The value of creative prompts

Tomorrow, we will start on our creative journey and work on our first prompt .

why do we need a prompt to start ?

Writers have long used prompts to kick the ‘muse’ into gear .It allows us to start randomly on a path that is not yet defined, warm up and generate ideas. A prompt can be visual, audio, texts or quotes... basically anything that can be mined for ideas including topic, style, layout, color palette and mood. Our minds love to solve problems. When we give it a prompt to respond to, both our conscious and unconscious mind is activated to search for the answers. They also provide boundaries, necessary for the creative juices to flow.

How to respond to the prompt

You can respond to the prompt provided, add another one, have a few, or none.

If I use a prompt, I tend to mind map, i.e. write the prompt in the centre of a blank page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added. My mind map tend to develop a mind of their own and many of these have even ended up as artwork. ( I tend to use a very large sheet of paper, which I tape on the wall )

Others write the date and the prompt at the top of the page, Set a timer for 5 minutes, and keep the pen moving, writing, without editing, without thinking, until the timer goes off. Some might make a list.

Experiment

The prompt might lead you in another direction. Follow the flow, allow yourself to leave the path and explore something you have never tried before, you might surprise yourself !

Be playful

There is no right or wrong, play with the words, and allow images to appear in your mind. It does not matter if they go beyond the obvious, it is the start of the creative journey, the spark one need to start creating and keep going.

Get out of your comfort zone

You are a painter, use a musical prompt.

You are a dancer, use a text.

It might enable you to approach your favourite medium from a different angle, refreshed.

Twist it

Consider the literal and figurative meanings as well as words, symbols and concepts related to the prompt. You could investigate the dictionary definition of each word. Take it apart. Re-arrange it.

If the prompt provided does not get you going, how about finding another one. You can find hundreds of prompt online.

Explore and have fun!

Image : unbalanced by Dale