Whether you’ve started writing a book or are preparing to start soon, you might find writing prompts a helpful exercise. You can do journal prompts, where you write in response to a phrase. You can do memory prompts, where you describe a particular memory. You can also write in response to a photo prompt, which is what we will try this week.
Some book writers start their day with a writing prompt to clear the cobwebs, so they can focus on their story. Others follow writing prompts to practice a particular skill, like dialogue or “show, don’t tell.” Sometimes, what you write can be the start of a story or scene for your book. Regardless of how you use writing prompts or how often you use them, you may find them to be a helpful part of your writing process.
Let’s look at writing in response to a photo prompt. This can be an enjoyable writing prompt, no matter what your writing project is. But if you’re working on a family history or life story, the photo prompt can be especially helpful.
Choose a family photo—or a photo that is memorable to a life moment for you. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and get ready to write whatever comes to mind from that photo. Don’t worry about structure or grammar. Just write.
Don’t stop and second-guess yourself; don’t erase or delete. Just keep writing whatever the photo prompts you to write. If you jump around from different angles or move in a new direction, don’t worry. You may end up with dots you’ll connect later—or not. Just write.
You’re not doing this photo-inspired writing prompt to perfect a story for your book. You’re practicing your writing and stirring your creativity. If you end up with something you can develop further for your book, that’s great. If not, no worries. The point is just to write.
You can write a behind-the-scenes story about that photo: what came before it, or what happened right after it. Why is the photo special to you? You can write your memories of someone in the photo. Or use your five senses to describe what’s in the photo. If you’re a fiction writer, you can even make up a story inspired by the photo. Novels have begun that way.
These are just examples. Write whatever the photo inspires for you. Stretch yourself to try a different style of writing, if you want, like poetry. Or just write your thoughts in simple words or sentence fragments. Word art works too!
Whatever you choose to do, just keep writing for those 10-15 minutes. If you want to keep writing longer, you can. But with writing prompts, always set a time and give yourself permission to stop. That way, you’ll be excited for your next writing prompt because you know it can be short and sweet.
So, this week, go ahead and try a photo writing prompt. See how it goes. Then, you can add photo writing prompts to your writing exercise toolkit to try anytime you want—or to use to develop your stories.
Janet Eriksson 