resources for teen writers

Writing Prompts September 2020

Yesterday was a day of bays: Red Bay, Hope Bay, Pike Bay, Stoke’s Bay, and Colpoys Bay, plus Sauble Beach, Oliphant, Lion’s Head, and Wiarton. Too windy for golf or sailing or enjoying the beach, we opted for a day trip to explore some of the Bruce Peninsula, dodging clouds like those above and enjoying sunny blue skies as in the photo below.

I hope your last long weekend of the summer held some lovely moments for you, too. Those of you heading back to school or who have family members doing the same, my good wishes for a healthy and smooth beginning to the school year are with you. Teachers, if you ever need any ideas or material to support your creative writers, please drop me a line anytime. I’m very happy to help in any way I can. I know your side of the desk well.

For the writers, here are some new writing prompts for September. I hope they keep you amused, distracted and creative in the days ahead.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.

  • umbrella, storm, shelter, run, stranger
  • car, highway, speed, escape, mountains
  • windows, outside, broken, old, black, reflection
  • table, meal, argument, whispers, over
  • door, open, unusual, echo, empty, note

Here are some opening lines that might suggest a story.

  • We did all we could.
  • Others have written about this, but I think it’s time you knew the truth.
  • When I watched his car top the crest of the hill, I knew that life would never be the same.
  • Yesterday was not a good day.
  • I never thought I’d say this, but trusting Henry was a good idea.
  • The crowd was getting restless. Where was he?
  • We didn’t know.
  • Dragons have bad days, too.
  • I thought that opting to live on Mars would mean leaving Earthly problems behind.
  • Dungeons are as bad as you think they are.

Here’s a list of titles borrowed from mystery writer, Agatha Christie. What stories can you imagine belong with these titles: The Big Four, Dumb Witness, Cards on the Table, Death in the Clouds, The Hollow, Evil Under the Sun, The Clocks, Third Girl, Elephants Can Remember, Curtain.

Here are some short dialogue excerpts that might inspire a scene or story.

I thought you were leaving.
I changed my mind.
I though we made it clear that you didn’t have a choice.

I’m selling the amulet.
But it should never be sold.
You haven’t heard the price I’ve been offered.

Shouldn’t we be heading north?
Plans have changed.
Why? To what? And by whom?

Did you hear that?
No.
It came from over there.
It’s just your imagination.

Wishing you a writerly month ahead!


CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

WRITING PROMPTS FOR JULY 2020

July 1 marks my country’s birthday—and more important—my mom’s. I have teased her that she only immigrated to Canada from England in order to have a holiday on her birthday. My country is 153 years old. My mom is 92. For both, their story began long before their official birthdays, needing the right people to get together at the right time with the right intentions and a commitment to nurturing their “child” through the years ahead. I’m proud to be a Canadian and my mom’s daughter, and July 1st is as good a day as any to remember the gifts I have been given by both.

If you’ve been writing all along through the pandemic, that’s wonderful, and I’m thrilled that your creativity has weathered the storm. If you’re like me, and only just lately finding your way out of the creative doldrums, yay for you, too. I’m enjoying finally putting words on the page again. Small steps—but happy ones.

If you’re a plotter, rather than a pantser, and looking for some useful software to help you create your novel outline, check out this new software, Pottr. It’s working for me, and the price is very reasonable—and nope, I’m not an affiliate.

If you’re looking for some story ideas this month or a way to break out of your current creative fog, I hope the following writing prompts will give you the inspiration that you need.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to inspire a story or poem.

  • Harbour, boat, dark, quiet, secret, danger
  • Storm, safety, run, thunder, dog, wet
  • Sun, heat, beach, horses, surprise
  • Phone, text, lie, challenge, friend, angry
  • Trees, shade, rest, stranger, fear, change
  • Car, highway, divert, follow, blue, ditch, chase

Use one of these sentences to start a story or a scene.

  • I really wish he were here right now.
  • I was sorry that I’d said I was ready for a challenge.
  • I can’t find Helen!
  • You’ll have to take over now.
  • Screeching tires, shouting voices, fists pounding on the front door—not a typical Christmas Eve.
  • Just keep driving, she thought. Just keep driving.
  • Safe Harbour. Never was a small town more completely misnamed.
  • Revenge is a dish best served cold.
  • Don’t ask again. We’re all hungry.
  • The sun shone through the stained glass windows and dappled the stone floor with pools of coloured light. 
  • Henry sighed, “Not again.”

Use one of these dialogue excerpts to spark your imagination.

Henry said he’d given it to you.
Well, I don’t have it.
Why would he lie?
How well do you know Henry?

Stop that racket!
I can’t, sir. Something’s broken.
Then fix it.
But ….

What’s the last thing you remember?
A noise and a rush of wind.
Anything else?
A voice.

Helen volunteer to help.
Nice of her.
What’s the matter?
She never volunteers unless there’s something in it for her.

Where did you get this?
Henry found it.
Is that what he told you?

See if one of these titles suggests a story: Amber Alert, Last Weekend, With Charlie, The Dog Who Loved Rhubarb, The Caves, Hiding in Plain Sight. Book of Lies, Lesson Learned, Boy/Girl and the Eagles, High Tower Castle, Always Tomorrow.

Other Writing Ideas

a) Three questions to ask your character:

  1. What are you afraid of?
  2. What do you want no one to ever know about you?
  3. What or whom do you value more than your life?

b) If you could make a film of your story, what actors would play the roles of your major characters?

c) Compare your main characters to animals or insects. What would they be? Does that tell you more about their natures?

d) Can you make a change in the weather impact your story?

WISHING YOU A WRITERLY JULY!


CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

Writing Prompts for April 2020

Still waiting for these lovely blooms. Snow again yesterday.

Last week I was sitting outside on a lovely April morning and listening to the buzzer sound at the nearby school. It goes on marking the end of classes while teachers and children continue to stay at home to keep their friends and family safe. Teachers are now online valiantly conquering new technology, inventing and creating new ways to communicate to home learners and surviving it all while coping with caring for their own loved ones at the same time.

The world has changed. My husband works from home, my son teaches piano lessons online, and I bake bread and sanitize my groceries that I pick up after pre-ordering from the store—and no, I don’t have hoards of flour or toilet paper in my cupboards. And I work—last week writing about flue gas venting systems and this week working on a webinar that I’m presenting on April 25th with fellow author, Lori Wolf-Heffner. (What You Need to Know About Self-Publishing)

The world is a scary place, so I stay home. I’m in the high-risk group (cancer will do that to you), so even when going for a walk, I keep my distance—which in Canadian terms is about the length of an adult hockey stick. 🙂 I’m focusing on doing my part to stay healthy and to keep my husband, my son, and my 92-year-old mom (who lives with us) safe and healthy, too.

And you know what? That’s enough. On sunny days, like today, I’m outside, if it’s warm enough (we had snow yesterday), I leave the phone and social media indoors and read or knit or listen to music. That’s enough. Having more time–the writer’s dream–is not a reason for you to feel obliged to be massively creative or feel guilty if you’re not. You’re under stress from every news report, statistic, Facebook update, and adaptation you make to living in isolation. You are going to find that your focus and energy are challenged. So, if you opt to knit, read, or drink tea instead during your ‘creative time’—yay for you. You’re adapting to this scary, changed world as best you can while applying liberal doses of self-care. There’s no ONE WAY to get through this. Choose what works for you, and if your need a prompt to get your writing again, I hope that one of the following provides the inspiration you need.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a story or poem.

  • Box, mouse, ribbon, cold, yellow, stain
  • Ink, glasses, spill, ruin, plan, blue, deliberate
  • Path, forest, sun, chill, noises, danger, green
  • Journal, find, secret, death, mystery, family
  • Birds, circling, sign, hesitate, lost, run, black

Use one of these sentences to begin a story.

  • What do you mean I can’t see him right now?
  • Sorry. You missed your chance.
  • I can’t believe that Henry lied–again.
  • The dilapidated diner was the only place open at 1 a.m.
  • Helen said that was a secret.
  • I don’t remember the incident the way Henry says it happened.
  • This is the last time I trust this rust bucket to get me anywhere.
  • I’m worried. When was the last time you heard from him.

Maybe one of these titles will spark a story: A Ten-Year-Old Tells Knows It All, Second Choice. The Balloon, Fire in the Air, Mystery at the Zoo, Road to Fear, Finding Love at Walmart, Should’ve Said No, Two Wishes, The Cabin, Don’t Go There, The Legend, Dragons and Me.

Here are some dialogue excerpt to help inspire a scene or a story.

I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.
But it’s true!
That’s even worse!

I got at weird text from Henry.
Me, too.
What do you think we should do?
Give him what he needs.
Are you sure?

I’m very sorry, sir.
IT’s a bit late for sorry. He may be gone for good.
I’ll find him. I promise.
And when did you become a dragon tracker?
Right now, sir.

I hate an east wind.
Me, too. Always means a story.
Always means trouble.

Write how your character would feel and what they would do, if they had to be isolated from others.

If you’re stuck in your story, have another look at your character. Maybe you need to know more to move ahead. Check these two links to help you grow your character and your story.

This link leads to a great worksheets from NaNoWriMo

Here’s a character template that I developed.

Please stay safe and well–and happy writing!

Writing Prompts for March 2020

I don’t know why the shortest month always seems so long, but it does. I think one reason this year is because I’m anxious to get to March and April because I have a lot of fun things planned for those months.

In March, I’ll be taking my books to two events, one smaller craft market, and the other, the very busy KW Women’s Show. I’ll be sharing those days with Lori Wolf-Heffner, author of the Between Worlds series. We go back many years to when I was her high school English teacher, and now, I act as her writing coach while she creates her wonderful YA series—Book 6 is out in March.

We sell our books under the banner Zwei Writers from KW, and this April we’re teaming up to present two writing workshops at our local libraries. We’ll also have one more craft sale in April, too. Check out Zwei Writers (and why we chose that name) here.

To keep you writing into spring, here are some new writing prompts.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a poem or story.

  • bucket, water, farm, surprise, spill, run
  • dream, thunder, friend, danger, sinister, force
  • stray, find, wound, save, hide, threat, silver
  • castle, attack, escape, forest, cave, fear, traitor
  • city, empty, soldier, command, siren, run, taken

Here are some opening lines to try.

  • That’s not where I left it yesterday.
  • Shadows crept across the wall.
  • Talking to Henry was a waste of time.
  • Don’t tell me Helen can’t help again.
  • Storm’s coming.
  • If you got that information from Henry, I’d consider your source.
  • Why can’t I go with you?
  • The city was deserted, and worse, silent.
  • Grab those and let’s get out of here.
  • Yes. I’ve been listening. Are you done now?
  • Don’t go in there!

Here are some titles that might inspire a story: Stormy Weather, A Walk in the Shadows, Sun Dance, More the Merrier, Thunder in the Hills, A Lost Day, Ranger, Preston’s Code, Terror Beach, The Death Ship, Race Through Time

Here are some dialogue excerpts. See if they inspire a scene or a story.

How can you say that about Henry?
It’s not hard. I just tell the truth.
But it’s not true.
Prove it.

What’s that music playing?
What music?
Can’t you hear it?
No.
But it’s coming from behind that wall.
The only thing behind that wall is air.

We’re snowed in.
That’s great!

We’re snowed in.
No! We can’t be!

We’re snowed in.
Get digging.

We’re snowed in.
I’m going back to bed.

Can you read what this says.
It’s in French.
I know that. But can you read it. (pause) Well, what does it say?
It says your brother is a traitor.

Are those orange lights supposed to be flashing?
No.
What do we do?
Figure out how to land this thing—now!

Other writing prompts

  • Which season does your main character like and why? Special memories? Special family celebrations? Special sports?
  • What’s the best gift your character ever received when he or she was a child? Has it been kept or thrown away? Why?
  • What does your character worry about?
  • Describe the one person that your character trusts.

Wishing you a writerly March!

CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

Writing Prompts for February 2020

If you’re wondering why there are daisies in my photo today, it’s because, where I live, January had only 12 hours of sunshine. Something cheery was required. On the plus side, gloomy days do encourage the drinking of warm beverages and curling up with books to read and journals to write in–and naps. All good.

I’m taking part in a writing challenge with a friend, and if you’re finding it hard to keep to your resolution about writing every day, I encourage you to do the same. If you know someone who has made any kind of resolution (exercising, eating less sugar, finishing a knitting project, decluttering a room) team up with them to send a weekly accountability message. If you kept to your resolution, you send the simple word “done.” If you didn’t, you can send an “almost” or “it was one of THOSE weeks,” whatever works for you. It’s amazing how you stay focused on your goals when someone is waiting to hear about your successes every week.

What’s helping me meet my goals this time around is keeping them small. My goal it to write 25 words a day. Nope, that’s not a lot, but it means that I haven’t missed a day since I started two weeks ago. Sitting at the laptop and knowing that I only need to write 25 words to meet my goal takes off a ton of pressure. And because the pressure is off at the start (I mean it’s only 25 words), I manage to write a lot more. When I’m not afraid of failure or trying to force myself to meet a larger goal, the words flow more easily. Here’s one of my favourite posts on the topic of mini-habits. I certainly inspired me: https://www.kristiholl.com/not-enough-willpower-goals-make-mini-habits/

Here are some writing prompts that I hope will inspire and help you meet your writing goals this month.

Use one, some, or all of the random words in one of the following lists to write a story or poem.

  • Rain, wall, dog, chain, red, fear
  • Sun, rays, carpet, clue, thief, time
  • Step, mud, train, escape, midnight, silver
  • Fire, smoke, woods, haunt, shadow, black
  • Gate, creak, overgrown, hidden, glow, yellow

Maybe one of these titles will inspire a story: The Snow Globe, Wander the High Ground, Tarpin’s Mistake, A Better World, While I Remember, Red Force One, A Million Secrets, Castle of Fear, Bennie to the Rescue, Goodbyes are Hard, A Fool to Fall, Gwillam’s Star.

Try one of these opening sentences for your story:

  • It was too quiet.
  • Sperron’s luck had run out.
  • Dust from the explosion shrouded the twisted beams.
  • Helen yanked the earbuds from her ears. She couldn’t have heard that right.
  • Why wasn’t anyone answering that phone?
  • The tour guide went white and hustled our small group back outside. That’s when I noticed that Henry was missing.
  • Helen had never cheated before.
  • The van stopped on the street just ahead of us.
  • Turn that light out!
  • Shadows crept through the forest.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might help you create a scene or story.

We need to get out of here now.
Why?
Can’t you hear that?
What?
Sirens.

Henry promised he would stop.
And you believed him?
Yes.
Then you’re a fool.

Third door on the right. That’s what he said.
This is it.
So, open it.
Okay.
What’s the matter?
Run! Now!

Someone’s following us.
Turn right here.
No.

What’s the matter?
I just don’t feel right.
Me neither.
What was in that tea?

Wishing you a writerly month!


CASL compliance: This message was sent to you by Heather Wright on behalf of Wrightingwords.com. If you do not wish to receive electronic messages from me or Wrightingwords, please reply by email and write “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. Unsubscribing will remove you from inclusion on any emails sent to you by me in the future, with the caveat that if you choose to opt out, then you will also lose all email correspondence for all Wrightingwords related news and activities.

Writing Prompts for February 2019

My booth at the OLA Super Conference - Writing Prompts for February 2019

I had an adventure last week and took my wares to the Ontario Library Association Super Conference. It was my first trade show experience, and I learned a lot. Travelling was complicated by extremely low temperatures and late-running trains, and on my return trip, I got to drag a one-wheeled, very heavy wheelie to the train station—three long blocks and still very cold. The actual trade show turned out to be lots of fun. I connected with some great people, sold some books, and had the pleasure of getting to know Kate Merlin Hanson, a publisher from New Brunswick (Chocolate River Publishing) whom I’d known for years on Facebook. She was even nicer in person.

Though I won’t really know if the event was a success until I see some online book and writing camp sales or get an invitation or two to visit a school or library, I was glad that I took the risk and gave it a try. Nothing ventured …. This was the largest possible forum for my work where I could be there in person. Scary? Yes. Exhausting? Yes. Also exhilarating, challenging, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Onward!

Here are some writing prompts that I hope you find inspiring this gloomy, cold February. We’ve had ice, rain, snow, high winds, and little sun, so far. I hope that you are faring better and that the rest of February offers lots of scope for your creativity and for adding to your word count.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.

  • Pill, toxic, yesterday, hope, wonder, yellow
  • Flowers, game, toward, care, card, surprise
  • Ice, storm, power, candle, fear, noise, black
  • Tree, shadow, animal, climb, see, curious
  • Wind, kite, free, call, home, run escape

Here are some opening lines that may inspire a story or two.

  • I want a do-over!
  • That picture wasn’t on the table yesterday.
  • The latch clicked and the secret door opened.
  • Something just fell out of your pocket.
  • Henry boarded the last train.
  • If she wanted it that badly, she could have it.
  • Why do mothers have to have such good memories?
  • I woke to the sound of sirens.
  • Some strangers should stay that way.
  • I was sure that I’d seen her near the fire.

See if one of these titles inspires a story: Last Magic Show, A Girl Named Wonder, The Deadly Dragon, Escape to the Past, Angel, The Last Train, Tea for Three, After the Pro, Another Sunday, No Free Ride, Absolution, Gifts.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that might suggest a scene or a story.

  • It’s too heavy. I can’t pick it up.
  • I packed it yesterday. It was fine.
  • Try it. Someone has messed with the contents.
  • That can’t be good.
  • Why does Helen always give you such a hard time?
  • Just lucky, I guess.
  • That’s not the reason
  • It’s the one you’re getting.
  • Please, turn that music off.
  • Why? I thought you liked it.
  • I have a headache. And I’m tired.
  • And you’re lying.
  • When was Henry due back?
  • About an hour ago.
  • Typical.
  • Is he always late?
  • No, just inconsiderate.

Have a writerly month!

Writing Prompts for October 2018

At St. Andrews Scotland

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada, and I am definitely counting my blessings. For three weeks at the end of August and early September my family traveled to the UK, enjoying a wonderful holiday and the beginning of my son’s pursuit of his MA in Glasgow. It was tough leaving him behind, but we made great memories in that three weeks, and thank goodness for WhatsApp since we got home! 😊 Today’s writing prompts will be interspersed with photos from our trip.

I hope you have a creative month ahead, and if you are prepping for NaNoWriMo, check out the NaNo website for great tips. Scroll down the page for lots of articles that will help you get ready for the challenge. These tips are valuable any time of year.

Temptations at Harrods

Here are your writing prompts for October:

  1. Is there a place that you long to see? If you can’t get there in person, go wandering with Google Earth. Find the exact street and house, castle or farm where your ancestors were born. Use Google Earth to research locations for your books and your character’s life.
  2. Write about a member of your family who lived through a challenging time. Put yourself in their shoes. Research their neighbourhood, their battlefield, their workplace. Dig deep to find the real story behind their stories of the past.
  3. Close your eyes or turn your screen brightness to zero and write for five minutes. Not seeing the screen helps you turn off your critic/editor, too. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just let the words flow without backtracking for corrections. See what doors to your imagination or emotions this exercise opens.

    Boats in Nairn harbour
  4. Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.
  • River, boat, passengers, storm, captain, friend, stranger
  • Stone, building, awe, ceiling, carving, message, past, understanding
  • Path, forest, night, danger, run, hide, stranger, safe, shelter
  • Glass, red, offering, temple, earthquake, trapped
  1. See if one of these opening sentences inspires a story.
  • I wish you hadn’t come here.
  • What’s bugging Helen?
  • Henry lied.
  • That creature never roamed this sector in daylight.
  • Helen picked up the box and gave it to Henry to open.
  • Why is that book so special?
  • I hated making decisions.
  • News came from the east. It wasn’t good.
  • I couldn’t let Henry find out.

  1. A loch on the Dava Moor

    See if you can create a scene around one of the groups of dialogue lines.

  • I couldn’t care less.
  • You’d care if it were your family.
  • I wouldn’t.

 

  • Helen promised we’d be finished by now.
  • And you believed her?
  • Where is she anyway?

 

  • We shouldn’t have come here.
  • It’s the only place where we have any chance of finding it.
  • But it’s dangerous.
  • Without it we have no chance at all.

 

  • Henry said we wouldn’t leave until we were finished our training.
  • Henry didn’t plan for the enemy to be so close so soon. We’re leaving.

 

  • Have you heard the latest about Helen?
  • No, and I don’t want to.
  • Not even if it concerns your brother, too?

I hope you have a writerly month ahead!

Writing Prompts for July 2018

WRITING PROMPTS JULY 2018

I believe that creativity begets creativity. When I’m working on one creative project, I get inspiration and ideas for others. Does the same thing happen to you? It’s certainly a lovely to be in that place right now. I plan to enjoy it and wish the same for you!

I’m also happy to announce the launch of my online Writing Camp for Teens. If you are a teen writer or have a teen writer in your family, please check out what I’ve been up to here.

I’m taking the plunge and attending a writers’ critique group this evening. I only know one member, so I’m a little intimidated, but I know it’s healthy to get out and meet other writers. I’ve always been reluctant to share my work, so this will be a stretch for me. If those of you already in critique groups have any encouraging advice (or cautionary tales) please pass them along. I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in some insider information.

I hope you enjoy the new writing prompts and that you and yours have a healthy and writerly month ahead.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.

  • Deck, breeze, book, cup, alone, fear
  • Lake, tree, shore, run, midnight
  • Table, menu, grief, pie, memory
  • Message, hurry, unknown, friend, doubt
  • Thunder, clouds, running shelter, lightning, breath

Use one of these opening sentences to start a story.

  • I deserved better.
  • Henry smelled of Old Spice and trouble.
  • The audience rose to its feet.
  • Saying goodbye was going to be harder than I thought
  • I was afraid that my famous last words were going to be, “I should never have believed Henry.”
  • Storm front coming.
  • I wasn’t sure Helen would recover from this one.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem: Every Monday, Run, The Last Pony, The Answer, Quotient, Formula for Murder, Always or Never, Alone in the Sky, Promises and Lies, One Heart for Yesterday.

Here are some dialogue excerpts. See what scenes you can create from them.

  • I haven’t seen Henry for ages.
  • He was around yesterday. Maybe, he doesn’t want to see you.

 

  • Did you like the movie?
  • Uh huh.
  • That’s all you have to say?
  • Didn’t you notice who was sitting in front of us?

 

  • I thought we were done here.
  • You might be, but I’m not.

 

  • Did you hear what Helen said?
  • Yes.
  • Did it sound like a threat to you?
  • Yes.

 

  • I’ve had enough. Let’s go.
  • Who put you in charge?
  • Okay fine. You can stay, but I’m leaving now.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Writing Camp for Teens

Online Writing Camp for Teens – Explore Creativity and Story Writing at Home

I’m really excited to announce that I have just put the latest touches on my online Writing Camp for Teens. It’s a self-run, online course, offered through Teachable with five Activity Bundles containing writing activities, crafts, field trip ideas, and Internet links. The Activity Bundles are organized by topics and can be completed one day at a time, or they can be dipped into at random for a variety of activities all centred around writing.

Activity Bundles

  1. Finding Story Ideas
  2. Learning About Your Characters
  3. Plotting and Starting Your Story
  4. Writing Description and World Building
  5. Writing Dialogue

Writers can use the information in Writing Camp for Teens anytime in the future, too. Students have lifetime access.

The Other Activities in the bundles are creative activities that are fun to do along with the writing.  A few of these focus on drawing for a reason. Writers tend to have a critical voice in their heads that can get in the way of creativity. Drawing and colouring are simple ways to quiet that voice before tackling a writing session.

Along with writing-centred exercises and activities, the Writing Camp for Teens provides a few links to librarian-selected reading lists by age. Links to resources and writing tips are in each bundle.

I have incorporated relevant material from my two books, Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens and Writing Fiction: A Guide for Pre-Teens, into this Writing Camp package, along with lots of writing prompts in each bundle. There’s no need to buy either of the books to supplement the camp material.

Writing Camp for Teens is offered at two levels: Silver and Gold. The Gold Level includes a personal critique by me of a 1500-word excerpt from a story or novel.

Please take a peak at Writing Camp for Teens at the following link. Several activities are open for you to explore. https://wrightwriter-school.teachable.com/p/writing-camp-for-teens/

WRITING PROMPTS FOR MAY 2018

Writing Prompts for May 2018

Spring is here (finally!) along with good intentions to get more writing done and to finish a major project by months’ end. (I hope to be able to share it when I post June’s writing prompts.)

I hope that the longer days have inspired you to get outdoors more and do some walking. Walking is shown to help creativity, and I need all the help I can get in that department. Here’s a quote from an article in Psychology Today by Linda Wasmer Andrews:  “A study from Stanford University showed that, when people tackled mental tasks that required imagination, walking led to more creative thinking than sitting did. … Across four experiments, from 81% to 100% of participants produced more creative ideas while walking, as compared to sitting. What’s more, when those who had walked sat down afterward, the creativity boost lingered — great news for anyone who takes walking breaks and then returns to a desk.”

Okay. No excuse now. Get walking and have a wonderful, creative may.

Here are your writing prompts for May.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.

  • Tired, recording, glasses, orange, rain
  • Midnight, message, last, sounds, glow
  • Caught, under, laugh, shock, eyes
  • Instant, ocean, dunes, escape, breeze
  • Network, intricate, flaw, time, over

Here are some opening lines you can use for your story.

  • I belonged here.
  • “Do you think dreams mean anything?”
  • When I inherited a 100-year-old house, no one told me that a ghost came with it.
  • The guards were at the door.
  • The suns slipped behind the horizon.
  • Sometimes, I should just keep my mouth shut.
  • I hadn’t like Henry when we were both 8 years old. I wasn’t expecting things to be different seeing him __ years later.
  • If you want a friendship to unravel in a hurry, get caught telling a lie.
  • The sunlight warmed my face—such a relief after so many cold, grey days.
  • One more mountain to climb.

Perhaps one of these titles will inspire a story: One More River, Sheltered, The Princess Who Cried, No Escape, The Lights Go Out, Batter Up, Ben Benjamin Tells a Story, Too Late, Flying Lessons, Pack Rat. Something Has to Give, Guardian Angel.

Use one of these short dialogue excerpts to crate a scene or start a story.

  • That place is haunted.
  • No such thing.
  • I dare you to prove me wrong.

 

  • Look! In the ditch.
  • What?
  • Kittens.

 

  • I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
  • Where?
  • On the screen.
  • That’s not good.

 

  • Happy Birthday!
  • Do I know you?
  • You will soon.

If you get stuck for a story idea, consider the time. Look at a clock or think of a clock and pick a random time, say 1:28 a.m. What could people be doing then? Coming home from a party? Waking from a nightmare? Working in an all-night gas station? What could happen to create a problem for your character before 1:30?

Hope you have a writerly month ahead!

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