The Inspiration Page

A page of prompts to cure the common case of artists' block,
For writers, photographers, poets, and more.


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Your boss wants you to come with him on a business trip. During the trip, you witness him commit a serious crime.

 

Start a story with, 'Thinking back, that certainly wasn't my finest hour.'

 

After too many drinks, you vow to everyone at the bar that you will ask out the next woman who walks in the door.

 

A man who has just lost his wife to cancer meets another woman at a charity event.

 

A woman runs into a man who bears a striking resemblance to her husband, who died many years before.

 

A young woman discovers that her boyfriend's apartment is rigged with hidden cameras in the bedroom.

 

You discover that your neighbor is having an affair with your spouse.

 

A man finds himself wooing a woman who loves nothing more than insulting him.

 

Tell the story of Halloween from the perspective of a piece of candy.

 

Write as if you were a drop of water. Describe your journey whether through oceans, rivers, mountain streams, forest creeks, house pipes, city sewers, rain storms, hurricanes, whatever…

 

Write about this idea: My book had come to life right before my eyes. One second I was reading it, and the next second it was standing there talking to me…

 

Make your own "Incomplete List of Small Pleasures"

 

What happens to the world when food and shelter are a given for everyone and no one has to work to make sure their basic needs are met?

 

You discover that the public statues in your city have been designed by a mysterious company to emit some kind of force field that can be used as a mind control device … "the world around you is not what it seems"

 

What is the worst movie or book that you know? Fix it to make it the best.

 

An evil villain's secret lair is on an island. Write the story of the evil villain defending the island from invading forces.

 

Gender switch: think of a favorite story. Now retell it with the main character being a different gender.

 

Every time you fall asleep you find yourself in the dream of a stranger. Describe one of these experiences.

 

You find yourself in front of seven identical doors. A voice from above tells you: "These seven doors lead to seven places: Narnia, Neverland, Wonderland, Hogwarts, Camelot, Middle Earth, and Oz." Which door do you go through? Why that door? What happens?

 

What would you do if you got to repeat the day of your biggest mistake? What would you do differently?

 

Think of a fairy tale character who experiences something traumatic. Years later, have that character discuss the traumatic events of their fairy tale with their therapist, explaining how it changed their life and perception of reality.

 

There were fourteen potions on the shelf. Their labels were all missing. She knew one of them was what she needed. She frantically glanced back over her shoulder. There wasn't enough time to figure out which was which. She grabbed the closest one and chugged it, hoping desperately she'd picked the right potion….

 

The Haunted House is able to perceive and feel things… and you're stuck inside. Tell the rest of the story.

 

JUST ADD MONSTERS. Retell a story that you know, but this time, add monsters.

 

Tell this story: He stepped inside and was flung to the ceiling. The stories were true. Gravity definitely did not work the right way in this house.

 

Cat on a Trampoline: Write a first person account of a cat stuck on a trampoline. Pretend you are a cat stuck on a trampoline. Describe how you got stuck on the trampoline, explain what it's like, and give lots of details.



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Submit your responses to these prompts to be featured in our next issue.