Prompted

Does anyone else out there have an aversion to writing prompts? They've never really been my thing but I picked up Writing Basics by Writer's Digest a couple weekends ago and I'm giving prompts as part of my goal to hone my craft. I can't say the prompts thrilled me at first glance: Write an essay describing your fondest summer memory; Write a 20-line poem about your favorite meal and how much you enjoy it. ::groan:: but I thought I'd give them a chance. Plus, I have 52 options I can work with.

Enter: Aha! Moment.

Why can't I alter the writing prompts to fit my preferred genre? They could get the creative juices flowing in a way that's far more specific to my WIP and my own goals than recounting my fondest summer memory.

Take a look at the below prompts from WB and how I reworked them for my own needs.

"You're in a public bathroom when two strangers come in. They obviously don't know you're there, as they start discussing an elaborate plot to murder a famous musician. Recount the conversation to the police, explaining the plot, the place, and the motive. Oh, and don't forget to name the musician."
Reworked: You're taking a break from a ball in a private alcove when you hear two strangers not far away. They obviously don't know you're there as they start discussing an elaborate plot to steal a valuable piece of artwork from a well-known society figure. Recount the conversation to your group of friends, explaining the plot, the place, and the motive. Oh, and don't forget to name the society figure.

"You're out with some old friends and they're all rehashing amusing holiday stories. You tell them you have one to top them all. In telling your story there are two rules: You must begin with, "I remember that Thanksgiving like it was yesterday," and end with, "And that's how (fill in the blank) got stuck inside the turkey."
Reworked: You're taking tea with some friends and they're all rehashing an amusing story from the dinner party last night. You tell them you have one to top them all. In telling your story there are two rules: You must begin with, "I remember that picnic like it was yesterday," and end with "And that's how (insert person) fell into the River Thames."

If you're writing a YA, contemporary romance, historical fiction, paranormal, sci-fi, or any other novel this could be a great exercise to try. Not only is it interesting to write the actual prompt but even the act of reworking the prompts can get the creative juices flowing.

If you have the time, find a writing prompt and rework it in the comments for your genre of writing. You might give others some great ideas!