• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Contact The Writing Coach today

The Writing Coach

Literary Consultancy and Coaching for Writers from Jacqui Lofthouse

  • Home
  • About The Writing Coach
    • Testimonials
    • Novels by Jacqui Lofthouse
    • Media and Journalism
  • Services
    • Coaching and Mentoring for writers
    • Coaching Fees
    • Literary Consultancy
    • Literary Consultancy Fees
    • The Ultimate Literary Coaching Programme
    • Coaching for Poets
    • Proofreading and Copyediting
    • Get Black on White: A Guide to Productivity and Confidence for Writers
  • Membership at The Writing Coach
    • Online Writing Course
  • People
    • Meet the Team
    • Clients
    • Recommendations
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Popular Posts
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Clients Area
    • Members Login
    • New Client Area (Literary Consultancy)
    • Literary Agent Submissions

Monday morning writing prompt: the muddy boots

January 19, 2015 by Jacqui Lofthouse Filed Under: Motivation, Productivity, Writing Exercises Leave a Comment

Sometimes life can get in the way of writing, so I thought I’d help to get you in the writing zone each week by offering you a regular writing prompt. 

There are no rules. You may choose to free-write, to get as many words as possible down on the page (for later editing), or you may prefer to pause for thought, writing at a more leisurely pace. Equally, you could use these prompts to deepen a character you are already working on.

DeathtoStock_NotStockToday’s prompt: A character takes off his or her boots and walks off. It doesn’t have to be this pair of boots – the boots you imagine may be different. The room might be more squalid or the the boots might have been taken off out-of-doors, somewhere more earthy, somewhere darker. What is important is the mud on the boots. You must know where that came from.

Who do they belong to? Write a first person account of the character’s movements immediately after taking off the boots. Consider where s/he has been, where s/he is going, what s/he wants and what s/he fears. Include sensory detail, particularly sense of smell and touch. Don’t forget to give your character a sense of purpose.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments, to find out what came out of this exercise for you. Where did it take you? What might happen next?

 

If you enjoyed this

Sign up for blog updates

Subscribe

or

Read other popular posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

So good to know my ebook ‘Get Black on White’ So good to know my ebook ‘Get Black on White’ continues to inspire others - Thank-you @hernanfitte 
*
*
*
*
*
 #writing #writingcoach #creativewriting  #writersofinstagram #amwriting #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife #writersblock #inspiration
The first in our series of book ‘Acknowledgement The first in our series of book ‘Acknowledgements’ pages - for the work our Founder @jacquilofthouse does with writers. Here @sacuthbert Sara Bailey’s ‘Dark Water’ published by Jacqui’s imprint of @blackbird_bks @nightingale_editions 

It was such a joy to work on this book and to visit Orkney for the launch. 

“I couldn't help but be fascinated by this book. It uses the Orkney setting beautifully, and the islands are intertwined with the story of a woman facing the past she'd evaded for years: both in the clarity of the light and the roughness of the sea. It uses suspense and structure with skill ...The final scene was brilliantly described. Suspense, sex and selkie girls: irresistible!” – Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun, Winner of the Wainwright Prize 2016 

*
*
*
*
*
 #writing #acknowledgements  #writingcoach #creativewriting #writersofinstagram #amwriting #fictionwriters #writerslife #publisher #psychologicalthriller
During these days when we can’t yet be together During these days when we can’t yet be together again, it’s great to look back at the fun we’ve had together as a writing community.

Here’s a flashback to 2018 when the wonderful @landrylie hosted The Writing Coach’s Routes to Publication evening at @googleacademyupc (thank you Dan!)

Who’s looking forward to such events again as soon as it is safe to do so? 

What kind of events for writers both online and in person would you love to experience?  Here we were with @louisedoughtyauthor @blackbird_bks @johnmitchinson @roopafarooki @alicejolly_ 
*
*
*
*
#writingcommunity #writing #writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife
My latest newsletter -link in bio “2021 repres My latest newsletter -link in bio 

“2021 represents a fresh start for so many of us. After a year like the one we’ve just lived – we have so much to say and so many stories to tell…
If you’re anything like me, you have a book (or play or poetry collection) just waiting to be completed – and probably another idea lined up for after that – and you are determined to get that idea down on the page this year.
We’ve all been shaken by the experience of 2020. How could we not be? We’ve witnessed a fundamental shift in our reality. Of course, everyone’s experience of the past year is different. Yet one thing I do know: in the midst of the losses and the grief, the loneliness and the heartache, it has also been possible to grow creatively, to experience moments of exquisite wonder and to glimpse the first signs of new possibilities ahead.”

*
*
*
*
*

#writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writingcommunity #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife
I’m super-excited to have just launched my new M I’m super-excited to have just launched my new Membership group for writers ... Inside Story!  (Link in bio)

It’s aimed at writers who are serious about completing a book (or play/screenplay/poetry collection) in 2021! All writers will be welcome from beginners to published professionals. There will also be weekly 'write-ins' by Zoom to write alongside others, special guest authors and downloadable resources.

The weekly classes on Zoom will cover aspects of craft, focus and productivity as well as the industry and marketing our work. It’s for writers internationally, not just in the UK as classes will be held in different time zones. I’d love to see you Inside...

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writingcommunity #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife #writingclass
Follow on Instagram

Become a Client

I work to support you as you develop a writing life that is engaging, sustainable and productive.

Learn about my Coaching and Mentoring Services for ongoing support of your writing. I also offer Literary Consultancy for tailored manuscript assessment.

Get the Newsletter

Become a subscriber and receive Jacqui's free ebook Get Black on White: 30 Days to Productivity and Confidence for writers.

Copyright © 2021 · The Writing Coach · Design customised by Goburo