Prompt to Page

Do you feel too distracted to write? Poet and nonfiction writer Lucy Oquaye believes prompts can help. "What's most beneficial about using prompts," she says, "is really that you're just taking time to write." Lucy says that writing for 20 minutes in a notebook—without phones or computers—has transformed her college students' writing. She notes, "That kind of focus is really beneficial to anyone's...

Author Eugenia Johnson-Smith believes writers should focus on getting their thoughts down in a first draft and worry about grammar and style later. "Don't be too critical," she says, "because you've got to get the words on the page." Eugenia shares some of the prompts that help her and her students write without pressure or judgment. She also discusses the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative, inc...

Think your story doesn't matter? Author Willie Carver Jr. believes that "each of us has a story that can help contribute to the complexity of all of us...." When Willie uses writing prompts to unlock his story, "they're almost always body related." That's because he thinks "the truth of things is already in your body."  On this episode, Willie shares a prompt that will help you discover what your...

 Poet Kevin Nance uses writing prompts regularly because they "can take you places that you never could have gone any other way." On this episode, Kevin discusses ways to access the part of the brain that author Marilynne Robinson believes is most creative—your "back mind." He also shares a prompt that helps his writing students "tap into their inner angst." About Kevin Nance Kevin Nance is a phot...

Poet Shauna M. Morgan understands that feeling "weighed down by all of those things happening around us" can make writing even more challenging. For her, it helps to remember "that generations of my forebears created art in times of abject crises and bore witness to what was happening." On this episode, Shauna shares what she calls the "weight prompt." It will help you reflect on the subjects that...

While novelist Mary Anna Evans believes that studying writing is "very valuable," she also advises writers "to go out and live your life." She says that "all experience is useful" in writing. And she should know. Mary Anna's books have drawn on her former engineering career and her interest in archaeology, among other experiences.  Mary Anna's favorite writing prompt will help writers of all backg...

Poet and educator Dorian Hairston encourages all writers—from his high school students to adults—to make their writing fresh and new. Dorian believes "if we can just find ways as artists to be interesting... we give ourselves a fighting chance at allowing love to blossom in our lives and surviving whatever we must." Keep your writing interesting with help from Dorian's favorite writing prompts. He...

On this special edition of the Prompt to Page writing podcast, we look back at some of our best moments so far.  Past guests—including Crystal Wilkinson, Gwenda Bond, Silas House, and Mariama Lockington—share tips on using writing prompts, finding time to write, nurturing your creativity, and more.

For graphic novelist Rachel Elliott, drawing comes more easily than writing. "I think prompts really help me make that move from drawing a goofy kid, drawing a talking animal," she says, "into...what is this story about?" Rachel shares a writing prompt that helped her understand her main character in The Real Riley Mayes . She also discusses her love of drawing Martin Short, the importance of the...

Don't think your writing is important? Singer-songwriter and music professor Dr. Kevin Holm-Hudson disagrees. "I think that's a positive contribution to the atmosphere, to society, to the planet," he says, "to create something where there had been nothing."  On this episode, Kevin discusses his songwriting process. Whether you write songs, prose, or poetry, Kevin's favorite writing prompts will in...

Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame author Fenton Johnson doesn't believe in writer's block. "Fighting with the white page over a week, a month, a year, sometimes 10 years," he says, "that's what we call writing.... That's just part of the process." Fenton shares several writing prompts that can help you move beyond the blank page. He also discusses his most recent book, At the Center of All Beauty: Sol...

Poet Leatha Kendrick believes that creativity is a habit. "To exercise your creativity is to keep it active and alive," she says. "You have to get up and walk to the library and then something can happen." Exercise your creativity with Leatha's favorite writing prompt. It will help you turn off your conscious mind and remember forgotten details. About Leatha Kendrick Author of five poetry collecti...

"A teacher giving a prompt is the same as the world nudging you to write something," says poet and educator Christopher McCurry.  On this episode, Christoper shares two prompts that will inspire you and help build your writing skills. Consider them a nudge to create something new.  Christopher also discusses Workhorse, a community and publishing company that supports working writers. Plus, he desc...

For author Wes Blake, a former West Jessamine High School English teacher, writing about his obsessions helped him find his subject matter.   "When you write about what obsesses you," he says, "it guides you towards things that are important to you, maybe in some way that you don't fully understand." On episode 44, Wes shares how he channeled his obsessions into his book, Pineville Trace . Learn t...

Poet Lynnell Edwards enjoys using what she calls "external prompts" from other authors. But she believes that "ultimately as writers, we've got to have sort of internal prompts."  On this episode, Lynnell shares questions that will help you create your own personalized writing prompts. Learn how to generate a series of poems, essays, or linked short stories based on what you've already written. Ab...

When novelist Tammy Oberhausen feels "stuck or uninspired," she tends "to wallow around with it for a while and feel bad." Writing prompts help her ideas flow again. "Don't wallow too much," she says. "Get the prompt and go with it." On this episode, Tammy shares how to use your dreams—which she says are like "personalized prompts"—in your writing. About Tammy Oberhausen Tammy Oberhausen is the au...

Amelia Zachry, author of Enough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood , didn't think anyone would want to read about her trauma. But being vulnerable about her experiences "invited people to be vulnerable" in return.  "And so that is the power of the word from page to the reader," Amelia says, "that we can transform that sense of healing to others through our words."  On this episode, Ameli...

Author Jessica Handler believes "that when we write well, we're writing about what matters to us."  What matters to you? On this episode, Jessica shares a prompt that will help you understand what you're trying to do with your writing. It's one that she often used while working on her memoir, Invisible Sisters . Jessica also shares a prompt that will help you regain focus and use your senses in a...

For poet and fiction writer B. Elizabeth Beck, "making sure that you are actively engaged in a community is... the salvation to your sanity and to your work." On this episode, Elizabeth discusses her participation in writing and music communities. She founded Teen Howl and Poetry at the/ˈtā-bəl/, two Lexington-based reading series where poets of all ages support each other's writing.  Elizabeth ha...

Novelist Jacinda Townsend believes that "writing is a habit, and the imagination begets the imagination." Having a set writing routine helps her create because "the imagination is a kind of muscle."  On this episode, Jacinda explains the steps she takes each morning to fire up her imagination, including using writing prompts. Her favorite prompt to share focuses on pacing. Her students generate su...

Novelist Robert Gipe believes that when you use writing prompts, "you're just kind of fishing for something that works." If you're lucky, you might end up with "a couple of sentences that have some energy to them, that have some heat." Robert says those sentences can help you build a piece of writing "you feel good enough about to share with others." Try your luck with three of Robert's favorite w...

When creative writer Deidra White feels stuck with her writing, she tells herself to "write the poem that you need to read." This exercise helps with one of the most challenging aspects of writing: visualizing your audience. Deidra shares several other ways she likes to jump start her writing. She also describes how she rediscovered her passion for words as a nontraditional college student, why sh...

Are you an aspiring writer who thinks you’ll write a novel when you have more time or your children are older? If so, author and Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House has some advice for you.  “Often you cannot create the perfect conditions for your writing,” he says. “I think if you wait around for that, you’re never going to get anything written.” Silas knows this from experience, having written hi...

Kaitlyn Hill, who writes young adult romantic comedies, didn't always take those stories seriously, even though she was drawn to them. "It was just really powerful for me to come to the realization that there is so much value in stuff that is fun and light and happy," she says. As Kaitlyn's writing prompt illustrates, she tries to keep fun in her process. Kaitlyn also shares how reading fueled her...

Sandra Gail Lambert, author of My Withered Legs and Other Essays , started writing in her forties. She believes her age helped her cope with the "rough and tumble world" of publishing. "There's so much rejection [in publishing], and there's so much feedback that is not necessarily accurate or kind," Sandra says. "And when we're older, we just have tougher skin."  That resilience allowed Sandra to...