Happy Spring, dear readers,
The entire Wryte-Goode clan is puttering about, getting ready for spring planting. We started seeds, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, brussels sprouts, eggplants and leeks indoors last month. The seedlings have sprouted and are growing strong in their biodegradable starter pots.
While we’re waiting for the danger of frost to pass so we can get into the garden, I’ve been going to a variety of author talks. While I am a writer, I did start out as a reader, so I like seeing favorite authors and discovering new ones. I have noticed that almost every author, from seasoned professional to first-timer, gets the “Where do get your ideas?” question. It surprises me because where don’t you find ideas?
Just in case everyone doesn’t imagine a story for strangers they see randomly walking down the street, I thought I would do a little internet search—sure enough there are tons of websites dedicated to giving authors story ideas (who knew?).
First up are story or title generators. Most are silly, but every now and then one will make you say, “oh":
· Reedsy has a title generator–you can pick from Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance or Science Fiction and generate a title for that genre. I got The Marked Mirror, Licensed for Evil, Rogue’s End, Nice and Spice, The Edge of Time.
· Reedsy also has a short story generator–one of my favorite: A group of villains go on a team-building retreat.
· Title Generator. Six titles for each press of the “Give Me Some Titles” button.
· Seventh Sanctum. All sorts of generators—stories, mash-ups of classic stories—mostly for the humor of it all. Read the comments--they are the best part.
Then there are writing prompt websites:
· Ruby Rumsey has a lovely blog subtitled “write books and be kind.” It’s worth poking around, and if you’re a YA author, she also does reviews. For everyone else she posts writing tips, Top Ten Tuesdays, Memes and monthly writing prompts.
· Tomi Adeyemi. The YA author of the stunning first book, Children of Blood and Bone, has a Pinterest board filled with writing prompts. Her website also has interesting writing videos and great writing blog posts.
· The Fake Redhead Writes might be my favorite site. In addition to hundreds of writing prompts, she also has Writing Tips and a recommended fiction reading list. Her work-in-progress is a science fiction novel about an amnesiac alien who accidentally becomes a superhero for a small, weird town that’s missing its own superhero team. I will, dear readers, admit that for this alone I signed up for her Daily WritingPromptswhen I vowed never to sign up for another email newsletter.
· Shauna Philp has Writing Prompts and Writing Resources on her website and even more on Pinterest.
· Promptuarium has Writing prompts, dialogue prompts, character blanks, picture prompts, and she’s on Pinterest with even more prompts and other goodies. She collects other writers prompts but always gives credit.
Pinterest:
I’ve mentioned Pinterest several times. That because it’s FULL of Writing prompts. Put Writing Prompts into the search bar, and you will find all sorts of writing prompts, short story prompts, picture prompts, writing prompts for teachers, writing prompt for kids, writing prompts for spring or summer or fall or winter. If you can think of it, Pinterest probably has it.
My friends at Bethlehem Writers Group even have a Board full of Short Story Writing Prompts set up to get your brain working for entering the 2019 Short Story Award. Check it out.
Betty Wryte-Goode