I feel like the best prompts are the ones where they create a diverse number of stories from one single prompt. I suppose the 'less is more' method would be perfect for that! Another fun way I really enjoyed was setting up restrictions that challenge writing. I remember in highschool my creative writing teacher had us do a prompt where we couldn't use colors to describe anything but still had to paint a vivid picture. It was such a fun but difficult exercise!
Oooo I love that one with the colors! I, too, am a super fan of restrictions as a form of inspiration. I think that’s part of why I fell in love with flash fiction. Trying to cram story into such tiny spaces has been such a fun challenge!
when you choose the sharing option, you have the option to give people access to commenting or editing. You don’t want to give them the access to editing, but you can give them comment access if you want.
Oct 13, 2023Liked by Geoffrey Golden, Jackie Dana, Nicole Rivera
Thank you for the shout-out! I was nervous going in because I'm terrible under pressure and want to get better. I was pleasantly surprised, but then really blown away by the output everyone had. It was great to see how each writer tackled this in their own way and unique voice.
I would encourage everyone to do this at least once, even if you only write a few sentences. You meet and hear other writers, you get some immediate feedback, and hey, it's Fictionistas! We're like, you know, a bunch of writer nerds. 🤓
I actually prefer prompts like this one which are kind of vague and open ended, because then I just start making associations, and the story comes from there. When it’s a more detailed prompt, that gives me a situation, setting, and/or character, it’s sometimes harder for me to find the story.
I think when you apply the prompt to a world you are already working in, this kind of prompt is perfect because it doesn’t add new characters or world elements that might not potentially belong in your universe.
I have a bit of a writing prompt tool addiction. I have countless books, card decks, dice and apps all for writing prompts. Over the years I have begun to form my own based on the inspirations found within them, usually taking one of those “old” tools in a new direction.
I feel like the best prompts are the ones where they create a diverse number of stories from one single prompt. I suppose the 'less is more' method would be perfect for that! Another fun way I really enjoyed was setting up restrictions that challenge writing. I remember in highschool my creative writing teacher had us do a prompt where we couldn't use colors to describe anything but still had to paint a vivid picture. It was such a fun but difficult exercise!
Oooo I love that one with the colors! I, too, am a super fan of restrictions as a form of inspiration. I think that’s part of why I fell in love with flash fiction. Trying to cram story into such tiny spaces has been such a fun challenge!
Uh... how do you make a view-only Google Doc?
when you choose the sharing option, you have the option to give people access to commenting or editing. You don’t want to give them the access to editing, but you can give them comment access if you want.
So I click on ‘anyone with the link’?
Yes, and then make sure next to the “anyone with the link” it says viewer or view only, not editor or suggesting!
So sorry I missed this zoom party! I'm a new subscriber and looking forward to more prompt opportunities. Cranberries and kiosks are on my mind.
I hope you get a chance to share what the cranberries and kiosks inspire in your fiction!
Thank you for the shout-out! I was nervous going in because I'm terrible under pressure and want to get better. I was pleasantly surprised, but then really blown away by the output everyone had. It was great to see how each writer tackled this in their own way and unique voice.
I would encourage everyone to do this at least once, even if you only write a few sentences. You meet and hear other writers, you get some immediate feedback, and hey, it's Fictionistas! We're like, you know, a bunch of writer nerds. 🤓
I’m so glad you joined us! I look forward to reading your story’s next iteration!
Welcome back! I like a short (1 sentence) narrative prompt. The ones that focus on which words to use are trickier for me to wrap my head around.
Ah yes! One sentence prompts have a nice balance of *just right* amounts of narrative while allowing each writer stretch their own imaginations!
I actually prefer prompts like this one which are kind of vague and open ended, because then I just start making associations, and the story comes from there. When it’s a more detailed prompt, that gives me a situation, setting, and/or character, it’s sometimes harder for me to find the story.
I think when you apply the prompt to a world you are already working in, this kind of prompt is perfect because it doesn’t add new characters or world elements that might not potentially belong in your universe.
Oh I missed is event… :(
It's okay! You can still participate and write a story based on the prompt - and read everyone else's in the upcoming thread!
Great! Thx!
I can’t find the Oct prompt…
In this post it says:
“ This month Nicole shared a prompt from a book called The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood. The prompt simply said
Do something with these words:
vale, simper, fling, cranberry, kiosk, winsome, prey, and quacky”
Thank you! Didn’t see this! Ok this is a complicated prompt! I must do some research before I hit the paper!
You are not alone. The live Zoom group took some Google time to seek out and discuss definitions of some of the given words!
and some of us went with veil, rather than vale. 😁
Sorry we missed you this month. We’ll be back in November!
I prefer less is more prompts! But equally like setting up my own prompts!
Ooo! What do you use for your inspiration in making up your own prompts?
Can’t put my finger on it. Ideas and thoughts just like you’d get an idea to write a poem or a blog. It just comes to me. I do some on my substack.
And how do you invent yours? Or where from do you borrow?
I have a bit of a writing prompt tool addiction. I have countless books, card decks, dice and apps all for writing prompts. Over the years I have begun to form my own based on the inspirations found within them, usually taking one of those “old” tools in a new direction.
Prompt expert!
Hi,
I don't know what to do with this short story from the recent prompt.
https://open.substack.com/pub/owenjones/p/the-enchanted-vale?r=1lmquv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web