Prompt to Page

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts—exercises that can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a novelist, essayist, or poet, you’ll find ideas and advice to motivate you to keep writing. A partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Prompt to Page is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 60 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Prompt to Page, a arts show with 60 episodes published.

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  Episode #60

  Melissa Scholes Young

  Sep 21, 202624 min

  If writing sometimes feels like a chore, author Melissa Scholes Young has some advice for how to change your outlook. "I like to think about when I show up to my writing desk as sort of a date rather than a punishing part of the process," she says, "and I wanna set that date the night before." That means setting out her favorite pen, journal, and coffee mug—all of which helps her look forward to her writing time. Shifting perspectives is something Melissa likes to do in her work as well, and she shares a writing prompt that will help you think "bigger and then smaller about the world." She also discusses her new Lexington bookstore Bond House Books, the art of revision, and more. About Melissa Scholes Young Melissa Scholes Young is the author of the novels Flood and The Hive . Her poetry collection, Another Word for Longing: Saudade, is forthcoming in the New Women’s Voices series from Finishing Line Press. Her stories and essays have appeared in the Atlantic, Ms., Washington Post, Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, Joyland , Brevity , and The Believer . Her poetry has appeared in Poet Lore , Tapestry , New Madrid , and Gargoyle . A first generation college student from Hannibal, Missouri, she is Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Kentucky.

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  Episode #59

  Josh Boldt

  Aug 17, 202619 min

  Author and editor Josh Boldt knows how challenging it can be to find a publisher. "It's just really hard to find the exact right fit that you need," he says. "So the person out there that's...feeling that way right now, I'm right there with you." On this episode, Josh discusses Brown Hound Press, a literary magazine he started partly as a way to reach other writers like him. He also shares a writing prompt that will help you get out in the world, something that's important to his own creative process. About Josh Boldt Josh Boldt is a crime and mystery writer from Lexington, Kentucky. His novels include Moneymaker , The False Favorite , and Slurry . He has worked a long list of jobs—from restaurants and horse farms to construction and grocery. These experiences informed his writing with many of the people and places that now fill his fiction. He eventually earned a master’s degree in English from Eastern Kentucky University and taught writing at the University of Georgia for several years. Josh is the editor of the popular literary magazine Brown Hound Press and serves on the Board of Directors for the Lexington Writer’s Room . When he’s not writing, he spends his time with his lady, Gwenda Bond, and their many animals.

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  Episode #58

  Mandi Fugate Sheffel

  Jul 20, 202630 min

  Author Mandi Fugate Sheffel has always kept a journal, which she thought of "as this internal thing, a summary of my thoughts and feelings for the day." She had to learn to pay more attention to sensory details. "What you recognize in a moment is significant as a writer," she says, because "that's where voice comes from." On this episode, Mandi shares several writing prompts, including one that will help you become a better observer. She also discusses why she opened a bookstore in Eastern Kentucky and the joys of attending the Appalachian Writers' Workshop.

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  Episode #57

  Prompt to Page with Lucy Oquaye

  Jun 15, 202630 minS0

  <p>Do you feel too distracted to write? Poet and nonfiction writer Lucy Oquaye believes prompts can help. "What's most beneficial about using prompts," she says, "is really that you're just taking time to write."</p><p>Lucy says that writing for 20 minutes in a notebook—without phones or computers—has transformed her college students' writing. She notes, "That kind of focus is really beneficial to anyone's writing practice."</p><p>So grab a pen and paper and try Lucy's favorite writing exercise!</p><p>About Lucy Oquaye</p><p>Lucy Oquaye is an educator and writer from Louisville, Kentucky. She...

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  Episode #56

  Eugenia Johnson-Smith

  May 18, 202617 minS0

  <p>Author Eugenia Johnson-Smith believes writers should focus on getting their thoughts down in a first draft and worry about grammar and style later. "Don't be too critical," she says, "because you've got to get the words on the page."</p><p>Eugenia shares some of the prompts that help her and her students write without pressure or judgment. She also discusses the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative, including her new role there. </p><p>About Eugenia Johnson-Smith</p><p>Eugenia Johnson-Smith is the author of Positive Power: 31 Devotions to Help Unleash Your Positive Power. She is a coach, international inspirational/m...

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