2025 Sixth Workshop Prompts

  • The secret was revealed, but it didn’t make anything better.
  • Outdoors in the middle of the night, barefoot, he/she/they twice crossed the rough ground between the orphanage and the empty house.
  • “Everyone knows,” the elf said, “and they blame you. Don’t feel bad.”
  • I would rather listen to a jackhammer breaking rock than to hear that name again.
  • Snow White said, “Happy endings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.”

25 Responses on “2025 Sixth Workshop Prompts”

  1. Miss Maddox says:

    Does anyone have tips for describing the MC’s appearance in a first person POV story? I feel like it can be really hard to make it sound natural. Most of the time when I think about my own appearance, I’m thinking about things that change, like my facial expression or outfit, but in a story, the reader also needs to know the character’s general appearance that doesn’t change. How do you bring that up without it sounding weird? And how early should you bring it up? I normally describe my characters close to the beginning, but in first person stories there’s not always a good reason to bring it up immediately. If you wait, though, then your reader is lost trying to imagine them, which isn’t what I want.

    • Christie V Powell says:

      I haven’t tried writing first person myself, so all I can do is brainstorm with you. I feel like there are ways to creatively sneak it in.

      I’ve seen people sneak in hints of appearance while describing other things. (The wind catches my blonde hair as I jog down the road).

      Maybe she would think about her appearance if she’s comparing herself with someone else? (At first, I think that my long-lost sister looks nothing like me. Her hair is red, not auburn, and I don’t have freckles. But when the man who brought her calls her insulting names, I immediately recognize her glare.)

      Or if he’s comparing himself with a younger version of himself? (I haven’t seen her since I was ten. I was chubby back then, with my dark hair cropped short and long eyelashes I hated because they looked girly).

      Or, if it’s something unusual, you could show the reactions of the people around your character. (The old lady is staring in disapproval at the tiger tattoo on my shoulder).

      Maybe she’s shopping and she’s trying to see if the item she wants to buy matches her complexion?

      He’s just been injured and he’s checking the mirror to see how bad the damage is. (Is my hair long enough to hide the scar?)

    • M says:

      Ms. Powell’s suggestions are good, but if you need another one, you could have another character suggest that the main character change their appearance (new haircut, dye hair, put on some makeup/spend more time in the sun so they aren’t so pale, etc.)

  2. Fiona says:

    I was wondering what websites or tools anyone could recommend writing with. I’m currently still planning out my book, but am hoping (more like wishing as planning is taking longer than usual) that I will be ready to write soon, and I’m not sure what is the best place to start writing full manuscript drafts. If there is anyone who very much likes certain sites, or could recommend some that would be greatly appreciated!

    • Christie V Powell says:

      I use google docs for writing my rough drafts because it can be used offline. Once my alpha readers have looked at a chapter and I’ve tweaked it with their suggestions, I move it into Microsoft word for formatting/final edits. There’s a free version of microsoft word connected to my dropbox account, which is where I save most of my writing things.
      Some authors swear by Scriviner, which is specifically made for authors. I know that you write chapters/scenes individually and there are places for notes and outlines and inspiration stuff. It’s somewhat costly, so I’ve never tried it.
      Did that answer the question?

      • Fiona says:

        Yes, thank you so much! I usually use google docs and have never worked with Microsoft word, but I’ll give it a try when I finish the rough draft!

    • Miss Maddox says:

      I also use Google Docs. I think Microsoft Word is the industry standard for publishing. A lot of people love programs like Scrivener, and I’m sure they’re helpful, but I also don’t think they’re necessary. You don’t need anything that complicated to draft, just somewhere to write it all down. More complicated programs might come in helpful for organizing notes if you have a lot of them. Good luck with your writing!

  3. Christie V Powell says:

    Here’s a random question.
    I’m writing a YA fantasy retelling of Aladdin and Cinderella. I gave my main character Marjie a pet snake. (It’s an ordinary snake, not evil and not talking). It’s not important to the plot, just a fun character quirk.
    I am slightly worried that people who are terrified of snakes would stop reading or wouldn’t relate to Marjie anymore because she keeps one. So, would you put down a book if the character had a pet that you can’t relate to?

    • Miss Maddox says:

      This wouldn’t be a problem for me at all. I would find it interesting to read about a different kind of pet. But I’m also not super terrified of any specific animals, so I can’t say how I would react if I had an extreme phobia. I doubt the majority of readers have phobias that extreme, though.

      • Gail Carson Levine says:

        I would not put down the book even if it were a highly venomous viper! IRL, if it was a viper, I probably wouldn’t want to sleep over at Marjie’s house and maybe not even to step inside, but in a book, I’d just be curious.

        Thank you for the book of limericks! They’re great fun, and I think it’s wonderful that you made them into a book. I forgot that I’d seen them before–sorry about that! I’m very happy that we had a chance to meet and for me to thank you in person for all the help you’ve given here. I never thought that would happen.

  4. Karleigh says:

    Okay. I’m writing a middle grade novel, and I have to explain my MCs backstory at the beginning, cause it makes no sense without it. Do you have any tips on writing a backstory in a few paragraphs and how long should the average chapter be?

  5. Thomasdwege says:

    Your perspectives are a breath of fresh air in a world full of noise, and I’d love to see you unpack how these ideas intersect with contemporary movements, like AI ethics or sustainable living. Your knack for demystifying the complex is exceptional. Thanks for always delivering such provocative content. excited for more!

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  8. Melody C. says:

    Hi everyone!
    I’m writing a fantasy-adventure story right now, and I was wondering how long the average exposition is for this genre. For my other unfinished stories, I either jump into action too soon or not soon enough. Does anyone have any suggestions for that?

    • Christie V Powell says:

      That’s tricky because different authors handle it differently. The current fashion is to have as little exposition as possible, and instead work it into the story. Here’s a clip from Brandon Sanderson on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5mKLdVQ1weI

      Little choices in vocabulary make a big difference. Descriptions and setting details can be major clues. Here’s an example from one of my books, The Centaur Choice. This is the opening paragraphs:

      No one else would have saved a snake, but Bree had a soft spot for unloved creatures. When a brawl in the courtyard demanded all attention, she slipped down two of the wide estate steps and dropped her handkerchief over the snake. She picked it up and slipped it into a hidden pocket of her flowing red skirts. Hopefully the handkerchief would conceal its scent from the horses crowded into the courtyard. He could hide in her pocket until she found a private moment to let him go.
      All around her, men on horseback trampled paths and lawn alike. Dogs barked. Servant children laughed and threaded through the hunters with abandon. Only a few carried muskets today, and even fewer brought game sacks to carry home wild turkeys or hares. They still made her nervous.

      I didn’t explain that this is a continent loosely based on Mexico in the 1600s, or that it’s low magic, or that centaurs exist in this world (one appears at the end of the chapter). I could have written about how humans have settled this continent fairly recently and that most people live either in big cities or on estates like this one, but I held off and slipped in details as the story goes along instead. I could have written that the centaurs and humans often clash. Humans think that centaurs kidnap young women, and therefore try to exterminate them. Instead of writing that, I have my main character discover it when she enters her father’s trophy room, and gets more details when she argues about it with her brother. Adding a character who is largely ignorant of the way the world works is a good way to naturally work in information.

      Sorry that got kind of long. I hope it was helpful.

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