December 2013 Writing Prompts

November just flew by, and I’m sure December will, too. I’m working on a big freelance gig right now, and there’s the possibility of another project for a children’s publisher before the month is over–lots to keep me busy! I’m determined to find time for joywriting, too, in amongst all the other commitments, though, believe me, I’m not aiming for a high word count. I have a book idea that I’d like to plot out to see if it’s worth pursuing, and I want to go back to journaling every day. That’s my limit.

I hope you find some ways to stay connected to your writing through the holidays. It’s a tough slog getting reacquainted with those writing muscles after they’ve been allowed to be lazy for a long time–and, trust me, I speak from considerable, sad experience. If you need some inspiration to help you fill a journal page this month, maybe some of the following writing prompts will help.

1. Use one, some, or all of these words in a story or poem:

• holiday, red, flash, tin, tremor, find
• salt, light, hand, turn, cover, water
• bag, handle, glass, date, black, walk

2. What is your character’s favourite holiday movie? When and where was your character the first time he or she saw it? Who was your character with? Does the memory make your character happy or sad? Why?

3. See if you can imagine a story to go with one of these titles? Behind the Curtain, Red Mittens, The Centre Closes, Mr. Snow, Dead on Time, The Last Photograph

4. Imagine what might be happening before, during and after these lines of dialogue.

• Where is it?
• I left it at school.
• Then you can’t come with us.

• We’re done here
• But we haven’t —
• I said, we’re done.

• Have you heard from Gregor?
• No. We’ve not heard from him for five days?
• Then, there’s no news of the battle either?
• No.

5. See if some of these opening lines suggest a story.

1. “No. You unwrap your present first.”
2. I yanked out my earbuds. That noise had to be a scream.
3. Margot always ate her vegetables first.
4. The smell of smoke lingered long after the blaze had died.
5. I huddled in the stern as the sea slammed the little boat.
6. Why was her floor covered in broken glass?

Hope you have a creative and happy month ahead!