Writing Prompts – Write on the World

Even the most seasoned authors need practice. Just like athletes train their bodies, writers must train their minds and creative muscles. Regular writing exercises aren’t just a warm-up—they’re essential for growth. Whether you’re working on a novel, poetry, or short fiction, small prompts can help you hone your voice, explore new ideas, and build confidence on the page.

Hey, writers! We want YOU to submit your writing to our upcoming Bad Moon on the Rise anthology! Learn more here!

One of the most valuable benefits of regular writing practice? It teaches you to write concisely. When you’re forced to distill a story down to its essence, every word matters. You learn to tighten your prose, heighten your stakes, and let your ideas breathe in a limited space. That’s a skill that serves you well whether you’re submitting to literary journals, writing query letters, or polishing your latest manuscript.

Continue reading →

Writing Prompts

How to write away your anxiety and depression

July 4, 2024July 5, 2024 Mandy Webster

I’ve been writing from a young age and have spent countless hours journaling over the years. However, for some reason I’ve fallen out of the habit in my old(er?) age and tend to only pull out my journal once in a great while when I’m in the middle of something big. Recently, I was reminded by one of my favorite YouTube therapists (licensed), Emma McAdam, of the value of writing to improve mental health. She’s the expert, so I’ll drop her video here and let her give you the details on the science. But I thought I’d also share McAdams’ list to make it easier to refer back to. So scroll down to read more and grab that list.

Emma McAdams’ 6 Ways to Process Your Feelings in Writing: How to Journal for Anxiety and Depression

In her video, McAdams suggests that you spend about ten minutes a day writing with the intent to improve your mental health. It’s important to approach this task in the right way however, as focusing too much on “fixing yourself” can backfire. For example, one commenter says, “Emotional processing is writing what “was” and “is” not what “will be” or is “supposed to be.” When I was unconsciously slipping into problem solving mode or hopeful thinking mode, I tried to fix myself instead of processing my feelings of what made me feel this way. It’s like I gaslighted myself unknowingly.” So be sure to focus on processing and understanding rather than fixing yourself. Understanding leads to acceptance, which then paves the path to healing.

Continue reading →

Writing Prompts

Creepin’ Cockroaches!

May 19, 2017September 2, 2017 Mandy Webster

Who’s in the mood for a writing prompt today? Let’s make it 1,000 words of flash fiction. Better yet, if you are writing a novel, set your story in your novel’s story world. And…. GO:

This one happens to be based on a true story. Blech!

Share your 1,000 words of flash fiction based on this writing prompt in the comments below, or share it on your own blog or website and post a link below! Continue reading “Creepin’ Cockroaches!” →

Writing Prompts

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Everything has a price

November 18, 2015November 12, 2015 Mandy Webster

Continue reading “Wednesday Writing Prompt: Everything has a price” →

Writing Prompts

Wednesday Writing Prompt: If money were no object

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 Mandy Webster

For this week’s Wednesday writing prompt, I came up with one of my own. Here’s your writing prompt for the week:

If money were no object…

And my shot at it:

If money were no object, I would buy a big old Victorian house with a wraparound porch and a wooden deck off the back overlooking the woods. Maybe there would be a lazy stream ambling through the woods, with all manner of wildlife to watch from the deck.

I would only need a bedroom, a sitting room, and a bathroom for myself (for some reason, I am imagining this happening after my kids have grown up and moved on) and my cat. We would live at the top of the house, and I would turn the downstairs into a sleepy little bookshop/café. Money would be no object, so I would be happy for it to not be a busy business. In fact, if it were too busy, that would defeat the purpose of my master plan.

In the morning, I would get up and cook whatever baked concoction I was in the mood for at that day. (As I write this, I have a blackberry lemon loaf in the oven. I hate to cook but love to bake!) I wouldn’t need to make much since my shop isn’t that busy. Who wants to spend that much time in the kitchen anyway?

I’d get the espresso bar cranked up and ready to go for my morning rush and then chat with my neighbors as they stop in to get their morning cups on their way to work. On the weekends, my good friends and neighbors would get their cups and stay, lounging around in the giant stuffed couches and arm chairs that are scattered about the place. Continue reading “Wednesday Writing Prompt: If money were no object” →

Writing Prompts

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Never Lost

October 28, 2015October 27, 2015 Mandy Webster

Yesterday, I mentioned that I had recently purchased a book titled, 300 Writing Prompts and that I would be sharing some of my own attempts at the prompts in this book. Here’s my first little ditty. It’s not very long because I kept it within the allotted space in the book. You can write longer if you like. Please feel free to share your own responses to the prompt in the comments below.

Writing Prompt

When was the last time you got lost? Continue reading “Wednesday Writing Prompt: Never Lost” →

Creative Nonfiction, Essays, Writing Prompts

Freewriting on freewriting: A writing exercise

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 Mandy Webster

This is my writing notebook for the semester.

One of my assignments for this week was to use one of the “Ways In” exercises from chapter 2 of Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction. I ended up taking the lazy route and just did a freewrite, but I was kind of pleased with what I ended up with:

I was going to write a Springboard line, but I couldn’t find a line that appealed to me, so I’m just going to freewrite. Except, it’s hard to freewrite when you know there is a good chance that you might have to read it aloud to your classmates. The filter is automatically switched to “on,” so it almost defeats the purpose of freewriting. To me, freewriting is all about giving that inner censor a break and getting to your creative side. It’s hard to be creative with the little voice inside your head criticizing your every word.

When you freewrite, the inner censor says, “Oh, you’re sitting down to write garbage on purpose? Well, I’ll just go take a nap and rest up for next time when you sit down to write your “Great American Novel.” And of course, she laughs at you as she walks away. Continue reading “Freewriting on freewriting: A writing exercise” →

Essays, Writing Prompts

Call for submissions: As Good as a Feast

July 12, 2015July 13, 2015 Mandy Webster

I am currently seeking submissions for an essay/poetry anthology that I am compiling titled, “As Good as a Feast.” I will be paying for up to ten of the essays that will appear in this collection. Any additional accepted submissions will still be eligible for publication in the anthology. However, there will be no monetary compensation for these.

I am currently accepting submissions via eLance through July 25, 2015. If you miss this deadline, you may still submit via the Elderfly Press website through August 30, 2015. However, monetary compensation is available only for those essays submitted via eLance.

Submission Requirements

Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie book series will no doubt be familiar with the expression, “Enough is as good as a feast.” Ma Ingalls often uttered this phrase as a reminder to her children that as long as they had “enough,” they had all they needed. Continue reading “Call for submissions: As Good as a Feast” →