Debra R. Sanchez

Prompts, Hints, and Tips

 

Do you struggle with writer's block? 
Are you looking for an exercise that is not part of your typical writing?

This is the place for you!

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MID AUGUST 2018 - *"Starving for a Prompt"

 

Your writing group has a get-together and everyone has to bring something they have written especially for the occasion. They must be read it to the group, and as it is read, the words will transform the gathering place, filling it with the sounds, sights, aromas, physical *feel* of the setting (aka temperature, mood), and...of course...food.

 

Those who show up without written words, especially food words, you may have to starve.

What will your story "bring to the table"...under 1000 words.

 

If you want to share, you can find this prompt on my Prompted, Prodded, Published book's Facebook page. 

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*Special thanks to Susanna F, for prompting me to come up with a prompt.

 

EARLY AUGUST 2018
As you start your morning routine, you see a bruise mysteriously appear on your forearm. The size and shape indicate that someone has grabbed you forcefully. You have no memory of such an event, and it only hurts if you press it. Use your imagination to explore possible explanations. What happened? Who or what caused it? And then what happened? 

If you want to share, you can find this prompt on my Prompted, Prodded, Published book's Facebook page. 

NOVEMBER 2017
Overheard conversations in recent weeks reminded me that what you hear may not be what is said. 
Take time to (stealthily) eavesdrop on people while you are running errands or shopping.
Think about what they are saying. Are they really saying what you are hearing? Or is there some other meaning?

Here are two examples:
"Good thing I remembered to get (whatever). If I didn't, the masses would riot." If the speaker had rushed, the words "the masses" could sound like something else, which would change the sentiment completely and lead to an interesting story.

"They collect bodies." This was in reference to someone's serious and important job. It is possible that a passerby might think the speaker was talking about someone with a very unusual (and bizarre) collection hobby. 

SEPTEMBER 2016

Someone at your doctor's office asks you, "How long have you been on the transplant list?" The problem is that, as far as you know...you are not on such a list.

 

MAY 2016

Pick a sunny day. Go outside and find a place to sit. Close your eyes and spend at least 15 minutes just listening to the sounds. Nature? Traffic? Silence? Think about your experience and write a poem or short piece using all of your senses.

 

MARCH 2016

Since it is leap year, it seems I lept right over February. My apologies to my great-grandfather who was born on a February 29th in the 1800s. 

 

Prompt:

You are having a typical day, following your typical routine when suddenly... no one knows who you are. 

1000 words or less.

 

If you want to share, these prompts can also be found on my Facebook page. Feel free to post in the comment section. 

 

JANUARY 2016

New Year, New Words

 

Write a short story or poem and include at least one made up word in each category:
Name
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Other (Repeat one of the above categories or do whatever else.)

 

If you want to share, these prompts can also be found on my Facebook page. Feel free to post in the comment section. 

 

NOVEMBER 2015

 

We've all seen funny reminders about the importance of using proper punctuation. Here is a prompt to challenge you to come up with your own sentences 

Your challenge: use the following words, in the EXACT order – no words between – and create several different sentences or paragraphs. You can use the prompt words in the beginning, middle, or end of your sentence/paragraph. Are you ready? If so, grab your writing tool & BEGIN!

Here are the words you must use in each:
“Let’s eat Grandma”

If you want to share, these prompts can also be found on my Facebook page. Feel free to post in the comment section. 

 

OCTOBER 2015

Western Pennsylvania is beautiful this time of year. The leaves are vibrant, the air crisp and alive.

Except today. Today it is raining and windy as remnants of a storm make their way through.

 

Fall days and nights are ripe with fodder for fiction. 

What stories are brewing in your heads these days? 
Are they ready to harvest?

 

Good...just in time for NaNoWriMo beginning November 1st. 
http://nanowrimo.org/

 

SEPTEMBER 2015

 

September has been known as "back to school" time for generations.

I'm using it to launch my "BACK to WRITING" series of prompts, hints, and tips for writers.

 

PROMPT: Beginnings

 

1) Using only one syllable words, write a short story or poem that is 50 words long.

 

2) The EXTREME challenge version of the same exercise, do it using each letter of the alphabet as the beginning letter no more than TWO times. (26 letters...50 words...you get to skip a letter or two)

 

3) Write a short story about your first day of school. This can be true or fiction.

 

4) If you want to share, these prompts can also be found on my Facebook page. Feel free to post in the comment section.