Welcome to my latest curated selection of writing prompts. Inspired by the timeless theme of 'still-life', I've gathered a variety of thought-provoking prompts, already published here at tanyajclarke.com, for your creative exploration.

Last week's writing prompt features a photograph of dappled sunlight shining through open foliage, a wide aperture defocusing all but the sharpest branches in the middle of the hedge.

Last Tuesday morning I woke up scratching at my hands. Thinking nothing of it, I drank some water, went to the loo and suddenly became aware of strange lumps on the backs of my thighs. I ran upstairs to show my husband — I needed further diagnosis. The lumps itched like nothing else. I scratched at my hands again.

Many years ago, back before time began, at least back before smartphones and the internet, I shared a flat with a friend from art school where we were both studying Fine Art Photography.

The other night as we sat watching some boring show on the telly, a young man wandered into our back garden. I pulled back the blind to see him walk across our patio, squinting in the bright outside light, looking a bit lost. He did not look like someone trying to find a way into our house.

One of my favourite 'I need to get my writing unstuck' exercises is by Lynda Barry in her wonderful book for the imagination What It Is. Bursting with her unique illustrative style and poignant, often funny stories, Barry shares with a generous heart the exercises and processes she teaches in her classroom.