Writing Prompt #18: Contrasts

Today's writing prompt is short and sweet:

Use major contrast to further the action in your next scene.

Writing Prompt #17: Are You Ready for some Football?

One of my favorite times of year is college football season. I love the sport, and follow the scores, the teams, and even some of the players, each year. I'm not as big of a fan for pro ball - it loses its appeal to me on many levels.

This weekend has been a great football weekend for me personally, so our prompt for this week is:

Write a scene, an article, or plot an entire book somehow incorporating a football game.

Remember to check our link above to read more writing prompts. We'll be announcing a contest at the end of the month that will put these prompts to use, so be sure to save them in a file or notebook.

And just one more comment about football:

ROLL TIDE! :-)

Writing Prompt #16: Seasons

This week's writing prompt is prompted by the sunshine currently coming through my windows - a sight we haven't seen in a few days - weeks - possibly months? - because of all the rain we've had.

This week's prompt:

Write a scene depicting a change of season. Remember to be creative and use this prompt for a variety of purposes: nonfiction, fiction, poetry, songs; use it for just a scene, or create an entire book around it. Change POVs. Let your imagination run wild.

At the end of October, we'll announce a contest that will put these writing prompts to good use, so be sure to keep them in a file or journal.

Writing Prompt #15: Humor

This past week, several things have tickled my funny bone, so I decided to put it to use.

Use humor in a scene to add contrast to a situation. Laughter at a funeral has been done - and experienced - so stretch yourself further than that.

Toward the end of October, we'll be asking you about these prompts, so be sure to keep them in a notebook or a special file so you can pull them up when needed.

Writing Prompt #14: In the Eye of the Beholder

I think I treasure my sight more than any of my other senses (probably because my eyesight is really poor, and I've worn "Coke-bottle thick" glasses almost all my life), so it was surprising that sight is the last sensory detail I mention.

This week's prompt:

Your character encounters a blind person who asks for a description of something. Write the scene - including the description as your character sees it.

Writing Prompt #13: Describe that Smell

So far, we've offered prompts for three of the five senses. This week, let's tackle smell.

Your main character has just been blindfolded and transported somewhere, then led into a new place. Write a scene giving us the details - and be sure to highlight what your character SMELLS.

And don't forget - a contest will be announced in October that will put some of the writing prompts to the test.


Read other writing prompts by clicking the link tab above.

Writing Prompt #12: Do You Have Good Taste?

So far in our sensory prompts, we've covered noise and touch. This week, let's explore TASTE.

Write a scene where your main character shares a meal with someone (or a bunch of someones.) Incorporate the sensory detail of TASTE as you write the scene. Remember to stay in POV.


P.S. I am currently creating a contest that will put some of these prompts to use, so be sure to save them! Contest will be announced in October.

Writing Prompt #11: It's all in the Touch

Last week, we started a prompt series on the senses, because sensory details add depth to your story.

This week, let's explore the sense of TOUCH. I'm one of those people who buy clothes because of the way the FEEL. If I touch a garment and it doesn't feel good to me, I won't even bother to try it on. If I'm exploring, I like to touch things (I'll have to ask my mom if she had to tell me not to touch) to learn about them. By touching something, I feel I know it a bit more than I did before I touched it. Textures, temperatures, shapes, sizes, even reaction to your touch.

Write a scene incorporating the sense of TOUCH.

Writing Prompt #10: Noise

Sensory details add richness and depth to any manuscript. So for the next few weeks, our prompts will focus on the senses.

Your character is in a fast food restaurant. What does he/she hear?

Writing Prompt #9: Space

Thanks to our wonderful blog designer, Blogger Boutique, we have made it easier for you to find all the writing prompts and photo assignments, so be sure to check the links at the top of the page to view all the previous posts in each category.

I'll make a confession this week, before I post the prompt. I'm a BIG space fan! My dad worked for NASA, and I grew up watching all the rocket launches with awe. One of my biggest dreams as a child was to become an astronaut. But as I grew older, but not taller - and my fear of heights increased - I had to give up that goal. So now, I have to live vicariously through books and film.

Your writing prompt this week:

Outer Space.


Have fun with this one - and remember you can use it for fiction, nonfiction, short or long lengths.


Don't forget to check the Writing Prompts link above for previous challenges. Feel free to join us for our weekly photo assignments, too! We have some great photos in our Pix-N-Pens photo album. (Use this password to access: inspired.)

Writing Prompt #8: Perspective

Our prompt this week will be a bit different.

Write a scene (or an entire book) from the perspective of someone 20 years younger than your current age.

We have some minor changes coming this week here at Pix-N-Pens, so stay tuned and let us know what you think.

Writing Prompt #7: Crossroads

Prompt for the week:

Your main character has reached a crossroads in his/her life. Which direction will he/she take next?

Writing Prompt #6: Snowstorm

I know - it's the middle of a sweltering July, and I'm thinking snowstorms.

So this week, a one word writing prompt:

Snowstorm!

Use the prompt to create scene or story ideas for your novel, short story, magazine article, or nonfiction book. Use it to create a poem or a song. The choice is your - let your imagination run wild.

One of our Pixels asked the purpose of the prompts. They're mainly for your benefit, but we may just have a contest one day - you never know around here.

For more prompts, check last week's post.

Writing Prompt #5: Flowers

This week's prompt:

Flowers are left on a doorstep.

Click here for more prompts.

Writing Prompt #4: Rain

Well, one of our writing prompts these past few weeks here and at CWE inspired something within, and I actually came up with a new idea for a book - for the first time in about a year!

How about you? Are they inspiring, helping, challenging you?

This week's prompt:

Someone is caught in a rain.

Remember to use this prompt in a variety of ways - for fiction, nonfiction, short pieces or long. Write a scene, short story, song, poem, or even an entire book.

Read more prompts:

At CWE

Here at Pix-N-Pens

Writing Prompt #3: Lights Out

How's your writing coming along? Are the writing prompts helping stir your creative juices?

Here's a new one:

The power just went off.

The prompts are purposely short - our intent is not to point your story down any particular path - just to generate a spark to light your own.

Remember to use these prompts in a variety of ways - try them out for fiction, nonfiction, short and long pieces. You can use them to generate an entire story, or just create a new scene.

In case you missed them:

CWE Prompt #3

Writing Prompt #2

CWE Prompt #2

Writing Prompt #1

CWE Prompt #1

And for the photographers in our midst - don't forget our Photo Assignments on Tuesdays - our photo album already has some great shots! Use the password inspired to access the album and check each Tuesday for a new assignment.

Writing Prompt #2: Fun Money

So, how did you do last week? Did our first writing prompts - here on Pix-N-Pens and on CWE - help your writing during the week? Share your successes - or your struggles - with us in the comments.

Writing Prompt #2: You've just won $10,000 "fun money" for a writing contest (not as an advance). What will you do with the money?

Remember to think of this prompt in several aspects - fiction, non-fiction, short piece, or book-length.

And check back tomorrow for the photo assignment of the week.

In case you missed the last one: Writing Prompt #1

Christian Writing Examiner Prompt #2

Something New - Writing and Photo Prompts

We're starting something new this week here at Pix-N-Pens - for writers and photographers.

Each Monday, I'll post two writing prompts. One here at Pix-N-Pens, and one over at Christian Writing Examiner. With the writing prompts, apply them to one fiction and one nonfiction project - of any length. Based on the prompt, you could write a poem or a novel, a blog post or a nonfiction book. Don't share the words you write based on the prompt, but feel free to share your experience - was the prompt helpful? Did you write an article from it? Or get through a difficult scene of your WIP? Or was the prompt not helpful at all? Post your comments about the writing prompts in the comment section for that prompt.

If you end up submitting your creation for publication - share your successes with us!

On Tuesdays, I'll post a photography assignment here at Pix-N-Pens. During the week, try to photograph the assignment, and then look through your photos and pick ONE that you think represents the assignment best, and post it over at our special Pix-N-Pens group folder at Photobucket. I set up the group so that readers of Pix-N-Pens can view it, but not anyone else and no one can copy your work when you post it. You'll need the password - inspired - to login.

The purpose of these prompts and assignments is to help us CREATE. I'll be using the prompts and participating in the assignments myself - as a way to spur my creativity, and pull me out of any ruts I might be in during any given week. I hope you'll join me.

Today's Prompt:

It's August 10, 2035. What does your schedule look like for the day?

And remember, I post a second prompt each week over at CWE, too.