Writing Prompts & Other Stuff

“Yes, I love you! Are you happy now?! I love you!”

“I love him, and I don’t know what to do… please, tell me what to do!”

Me when I want to write: “Hey, Muse, come here!”

My muse: No response

*three weeks later, in the middle of the night, with an important event the next day*

Character A: "So, you're gay?"

Character B: "Yeah. You?"

Character A: "Yeah."

Character B, sighing: "So this means..."

Character A, nodding sadly: "Yes. It means that we're going to get together despite having nothing in common and no chemistry, just so the person writing this gets a pat on the back for 'diversity' and another empty plotline to boost their word count. And after that, we'll probably vanish until three pages before the end, when we tearfully hold hands at the main straight couple's wedding."

Character B: "Thought so."

Character A: “B, are you sure this is a good idea?”

Character B: “Honestly? Nope.”

Character A: *stares silently*

Character X wants a career change, and they want it immediately. However, X’s career is also extremely iconic to their image/reputation, so many people, including their friends, admirers and loved ones, are sceptical and a little worried, and take a while to come around to the idea of X pursuing a new, completely different career. X, however, is just happy to be doing something they love.

Who is asking?

Who is being asked?

Are they hurt?

“I hate you!”

Who is speaking?

Who are they speaking to?

When writing a story, it can be good to try to get into your character’s head. Try your best to make their personality shine through in your writing. If this is something that you struggle with, try asking yourself a few of these random questions about your characters to help flesh them out and improve your story.

How do they like their toast?

Are they a cat or dog person?

Are they an introvert or extrovert? Ambivert?

Are they inherently calm or hot-headed? How does this affect them in their day-to-day life?

Are they right or left handed?

Are they forgetful or clumsy?

Do they like spicy food?

Do they prefer to call or text? (For period stories, do they prefer to meet in person or correspond via mail?)

What sort of music do they like?

Are they an optimist or a pessimist?

“A!? Are you there?”

“B!?”

“A, I... I can’t see you. You’ve disappeared!”

“I can’t see you either, B...”

We’ve all been there. You write story after story, with different characters, different settings, different timelines, and yet, when you compare them all, all of the main relationships look the same, with the same ups, downs, highs, lows and major events. It’s easy to fall into the rut of writing the same story over and over, because sometimes writing what’s familiar just feels safer and less stressful. But, if you want to break the cycle of writing the same romances over and over, here are a few ways you can change up your stories.

1. Instead of getting married, have your characters get a civil union.

2. If you usually write extremely elaborate and well-planned marriage proposals, try writing a spontaneous or extremely private one, or vice-versa.

3. Sick of writing slow-burn? Write a relationship that starts fast and fiery, but quickly sizzles out, and focus the story on the characters trying to rekindle their romance.

4. Sick of writing fast and fiery? Try writing a slow-burn romance.

5. Write a lot of accidental pregnancy romances? Try writing a story about a couple who struggle with infertility, it will give you a different perspective on things.

6. Stuck in the hole of “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage”? Write a story with a couple who don’t want kids.

7. Sick of perfect stories? Try having a character reject a marriage proposal, it happens.

8. Do all of your characters live happily ever after with the first person they fall in love with? Try writing a story with a character loving and losing a few people before finally getting their happy ending, if they get it at all.

9. Do all of your stories end in heartbreak? Write a happy ending.

Character A, at 2 AM: *calls Character B*

Character B, woken up: “What? A? It’s two in the morning, are you okay?”

A: “B... B, I just hate this. I hate that this is us now.”

B: “I... I feel the same. I hate us being like this. What happened to us, A?”

Character A is in the closet as gay, and has had an intense crush on Character B for the longest time. They never said anything because of fear of coming out and because they assumed that Character B was straight and uninterested. However, when they finally do come out...

Character A: “B, can we talk?”

Character B: “Sure, A, what’s up?”

Character A: “Sit down.”

Character B, sitting down: “You okay?”

Character A: “Yeah, well, no... yeah... I’m gay, B. I can’t hide it anymore. I’m gay, and I’ve been in love with you for ages. I had to say something.”

*silence*

Character B: “Fuck.”

Character A, fearful: “What?”

Character B: “Are you telling me that you’ve been gay this entire time?”

Character A, warily: “Y... yeah?”

Character B, throwing hands: “I’m gay, too! I didn’t say anything because I thought you were straight!”

Character A: “What the Hell!?”

Character B: “Are you telling me that we’ve both been gay this entire fucking time!? Hell, do you know how many dates we could’ve been on? We could be married by now!”

Everyday Life Edition

If they live together, they share the household chores evenly and take turns doing the nasty ones.

If they don’t live together, if applicable/possible, they take turns visiting and staying at each other’s places.

They split living costs where possible.

They both make an effort to not let things get “boring”, but don’t force each other into situations that make them uncomfortable just for the sake of spicing things up.

They have a schedule that allows them to spend time together whilst still allowing them to have lives of their own (eg. work, non-mutual friends, non-shared hobbies).

They respect each other’s interests, even if they don’t share them.

They talk to each other about major decisions and don’t go behind each other’s backs.

If one is really bothered by a habit or behaviour the other has, they talk it out.

They organise their home in a way that suits both of their needs and preferences.

Date Night Edition

They agree on the venue of the date.

They take turns compromising if they can’t agree.

They choose an activity that they both somewhat enjoy.

If money is involved, they split the bill, or take turns paying.

They find a time that works for both of them.

They suggest new date ideas to each other to mix things up.

They are willing to try new experiences at least once.

They listen to each other if they don’t enjoy an experience.

They don’t force each other to go on a date just because they haven’t been out in a while if they aren’t comfortable or in the mood.

Conflict Edition

They don’t agree on everything, but they agree on most things.

They fight sometimes, but not often.

They aren’t afraid to speak up to each other if they disagree with something.

They are usually able to talk things out without being immature.

If they need some space, they take some space.

When they settle arguments, things really are settled, no bottled anger.

If one has a problem, the other will listen, even if they don’t agree with or understand that problem.

They are both willing to compromise on some things, and they take turns doing the compromising.

They both understand when pushing an issue is worth it, and when it’s just pointless button pushing.