Snap Shot

Writing Prompt #26

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I never know what to do for writing prompt intros. Do I talk about the world? About me? About writing? I guess it’s a reminder that the blank page can always be intimidating. If you’re a writer and you’ve never sat in front of blank page feeling your palms get sweaty and you mind go blank, then I refuse to believe you are human. What is your superpower? Please share your secrets.

The blank page problem is one reason why I like writing prompts so much. The prompt and the time limit don’t give me a chance to procrastinate and feel intimidated. You press go on the timer and out comes a beautiful cascade of word vomit. And any words are better than no words, right?

Name of the game: Snap Shot

The rules: Stare at the picture. What does it make you think of? What story is it telling? Okay–thought of something? Good. Now set a timer to 10 minutes and start writing that story. Ready, set, go!

The image:

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

Writing Prompt #24

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Today I made pumpkin pie. It was a journey. First, I accidentally broke open the bag while I was thawing the frozen pumpkin puree. Then I didn’t have any ground cloves. And then I burnt it.

It was still an incredibly tasty pie.

Life can be messy, but remember that no matter how burnt your pumpkin pie is, you still made one. And that’s something.

I hope you enjoyed your weekly lame motivational message. Let’s write!

Name of the game: Snap Shot

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Writing Prompt #22

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I wasn’t planning to do a writing prompt for another few weeks, but I’ve found it very difficult to work over the last few days. If you’re coming from the future or another dimension and need an update: covid cases in the UK just jumped back to May’s numbers (bad), I’m pretty sure politics just had diarrhoea (very bad), and I had an argument with a friend about human rights (very very… sad). I’m sure we’ve all been there; it’s really hard when you take a state of mind for granted and someone you care about doesn’t share it. It feels a little bit like I’m at the eye of a hurricane, stuck inside at my laptop only able to stare helplessly at the chaos around me.

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Writing Prompt #21 — The Lost Prompt!

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I found this prompt recently, and I could have sworn I had already posted it. Apparently not. I did this with three other people, but I’ve been unable to track down their writing for it. I don’t even remember when we did the prompt. Last autumn maybe?

Regardless, I do remember it being a lot of fun, so here it is: the lost prompt.

Snap Shot

The rules: Stare at the picture. What does it make you think of? What story is it telling? Okay–thought of something? Good. Now set a timer to 10 minutes and start writing that story. Ready, set, go!

The image:

Writing Prompt #21 -- the lost prompt! https://sonorahillsauthor.com/

Here’s what I wrote. If you want to share what you’ve written, I’d love to see it! You can post it in the comments below if you like.

Happy writing!

Writing Prompt #20

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When I let the dog out this morning, the air had the audacity to be cold despite the sunshine. After a summer devoid of writing prompts (sorry about that), I figure it’s time to start again. Autumn may traditionally be the season of endings–bye, bye leaves–but for me it’s always felt like a beginning. I pull myself out of summer’s lazy rut and begin again. It’s a chance for reform.

What better way to reform than to start writing again?

Today’s writing game: Snap Shot Continue reading →

Writing Prompt #19

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It’s nearly Easter break! If you can believe it with how cold the past few days have been–apparently snowstorms are predicted for England…

April snowstorms bring May’s reform?

Whatever is going to happen, I’m looking forward to having a break and getting some more writing done!

Today’s writing game: Snap Shot

The rules: Stare at the picture. What does it make you think of? What story is it telling? Okay–thought of something? Good. Now set a timer to 10 minutes and start writing that story. Ready, set, go!

The image:

Writing Prompt #19 - Write a 10 minute piece inspired by this photo to practice your writing! https://sonorahillsauthor.com/

How did you find that? Here’s what I wrote–I really enjoyed the abstract interpretation that ensued! My boyfriend joined in and wrote this poetic piece.

Feel free to share your interpretation of this prompt in the comments below or anywhere you like!

Happy writing!

Writing Prompt #15

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I’m almost done with my exams and it snowed yesterday! This photo caught my eye with its Bladerunner-y colours and dark atmosphere. And the girl–who is she?

Name of the game: Snap Shot

The rules: Stare at the picture. What does it make you think of? What story is it telling? Okay–thought of something? Good. Now set a timer to 10 minutes and start writing that story. Ready, set, go!

Writing Prompt #15 - Write a 10 minute story inspired by the photo! https://sonorahillsauthor.com/ Continue reading →

Writing Prompt #14

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Life currently consists of studying, worrying, procrastinating and sleeping–it’s exam season. Christmas seems like a very nice dream now that I’m back in student housing where the radiators either have no effect or they melt your face. Also the beds–did I mention the beds? They make my mattress at home feel like a cloud.

Choosing a prompt this week was hard! I found so many good pictures to use for future games of Snap Shot, but here’s what I picked this time:

Writing Prompt #14 - 10 minutes to write a story inspired by the photo! https://sonorahillsauthor.com/ Continue reading →

Writing Prompt #11

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It’s December! NaNoWriMo is over, there are Christmas trees and fairy lights everywhere, and I feel very festive. Unfortunately for me, the festiveness also comes with a million end-of-term deadlines. Yay.

For a break, I did this Christmassy writing prompt and managed to rope in several people to do it with me. The results were hilarious. So, join in and then see what we wrote! Continue reading →

NaNoWriMo Week 3: The Cliffs of Insanity

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“Look! He’s right on top of us!” There was a pause. “I wonder if he’s using the same wind we are using…”

“Whoever he is, he’s too late. See–the Cliffs of Insanity!!” -Princess Bride (the film)

I’ve found the cliffs. They are tall and awful and there’s no way around them.

It all started last Thursday. I had a deadline for a project write-up about a behavioural study I did with aposematic stick insects. I left it about a day too late and worked so so hard to get it written in time for the Wednesday night deadline. So Thursday, I obviously felt great because I’d finished it in time, but I also just didn’t want to write. Every day since then it’s been an incredible struggle to go anywhere near anything at all that involves words. The worst part is I know I can do it–it’s not that difficult to just carry on and push through. A couple days behind is fine. Except that my whole brain is screaming “I don’t want to!” at me.

Have you also found yourself at the base of the cliffs? If so, hi. Welcome to week 3. Let’s just try to get through this as best we can. We are past the halfway point after all! Here’s my care-pack/box-of-toys for you: Continue reading →