stop waiting. start writing.
Somewhere in my basement sits a box containing a faded grade-school project asking the age-old question: what do you want to be when you grow up? The girl whose two favorite book series were, not coincidentally, both about girls who were aspiring authors (the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace, and the Anne of Green … Continue reading Your Words Matter
Discover new ideas with the 3 Word Challenge. Write a piece that uses these three words. -or- Use the 3-word idea to kickstart your imagination. How do you fit them together? What might you create?
Use the image as a starting point. What's the story behind this picture? Write a poem inspired by the image. Write about a time you were in costume. What was the occasion? People often wear masks, whether literal or figurative. Examine your characters. What masks do they hide behind? What secrets or insecurities are they … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Behind the Mask
Write a diary entry on behalf of one of your characters. Is it an ordinary day? A momentous occasion? Explore a glimpse of their thoughts and personality through the pages of their diary. When did you start to realize that you liked to write? What was the first thing you remember writing? Write about your … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Dear Diary
Write about a rainy day. How does rain change your environment? Describe the rain with as precise and vivid language as you can. Use the image as a starting point. What is happening in this scene? Imagine you are experiencing rain for the first time. Write about the encounter. What do you notice? Write about … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Rainy Day
Write a story or scene that takes place in or around a lighthouse. Use the image as a starting point. Describe the place and the moment. Utilize as many senses as you can. Reach for strong, vivid language to help your reader experience the scene. Use the elements of the scene (whether lighthouse, boat, ocean, … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Lighthouse
Finish the line: "The next stop is..." Write a story or scene that takes place on a subway. Next time you are on a bus, train, airplane or any other form of public transportation, watch the people around you. Note the details or their dress and behavior. Make a list of your observations.
Write about your most embarrassing moment. Is it still embarrassing or has your perspective changed? Describe the feeling of being embarrassed. Use vivid, active language. Describe before and after the moment as well as the experience of the embarrassing ordeal itself. Is your character easily embarrassed? Hardly ever? What might they point to as their … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Embarrassment
Your character opens the mailbox and finds a letter addressed in strangely familiar handwriting. The letter claims to be a note from your character to him or herself. Is it from the past? Or from the future? What happens next? Write a letter to yourself. Will you write to your future self? Your past self? … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Letter to Yourself
Summer brings new places and new routines. With our first group challenge completed, the writing routine may look a little different too. It's important to take advantage of times of transition and different paces of life to bolster our writing. The most important thing is to keep writing. Find a writing routine that works for you, … Continue reading Summer Vacation: A Writer’s Guide