Why List Writing Prompts are a Powerful Creative Writing Tool
Have you ever had a day where you don’t feel like writing?
Of course you have!
It’s normal. We get it too. But we bet you also have this nagging voice inside you that wants to write. Even though you don’t feel like it. It’s good to listen to this voice. Nevertheless, writing can still feel hard. And this is where list writing comes in. You see writing a list feels easy. It feels achievable. It’s quick. And that’s why it’s magic.
Here at Derbyshire Writing School we often use list writing as a warm-up for our writing workshops or courses. We love a list! It’s not only fun and easy. It’s got a low barrier to entry, even if you’re not feeling creative – you can write a list.
If you’ve never tried it before, the time is now and this post will show you how.
What is a List Writing Prompt?
A list writing prompt is a powerful tool we can employ as creative writers to inspire and guide us within our writing. It’s simply a prompt, a spark, the ignition of an idea that forces our brain to think quickly. To write quickly. And most importantly, it teaches us to ignore that voice in our head that tells us – we don’t have anything to say.
A list writing prompt asks you to write a list about a topic. The items on this list can then be expanded, used as further prompts, or just act as a tool to ‘warm up’ our creativity.
These prompts provide a starting point for our writing. They can encourage us to delve into whatever ideas might be floating around our minds. Whether it's a list of potential character names, captivating plot twists, or even just a list of the things that bring you joy – list writing prompts can help guide us towards crafting something powerful with our words.
Examples of list writing prompts include:
A list of the best birthdays you’ve celebrated
A list of the problems your character might face
A list of your favourite drinks
A list of the best descriptive words you could use in your book
A list of titles for your memoir.
How Do You Use a List Writing Prompt?
List writing prompts work by writing at speed. Set a timer for a short amount of time, 30 seconds or 60 seconds and respond to the prompt as quickly as you can.
A useful tip for completing list writing prompts is to always aim for at least 10 responses. Not five, or seven but ten. This again forces you to dig deeper and it challenges you to work fast. This is how you’ll eventually learn to write, whilst ignoring the annoying editor we all have in our heads!
Why Do Lists Make Such Good Writing Prompts?
Lists make excellent writing prompts for lots of reasons. Let’s dive in and take a look at just a few of these.
1. A list writing prompt can provide structure.
Lists provide structure and guidance. As writers, they offer us a clear starting point and a framework to build upon. They’re another version of a helpful creative constraint. This structure helps take away some of that pressure of coming up with ideas from scratch.
2. A list writing prompt can increase our creativity.
Lists can be about anything, any genre (fiction or non-fiction), any topic or based on any theme. This flexibility means you’ll always be able to find an answer to the prompt. Some lists might be easier to write than others, but with a time limit, you’ll be forced to answer the question. And your answers may surprise you. Challenging yourself like this, on a regular basis will help to increase your ability to be creative and to experiment.
3. A list writing prompt can lead to more ideas
Lists can act as the start of an idea. We can then expand on this and stretch our creativity. Testing the idea to see what more is there. Sometimes this might reveal there’s no more story to pull. But other times, you’ll find a thread and realise the list was just the tip of the iceberg, the start of the list, or simply the beginning of an idea.
10 List Creative Writing Prompts
We’ve put together a collection of list writing prompts to help inspire some stories and to encourage you to use these as a warm-up activity for your writing.
We recommend using writing sprints, to provide you with focus to really hone in on the prompt. Most importantly, we hope you have fun with them and see what emerges!
Write a list of seven rules for surviving a zombie apocalypse.
List five inspiring quotes from influential figures in history.
List five pieces of advice you would give to your younger self, reflecting on personal experiences and lessons learned.
Create a list of eight intriguing artefacts or relics from a fictional civilisation lost to history.
Create a list of five memorable opening lines for a novel, each one setting the tone and drawing readers into the story from the very first page.
Create a list of ten unusual settings—from abandoned amusement parks to underwater cities.
Write a list of five fascinating scientific theories or discoveries that intrigue you.
Make a list of all the different holidays you’ve been on that you can remember.
Write a list of five heartfelt gestures or acts of love that have had a big impact on your life.
List eight unexpected endings for your story.
How To Turn List Writing Prompts Into Story Ideas
Now what? You’ve made some wonderful lists, and discovered something new, perhaps. But now what do you do with your words?
List writing prompts are a treasure trove of inspiration, but it doesn’t have to end there. The results of your list writing can offer us endless possibilities for creating fascinating narratives. Here's our advice for turning a list writing prompt response into more of a developed plot or even a personal story.
Step 1: Pick A Prompt
Once you’ve played around with a few different list writing prompts, go back and choose the one that sparks your imagination the most. Or that you feel drawn to. Is there something more to say?
Step 2: Expand On The Prompt
Take some time to dive deeper into the prompt and brainstorm some more possibilities. For example, if the prompt is a list of unusual character traits, consider how these traits could shape the personality of your protagonist.
Step 3: Flesh Out The Details
Once you have the basic idea in mind, start fleshing out the details of your story. Develop your characters, outline the plot, and sketch out key scenes and events. You could also explore any underlying themes or messages that emerge from the prompt and see how these could be woven into your story. Alternatively, you could freewriting around the word or the sentence. Stretch the idea and see what else you uncover.
The Power of List Writing Prompts
List writing prompts serve as invaluable tools for writers no matter what stage we’re at in our writing journeys. They offer structure, guidance, and endless possibilities for creative play and exploration. Dive into the world of list writing prompts and see what stories you uncover,
Have you ever tried using list writing prompts to inspire your writing? What are your thoughts on them? Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
