words about…what? Those of you who come to write for these wee prompts, each week do you have an idea already bubbling, or do you look at what I've shared here and think, "I got nuthin"?Me, that's what I'm always thinking. Nuthin'. There's no there, there. No mystery, no fantasy, no story about space aliens or river goddesses or martyrs. I look at what I myself have made and...

One thing I've learned from writing small – wonderful surprises can lurk round the corner, like linguistic sharks ready to bite with their brilliance. So it goes this week, and I've found it necessary to go to the Twitter of several of last week's writers and SHOUT AT THEM. It's a justified response to delight and surprise, I feel, and if not I have done it all the same. I hope you join the writers one of these times, I really do. I like shouting nice things and I'm anxiously wanting to shout them at you. Spoilers, Surprises, Stories That...

A dozen pardons for the missed week. A turned-in dissertation means it ought not to happen again. However… If an extra week again means more new voices popping in to write for these challenges, these picture prompts, well… But no, we'll keep uploading them weekly and as every week before, I thank you for letting these prompts challenge you. If you've nothing you want to write this week, how about telling me how you are? A line, a paragraph…say hi. Let me know you're here. Riffing on Kindness And direclty on to what people wrote for broken by kindness: ‘I’m...