Sharon's Deluxe Take-a-Write Prompts

Freewriting can help you build a strong, authentic voice while strengthening the connection between you and your creative processes or muse.  Sometimes you get more out of freewriting if you don't have to think of the prompt yourself, because it makes the process more spontaneous.  (One of the many values of a freewriting group is multiple prompt sources/viewpoints.)

Now, for two dollars (US), less than the price of a fancy espresso drink or smoothie, you can download a printable PDF of two-dozen solid freewriting prompts, good for many hours of freewriting growth and pleasure.  That's less than ten cents per prompt, many of them good for more than one write with a rest between.  How many ten-cent items can you think of at today's prices that can give you as much pleasure or benefit as a good writing prompt?  It's a real deal.  Print out, cut on the dotted lines, and slip 24 handy prompts into your envelope or jar, to use yourself or take to your writing group.

Prompts range from the mundane and concrete to the fanciful and abstract, with some that can go either way, depending on where the process takes you.  Trust and follow the freewriting process and these prompts will stretch you and increase the power and authenticity of your writing voice.

Payment is simple with Pay Pal.  You don't need a Pay Pal account yourself, since you can use your usual credit card.  Pay Pal even handles several kinds of foreign currencies, so you don't necessarily have to be in the USA to get the prompts.  (You do, at this point, need to read English, as it is the only language I know well enough to use to create writing prompts.)  Proceeds will help support this site and might even help me and mine through some tough times.

I am starting with six write-about type prompt sheets and three of the I-me-my type, for two dollars each, or five dollars for sets of three.  If this goes well, more sheets will be added from time to time, but unless you're a total glutton for freewriting the initial 216 prompts should keep you busy for a while.

Note to Educators

If you teach middle-school, junior-high, or high-school and want to work more creative writing into your curriculum, these prompts (and freewriting in general) can help you do that.  More than half of these prompts will be useful and productive for any child far enough along in the learning process to write simple compositions, essays, poems, or stories, while almost all of them will work for teens, and none of them contain objectionable language.  They are not childish prompts but rather speak in many instances to the human conditions, connections, experiences, and senses that we all share, no matter what our ages.  If you are planning to do timed, prompted freewrites in your classes, it would be good if the students contribute some of the prompts, so the issues and level of playfulness in some of your prompts will reflect where their group is coming from and headed to, but these types of universal prompts are useful for people of every age and stage of the writing process.

A Guarantee

This is such a simple product that if I show it to you, I might as well just give it away, and I really do have to find a way to help support this site.  If you give these prompts a real try and cannot get them to work for you, I will refund the purchase price.  The only catch is you have to prove it.  I want to see three pieces of writing that went on for at least ten minutes and that contained nothing of productive value.  You can't beg off with "I couldn't think of anything to write…" because before you give up, you must follow…

The Process

In freewriting, there's no such thing as "I don't know what to write" keeping you from writing, because if that is your first thought when you consider the prompt, then that is what you write.  Then you keep writing, whatever comes out of your pen, even if it's just the same thing again and again.  It won't be though, because you are freewriting and can branch off anywhere you like, so your brain will get bored and think of something more interesting to send down to your fingers.  Really.  For those really new to freewriting and feeling intimidated at being put on the spot, I'll give you some examples of ways things can go down below, but if nothing works and you send me three pieces of writing that each represent ten minutes of your time (no cheating by copy-and-pasting "duh" or "I don't know what to write" multiple times… your conscience will know!) that are just repeats, I will refund your money.

If your writes go beyond that but you feel you got nothing out of doing them, we can discuss it and you will either change your mind or I will refund your money.  I think these are good prompts and a good deal, and I think many writers would agree, but I'm certainly not doing this to gyp anyone who really feels otherwise.  So if you find you have a problem with my prompts, send me three writes per sheet in question and we will discuss a refund.

More Help With The Process

If you're an old hand at freewriting, you probably don't need to read this, but if you are new to the process listen up.  You can do this.  I don't go "oh goody" at every prompt someone pulls out of an envelope at writing group, believe me, but I do write every single time and always get something out of it, and you can too.  I have had many good freewrites start with variations on: Oh gosh, what the heck am I going to do with this one?  Lessee, I could take it to…

There is no wrong way to freewrite as long as you keep writing.  Always remember that the prompt is just a jumping off place.  For example, let's say the prompt is to write about "that heavenly first cup of morning coffee" and you don't like coffee.  Not one bit.  Your first thought is "But I don't like coffee".  Ok, so write that down and go on.  You might do "But I don't like coffee.  I don't even like the smell of the stuff.  Now tea, there's a great morning beverage.  I can hardly wait for the kettle to boil in the morning…"  Or you might write "But I don't like coffee, and I've never understood how anyone could drink the stuff.  Do they taste something I'm missing?  What is it that makes a particular flavor 'good' to one person and 'bad' to another?" and go on from there and write about individual perceptions.  Or you could take it to fiction.  "Marylou watched the steam rising from her cup, then closed her eyes as she lifted it, anticipating the first burst of flavor on her tongue…"  Or even "Marylou opened her eyes, wrinkling her nose at the smell of John's coffee drifting through the open bedroom door.  She'd never understood how he could drink the nasty brown stuff…

See, you don't have to write about liking coffee (or whatever) just because the prompt starts out that way.  If your muse takes one look at the prompt and says, "I don't want to write about that, I want to write about _____," just follow along with your pen.  It's like a game of pool.  Sometimes the best shot is a pretty straight one, while other times you have to get one ball to send another ball off at a different angle to land something in a pocket.

Whatever response the prompt provokes is the one you should go with, whether it seems on topic, antagonistic, or entirely tangential.  First thought, best thought, then keep your pen moving.  There are no wrong answers.

For more information on freewriting, see Freewriting Basics and Freewriting Prompts.

Note for those who don't have a PayPal account or credit/debit card:

If you want to get the prompts but you cannot pay online, it is possible to pay by check or money order.  Send me an email and we will set things up so you can send me a check and when it is received I will send you the link for your download.