I’m thrilled to share an exciting interview with the incredibly talented author Julie Coulter Bellon. Julie has written over two dozen romantic suspense novels and has won multiple Rone Awards for her outstanding work. In this interview, Julie delves into her inspirations, her journey in writing, and provides a valuable writing prompt for aspiring writers. Julie’s unique perspective and creative “what if” questions truly set her apart in the world of storytelling.
Watch the Full Interview:
13 Writing Prompts to Get You Started with Your Own Novel
1. What If…
Julie shared a brilliant tip for writers: always ask yourself “what if?” For instance, seeing a headline about a female relative of Osama Bin Laden potentially taking over Al-Qaeda can lead to an intriguing storyline. It’s these kinds of thought-provoking scenarios that drive her storytelling.
In my novel, Z: A Dystopian / Millennium Novel, I asked “What if there were no more race, no gender, and equity was enforced at a societal level?
Here are some more prompts that could help you with your writing.
2. What Happens When…
Imagine a scenario where something unexpected occurs. For example:
- What happens when a traffic light starts displaying new colors no one understands?
- What happens when everyone in the world suddenly forgets how to read?
3. If Only…
Reflect on a character’s regrets or missed opportunities:
- If only she hadn’t missed that train…
- If only he had pursued his singing career instead of being a school teacher…
Do you have a book in you? If you feel you might, that’s why I have this series of author interviews and why I created the Spirit-Led Authoring Course.
4. Describe Your World in Five Years
Consider how the world or your character’s life changes in the future, whether it’s dystopian, utopian, or somewhere in between:
- Describe your city/Town in five years after discovering a new energy source.
- Imagine how your protagonist’s life changes after they achieve their dream job in five years.
5. A Day in the Life of…
Pick an unusual character or profession and delve into their daily routine:
- A day in the life of a detective who only solves paranormal cases.
- A day in the life of a time traveler stuck in the wrong era.
6. Unlikely Friends
Write about two characters who would typically never interact:
- A dragon and a librarian.
- A ghost and a robotics engineer.
7. Unexpected Room
Imagine discovering a hidden space or room and what it contains:
- You find a hidden room in your house. What’s inside? What secrets does it reveal?
- Your character discovers a mysterious door in their workplace. Where does it lead?
8. Dialogue Prompts
Start with an intriguing conversation:
- “Are you the one who’s been sending me these letters?”
- “I thought you were dead!”
9. Rewrite a Fairy Tale
Put a twist on a classic story:
- Write Cinderella from the perspective of the stepmother.
- Imagine Little Red Riding Hood in a futuristic setting.
10. Unexpected Change
Introduce a sudden change to a character’s life:
- Your character wakes up with the ability to understand and talk to animals.
- The technology that runs the world suddenly stops working.
11. Start with an Action
Begin your story in the middle of an action-packed scene:
- Your protagonist is in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
- The story begins as your character is chased by an unknown figure in a crowded market.
12. Mysterious Message
Incorporate a mysterious message or letter:
- Your character receives a letter with no return address containing a single sentence: “Meet me where it all began.”
- A man finds a sealed letter addressed to him that has a postmark of ten years before he was born. What does it say?
13. Setting as Character
Describe a setting that almost feels alive and influences the plot:
- The haunted amusement park where rides seem to operate on their own.
- A city where every building has a mind of its own.
Discover More:
- Visit Julie’s website: www.JulieBellon.com to explore her extensive collection of romantic suspense novels.
- Learn about writing and publishing: If you’re interested in learning more about writing, publishing, and marketing your own book, check out Spirit-Led Authoring.
Join the Conversation:
What did you find most inspiring about Julie’s interview? Which of these writing prompts will you explore? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Are you feeling led to write your own book? If so, check out our Spirit-Led Authoring Course here.
Marnie Pehrson Kuhns is a best-selling author, consultant, musician and Certified SimplyAlign Method™ Practitioner who blends decades of business acumen with spiritual wisdom, nature observation, and music to mentor you past barriers, fears, and doubts to find greater peace, love, joy, and fulfillment in daily life. Her motto is “let it be easy.” Her practical, down-to-earth style helps her clients and students accomplish their goals and aspirations in a graceful, fulfilling way. Whether you’re trying to write and publish a book or stay spiritually connected while you deal with the challenges of life and career, Marnie is a resource to you.
Marnie is a bestselling author with 33+ fiction and non-fiction titles ranging from historical fiction and romance to business and inspirational titles. She blogs about nature, creativity, inner peace, and spiritual topics at www.CreationGirl.com and lives and works alongside her husband Dave at Spirit Tree Farms.