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Category Archives: Picture Prompts
Writing Prompt: An old man smoking a cigar
Write about this old man’s past.
Where does he live? What has he done in his life?
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Writing Prompt: An elderly woman plays the piano
When her fingers touched the keys the years fell away . . . .
Picture prompt – a stranger led you to this bazaar and left you there
A stranger led you into this bazaar and then abandoned you there. What were you doing with them in the first place and why did they lead you there?
Can you describe your surroundings and how it feels to be standing there not knowing where you are or how to get out?
You can hear a bell tolling nearby, where is it coming from and what does it mean?
Picture prompt – where are you and where are you going?
You are standing behind the girl with the backpack.
Where are you and where are you going?
Describe your surroundings – are they familiar or strange? Are you lost?
What is she looking at and why are you behind her? Are you with her?
What can you see and smell?
Picture Prompt – Describe this seascape without using the word sea
Describe the scene pictured without using the word sea.
Can you use words that will describe the spray from the wind-whipped waves?
Bring the sparkle of sunlight on water to life and paint a picture of how it feels to be standing here looking at this scene.
Picture Prompt – Describe this scene without using the words light or sun
Imagine you are standing among the trees. What does the air around you feel like? Is there a breeze? What can you smell? What can you hear?
How would you describe the beams of light and the shadows without using the words light or sun?
Stretch your imagination and try to find unusual, highly descriptive words.
Picture Prompt – Use sparing language
You are standing at the bottom of these stairs looking up.
Why have you come down them and what is waiting for you at the top?
Alternatively, what is behind you at the bottom?
Write about your situation without telling the reader exactly where you are or what is at the top of the stairs – or behind you. Use descriptive language to convey a picture that the reader can build up in their own mind. Make them use their imagination.
Use sparing language and make your reader feel the chill in their bones – whether it is the chill of air temperature or fear.
Remember; it is often what you cannot see that is the most vivid. Hitchcock used this to great effect. He rarely showed violence, he left you to imagine it. Think Psycho and the shower curtain scene.