Stephanie Said:

I need some good, and appropriate, writing prompts and character names for a story. Can you help me?

We Answered:

Here you go. I use this exercise often with students. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here is your picture. What are your thousand words?
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-41157-a-…

If you want you can send it to me to read at deni913@hotmail.com

Pax- C

Gerald Said:

Can you please give me some writing prompts?

We Answered:

Try to be creative and think of new things that are different from most other stories. How do you think Twilight got so popular? For one, it was written well, but it was also something a little different than most other stories, which attracted more people to it. It'll take some thought to think of something, but I have a pretty easy way to think about stories. Try looking at any sort of object anywhere, and think of how a story could evolve around it. Like I'm writing a story about a magical book. You'll be surprised of what you can think of.

Armando Said:

What are some fun writing prompts?

We Answered:

A girl is being chased after for stealing something, and she flops down in a field of flowers covered in ash. Now finish the rest. :D

Felix Said:

What are some good writing prompts for lgbt?

We Answered:

Well, if you're purely just looking to write a story, not an article or anything with a specific direction, I have something I'd like to to see you write.

I like the ideas that the first poster had, but I see those kinds of stories every day. Coming out stories, falling in love with the best friend, and stories like that hit home very hard with the lgbt community. It's stuff we can relate to wholeheartedly.

The sad thing is, so much of the lgbt related literature is shoved into the "gay" genre and completely ignored by the mainstream. It's understandable in a lot of ways, straight people, who are the majority, can't relate to lgbt issues. It's still sad though that it's much harder for fantastic lgbt themed movies and books to really hit big, because so often it's just something that most people can't understand or appreciate. Not to say that all straight people are un-supportive or un-understanding, but it's hard to bridge the gap when the focus is on things that don't really apply directly to their life.

I would like to see more stories about gay people living their lives just like everyone else. Let's face it. Most TV shows, movies, etc. only have gay characters on the side. Anything that focuses mostly on lgbt people is something that the majority won't take a second glance at.

Straight people can't relate to lgbt issues, but they can relate to lgbt people.

Maybe you could look into writing a story about two women who are together and raising a child, but instead of having the issue in the plot be a gay related one, focus on something else. Think Marley & Me but with Heath Ledger instead of Jennifer Aniston. Two dads, haha. Not that I loved Marley & Me, just an example.

I know that when I read stories, sometimes I like to imagine it as two women, instead of a boy and a girl. I think a great way to further usher in more acceptance of lgbt people is just to slip gay couples into everyday storylines, because being gay or transgendered isn't just about coming out or fighting legal battles, it's about grocery lists and getting to work on time and making the car payments. Everyday things.

When I say everyday, I really mean to say non-lgbt related things. It's everyday for us, but not for everyone. Seriously, how much more awesome would Transformers 2 have been if it had been Scarlett Johannson and Megan Fox bringing down the decepticons together?

Most of the time when I read lgbt stuff, I turn to fanfiction, because it's a great way to find all the action and problems my favorite books and movies have, but with gay couples.

I think if you were to try this out you'd reach a wider audience, and provide a lot of us with a breath of fresh air instead of rehashing the same issues we're used to seeing.

edit//

I just read Meredith's answer. I love that idea! Could be a little corny possibly, but nothing's wrong with that. Sounds like a cute story I'd like to read.

Eileen Said:

Can anyone give me writing prompts?

We Answered:

I'll give you some tips I use when I'm experiencing writer's block, and then at the bottom there are a few links to websites with writing prompts with different themes. While writer's block is difficult to deal with, there are some simple techniques that can really help all writers. When I was in seventh grade, I needed to write a series of vignettes, such as those of Sandra Cisneros' "The House on Mango Street." I had a TERRIBLE case of writer's block, and I used that to my benefit. I wrote a short story about a wall that blocked ideas from exiting my brain and going to my hands to write it, and it turned into one of my favorite stories I've written.

Keep a small notebook on you at all times, because you never know when an idea will pop into your head. An idea can come to you any time, such as when you're on the train, walking through the park, or on an airplane, and you might not have anywhere to log the idea. I was once walking down the street, and saw this boy who looked so forlorn, and I took a notebook, and when I got onto the bus, I took out my notebook and began writing a back-story to the boy -- why was he so upset? What happened to make him upset? From that, I got several ideas for different stories that I am currently working on, one of which I am done with, and might become a novella. If you have a notebook and pen or pencil on hand, you are always close to something where you can log everything that comes from your mind. Ideas can come at any time, so it's good to be prepared for a flash of genius that will inevitably come.

If I have writer's block, I sometimes just write random words, and hopefully some idea will come from that. Take a pencil, or an empty Word document and just begin typing or writing words. Something is bound to hit you eventually. I used to just do these exercises where I did nothing but write random sentences without using punctuation. This helped my brain juices to flow, and it allowed me to write some short poems and short, short stories. Sometimes that rare moment when two words fit together perfectly to give you a great idea for a story occurs, and who knows? Maybe those two words can launch a series of books, or a series of plays, or the great American novel.

I draw inspiration from everything when I have writer's block. I take inspiration from news stories, from YouTube videos, music, a story my friend told me, your own personal experiences, and anything and everything in between. It's not wrong to get ideas from everyday things such as a news story about a gay teenager committing suicide, or an attempt terrorist attack of an airplane. If you do end up using something like a news story, you have to make it your own. Keep that in mind if you do use those things as your inspiration.

"Writer's Digest | Writing Prompts"
http://www.writersdigest.com/WritingProm…

"Creative Writing Prompts"
http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/

"Writing Topics"
http://www.thewritesource.com/writing_to…

The last advice I can give you is to keep at it. Don't give up because you don't have an idea. Go for a walk, get some air, go for a drive, go get some food, or do something that can help your brain work, and then you can get some ideas. Never give up, and push through the writer's block, because something brilliant is bound to come out of writer's block. Just keep writing -- even if it doesn't make sense. You can fix it up in the end.

All the best ?