Not So Novel

Prompt: the weather

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:02:05 -0500

Write about people talking about the weather. Challenge: make it interesting.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: quotable

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:02:05 -0500

Pick a quotation you’re fond of (or not) and use it as inspiration for a piece of fiction or nonfiction.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: family

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:03:06 -0500

Use the theme of family in a piece of fiction or non-fiction. Try exploring a different family dynamic than the one you know.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: cliché

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:03:06 -0500

Write a piece, fiction or non-fiction, using as many clichés as possible. No really, it’s OK. Give it a whirl. Go nuts. Knock yourself out.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: the dream

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:03:06 -0500

Write about a dream: your own, a character’s, a dream analysis—the format is up to you.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: borrowed words

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:00:05 -0500

Grab the nearest object with text on it (book, computer screen, can of beans, etc.), pick a random word or phrase from that object, and use that word or phrase as a jumping off point for your writing.

Happy wordsmithing!

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Prompt: of interest

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:04:06 -0500

Write about a hobby, interest, or activity of yours (preferably other than writing). You may write about your experiences, present factual information, or write about a character who shares your interest, although perhaps for different reasons than your own.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: tasty

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:29:03 -0500

We’ve posted prompts on a few of the other senses before; for this prompt, write a piece that focuses on the sense of taste.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: Happy New Year

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:49:00 -0500

For this, the last prompt of 2011, take your inspiration from the new year. Write about the holiday if you wish, but don’t feel tied down to that concept. You might choose to write about a party, or beginnings and endings, or what you’ve experienced this year, or perhaps your hopes and dreams for 2012. There are many possibilities; choose one that speaks to you and run with it.

Happy writing, and Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2012!

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Prompt: the object

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:05:05 -0500

Describe an experience in which you had a visceral reaction to an inanimate object.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: whyfore?

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:00:05 -0500

Use the following phrase in a piece of writing: “Why am I __”. Fill in the blank as you see fit or modify the verb and pronoun to suit (Why is she __).

Sorry, “Why am I sticky?” is off limits.

OK, fine, you can use it.

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Prompt: painting

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:00:06 -0500

Use this image for inspiration: http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/little_street.html.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: infamous

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:00:05 -0500

Describe a ‘date that will live in infamy.’

Happy writing!

*Originally scheduled for 12/7 but delayed due to a new posting interval (every four days).

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Prompt: inspiration

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:54:12 -0500

Write about a book, movie, song, etc. that inspired you as a kid.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: a stranger

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:07:06 -0500

Take note of a stranger today. Write a backstory for this stranger based upon what you observe of that person. Note: when observing, keep it non-creepy!

Happy writing!

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Prompt: red

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:10:06 -0500

Today, just a word: red. Use the word in your writing or as inspiration.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: monsters in the wilderness

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:06:06 -0500

“In the wilderness, there are monsters. Everyone knows this.” Use this line as an opener, as a closer, or as inspiration.

Happy writing!

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Prompt: hear/listen

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:07:05 -0500

Today, we’re focusing on sense of hearing. Write about what you hear (or don’t hear) or write about listening (or not listening).

Happy writing!

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Revision how-to

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:05:05 -0500

Revision how-to:

Need some help getting started? The UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center has some tips for revising drafts.

Prompt: Revision

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:07:05 -0500

Today is all about revising something you’ve already written: edit, expand, or rework a draft.

Happy (re)writing! To those of you in the U.S.: a safe and restful Thanksgiving.

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