You must be right about the diversity of subjects. Words summon images or people and the story flows from that. It goes pretty much where it wants to go, and I don't feel bound by "genre". Just thinking about stuff works for a book - a story idea and then things start moving. In short stories, I think that if I relied on what's going on in my head, I would keep writing the same thing over and over, fall into the groove.
Intriguing post, M. And funny how it came at just the right moment. I too am in need of a good prompt right now, and was checking some out today. The idea to check out prompts when I’m between projects is a new one for me, but the “being stuck on what to write after I’ve just completed something” I know like the back of my hand. Never found a solution for it, and I always thought of it as writer’s block. Reading your post got me wondering, maybe they’re not the same thing? Anyway, prompts from lit mags are a very good idea. I’ll look some up and share any good ones.
You could look at a magazine called "The First Line", it's a bit more than a prompt but their first lines have inspired some of my best stories. They've all been published, just not by TFL, lol! Of course I change the wording a bit when I submit to other publications...
Hi Martine, can't wait for your book to be published in March! I'll be the first one in line to order it.
Love the Tin Cup reference. I have played that hole many times!!!! Keep the writing coming
I definitely will keep it coming. Thanks for reading, Billy!
Great post - and oh yes, I love Tin Cup - I totally get the parallel there. The yips!
Prompts as a rule, don't work for me. But it sounds like they really do for you. It may be the reason your work is so diverse.
Me, I'm just thinking about stuff... and then I write it down. Sometimes :)
You must be right about the diversity of subjects. Words summon images or people and the story flows from that. It goes pretty much where it wants to go, and I don't feel bound by "genre". Just thinking about stuff works for a book - a story idea and then things start moving. In short stories, I think that if I relied on what's going on in my head, I would keep writing the same thing over and over, fall into the groove.
Intriguing post, M. And funny how it came at just the right moment. I too am in need of a good prompt right now, and was checking some out today. The idea to check out prompts when I’m between projects is a new one for me, but the “being stuck on what to write after I’ve just completed something” I know like the back of my hand. Never found a solution for it, and I always thought of it as writer’s block. Reading your post got me wondering, maybe they’re not the same thing? Anyway, prompts from lit mags are a very good idea. I’ll look some up and share any good ones.
You could look at a magazine called "The First Line", it's a bit more than a prompt but their first lines have inspired some of my best stories. They've all been published, just not by TFL, lol! Of course I change the wording a bit when I submit to other publications...