I just realized I've been writing my prompts backward for months

I was making a prompt about a detective in 1920s Chicago, and my friend pointed out I always start with the setting instead of the character's big problem. I wrote 'a detective in a speakeasy' and she asked 'but what does he desperately need?' Has anyone else had a lightbulb moment about their prompt structure?

3 comments

3 Comments

parker2461mo ago

Yeah, that "desperately need" part is interesting. What kind of problems make you start with the setting first?

anthony_fox1mo ago

Feel that... when the world itself is the main character, you know?

lily_craig1d ago

Oh the "start with the setting" thing lol. I once tried to write a story about a magic library and got so deep into how the shelves moved that I forgot to give anyone a name.