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Can a writing prompt make you feel less lonely?

September 8, 2026 · 38 min

Show notes

Guggenheim Fellow and prolific writer Lucy Ives has been teaching writing for many years. Her latest book THREE SIX FIVE: PROMPTS, ACTS DIVINATIONS. She joins Book Stuff to talk about her book and the power of a good prompt -- it can help you feel less lonely, and maybe help you write that novel, too.

In her book, readers may encounter the difficult or impossible: write a 30-page sentence, or "write about something forgotten." But also the weird: write a story in a spreadsheet; make a notebook out of recycled materials. And the lovely: write short story based on a postcard.

Lucy's book is encouragement for you to get off screen and get into the world. Some prompts encourage group interaction, others require you to get outside. Many ask you to dive into memory and imagination. All invigorate a curiosity with the world.

Lucy's book shows readers that not all writing prompts are for the classroom, they can in fact be for your life. I'd recommend this one to anyone who needs a bit of spice and electricity to their creative practice; or who might need encouragement with getting involved with their local world.

What's discussed in the episode:

  • The origin of Lucy's writing prompt curation and how the book came together

  • The power and use of human intuition

  • Specific writing prompts and acts in the book

  • How the book sets up opportunities for people to experience themselves and the world

  • The relationship between forgetting, memory, and imagination

For more, see my website at tuckerlegerski.com and check out Chicago Review of Books: https://chireviewofbooks.com/

To join other obsessive readers and get reading recs, bonus content, and bookshelf photos at Books & Stuff newsletter: buttondown.com/bookstuff. Weekly. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

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