I love words. I love reading them and I love writing them. But I’m also a great procrastinator. For me, the hardest part of writing is getting started. I find myriad ways to not turn up to the page.
I wondered whether having a set of prompts that were simple but open to interpretation might help eliminate some of my indecisiveness and “fear of the blank page” by creating a simple habit I don’t have to think too much about.
To that end, I have created a series of one-word prompts for the month of January. My aim is to turn up to the page each day for a minimum of 7 minutes, keep my hand moving across the page, and see where a particular prompt leads.
I figure that even on a busy day, I can find 7 minutes to be reflective and/or creative.
And who knows, once I start, there’s a huge possibility I might continue …
If you’d like to join me, feel free to use these prompts in whatever way they serve you including one or more of the following:
- use each prompt as a 7-minute writing warm up, keeping your hand moving across the page
- use one prompt per day, or one a week, or three to five words that appeal to you
- use a prompt to start a new piece of writing or art work
- write about a memory the word evokes or something you hope for in the future
- relate to your current protagonist or work-in-progress in some way
- use a prompt for a sketch, painting or any other creative form of your choice.
Creative Prompts
1. resolution
2. begin
3. simplify
4. nourish
5. create
6. home
7. tea cup
9. hat
10. wine
11. table
12. stick
13. waves
14. sunrise
16. page turner
17. leaf
18. flower
19. prune
20. fruit
21. seeds
22. plant
23. produce
24. harvest
25. walk
26. climb
27. test
28. technology
29. bicycle
31. watermelon
Over to You
However you choose to use these prompts and to what extent, it’s totally up to you.
Just create.
Just begin.
