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Vent: I keep seeing the same prompt advice that just doesn't work for me
Every writing blog and forum, like the one in Seattle I used to follow, says to start with 'What if...' but that always makes my ideas feel too sci-fi. I've had way better luck for my character-driven stuff by asking 'Why would someone...' instead, like 'Why would someone mail a single sock to their ex?' It grounds the weirdness in a person. Anyone else find a different starter question that clicks for them?
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richard2143d ago
Bad movie trailer" is exactly why I switched to "What's the worst way to..." too.
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claire6163d ago
That Seattle writing blog was the one that made me try the 'What if' thing for like a solid year. Honestly, it made every story idea feel like a bad movie trailer. Your sock example is way better, it makes me actually care about the person doing the mailing. Tbh I've started with "What's the worst way to..." and that gets me into the character's bad decisions right away.
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