Prompt Everything, Because the World Is Your Muse

I realize how hard it is sometimes to get started when writing. You turn to all these different resources for prompts, but there are times when nothing seems to trigger your interest.

All you want to do is write, but you have no purpose, no inspiration, no muse?

So what do you do?

Here is a suggestion: go on an adventure!

Take a map, one of those big ones with all of the continents on it, and tack it to a wall. Cover your eyes or get a blindfold, and get a dart (you might see where I'm going with this). Once you are ready, throw the dart at the map. Take off the blindfolds, or move your hands, and see where it landed. Now go!

Okay, so many of you might not be in the position to do this. Hell, I've never done it. But it's a great way to get out and see the world. Finances and scheduling might get in the way; however, you could do this on a much smaller scale. Here's what I mean:

Get a map of the state you live in. If your state is too big, then narrow it down to the county. Do whatever you can to make this trip happen because, yes, you are going on this adventure no matter what! Do the same thing with this map and go. You might find yourself visiting somewhere you've never been before, or maybe you go somewhere that's only five minutes from your house. It's not the destination that matters, it's the story you make from it. Now, when you go, take a notebook with you, and try to take note of everything that you see. Use your five senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, hearing) to add descriptive detail to your experience. I, personally, would avoid using any electronic device except for one purpose and one purpose only: to take pictures. Try to only write in the notebook that you brought and not on your cell phone. Also, try to limit the usage of your phone for the duration of the trip. Phones can be distracting, and you don't want to miss anything.

Once you've finished your day (or weekend, or whatever you choose it to be), go home and relax. That's right, I'm giving you a day off. Try to refrain from looking at any notes or any of the pictures you took at your destination. Give it a day, and then look at everything multiple times. Look at the notes and think, What made me write this down? Look at the pictures and try to remember, why did I take this photo? The goal is to recall everything with new eyes and try to see everything for the first time again. Find new details, new senses, new everything. This is what you will use for your prompt.

Now, write about your trip. Tell us what you did, where you went, how you got there, what you saw, and who you met. Tell us everything, and don't let a single detail go to waste!

This is how you find your inspiration; how you seek out your muse.

The world is so vast, and there are so many sights to see. Pick one, and stick to it.