Is there a magic formula that enables anyone to instantly write the most wonderful writing of their life, some tiny technique you can read about then transform your writing overnight?
Well, not exactly. But the good news is, although each of us are unique in who we are, what we write and how we write it, there are certain key techniques that all of us can use to improve our writing, and to make it easier for us to reach our creative potential more consistently, more often.
One of the ways of becoming a better writer is to use creative writing prompts.
A writing prompt is simply a few words or a phrase that give you a starting place to write from, a springboard to dive into the deep pool of writing talent that lays within you.
Writing prompts don’t tell you how to write, which words you should use, how long your sentences should be and so on. That’s all up to your own creative expression. The prompt just provides an entry point to unlocking your imagination, and this can be invaluable, especially during times when you’re feeling particularly blocked or short of inspiration.
Another benefit of using writing prompts is that they gradually make themselves redundant.
The more you use writing prompts, the more easily you’ll be able to come up with the starting point yourself.
This works because your creativity is something that can be trained and developed. When you use prompts often, your creative mind learns to pre-empt what the writing prompt might have been, and it loves to fill in the gaps.
So instead of thinking “I’m really stuck, I think I’ll use a writing prompt to get my creative juices flowing”, you start to think: “I’m really stuck. What kind of writing prompt would work to get my creative juices flowing?”. And then you come up with it!
This sounds too simple and obvious to work, but it does. In effect your saying “I don’t think I know the answer to this question. But if I DID know the answer, here’s what I think it would be…”
Because you’re putting faith in your creativity to come up with something, it will, it loves the challenge. You’ve just got to present it with the challenge in the right way.
And this is how creative writing prompts can help, by training your creativity to come up with new ideas, new perspectives and different outlooks in the way you write.
Start using some creative writing prompts today and trust that your creativity is as deep a pool as you need it to be. You’ll be amazed at how resourceful and creative you can be in hardly any time at all.