Writing Prompts for September 2017


Writing Prompts for September 2017

I can’t believe that it’s September already. Summer flew by, and now, there are glimpses of colour in the trees that say fall is just around the corner. Yikes!

I’ve always loved fall. For years as a student and then later as a teacher, it was always the time for fresh starts and resolutions–like New Years without the snow. This fall is no different. I have plans for paying more attention to my fitness, doing some serious culling of years of accumulated paper and teacher resources, and basically, just getting my act together. I live in hope!

Whatever happens, writing will still be a priority. I hope that small steps will help me reach my goals, and I’m already wondering about tackling NaNoWriMo this year. Again, I live in hope. 🙂

If you are looking for a new creative project for the fall, maybe one of the following writing prompts will inspire you. Have fun!

a)  See if one, some, or all of the words in one of the following groups suggests a story or poem.

  • Lake, gull, lighthouse, sunset, shadows, blue
  • Clouds, rain, thunder, fear, rising, dog, grey
  • Bench, waiting, listening, others, call, risk, purple
  • Time, past, legend, mystery, shell, clasp, green
  • Stones, message, fail, portal, wonder, run, silver

b)  Here are some opening lines that might lead you to a story.

  • Last year, we were happy.
  • Henry sighed. That was never a good sign.
  • I learned to climb the day my life depended on it.
  • I hadn’t smelled that particular cigar smell in years. He was back.
  • The cries of the gulls downed my scream.
  • The council assembled in silence.
  • A smooth black stone lay half-hidden in the sand. It wasn’t a stone.
  • The storm circled the tower.
  • It was too late when I remembered my grandfather’s words: red sky at dawning—sailor’s warning.
  • I dug my nails into my palms and kept my mouth shut

c)  Here are some titles that might suggest a story or poem: End of the Line, The Oracle, Bram’s Ring, When Good Witches Go Bad, Bottom of the League, Turner’s First Game, The Wild Ones, The Cartographer, The Secret in Black Wood, Kayak Adventure.

d)  See if you can write a scene around one of these short dialogue excerpts.

  • Bring him along.
  • But he’s just a kid.
  • Doesn’t mean he can’t be useful.

 

  • I’m done. I want to leave.
  • That’s too bad.
  • Why?
  • We still need more answers.

 

  • Is Henry okay?
  • Why?
  • He walked right past me this morning like I was invisible.
  • Don’t you know? He’s trying to protect you.

 

  • The water’s fine.
  • It’s freezing!
  • You’re just not used to it.
  • And I don’t plan to be!

Hope you have a writerly month ahead!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: