Rob's Surf Report

How do I really feel about writing prompts?

"Writing", 22 November 2008
“Writing”, 22 November 2008 (Photo credit: ed_needs_a_bicycle)

That’s a mixed bag. Some days I feel like the writing prompt is more challenging than others, and most of it has to do with me questioning myself as to whether I have an answer for that prompt. Sometimes when I find myself struggling the most it’s when addressing the most mundane prompts; And then there are days when we have really fun prompts, and I go to town. Whether not anybody else has any fun reading it, is not my problem.

I really should’ve done yesterday’s prompt. I didn’t get a chance, because… well, I just didn’t seem to find the time. And that’s okay, we all have those days; and I did manage to post – I think – twice yesterday. In fact, I might go back and do yesterday’s prompt, but here’s the thing about prompts: I feel completely unoriginal when I do them, because it’s not my idea. Sometimes it’s a great idea, and sometimes I do think it’s a little bit hokey. And I think I complained about that before, and got responses to the effect that it’s good for challenging writers to write outside of their boundaries, or outside of their bailiwick, for what it’s worth.

I like being challenged, but I like a good, meaty prompt that gives me something to really sink my teeth into. I don’t often get that chance. In fact, I wish I had more sources for writing prompts, but every time I start trolling writing prompt sites it’s really banal stuff; does anybody out there want to start submitting writing prompts to me? Because I would so so take them.

In fact, I challenge every reader to submit a writing prompt to me that they would be interested in writing, or a good one that they remember particularly enjoying. I could really use your help guys! When I use your prompt I will give you and your blog a shout out for submitting the prompt.

What do you say? Think you can stump the writer?

This post was prompted today’s Daily Post prompt.

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19 comments

  2. I say we give each other prompts once or twice a week…what do you think?

    Here:
    Words of advice to your daughter if you were to die too soon?

    – not morbid..love,street smarts, music

    Reply

    • I like it. I’m going to do it. I was telling this other blogger (in the comments) that I was thinking about what it would take to start a daily prompt. A following, I think, is important, but actually doing the prompt once you have a few willing victims is the lubricant action itself. They do it, their prompty friends see it, it spreads. The key is consistency and I think you have the drive to be consistent. I mean, there’s a Daily Post prompt every day, and you probably picked it up from someone else doing it, right? Maybe, maybe not, but you could see how it could happen. I’ll do your prompt, though, and if we can get it to spread and you post around the same time every day, I think you can watch it grow.

      Reply

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