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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Writing Prompts

Looking for creative writing prompts to get your next book, short story, screenplay, or school essay going? Or maybe you need inspiration to get your muse back on board in general.

The How to Write Shop has a number of articles in its Writing Prompts section. These free and informative articles provide tips on finding inspiration from the world around you and your everyday life. You will also find ready-made creative prompts and some mix and match lists for you to play with.

Whether an author, student, teacher, or just a creative person looking for a creative outlet, The How to Write Shop has creative writing prompts to inspire you.

And, while you are here, don’t forget to check out all of the other free articles at The How to Write Shop on the craft and business of writing.

Can You Use Fear for Writing Inspiration?

October 11, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 6 Comments

Haven’t considered using fear for writing inspiration? Well, I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite holidays is Halloween. As a child, I loved planning who I would morph into for the day. Would I be a cowgirl, a sleeping princess, a witch? I also loved haunted houses and ghost stories, and reveled … [Read more…]

Posted in: Inspiration, Writing Craft, Writing Life, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing prompts, fear, writing inspiration, writing prompts

Just Look Around: Ideas to Write About

September 13, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 2 Comments
how to find ideas to write about writing inspiration prompts

When I speak about writing, one question I always get asked is “Where do you get ideas to write about?” Listeners lean forward expecting to hear how ideas come to me in a mystical, writing-magic moment, or how I begin by developing characters (or setting, or story) or how I am inspired by my muse. … [Read more…]

Posted in: Inspiration, Writing Craft, Writing Life, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing exercises, creative writing prompts, writing inspiration

Creative Writing Prompts: Shapeshifters, Real and Metaphorical

January 25, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 6 Comments

Exploring shapeshifters, both in the fantasy and real world, will add depth and interest to your writing. And who doesn’t want that?

Posted in: By Genre, Fantasy, Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing prompts, shapeshifters, writing inspiration

Finding Visual Creative Writing Prompts

January 16, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 9 Comments
visual creative writing prompts

Add aspects to your writing and story that you don’t yet know exists. Connect your inner world to inspirations from the outer world and see what brilliant “third thing” surfaces for you!

Posted in: Featured, Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: collage, creative writing prompts, ideas

End of the World Writing Prompts

December 14, 2012 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments

Nostradamus, the Bible, the Mayan calendar, no matter who you are or where you live, you have heard the end of the world prophesized. We’ve all seen the cartoon hippie with a sandwich board warning us “The End is Near!” and waited with baited breath when 1999 flipped to 2000. Then December 21, 2012 (the … [Read more…]

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing, creative writing prompts, fiction writing
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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
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The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

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