Need a Writing Prompt?
Blank pages can be intimidating. Random cards make surprisingly good story starters.
The Card Story Exercise
Here's how it works:
- Draw an image card - This is your setting or mood
- Draw a word card - This is your theme or conflict
- Set a timer - 10 minutes works well
- Write without stopping - Don't edit, just go
The goal isn't to write something perfect. It's to write something unexpected.
Example Combinations
- Abstract swirls + "Bridge" → A story about connecting two worlds
- Dark forest + "Light" → A tale of finding hope in unexpected places
- Geometric patterns + "Journey" → A sci-fi adventure through digital space
Why Constraints Boost Creativity
It sounds counterintuitive, but limitations often make us more creative. When you can write about anything, you freeze. When you MUST incorporate these two specific elements, your brain gets to work.
Try These Variations
- Micro-fiction: Write the story in exactly 50 words
- Character sketch: The cards describe a person you'll write about
- Scene starter: Use the cards to set up the first paragraph only
The best creative prompts are the ones that surprise you. Let randomness be your co-author.