When you go to a performing arts high school for creative writing and start workshopping your stuff at age 14, you learn alllll the tricks to beefing up.
(You can imagine what a svelte, bookish brain I had by the time I made it to college.)
The big secret to getting better fast boils down to the backbone of Creative Writing 101—prompts.
Prompted writing is THE most effective way to strengthen your authentic voice.
These exercises get you INSPIRED so you actually practice moving pen over paper (or fingers over keys, if that’s your flavor).
They give you NEW PERSPECTIVES on familiar objects and events, so you start to see the potential in the every day.
And they get you COMFORTABLE writing, which is when your authentic voice really starts to shine.
The best part? You can’t “screw up” a creative writing exercise. There is no right or wrong answer.
If all goes well, you’ll come out with a new idea to share with your followers.
Worse case scenario, you’ll bulk up your writing muscles in 5 minutes flat.
Ready? Here we go:
Step 1: Set the timer on your phone for 5 minutes.
Maybe put your phone into airplane mode while you’re at it.
Step 2: Choose one object on your desk.
If you aren’t actually sitting at your desk right now, no big deal. Just close your eyes, take a mental inventory, and choose an object waiting on your desk at home.
Step 3: Start your timer & answer the following questions.
IMPORTANT: Linger on whichever topic strikes your fancy—you do NOT need to answer all these questions! You MUST write for ALL 5 minutes, but feel free to write for longer if you want to.
- What does the object look like? Describe it with specific details: color, shape, texture, size, prints or patterns or letters, etc.
- Where, when, and why did you get it? Explain how this particular object came to be in your possession.
- How does this object fit into your day? When and how do you use it?
- When you look at this object, what do you think of? What does it represent to you?
- What have you learned since you first received this object? How have you changed? Has this object contributed to your evolution, and if so, how?
Step 4: Once you finish writing, decompress then assess.
Get up, move around, take a break. When you come back to your desk, decide if you can use one of the insights or lessons from this prompt to share on social media, in your newsletter, or with a client.
Step 5. Give yourself a HUGE pat on the back for completing this exercise.
Hopefully you feel like you’ve shaken out rusty muscles and stretched your neurons in all kinds of exciting ways.
Even if you can’t think of an immediate use for this work, don’t be surprised if something pops into your head later tonight, or tomorrow, or next week. Inspiration often strikes when we least expect it.
If you loved this prompt or find a magical use for it, be sure to let me know!
