Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Art and Writing

Postcard writing prompt.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I was recently looking through the graphic novel section of the bookstore when I came upon a book that used old postcards in an intriguing way. The concept consisted of real postcards that had been purchased in antique stores -- postcards that had been written on -- being sent out to a select number of well-known graphic novel artists. Each artist used the postcard in a story of their creation. The only foundational material they had to go one was the brief and completely out-of-context message on the postcard.

I've long been fascinated by old postcards. They weren't so much mere vacation cards, but were often used (at least, the ones I've come across in my grandparent's things) as more of a brief note or card for general occasions.

So, in thinking of the idea behind the graphic novel, and my general curiosity about the stories I've seen hinted at in real postcards, stories summed up in a few words and little explanation, I decided to come up with a worksheet and writing exercise for you. You get a chance to write a back-story for a faux postcard, plus you have three printable postcards that you can write on yourself. The beauty of the postcard, as well as its curse, is that you have to be brief. Your words have to work hard, since there is little space to be flowery. Postcards force the editor in you, and help cut the purple prose.

Get the Postcard Writing Prompt worksheet. (PDF)