dialogue

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 June 2018

Writing Prompts for June 2018

Did you know that your enjoyment of hobbies can also benefit your writing? Nicole Bianchi has compiled a list: “15 Famous Writers’ Fascinating and Unusual Hobbies” where she wrote, “Hobbies not only gave them new experiences to write about but also helped them develop skills that made them better writers.” You can see her blog post here.

My hobbies include taking jazz voice lessons and participating in jazz recitals and a summer jazz camp. I think that the challenge of finding the right rhythm for my lyrics, pushing and pulling against the accompaniment, helps me be aware of the rhythms of the words and sentences I type on the page. I also knit and crochet (well-documented stress busters: check “Experts Say Knitting and Crocheting Can Have a Surprising Impact on Your Health” by Laura Casely.) Both of my hobbies are good for my writing.

Think of how many entertainers who are/were also painters: Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, James Franco, Ronnie Wood. Finding artistic expression in one medium did not detract from their ability to find expression in another. Both require fine-tuning the ability to focus—that can’t be a bad thing. Think of how your hobbies are actually supporting your writing. And if you don’t have a hobby, maybe now’s the time to think about pursuing one.

To keep you writing for the next little while, here are your writing prompts for June.

  1.  Use one, some, or all of the words in one of the following groups to write a story or poem.
  • Wind, flag, fence, twist, green, curious, over
  • Bowl, dandelion, hose, step, yellow, fall
  • Drop, chair, crack, glass, blue, shaken, shy
  • Rain, puddle, reflection, friend, loss, grey

 

2.  Here are some opening sentences for you to try.

  • Are you sure I’ll never have to do this again?
  • Henry put the knife down.  OR   Henry, put the knife down.
  • I was glad that he was leaving.
  • How could we keep going without Helen?
  • The cabin was deserted when we arrived.
  • Nothing frightened Henry, except ____________.
  • The soldiers tramped through the village.
  • I hate thunderstorms.
  • A swirling cloud of starlings swarmed the abandoned building
  • Fire!
  • Don’t tell me to keep calm!

3.  Perhaps, you can imagine a story with one of these titles: The Clubhouse Thief, Things Go Wrong Again, The End of the Road, Cold Cash, Traveling with My Family, Flames at Midnight, Downhill from Here, The Exception to the Rule, One of Many, The Diary, The Haunted Painting.

4.  Write a scene or story around one of these dialogue excerpts.

  • I don’t believe it!
  • Are you calling me a liar?
  • I’m just surprised that he would say that.

 

  • We should turn back.
  • We can’t. We’ll be caught.

 

  • Do you have to keep talking?
  • Sorry, I’m nervous, I guess.
  • You should be, but just be quiet about it.

 

  • They’ll notice that we’re gone.
  • Not for a long time.
  • Are you sure?
  • I’ve made sure.

 

  • I need you to promise.
  • Why? Don’t you trust me?

5.  Think about your characters. What hobbies might they have? Do they have knowledge gained from their hobbies that might help them solve a crime or save a life or make a connection with a difficult character or open a conversation at a job interview (I can speak from experience about the last one. Being a golf fan helped get me a job as an administrative assistant, once.)

Have a wonderful, writerly month?

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!

Writing Prompts for April 2018

It will be a while until these are in bloom. Sigh. Writing Prompts for April 2018

Welcome to April! I hope you’re enjoying the longer days and that extra warmth in the sunshine. If you’re looking for some great resources on the craft of writing, marketing, editing, publishing, and the writing life, I encourage you to drop by The Writer’s Knowledge Base™ where you’ll find over 40,000 curated articles on every writing topic imaginable. This is my go-to resource when I’m looking for material for workshops and inspiration for my coaching clients. I hope you find the answers to your writing questions there, too.

Here are your writing prompts for April.

  1. Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.
  • Venture, pass, name, gale, last, copper
  • Plan, red, guide, tree, lost, under, walk
  • Time, truck, blue, late, race, mountain
  • Book, drop, sidewalk, green, park, leaf
  • Dog, shelter, evil, yellow, food, fear
  1. Here are some opening sentences that might inspire a story or two.
  • “It’s no big deal.”
  • Old songs are the best.
  • The scribe wiped the ink from his fingers.
  • Everybody lies, except Henry, and sometimes I wish he did.
  • “When did your eyes start to glow in the dark?”
  • I waited as long as I could.
  • It ends tomorrow.
  • “Just leave him/her alone!”
  • I swear that the eyes in his portrait followed my every move.
  • I liked things neat and tidy. Helen was driving me crazy.
  1. Perhaps one of these titles will help you find a story idea.

Looking for Hope, Your Number is Up, One Heart: Two Loves, The Spy Who Liked Ice Cream, Only One Choice, Last Dance, No Options, Hero’s Return, Packing Up, Incandescent.

  1. Here are some short dialogue excerpts. Choose one and see if you can write a scene around it.
  • I didn’t stay long.
  • Why not?
  • I know when I’m not welcome.

 

  • Did Helen ask you to come?
  • If I waited for an invitation, I’d never go anywhere.

 

  • Where were you?
  • I thought the meeting was cancelled.
  • Who said it was cancelled?
  • Henry.

 

  • Where’s the dragon?
  • He’s sleeping.
  • Still?
  • He was nearly killed yesterday, remember?

 

  • I’d like more information before I decide.
  • You know all you need to know.
  • I disagree. It’s my life that’s at risk here.

 

  1. What’s your favourite book? List some reasons why this book is your favourite. Use the items on your list to make an editing checklist for the book you are writing.

6. Make a numbered list of twenty items that you can see right now. Pick three random numbers                 between 1 and 20 and use those three items in a story.

Hope you have a writerly April!

 

Writing Prompts for March 2018

 

One thing I love about March is its sense of hope. In among the snow squalls and rain and up-and-down temperatures, the hope that spring soon will be here thrives. Birds are returning and singing, my daffodils are making progress in my flower bed, the days are noticeably longer, and the sun has some heat in it. In a sheltered corner of my sunny deck, I’ve actually eaten my lunch outside for the first time this year. Hurray for March.

It’s an inspiring month for me to get down to some writing and to pat myself on the back for the several full garbage bags that have been dragged down from my still-cluttered office. More to go. All good.

I hope that the hints of spring are reinvigorating your writing and your commitment to getting that manuscript done soon.

If you need some inspiration, I hope the writing prompts below give you some story ideas.

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

  • Phone, skyline, blue, high, call, run
  • Card, photo, black, window, tear, long
  • Flowers, jar, table, deep, west, edge, map
  • Lamp, cave, damp, hot, echo, fear, red
  • Choice, gem, hide, purple, hand, grip, quickly

 

2) Perhaps one of these opening sentences will help you start a new story.

  • Are you listening to me?
  • Helen followed the noises to the space under the porch.
  • Writing my journal by candlelight was never my thing, but time travel will change you.
  • When the photo fell out of the envelope, I knew I couldn’t go back.
  • Leopards hunt at night. So does Harry.
  • Close the curtains. I don’t want anyone to see me.
  • Most morning, I dropped some coins or a dollar bill in Ed’s guitar case as I passed him on the way to the subway. Today, he wasn’t there, but ____________.
  • If I could have re-runs of days in my life, I wouldn’t pick today’s episode.
  • I raced down the hill on my bike. Smoke was coming from my house.
  • The general’s wife never kept living things alive or well for long: plants died, the dog died, the general was in a convalescent home. I was next.

 

3) Can you think of a story or poem to go with one of these titles?

Red Stars, Magic Carpet, Under Surveillance, Keep Strong, A Family’s Secrets, The Accident, Last Walk, Piper’s Glen, Jeopardy, The Ghostly Galleon, Race Day, The Glass Blowers.

 

4) Write a scene or story around one of these dialogue excerpts.

  • How do you feel about bats?
  • Why do you want to know?
  • You haven’t seen where we’re spending the night.

 

  • I can’t go any farther.
  • Then, good-bye.

 

  • I’m hungry.
  • We’re all hungry.
  • But—
  • Keep quiet or go back. Your choice.

 

  • I haven’t been here for years.
  • And?
  • Nothing … nothing.

 

  • Can I keep it?
  • Keep what?
  • This.
  • No.

5) How important is hope to your character? Has he been disillusioned from some past events. Is she a determined optimist?

6) What is your character’s favourite month or season? Does certain weather invigorate your character or turn him or her into a lump under a blanket for the duration?

Hope you enjoyed this month’s prompts. Have a writerly March!

If you’re getting stuck on your book project and need some help, please check out my coaching services here.

Writing Prompts for February 2018

 

Writing Prompts for February 2018

For such a short month, February can seem very long—grey and cold, with that ominous hint of tax filing time looming in the air. Fortunately, as writers, we can create the kind of February we want in our imaginations, writing about warm beaches, palm trees, and sunshine. For those of you lucky enough to have those wonders outside your door already have fun writing about blowing snow, ice, and grey skies.

As writers, it’s a gift to be able to escape into the worlds that we create—or worlds that other writers create. I’m reading a couple of books at the moment, so I can choose to be in a remote hotel in New Zealand surrounded by pools of sulfurous, boiling mud or to be on the rain-swept North Sea coast of Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion. Do you have favourite authors who create wonderful worlds for you? Share your favourites in the comments and let us know why they are special to you.

If writing descriptions and world creation are challenging for you, here are a few links to some helpful articles:

Writing 101: Creating Effective Description   Kaitlin Hillerich

How to Write Better: The Art of Dynamic Descriptions  Mary Jaksch

Tips on World Building for Writers — How to Make Your Imaginary World Real  Chuck Sambuchino

The Ultimate Guide To World-Building: How To Write Fantasy, Sci-Fi And Real-Life Worlds Claire Bradshaw

Now, here’s your opportunity to do some world creation of your own with February’s writing prompts. Enjoy!

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

  • Pen, orchid, tea, table, green, lamp
  • Puzzle, yesterday, magazine, bottle, red
  • Candle frost, black, star, breath, icy
  • Music, hide wires, stripe, glow, blue
  • Picture, memory, delete, waste, once, grey

See if one of these opening sentences inspires a story. Maybe you could use one of these sentences to end your story instead.

  • I wish I could do that day over again.
  • It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which one is the smart one.
  • I was done with feeling lonely.
  • Some music just makes you heart ache.
  • I/We thought he’d left down for good.
  • We both needed a break.
  • The soldiers surrounded our house.
  • We woke to the sound of driving rain and breaking glass.
  • We couldn’t cross here. The river was too deep.
  • Bre’s falcon warned us first.
  • Henry’s first time on skates was the best laugh I’d had in ages.
  • Never say no to a cat.

Perhaps one of these titles will inspire a story: Night Life, Southwind, Karn’s Mountain, The Breakers, For the First Time, The Other World, Snow Men, Folding Paper, Four Pines, Pink Shoes, No News is Good News, Lady Moonlight, Weapon XI, Border, The Walk.

Create a scene around one of these groups of dialogue lines.

  • Can’t you see he needs help.
  • We need to go.
  • But—
  • Now.

 

  • Sit still.
  • But I don’t want my picture taken.
  • This isn’t about you, remember.

 

  • I don’t think we should be here.
  • I think you’re right.
  • Then, let’s leave.
  • We’re not finished yet, and you know it

 

  • What’s the matter?
  • I’m thinking.
  • What about?
  • Why we haven’t seen anyone from Trianor in three days.

Have a writerly month!

 

December 2017 and January 2018 Writing Prompts

The end of a year and the imminent start to a new one prompt two responses: reflection and looking ahead. Reflecting on 2017 has helped me put my writing successes and failures in perspective. In my head, I, too often, equate creative writing with fiction. When I look back at the writing I did in 2017, I realize that it was all creative, even though very little of it was fiction. Taking research and an interview with an engineer and turning it into a case study worth reading is creative writing. Inventing new test questions for a communications textbook is creative writing. Turning 7000 frantically typed words chronicling a day-long series of seminars and turning them into a 2500-word summary is creative writing. Editing/rewriting ad copy so it sells the product and the company is creative writing. All this writing has kept my brain in gear and taught me a lot over the past year—and I’ve been paid. A definite bonus.

So, looking ahead, what are my plans for 2018? I’m going to become a student again. I’ve invested in a course that focuses on middle-grade and YA fiction, and I’m going to work through it step-by-step. I have a journal set aside especially for the course (a must for an inveterate journal collector.) The plan is to work on it in the morning before I check email and Facebook. A much better use of my waking time. It will be nice to look at the clock at 9:30 and realize that I’ve actually accomplished something other than watching cat videos and going down YouTube rabbit holes–and don’t talk to me about those quizzes that determine my spirit animal or the colour of my aura or the Celtic meaning of my name. Yup, I love them all.

I’m looking forward to starting my writing course when all the family is back at work and into their usual routines again. This week is all about relaxing and reading my Christmas-gift books–and clearing my desk for a positive start to 2018. Through 2017, my laptop and necessary resources for various projects have occupied increasingly less space on my desk and the piles around them have grown higher. I have garbage bags at the ready–and I intend to fill them!

Because I combined my long overdue December prompts with those for January, today, there are double the prompts to launch your creative new year. I hope your reflections and plans for 2018 help bring you closer to the creative results you are dreaming of.

Prompts

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

  • Lights, star, snow, trees, book, red
  • Message, hurt, open, candle, door, white
  • Wind, sky, grey, ice, worry, urgent, hurry
  • Box, bus, snowman, house, wreath, green
  • Table, candle, package, fear, cold, cabin, black
  • Water, sunshine, window, gulls, breeze, blue, hope
  • Grass, cliff, rocks, edge, running, love, yellow
  • Palm trees, beach, escape, broken, memory, pink
  • Child, swing, remember, grandfather, Old Spice, joy

Use one of these opening sentences to start a story.

  • I think Santa hates me.
  • That red stain was not cranberry sauce.
  • The river’s surge collapsed the bridge. We were wet, hungry, and trapped.
  • A cool hand touched mine in the dark.
  • I fell asleep in front of the fireplace. When I woke, the fire was out and I was in ….
  • The snow swept across the road in horizontal waves. I had to stop.
  • A tropical island wedding seemed ideal until someone murdered the bride.
  • The chief arrived with new orders.
  • It wasn’t just his/her smile that made him/her irresistible.
  • The puppy, shivering and crouched by the wrecked car, was the only creature dead or alive that the rescuers found that night.
  • This was not a good time for the power to fail.
  • The silence was starting to get to Henry.
  • Today I broke my all-time record for saying the wrong thing.
  • My home town didn’t exactly welcome me back. I wasn’t surprised.
  • The dark rangers crested the hill. They were closing in.
  • Next time that I pretend to be someone else, I’m going to think about it first.
  • Cheating was not an option.
  • The saying “less is more” does not apply to chocolate.
  • Never open the door to a rain-drenched ex with a head cold and a kitten.
  • This situation had nothing to do with who was male or who was female—it was about power.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or two.

For Love of Him, Moonrise, The Music Box, Red Defenders, Keeping the Faith, The Book of Why-Not, Seven Mysteries, Last Day of Freedom, The Stars’ Promise, The Fire, Castle High, Thin Ice, Last Train to Wonderland, Science Fair: Worst Day Ever, The Unwelcome Mat, Drums, Turn Around, The Hawk’s Cry, Two for Danger, Snow and Ice, Mars Traveler, The Sea Calls, Music and Mayhem.

Below are some snippets of dialogue. See if you can imagine a scene around one or more of them.

You took the last one!

So?

 

You’re awfully quiet.

I’m thinking.

What about?

Why we haven’t seen Henry since Linc came back to town.

 

I miss her.

We all do.

She didn’t think about us before she left.

Maybe she did. We’ll never know.

 

Number 46!

Yes, sir.

Keep your mind on your work.

 

When are you going to be finished?

Why do you care?

 

I told you that in secret!

I didn’t tell anyone. Honest.

Then how did _______ find out.

 

Did you say something?

I thought you did.

They turned and looked behind them. The cat was smiling.

I wish you all the best for a happy, healthy, and writerly 2018.

Writing Prompts for November 2107

WRITING PROMPTS FOR NOVEMBER 2017

I’m late with the writing prompts this month, but here they are now. My October was crazy busy–celebrating two birthdays and an anniversary, hosting Thanksgiving dinner, freelancing, singing, and lots more. Yikes! I’m so glad it’s November–and that the clocks turned back last night. Time is moving deliciously slowly today, and I’m getting lots done, including some lazy reading time. Perfect.

If you’re tackling NaNoWriMo, I wish you every success. It wasn’t for me this year, but I’m certainly cheering on those who made the commitment. Yay for you!

For my readers in the United States, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

And for all of you, I hope you have a healthy, happy and creative November!

WRITING PROMPTS

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

  • Fog, wind, yellow leaves, cold, grey, breath
  • Journey, break, wake, noise, stars, blue
  • Wall, forest, stones, escape, green, wonder
  • Gems, throne, permeate,strength, poison, red

Use one of these opening sentences to start a story.

  • “I want my money, now.”
  • I was careful about what I wished for. It didn’t help.
  • I loved everything about my dragon—except his uncanny ability to get me into trouble.
  • When Henry had a secret, it was no secret.
  • The freezing rain soon coated our cloaks making them so heavy that we could barely walk.
  • The yellow emergency light on the panel suddenly flashed. Too late, we already knew we were in big trouble.
  • I looked at the clock beside the bed. 3 a.m. Why was the musical birthday card that I’d left downstairs by the door, playing “The Chicken Dance” at this hour?
  • Henry inspired obedience—but only when he was standing in front of you and threatening.
  • Don’t throw stones at a wasps’ nest.
  • Henry was the last person that Helen expected to see at the concert.
  • The house had been empty for two years. Tonight, a light moved from one room to another, flickering briefly through cracks in the blinds.
  • I don’t care who selected me. I’m not doing it.
  • I have no idea why my mom picked “Last Chance Ranch” for this year’s summer camp. Well, maybe that’s not exactly true.

See if one of these titles inspires a story or poem.

Guitar King/Queen, The Last Turn in the Road, Henry’s Millions, A Bug in the System, Two More Sleeps, The Orchid Seller, Bones Town, The Face in the Photograph, When Eagles Dared, The Balcony, Winter Warrior, The Door to Somewhere. Magic Carpet, Recycled.

Write a scene or a story around one of the following dialogue excerpts.

  • Your back is really bleeding.
  • It’s okay.
  • Let me lift your shirt. You might need stitches.
  • Just leave it!

 

  • I can’t come with you tonight.
  • Again?
  • I have stuff I have to do.
  • Yea, like avoid your friends—and me.

 

  • Are you sure this is how you put this together?
  • Yeah. I’ve done it lots of times.
  • In the dark?

 

  • What was that?
  • Coyotes.
  • In the city?
  • Yes. When you need to worry is when you can’t hear them? Now, get moving.

 

  • I hate snow—
  • Cold? Wet? Needs shoveling?
  • You didn’t let me finish. I hate snow in July.

 

 

Writing Prompts for October 2017

Writing Prompts for October 2017

October is my favourite month. I love the vibrant colours in the trees, the cold nights, the morning fog, the smell of wet leaves … you get the idea. November is mostly grey, black, and white, but October has nature’s prettiest palette.

For many of you, this is also the run-up month to NaNoWriMo when you do the planning, researching, and organizing before the clock hits 12:01 on the morning of November 1st.  I’m considering taking on the challenge this year, but I’ll be doing a lot of serious thinking before I sign up–and I need a good story idea, too! Not bad things to be thinking about this month. If you’re looking for inspiration for NaNo, or just your everyday writing, I hope the following prompts will help.

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

  • Stool, umbrella, morning, lake, green, breeze
  • Couple, hat, but, bag, lost, rain, red
  • Necklace, black, road sky, jewel, blue
  • Rock, stain, rattle, whisper, drag, black, old
  • Rush, anxious, seldom, clasp, limp, sigh, yellow

See if you can think of a story to go with one of these opening lines.

  • Helen searched the crowd for one face.
  • Henry really was a bookworm.
  • We smelled them before we saw them.
  • The man adjusted his backpack and slipped into the alley.
  • Stones dug into my thin shoes.
  • Birkenstock’s and a kilt. Henry certainly was original.
  • “Did I say that out loud?” Helen’s face turned red and she tried to laugh.
  • Henry crept back into the tent. No one had missed him.
  • I’m sure we turn left here.
  • When it comes to spotting liars, my dog is way better at it than I am.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem.

The Blue Tent, XRT, White Rabbit, A Walk in the Shade, Wonder and the Yellow Balloon, Don’t Be Late, Keeping the Faith, Capricorn, Keeper Creek, The Cyclist, Black Shoes and White Socks, Anger Mismanagement, The Crown, Weybridge.

Here are some dialogue excerpts. Choose one group and see if you can create a scene around it.

  • Look over there!
  • Where?
  • Too late.
  • What was it?
  • Big.

 

  • I think Henry likes you.
  • I think you’re crazy.
  • So, I guess you like him, too.
  • Again–you’re crazy.

 

  • Why is Helen so angry?
  • Do you have to ask?
  • Nope. I have to leave.

 

  • When will you call?
  • I can’t say.
  • Can’t or won’t?

 

  • Do you have the key?
  • I thought you did!

Hope you have a writerly October!

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!

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