The one writing prompt mistake that bugs me every time

I read a lot of prompts in this community (like 4 or 5 a day while I'm on my lunch break), and I keep seeing the same thing bug me. People start with something like "you find a magic door" but then they tell you exactly what happens next, step by step. Like "you walk through it and meet a talking cat who gives you a quest." That's not a prompt, that's just a short story outline without the details. The whole point of a prompt is to leave room for the writer to decide what happens (you know, the creative part). I noticed this after I tried following one of those super detailed prompts and ended up writing the same scene as the poster described. Felt like I was just copying homework. Does anyone else feel like prompts work better when they just set up a situation and stop before the action starts?

2 comments

2 Comments

emmafisher21d ago

4 or 5 prompts a day on your lunch break? That's dedication. I barely get through one before I'm scrolling cat videos.

oscar_hunt6120d ago

Pfft, its not that deep.