Overheard a teenager at the library say writing prompts are like cheat codes for stories

I was grabbing a book last Tuesday and heard this kid tell his friend that creative writing prompts felt like using cheat codes because they skip the hard part of coming up with an idea. It got me thinking about how I used to spend hours staring at a blank page back in the 90s, just hoping something would pop into my head. Do you think relying on prompts makes you a weaker writer in the long run, or does it just train your brain to be more flexible?

2 comments

2 Comments

evan_harris1421d ago

Honestly I used to hate prompts but this actually changed my mind.

jessel3521d ago

lol wait hold on, like a prompt actually changed your whole view on prompts? thats a pretty big swing from hating them to being cool with them off one example. i get trying to find the right one that clicks but most of these things are just fancy ways to say "be more descriptive" if you ask me. maybe im just burned out on seeing them everywhere but i still feel like people rely on them way too much instead of just writing what they mean. if one actually worked for you thats cool but i dont think its that serious.