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Long ago, I used to attempt prompts, but I haven’t done them in years. I’m really too busy with my own stuff and I can never get them to feel right for my blog. That and I schedule months in advance, so the prompt is already long gone. In other words, I can’t think of any advice beyond having fun with it.
On the other hand, I have seen how prompts can go wrong. These would be the ones that are so restrictive that people can only make one story. Everyone who participates are funneled into a narrow path, which can be frustrating. You want to make prompts your own and the requires freedom. I see this in school a lot too. Imagine being given a setting and a list of 12 objects that you have to include, but they’re all very specific. It causes some issues for two types:
- Novice authors will get frustrated trying to fit everything together, so they won’t really benefit from the experience. They won’t be flexing their imagination because the list and setting are too rigid. For some, this can cause some lasting damage and make it more difficult for them to write in the future.
- Creative authors who love to go wild will thrash against the leash. It won’t be an appealing exercise because they can’t see any way to be unique. They may turn off entirely until something more interesting is presented. Yet, their standards have risen and they might not want any restrictions this time, so a freer prompt will find itself rejected.
Again, I know very little about this. I do know many who are prompt experts, so I open the floor to them. In fact, I’m going to make a post on Sunday to showcase the responses with credit being given. So, how do you tackle prompts?
Legends of Windemere 
I do two prompts a week. I’m not so concerned about how they fit my blog since I deal with fiction. I am free to write almost anything around the prompt. I guess if the prompt was too restrictive I wouldn’t do it. I love photo prompts but also do word prompts as well.
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Photo prompts seem to be easier. Leave more things open than words.
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I agree.
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I’ve followed almost all the prompts via napowrimo.net this month because most of them were very interesting. They kept us involved in the entire process of writing poetry, and personally, I did not find it very hard to do so. But, I did skip a couple of prompts because they were nothing original or inspiring. I think that plays a huge part in helping us actually tackle these prompts.
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Thanks. Sounds like prompts need to be as catchy as book openers.
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Do you mean prompts like Wordless Wednesdays many bloggers use? I seldom write to prompts. I’ll do so only if the well is dry and I need inspiration. But I’ve enjoyed the comments on this issue.
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I guess like that. I wasn’t thinking of anything specific since I’d seen so many prompts out there.
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I don’t mess with them. I’m generally too busy, and would want something good if I posted it. John is your expert on these.
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I’m in the same boat. I have so much to do that fitting a prompt into my schedule doesn’t seem possible.
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I don’t do prompts either. I’m too busy with my own stuff and they rarely manage to force my imagination into anything meaningful. But I respect those who do them.
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I definitely have the utmost respect for those who can do them in such a short amount of time. They can also run with an unexpected idea as well. Takes real talent.
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