A good prompt does three things: it gives your brain a specific starting point, removes the paralysis of infinite choice, and tricks you into writing without the weight of expectations. You’re not writing your magnum opus: you’re just responding to a silly scenario about a talking frog or exploring what happens when someone receives an unusual gift.

The magic happens when you start writing. Once your fingers are moving and words are appearing on the page, momentum builds. You remember that you actually can do this writing thing.