Two Things Necessary For A Picture Prompt Exercise (A Repeat Post)

Two Things Necessary For A Picture Prompt Exercise (A Repeat Post)

Belgium

Why are picture prompts such a good exercise for writers? One of the best reasons I can think of is that they help to develop our imagination and creativity. If I were teaching a class filled with twenty writers of all stages--newbies, intermediate and top pros--and I assigned the picture above for a writing exercise, I would receive twenty different stories. There is no doubt of that. Two main things enter into what comes of an exercise like this.

Experience: Each writer who studies this picture will see something different. A lot of what we see is based on our own experiences, or our dreams perhaps. If the writer had lived in a place where snow in winter was the norm, the many experiences taking place on snowy days would spark their writing. But if the writer had lived in southern Florida, a snowy day like this one is only a dream. Maybe a nightmare as it doesn't appeal at all to many of these people to be cold. They can only imagine the crunch of snow under a pair of warm boots. They don't know what it feels like to have the snow land flake by flake on already-chilled cheeks. Nor do they know the joy of making a snowball or building a snowman. So, yes, experiences do play a part in what we see in a picture prompt.

Imagination:  Let's face it. Some people have more vivid imaginations than others. Walk through a museum of contemporary art with 5 people, stop before a colorful abstract painting and ask each one what they see in it. You'd get widely diverse interpretations depending on the imagination quotient of each person. Can you develop a higher degree of imeagination? Yes, I think it's quite possible. As stated above, doing these picture prompts is one good way to increase your imagination. We're all familiar with stories about small children who live with a pretend friend or pet. My youngest brother kept 5 baby fire dragons and a mama fire dragon with him for a long time, blamed many of his misdeeds on them, and cautioned the rest of the family not to step on them. He's not a writer today, but I have a feeling that he'd have a good result with a picture prompt as he had that imaginative spark from early on. Doing the picture prompt exercise on a regular basis should help develop your imagination to a higher degree. 

So how about it? Give this picture a good look. Take time to study it top to bottom, side to side. Then start writing. Ask yourself where it is and what time of day it might be. Who is going to come to one of the boats? Add sensory details to let the reader know what it feels like to be in this place.I wish I really was teaching a class and giving this assignment. I'd love to see what the twenty people would write about.

How To Do A Picture Prompt Writing Exercise

We haven't had a picture prompt writing exercise for quite some time. It's a stormy morning in Manhattan, Kansas, where I live, so this picture of a lovely day appealed to me. We do need the rain so I'm not complaining. It's just that I so much prefer a day like the one above.

When you do a picture prompt, don't rush into the writing part. Take some time to study the picture before you begin writing. Look at shapes, color, inanimate objects, the people or animals, clues to the season it might be. Immerse yourself into the picture enough that you can hear what is going on, maybe you can smell something, or feel a light breeze or a sharp wind.

If there are people in the picture, as there are here, ask yourself what they are doing. Where are they going? Are they in a hurry or on a leisurely walk? Are they happy? Or are they vexed? Is someone following the woman holding a bag? Is she going to meet someone? Has she just come from seeing her doctor?

Play the What if...? game with the picture. Ask yourself What if the woman falls down? What if the man in front of her turns and points a gun at her with the intention of robbing her? What if a huge bird swoops down and attacks her? You can ask the What if...? question for a long time. But don't let it get away from your original intent which is to use the picture to inspire you to write.

Now, you're ready to start writing. So, what's it going to be? A few descriptive paragraphs that set a scene? Or will it be the start of a fiction piece? Will it be a horror story, romance, or murder mystery? It's all up to you. You're in the driver's seat. Take us wherever you want to go.

Time For A Picture Prompt Exercise

It's the end of the week so let's consider a picture prompt writing exercise. Spring has finally arrived in the USA, although it's in various stages in different parts of our country. Some are still dealing with leftover snow while others are surrounded with the colorful blossoms on trees and in gardens. 

I've selected three pictures that have springtime flowers. The picture gives you the setting. It's your job to provide the story or poem that comes from studying the picture. Try your favorite, or if you're ambitious, try all three. No rules here. It's up to you to write a paragraph, a full story, or a poem. Even an essay or memoir piece. 

Hint:  this one's in England

What's Happening In This Picture?

Time for a picture prompt exercise today. I'll give you a little background on the area which may help give you a bit of inspiration. The picture above is one we snapped in Strasbourg, France which is very close to the German border in what is known as the Alsace-Lorraine area. This bit of land has been both German and French, bouncing back and forth from country to country as the spoils of various wars over centuries. But for now, it is very French.

Give yourself some time to study the picture. Then ask yourself some questions. Perhaps you want to know more about the two men walking to the carousel. Or maybe you want to know what is in the blue trash bin. How about the elegant street light next to the bicycle rack? Who might be living in one of the buildings in the background?  Why do people close to the carousel have their umbrellas opened?

Next, play the What if.....? game. What if something dangerous is in the trash bin? What if the carousel suddenly gets out of control? What if.....? Your turn to continue this little motivational game.

What happens now? Start writing and see what kind of story you come up with. Give us a sense of place, add sensory details, include some tension--big or small.

I'd be delighted if anyone would like to share what they write through the comment box. This picture might bring stories that range from comic to murder and mayhem to a brilliant discovery of some sort. Let your imagination lead you.

Two Things Necessary For A Picture Prompt Exercise

Why are picture prompts such a good exercise for writers? One of the best reasons I can think of is that they help to develop our imagination and creativity. If I were teaching a class filled with twenty writers of all stages--newbies, intermediate and top pros--and I assigned the picture above for a writing exercise, I would receive twenty different stories. There is no doubt of that. Two main things enter into what comes of an exercise like this.

Experience: Each writer who studies this picture will see something different. A lot of what we see is based on our own experiences, or our dreams perhaps. If the writer had lived in a place where snow in winter was the norm, the many experiences taking place on snowy days would spark their writing. But if the writer had lived in southern Florida, a snowy day like this one is only a dream. Maybe a nightmare as it doesn't appeal at all to many of these people to be cold. They can only imagine the crunch of snow under a pair of warm boots. They don't know what it feels like to have the snow land flake by flake on already-chilled cheeks. Nor do they know the joy of making a snowball or building a snowman. So, yes, experiences do play a part in what we see in a picture prompt.

Imagination:  Let's face it. Some people have more vivid imaginations than others. Walk through a museum of contemporary art with 5 people, stop before a colorful abstract painting and ask each one what they see in it. You'd get widely diverse interpretations depending on the imagination quotient of each person. Can you develop a higher degree of imeagination? Yes, I think it's quite possible. As stated above, doing these picture prompts is one good way to increase your imagination. We're all familiar with stories about small children who live with a pretend friend or pet. My youngest brother kept 5 baby fire dragons and a mama fire dragon with him for a long time, blamed many of his misdeeds on them, and cautioned the rest of the family not to step on them. He's not a writer today, but I have a feeling that he'd have a good result with a picture prompt as he had that imaginative spark from early on. Doing the picture prompt exercise on a regular basis should help develop your imagination to a higher degree. 

So how about it? Give this picture a good look. Take time to study it top to bottom, side to side. Then start writing. Ask yourself where it is, what time of day it might be, who is going to come down that path and leave footprints. Add sensory details to let the reader know what it feels like in this scene. I wish I really were teaching a class of twenty writers who would hand in this assignment to me. I'd love to see what they created. 

Make Writing Exercises A Habit

Writing exercises are never a waste of time. They motivate, inspire and help us polish our writing. They are no different than a basketball player making 100 baskets before heading to the locker room on a Monday afternoon. He's increasing his skill and so will you when you make writing exercises a habit.

Today, it's time for another picture prompt writing exercise. But this time, I'm going to give you a few items that should be evident in your story or paragraphs that you write.

These are the things you should include:

1.  3 people
2.  an aroma (and it doesn't need to be the obvious flowers)
3.  a loud noise
4.  laughing
5.  tears

Does that start that wheels in your mind spinning? Study the picture for as long as it takes for an idea to begin to take shape. Then begin writing but be sure to use the five items listed for you. Your story/paragraphs can be silly, serious, mildly humorous, sad, poetic--whatever you choose.

I'd love it if you'd share your effort with us in the comments section. No one is going to judge it. It would be interesting to see the different directions people take with this. Even if you don't do the exercise (but I hope you will), you've had an opportunity to gaze on a very lovely scene. Now, where do you suppose it is?

How To Use a Picture Prompt Exercise

So many writers claim they have a problem finding story ideas. I've often responded to that with Look around you. Stories are everywhere. The trick is to use every ounce of creativity in your mind to find them. 

I've often given you picture prompts to help you find story ideas. Today, I have three pictures for you. Three great possibilities for a new story to write. You can study the picture. You can look at it all day and the story might not appear for you. To help it along, you must ask yourself some questions. 

In the first picture, ask yourself the following:  What time of day is it? Who is in the lighthouse? What is their job? What is happening in their personal life to distract them from keeping watch? Where is the lighthouse? Who else might come to visit the lighthouse? Are they friend or foe? Is there danger in the form of a storm coming? 

It's a simple picture. Asking yourself questions like those I've given you is what will help you create a story. You can also use the What if...approach. What if the lighthouse keeper is an old man having a heart attack? What if a serial killer approaches as the lighthouse keeper is fixing supper? What if an unexpected storm approaches? 

Now, let's go on to the next picture.

I love this picture. Ask yourself who is on the ferris wheel? Who is with them? Are they happy or are they angry? Where is the ferris wheel? What does the church steeple in the background have to do with the people on the ferris wheel? Who is operating the ride? Are they normal or insane? Keep the questions coming until a story possibility shows itself.

And finally, this last picture. The first two had no people in the picture. This one is filled with children and a dog. Ask yourself these questions and any others you come up with. Are the children related? Where do they live? Why do they look rather disheveled? Where are they going? Are they running away from home? Are they looking for help with a disaster left behind? Keep the questions coming until you are ready to write.

A New Picture Prompt Exercise

How about trying another picture prompt exercise? Use the picture above to tell a story, or even the beginning of a story. You might look at the picture and think There's no person in the picture. How will I tell a story about a road and a stone fence? 

The answer, of course, is to use your imagination. Ask yourself some questions like the following:

1. What time of year is it?

2.  Why is the gate standing open?

3.  What is that building that is inside the gate?

4.  Who might be walking down the road?

5.  Are they leaving or just arriving?

6.  What is the reason? 

7.  What do they look like?

8.  Are there other people walking on the road?

9.  What do the garden flowers and shrubs indicate?

10. What does the stone fence, the gate and lanterns indicate?

Start writing and keep going as long as you can. Whether you end up with one paragraph or twelve is not important. The reason for a picture prompt is to get a story started. The more often you do an exercise like this, the easier it becomes. You'll be exercising your imagination in a big way. So, go for it!

Picture Prompt Writing Exercise

Take a good look at the picture above and use it today for a writing prompt. Don't only glance at the picture and start writing. Study the door, the wall, the foilage, the walk and then, ask yourself a few questions that might help form a story.

1. What country does the picture bring to mind?
2.  Who might be on the other side?
3.  Who is going to walk up to the door and knock?
4.  Who is going to open the door and walk in?
5.  What sounds do you hear as you approach the door?
6.  Is it morning or afternoon?
7.  Why should someone fear knocking on the door?
8.  Why would someone be eager to knock on the door?
9...What time of year is it?

Here's one more picture prompt:

1.  Why is this man alone?

2.  Is he waiting for someone?

3.  What song is he playing?

4.  Where is he?

5.  What kind of hair is under his hat?

6.  Is he a good person or evil?

7.  Does he have a happy nature or sad?