Do you want to write?
Do you want to write but you’re not sure how to get started? Do you write, but am currently feeling blocked? If either of these cases describe you them this blog may be of interest to you. Why don’t you try generative writing with prompts?
What is generative writing?
I recently was introduced to generative writing with prompts. Generative writing is a style of free writing, where you write for seven minutes without stopping. At the retreat I was attending a poem was first used to stimulate ideas and then a prompt related to the poem was given and we were left to write for seven minutes. The poem and prompt got my creative juices flowing and I found the seven-minute writing task super easy. I did generative writing with prompts for the next six days and was hooked.
Who supplied the poems and prompts?
Sarah Sentilles offers the prompts that I used. I went to her web sight and signed up for a year of prompts. This cost me about $200 and I consider it a great investment. Every week she send me three poems or other stimuli and the three prompts. I eagerly await each new installment from Sarah. But it’s only three prompts and there are seven days in the week. Wondering what would inspire me to write on the other four days, I looked around and realised my walls hung with inspiration.
Images have often inspired me to write.
I have an amazing collection of paintings. Many are my paintings, but other I’ve collected in Bali or on holidays around the world. Each one comes with it’s own story: either remembered or imagined.
Here’s an example.
I bought this painting in Chiang Mai ten years ago. It is by a Burmese artist.
Here’s the writing prompt.
Autumn colours remind me of…
Try writing for 7 minutes using the prompt.
Do you want more painting images and prompts?
If you want to try generative writing by referring to a painting and a prompt, I will show an image and prompt on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/steve.castley each day for the next 10 days. Check it out and give it a try.
Please share this post with friends who write.
Tags: Writing inspiration
What a lovely and encouraging email, Steve. Thanks so much for such a plethora of fascinating ideas. Of course, I wonder what you are writing now that you have all these unique prompts. Will you turn them into a collection of short pieces or merge them into something larger? In any case, keep writing and sharing your ideas with us. Thanks again