writing prompt

Write a story in which action verbs reign supreme. The story’s subject is up to you, so long as you make sure every verb (or as many verbs as possible) is action-driven instead of being in the passive voice. This may make for some awkward sentences, but the idea is to get in the habit … Read more

Write a story in which the need to take action drives the scene. Your main character may reflect on how they feel, so long as they are active and do something in the story. Try writing this scene in present-tense and keep it as action-oriented as possible. Give this exercise fifteen minutes of your time. … Read more

Think about a personal relationship you have with someone close to you – a friend, family member, co-worker, etc.  Consider the nuances of that relationship, what you agree on, what you disagree on, what makes you laugh together, if you’ve cried together, if you’ve screamed at each other, given each other the silent treatment, and … Read more

Write a first-person point-of-view story about a character waiting for something to happen. Interweave the action of waiting with the character’s thoughts and reflections. See if the action and reflection intersect. Give this exercise fifteen minutes of your attention. Write it up and see what happens. -nm

Write a scene in which two characters bump into each other for the first time in ten years. What do they talk about? What don’t they talk about? What’s the emotional center of their relationship? How will point-of-view effect this story? Give this exercise fifteen minutes of your attention. Write it up and see what … Read more

Write about a character who knows they’re terrible at their job. Give this exercise fifteen minutes of your attention. Write it up and see what happens, -nm

Write about a specific time when you surprised yourself. By “you,” I mean either you as the writer if you’re writing nonfiction or you as a fictional character. Keep it in the first person to explore this character’s voice, and present it like you’re speaking directly to the reader. Give this exercise fifteen minutes of … Read more