On Wednesdays I lead a a local writing workshop (AWA Method) at a local community center. The way it works is, you just have to write. Anything. A grocery list. But, you have a time to do it in. Some prompts are a little as 1 minute. Some are as much as 30 minutes. It depends on how many people I have, the prompt, and how much time I have total for the workshop. Some prompts are silly, some are more "serious". All can lead to both silly or serious writing.
Last night, I only had one other person show up. That's fine! It is better with more people, but sometimes it's nice just a few because I can allow more time for writing and discussion of the writing.
I used a prompt I had used in another workshop as it is one of those "open" prompts to see where we would take it. The prompt is:
Consider the elements. Earth, fire, water, and Air. Then choose an element and write from that perspective.
This prompt is great because it can make you actually think about an element, how it can be described, and then how it may describe itself. It can be an excellent reflection on your own experience and how you perceive yourself as well as how you can see your characters, how they see themselves, and are perceived.
I really like prompts that make you see writing from all angles, not just the ones you are used to.
Surprisingly, we both chose fire as our element. We both wrote about the transformative powers of fire.
I made a pact with myself to not put my creative writing online anymore because of AI and I will not talk much about the other story to protect privacy. But, suffice it to say, it was an interesting exercise to see us both write the about the same thing, just in a different way.
It led me down a path of thinking of a friend recently lost. About symbolism and death and the afterlife and how much of what I write is about change.
Any writers, beginning or otherwise, that come across this post. Use the prompt above. Use it with a group or with others. See what pans out.
What did you learn about your writing?
What did you learn about yourself?
While I would love to see what you write, I will never ask for it.
But, if you do use it, would you be kind enough to let me know your insights in the comments? I would love a good prompt discussion!
IF you are NOT a writer, feel free to use the prompt for the art of your choice! What does the prompt inspire you to create? I would still love to hear from you!
