The Exquisite Corpse game, also commonly referred to as a progressive story, was the creation of writer Andre Breton, a leader of the Surrealist movement. The Surrealist movement, which began in Paris in the 1920's, celebrated the power of the subconscious as a creative source in art, music and literature. The Exquisite Corpse game, similar to an old Victorian parlor game called Consequences, is a fun and fast-paced collaborative writing activity that encourages writers to think quickly. Two or more are needed to play. The first writer starts a story, writing at least two lines. The paper is then folded over so only the last line is visible and passed to the next writer, who must also write at least two lines to continue the story. The paper is then folded in the same manner and again passed on. The game continues in this fashion, and the paper is folded and passed among the players until the page is filled up. Then the paper is unfolded, and the finished product is read aloud.
Pictures are often used as writing prompts. Take an old photograph, a print of a classic piece of artwork or anything else visually stimulating and pin it to the wall. Give writers a time limit to write a story or poem the picture inspires.
Adapt this technique to younger writers not yet capable of completing an entire story. Instead, have them write as many words as they can that relate to the picture. Give them a shorter time limit. This activity helps young writers sharpen vocabulary and ability to quickly summon descriptive words.
Write a number of words on individual scraps of paper that evoke images and ideas, such as train, thunderstorm and daydream. Place the words in a bag or hat. Then have each writer draw a few pieces. The assignment then becomes to incorporate their words into a story or poem.
Simple letter writing activities are another way to put pen to paper and get creative juices flowing. Writers can compose letters to their future selves, detailing what life is like now and what they think it will be like in the future. Another idea is to have writers imagine their ideal vacations, then write letters to someone "back home" describing all the things they have done and seen on their fantasy trips.