This week’s creative prompt is Turn. Each week we begin with a single word and expand it to inspire fiction writing, journaling, and other creative activities. These creative prompts, are to give me, and anyone else who wants to join in, some inspiration for our creative work.

Definitions

turn — move something so that it is in a different position in relation to its surroundings or its previous position

Turn can be used as a verb, adverb, or noun.

Related

go round, revolve, rotate, spin, roll, circle, wheel, whirl, twirl, gyrate, swivel, spiral, pivot, change direction, change course, make a U-turn, reverse direction; swing round, wheel round. rotation, revolution, spin, circle, whirl, twirl, gyration, swivel

Turn, for me, denotes direction, or more accurately a change in direction. It is active, the journey is already in progress, but occasionally the route needs adjusting.

Let the prompt ‘turn’ inspire you in any area of creativity that you are interested in:

• writing fiction
• journaling
• art journaling
• songwriting
• photography
• painting
• composing
• blog posts
• art therapy
• anything that could use a little nudge to begin

Let’s expand the word a little further…

Writing prompt

A Fiction Writing Prompt exploring the word turn to stretch the literary muscles. No rules. No word counts. Simply write and explore.

Left or right, I could choose either, but one would be the wrong turn.

Writing Prompt Expanded

I have a confession. I am a worrier. In the past, I have worried about making the right decision. In fact, I worried so much about the outcome, that I put off making the decision. I am a lot better now, I am no longer ‘disabled by fears concerning which course to take’ (In power we entrust the love advocated — Dead Can Dance)

This prompt is about exploring fears and worries about possible outcomes. Life, and in fact, all fiction, is about making decisions. Our characters make decisions and act to further the plot. We make our characters real, by sharing their thoughts. And in this case, their thought process deciding which way to go.

• Why do they need to choose a direction?
• Why is one of the ‘turn’s wrong?
• As they make this decision, how does their body react; shakes, hot flush?

The context for this prompt is entirely up to you. The challenge is to describe how your character decides which way to turn and how they feel during the process.

Enjoy, and may you turn this prompt into an interesting work of fiction.

Quick fiction writing

Set a time limit, use the following random prompts, and write a short piece of fiction.

• Character: soldier
• Place: crossroads
• Item: signpost

Journal prompt

Personal journals are a great place to explore how we are feeling. We are all taking part in the journey of life. There are many twists and turns, some positive and others less so. However, recording these in our journals and learning from the experience is helpful as we take the next step and turn toward the next destination.

Three ideas for your journal

• draw a signpost that signals a turn toward a collage/mixed media image of your dreams
• paint, draw or collage a map of your life, marking any significant turning points
• list the pros and cons of a decision you need to make, then turn toward the best option

Theory of General Creativity

I now have ‘turn’ written on the board above my computer. I am confident it will inspire me on my creative journey this week.

• Look for interesting signposts when out and about
• Every so often, a complete U-turn is needed to move a creative project forward
• Turn your piece of art; canvas, soundscape or image, upside down… does that give you a fresh perspective?

Let ‘turn’ inspire your music, photography, and painting this week.

Finally…

As always, these creative prompts are optional and entirely open to your interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a short story, something a little more grandiose, or any creative project or idea.

As mentioned before, this isn’t a ‘challenge’ but the prompts can be used that way if you want. If you do create anything using them, I would love to see or hear about it. Leave a link in the comments below, or tag me #thecreativeminimalist on any social platform.

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