WRITE HERE

Writing Prompts: Rethink What You Think You Know

This week’s writing prompts are about seeing things in a new light

Welcome, writers! In case you’re new around these parts: We publish writing prompts here on Creators Hub every Monday, and a roundup of creators’ writing every Friday. (And by “every,” I mean “most,” because by “we,” I mean “me,” one very fallible human. But hey, I try!) Keep in mind that you’re always welcome to write to any prompts that strike a chord, even if they were published weeks or months ago. That’s the joy of the internet: Posts can float around for ages, and — best-case scenario — find you when you need them the most. Whenever you write to one of our prompts, add the tag “WriteHere” to your Medium piece, and/or put the link in the responses on this post!

Need to set aside time to write to these prompts (or to write something else?) My colleague Harris Sockel and I will be hosting open writing hours on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. ET, through March 31. You can use this meeting link to join (the passcode is: Medium).

These prompts are all about seeing things with fresh eyes. We can’t wait to see what they inspire.

THIS WEEK’S PROMPTS

The ex’s POV

You always know your own side of the story. But what about the other person’s? What was your boss thinking when she said that thing in your performance review that haunts you still? What was that guy thinking when he suddenly ghosted you? Take a perplexing exchange you remember well and try to write it from the other person’s point of view.

The “X” factor

Maybe it’s a certain skill set that you see in the most successful people in your field. Maybe it’s an ineffable charisma that sets apart the stars from the extras. What is that special, slightly mysterious quality you need to be able to succeed in whatever it is you want to succeed in? Or what is the quality you most wish you had?

“X” does not exist

One of the most consistently popular essays in Medium’s publication Human Parts is Devon Price’s “Laziness Does Not Exist.” It’s sort of fascinating that this story continues to have readers, month after month, year after year. And why not? It turns a popular concept on its ear and provides a counterintuitive take that rings true. So what’s your counterintuitive take? What is something that you believe actually doesn’t exist? Fear? Age? Some arbitrary conventional “truth” in your field?

QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITE HERE?

Leave them in the responses and we will try to address them all. Don’t forget to check back here every Monday for new prompts and tips. And check back on Fridays, when we post highlights from creators’ responses to these prompts!

Write Here guidelines and last week’s prompts: