Customer Reviews

The Writer's Book of Matches: 1,001 Prompts to Ignite Your Fiction (Writers Digest)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This kind of book isn't every writer's cup of tea, but it was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for! There are 3 types of prompts throughout: a line of dialogue, a sentence describing an action or setting a mood, or an "assignment" where the prompt is a little more detailed, immediately followed by a few suggestions for taking it in different directions. All 1,001 of them are viable jump-starts to a short story or scene and, as the authors point out, if you wrote one every day, you'd get almost 3 years out of this book. There's also an appendix with a game, where you roll a die to change some aspect of the prompt, such as gender, ethnicity, age group, etc., which extends the versatility of each prompt.

There aren't the usual navel-gazing fare like "Write about a time you were angry" or "Describe someone you know well" that are so often found in writing books. I have never found those kinds of suggestions useful for me. If I wanted to write autobiography-as-fiction, I'd keep a diary.

I hope there'll be a sequel to this one. If you ever sat down to write and found yourself groping for somewhere to start, you'll find this book extremely useful.

I've read, written and collected TONS of prompts of all kinds over the past couple of years. A lot of places repeat the same old tired prompts, but this book was filled with a large array of new prompts and 'thought joggers' that I haven't seen elsewhere.

I enjoyed just flipping through this book and now look forward to going back and start writing from the highlights I've made.

I actually picked mine up at my University's book store, and had my friends running to get copies when they read it. Possibly one of the funniest, and most entertaining anti-writer's block tools out there. Though I wouldn't suggest it for high schools per say since some of it may be "racy", as some reviewers pointed out though personally my old HS classmates came up with stuff racier then anything in there. For personal use though its fantastic- I've never cracked it open and been unable to write about something based off one of the prompts. The introduction is witty and makes you, or at least me, feel guilty about not writing everyday even if its only a paragraph or so. The prompts aren't anything too deep or profound, and I don't see this as a down side for the book. Rather it stays with the notion that the book is best used simply help exercise those creative brain muscles. I think it does a better job doing this then any of my creative classes ever have. I would say anyone who likes creative writing for the very sake of story telling, and is looking for something to help with those brain-dead fuddy-duddy moments, or something to help motivate daily writings, will love this book.

However, if your the type who wants to do something utterly profound with your writing prompts you're given- this probably isn't the best choice. It needs to be taken with a bit of humor and a willingness to write off of some of the oddest, most amusing, prompts I've ever seen.

need something to do, refresh your writing or muse to write, this little book is helpful for that,and its a decent copy.

This booked as given me many ideas for stories and every time I crack it open another idea comes up. Whether you take the suggestions as is, or you change up a little something about each prompt, you won't find yourself hurting for ideas. Definitely a book that I think a writer needs in their library.

I think it's very unfair for people to give this book only 1 or 2 stars simply because it was not useful to you as an English teacher. Perhaps it didn't suit your purposes, but that does not make it a bad book. Those who cannot write, teach. Isn't that the way the saying goes? I guarantee that any writer will find this book useful. And if you have any writer who cannot write about adultery or other 'touchy' subjects, then your book will not be interesting anyway! I would like to also add that I loved this book. It is not boring, the prompts aren't pulled from a boring website, these are amazing prompts! Also, the introduction was great, as well as the suggestions at the back for being able to get more use out of this book. They understand what it is like to want to get the most for your budget. I found this book to be helpful, creative, imaginative and just down right fun!

This little book of "matches" is sure to ignite the fiction writer in you. If you're not careful as a writer, your writing becomes stale and smokie. This is one way to make sure your fire doesn't burn out. The prompts stimulate fresh and new ideas sure to draw the attention of readers - like a moth to a flame.

This was not a *bad* book. I just didn't feel like it was a *great* book. But I do think that it would be a wonderful aide to english teachers who are needing some fresh ideas for a creative writing class.

I purchased this book in hopes of using it for writing ideas for my Freshman English class. Unfortunately the prompts are more for adults than for high school students.

A collection of tepid "story ideas" seemingly culled from back issues of TV Guide, and inane snippets of "dialogue." Perfect for old divorcees in creative writing classes getting in touch with themselves... wait, nah, I was just trying to be mean--even they'd hate this nonsense. My apologies to old divorcees.

Stay away! This is a con to take your money. If you need writing ideas, you're better off sticking your head underwater or looking around your cell--that's what these people did.