The Plot Cafe Creative Writing Magazine » Creative Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt by Bella McPherson

The Plot Cafe — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:21:37 +0000

A writer is only as good as her ideas. That is why it’s frustrating when writers run out of inspiration. In fact, most put down their pens for weeks at a time due to disappointment. Writing prompts come in handy in situations such as these because they serve as a catalyst for bigger, better stories.

To assist you with the creative process, below are writing prompts designed to help you avoid or overcome writer’s block.

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Writing prompt #1: Describe the first time you…

a) fell in love.

b) drank a cup of coffee.

c) actually felt connected to someone for the first time.

d) you changed a baby’s diaper.

e) made out in the backseat of a car.

f) got into an argument with your parents.

Writing prompt #2: Write a letter to (for)…

a) someone who has passed away and that you miss dearly.

b) your first grade teacher

c) your child to open when he is thirty

d) the child you once were.

e) your favorite celebrity.

f) your local butcher.

Writing prompt #3: Begin a story with the one of the following sentences:

a) We are going to need wine – lots of it.

b) I can hear you, you know.

c) She’s sick. She’s dying.

d) The judges have made their decision.

e) He’s her sugar daddy.

f) I’ll be fine. Go to work.

Writing prompt #4: Write a story from the perspective of a(n)…

a) shoe.

b) money.

c) eyebrow.

d) eyeglasses.

e) computer.

f) corpse.

Writing prompt #5: In 300 words…

a) write about a time you acted like a coward.

b) describe a time you let someone go whom you loved.

c) write down your deepest secret.

d) jot down a time you needed someone in your life.

e) illustrate a time when you were humbled.

f) recall the first song that touched you.

Writing prompt #6: Below are general writing prompts.

a) If you had a million dollars to donate to charity, which charity would benefit and how would you want your money spent.

b) Write a clever phrase you’d like to see as a bumper sticker or as a company logo.

c) Write an apology to a person you wronged.

d) Jot down a story where the first letter of every sentence starts with the letter A.

e) Start a story with, “Shut up. I like that kid.”

f) Start a story with, “It’s easy work. If you can get it.”

Writing prompt #7: Begin a story with one of the following famous movie lines.

a) I just wanna say one word to you. Just one word.

b) Have you got the nerve to tell me you don’t want to marry my son for his money?

c) Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!

d) Greed – for lack of a better word – is good. Greed is right. Greed works.

e) Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

f) You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Well, who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here. Who the f–k do you think you’re talkin’ to?

When you feel out of touch with your inner writer, reread the aforementioned prompts. There you will find the motivation to write your next big story.

About the Author:

Bella McPherson runs CreativeWritingSite.com.

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Writing Prompts: The Things People Do

The Plot Cafe — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:00:44 +0000

Yesterday, we talked about some of the odd and crazy things people say. Today we are going to look at some of the odd and crazy things people do.

1. Write about someone (an individual or a family) who tries to secede from their neighborhood.

2. Write about someone who, fed up, tosses their computer monitor out the window.

3. Write about someone who enjoys a good Jello bath.

4. Write about someone who tries to live like a cat for a day (or two or a week).

5. Write about someone who ends their sentences with an upward inflection in their voice so it sounds like they are always asking a question.

Writing Prompts: Armed Forces

The Plot Cafe — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:00:13 +0000

Armed Forces Day was this past Saturday. This is a day when we honor and celebrate the people who put their lives on the line to ensure that we are safe. Every nation has a version of Armed Forces day. In the United States that day is designated as the third Saturday of May. It was intended to replace the individual military honor day (i.e. Army Day, Navy Day) but those individual days are still celebrated within the individual services.

This week’s theme will focus on the military, armed forces and general scrapping on a national, global and even universal level.

1. Write about the first day of basic training in the Roman Army.

2. Write about a woman leaving her family behind to go to battle.

3. Write about an Earth invasion of another planet.

4. Write about a new service of the military. Psychic warriors.

5. Write about a colonel about to retire from a long tenure with the military.

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The Book of War: 25 Centuries of Great War Writing (Paperback)

By (author) John Keegan

List Price:	$20.00 USD
New From:	$0.52 In Stock
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Release date October 31, 2000.

Best of Craigslist: Part VII-Office Edition

The Plot Cafe — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:03 +0000

Since we are celebrating the joys of the office this week, I thought it only appropriate to end the week with a few greatest hits from Craigslist that have to do with the office. Hopefully none of these are from the co-workers at YOUR office.

As always, before you click, be aware that some of these may contain strong language and/or sexual content. If you are not over 18 or are offended by these things. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK.

1. From your receptionist also know as the office b*tch.

2. To my co-workers.

3. Office poop survival guide

4. To my farty boss and his bowels

5. Rant: My coworker as the Raven

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Am I The Only Sane One Working Here?: 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity (Paperback)

By (author) Albert Bernstein

List Price:	$16.95 USD
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Writing Prompts: Office Romances

The Plot Cafe — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:21 +0000

They’re the stuff of corporate legend. And no wonder. We spend a third of our day everyday, if not more, with the same people. I suppose it is only a matter of time before we start sticking our hands in the cookie jar so to speak.

So today, let’s celebrate that quintessential institution known as the office romance.

1. Write a story of a office that conspires to end a romance between two employees because it would be bad for business.

2. Write a story about a romance between a wizard/sorceress and his/her assistant.

3. Write a story about a romance between two corporate competitors.

4. Write a story about a romance between an employee and a client.

5. Write a story about a romance between to same sex employees.

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Office: Seasons 1-5 (DVD)

Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker
Rating: Unrated

List Price:	$199.98 USD
New From:	$98.99 In Stock
Used from:	$80.00 In Stock
Release date September 8, 2009.

Writing Prompts: Office Supplies

The Plot Cafe — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:09:36 +0000

Today we are going to experiment with using props in our stories. Those staplers and paperclips sitting in the office supply closet have much more potential than simply holding loose papers together. They can be catalysts to a life changing event for your characters or the glue (figuratively speaking) that keeps the story together.

1. Write about the “The Great Paperclip War” where someone loses an eye.

2. As a romantic gesture, a man give a woman he likes a piece of Origami art made from copy paper each day.

3. Write about a murder committed with a stapler.

4. Write about the daily lunchtime office chair races.

5. Write a scene with two corporate executives talking about the future of the company over a game of pencil darts.

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Immediate Fiction: A Complete Writing Course (Paperback)

By (author) Jerry Cleaver

List Price:	$14.95 USD
New From:	$8.72 In Stock
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Release date October 27, 2005.

Writing Prompts: Workplace Gossip

The Plot Cafe — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:22 +0000

Where there are people, there is gossip. There’s no getting away from that. I suppose it is the result of not always having all the facts and so we let our imagination take over and fill in the blanks with wild speculations. Sometimes our theories are harmless but sometimes they can be downright dangerous.

Today, we’re going to pluck a few juicy bits from the rumor mill to add fuel to the fire of our imagination.

1. Write about the effects of a rumor about a worker who steals.

2. Write about how a manager deals with a rumor about him having an affair with his male assistant.

3. Write the reaction of an employee to the rumor that she might be promoted.

4. Write a believable rumor that the company has been taken over by aliens.

5. Write about the return of a fired employee who was rumored to have murdered a coworker.

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Elements of Writing Fiction - Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) (Paperback)

By (author) Orson Scott Card

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Writing Prompts: Workplace Memos

The Plot Cafe — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:00:27 +0000

Well it’s Monday again and time to put our nose back to the grindstone. I decided that since we spend up to a third of our day, every day, in the workplace that this week’s writing prompts will focus on the crazy things that can sometimes happen in the workplace.

Today’s writing prompts will focus on those lovely bits of paper or electronic mails that clutter our desks and email boxes with corporate insanity. The memo.

1. Write a from a secretary/assistant firing their boss.

2. Write a memo to employees about the proper use of the bathroom hand soap.

3. Write a memo from one employee to the other employees about how to deal with the ghost on the third floor.

4. Write a memo from the CEO of the company to the board of directors about his plans to take over the world.

5. Write a memo from the soda vendor about using the soda machine safely to avoid further “incidents”.

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Office Space - Special Edition with Flair (Widescreen Edition) (DVD)

Director: Mike Judge
Starring: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, Diedrich Bader
Rating: R (Restricted)

List Price:	$19.98 USD
New From:	$9.54 In Stock
Used from:	$2.99 In Stock
Release date November 1, 2005.

Best of Craigslist: Part VI – Mom’s Edition

The Plot Cafe — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:08 +0000

It’s Friday! And not just any Friday. It’s the Friday before the biggest holiday of the year. Mother’s Day. In keeping with this week’s Mom theme, here are some choice picks from The Best of Craigslist. Today we have an example of a mother’s unconditional love, mother’s for sale and deadly mom farts.

As always, before you click, be aware that some of these may contain strong language and/or sexual content. If you are not over 18 or are offended by these things. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK.

1. Rave: A Mother’s Unconditional Love…

2. From A Welfare Kid

3. To My Mother In Law

4. Mother For Sale

5. My Mom’s Farts

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Monster-in-Law (New Line Platinum Series) (DVD)

Director: Robert Luketic
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vartan, Jane Fonda, Wanda Sykes, Adam Scott
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

List Price:	$12.98 USD
New From:	$2.90 In Stock
Used from:	$0.01 In Stock
Release date August 30, 2005.

Writing Prompts: Animal Moms

The Plot Cafe — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:00:36 +0000

So far this week, we’ve been focusing on human moms. Let’s take a moment and show a little appreciation for the other animal moms out there. There are a couple of ways you can write take these writing prompts. You can anthropomorphise the animals or you can make them ordinary animals who do extraordinary things. Use your imagination.

1. Write about a female dog who purposefully searches for and finds a home (or homes) for her pup(s).

2. Write about a doe who searches for and saves her fawn from the “dangerous humans” who captured him/her.

3. Write about a bear mom who disapproves of her child’s choice in mates.

4. Write about a penguin mom who doesn’t like the neighborhood she’s in and searches for a new place to raise her family.

5. Write about a tigress teaching her cub how to hunt.

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What Would Your Character Do? (Paperback)

By (author) Eric Maisel, Ann Maisel

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