3
I started using a random object generator for my writing prompts and it actually works
I was stuck for a month trying to come up with a fresh idea for a short story. I found a website that just spits out random things, like 'a broken compass' or 'a jar of fireflies'. I forced myself to write a scene based on 'a rusty key in a fish tank' and it unlocked a whole weird noir plot I never would've thought of. Anyone else use weird tools to kickstart their writing?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
oscar74326d agoMost Upvoted
Gotta admit I tried something similar once with a random junk drawer item generator and ended up writing a whole scene about a half eaten granola bar and a expired gift card having a philosophical debate. It was the worst thing I ever wrote but somehow it unstuck my brain for the real project. My writing process is basically just embarrassing myself until something clicks.
9
carter.laura1mo ago
My old writing teacher made us pull three random words from a dictionary and build a paragraph around them. It felt silly at first, but it totally rewires your brain to make weird connections. I still do it when my brain feels empty, just grab a book and point at three random words. That rusty key in a fish tank idea is exactly the kind of strange jump you need sometimes. It pushes you past the obvious ideas you keep recycling.
1
Honestly, I used to think exercises like that were just busywork. But forcing those random words together actually does shake something loose in your head. It's a good trick.
1