I feel like I’ve written about writing prompts before, but I’m trying to get this post and another out before I go to yoga this morning.

Let me just break off for a moment and say: I NEVER thought I would like hot yoga. Ever. I hate being hot. I hate sweating. I hate that “Oh my gosh I can’t breathe it’s too hot I’m suffocating” feeling. HOWEVER, I don’t know why I tried it, but I did. Hot Vinyassa Flow. And it is AWESOME. I really don’t “feel” the heat in the same way I did, say, doing the Music City Triathlon in 2010 when the heat index was 108. I get out and want water, absolutley, but I don’t feel like I’m going to puke.

(Okay, that’s a lie. Sometimes, when we get really into it, I do feel like I’m going to puke. Which is why I only drink tea and water before class.)

Anyway…Hot yoga. Don’t knock it ’till you try it.

Back to the prompts!

I’m a huge fan of writing prompts. All of my short stories started out from prompts. (None of my novels so far, but that’s not to say it won’t happen.) I’ve used prompts differently over the years, but the biggest was when I didn’t have a daily writing practice, I would always start out with a prompt. Read it, 15 minutes of free writing on the prompts, and then get to work on whatever project it was I was doing at the time (probably Home. Seems like it’s always Home.) I’ve got several books of prompts and have used various sites over the years, but lately I’ve been using a lot from Charlotte Rains Dixon’s Tumblr: Inventive Writing Prompts. Full disclosure, I know and love Charlotte, she’s mentored me through The Writer’s Loft/MTSU Write program and I’ve read her books and she’s just plain awesome. Which is why I highly recommend you check out the blog. Grab a prompt, and write. If nothing else, it will transport you for a good 10-15 minutes…or however long you decide to let the words flow.

A note about using prompts:

First, there are no real rules here. These are just my suggestions.

1. Set a timer. It’s like meditation. Start with 5 minutes or so and work your way up.
2. Write long hand or on the computer. It really doesn’t matter.
3. Block all distractions. (Okay, so this one really is a rule.) If you’re on the computer, shut off your internet. If you’re long hand, shut off your phone. It’s only 5-15 minutes. You can do it.
4. Don’t sensor yourself. Most of the writing you do with prompts will never see the light of day. It’s just an exercise. Just let the words flow out of your hand/fingers.
5. If you have a work-in-progress, by all means, use the characters if it makes sense. If it doesn’t, don’t.
6. Let yourself chose between two or three prompts, but don’t spend any more than a minute or two deciding. I’ve quite effectively wasted my writing time trying to decide which prompt to start with. Just pick one and go.
7. Never, never, never, never, never for the love of all that’s holy never give your unpolished prompt writing to a critique group. First of all, it’s not fair to you. You’re not going to get good feedback on an unedited piece. Second, it’s not a good use of your partners’ time. If you like what you’ve written, awesome. Polish that baby up and distribute it. If you give out the raw meat, you’re going to lose the beauty in the unedited process because you’re going to get self-conscious.
8. JUST DO IT. (TM) Nike

Photo by Captain Crunch