writing starters

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 January 2020

I chose a photo of a road for my header today because I’m looking ahead at a year that seriously needs a sense of direction. Last year, I created 4 new books and had fun on the craft market circuit selling books and promoting my coaching. Yes, I had fun, but not what you’d call success.

This year I need to focus on marketing and promotion and deciding my purpose. What I love is presenting workshops and working one-on-one with coaching clients. How do I reach them? Do I rent rooms and promote workshops, do I run webinars, do I create online courses, do I venture onto YouTube–yikes! Decisions need to be made, risks need to be taken, marketing needs to be done–all of which make this introvert cringe more than a little.

In the meantime, I will continue to reach out to you with some new writing prompts to help you on your creative journey. I love creating these, too.

Here are some questions for your main characters:

  • What New Year’s resolution would your character make? Why?
  • What person from your character’s past would he or she like to be with on New Year’s Eve? Why?
  • What would your character like to leave behind in the old year?
  • What is your character looking forward to (or dreading) in the new year?

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

  • lamp, glow, shadow, noise, dark, cold
  • moon, silence, snow, window, visitor, shiver
  • gulls, water, sand, discover, surprise, fear
  • sounds, distant, castle, walls, archer, threat
  • forest, sunlight, run, hide, cave, danger

Here are some opening sentences you can try:

  • Where have you been?
  • I’m afraid that you’re too late.
  • Waves slapped the side of the boat.
  • No one loved the holidays more than Helen.
  • No one hated the holidays more than Henry.
  • Henry discovered the body at 6:32 a.m.
  • Too many creatures were stirring, including the mice.
  • The crows scolded me awake.
  • After ten minutes, the rain had soaked through our clothes.
  • Henry raised his hand, and the room fell silent.
  • I couldn’t stop looking at the door. Where was he?
  • Some mornings should just be skipped.
  • Pirates!

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

  • Helen is lying.
  • Why are you so sure?
  • She made more eye contact in that one sentence than she’s done in a lifetime.
  • I’m not sure that I agree with you about Henry.
  • That;s okay. We don’t have to agree.
  • Good. I think he’s a louse.
  • The Protectors are coming for us tomorrow.
  • You seem very calm about it.
  • It’s our destiny.
  • It may be your destiny, but it’s not mine.
  • That cabin is supposed to be empty until next month..
  • So, what’s the problem?
  • Yesterday the flowers by the door were wilting. Today they look fine. It hasn’t rained, so someone must have watered them, and no one comes up this lane except us and the owners.
  • We need a place to hide.
  • Well, you can’t hide here.
  • I don’t think Henry’s going to give you a choice.

Thanks for dropping by! I wish you a creative, happy and healthy 2020!

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 and August 2019

I hope that you’ve left behind a healthy and creative June, and that you’re beginning the second half of this year with lots of plans for new stories or for finishing those you’ve begun.

I’m happy to say that I finished my last of four take-action workbooks. This one is about writing memoir. I’ve included 45 writing prompts in this workbook to help you mine the memories you need to fill your pages, along with strategies for discovering more about the places and people that influenced your life

Find out more here: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Take-Action-HEATHER-WRIGHT/dp/1999103823/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=writing+memoir+a+take+action+workbook&qid=1563796720&s=gateway&sr=8-1

I’m on a deadline for a freelance contract, so I won’t be posting a blog or new prompts in August. To give a creative boost to your summer writing, check out your July and August writing prompts below.

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

  • Table, gloves, fog, chill, red
  • Bag, glasses, door, step, green
  • Hat, chair, sun, mosquitos, yellow
  • Truck, flag, open, road, white
  • Cedar, shadow, dead, under, black
  • Umbrella, storm, cold, keep, blue
  • Beach, sunset, bench, sorrow, orange

Here are some opening sentences:

  • I don’t care if you’re tired. Dig.
  • The restaurant seemed deserted.
  • No one writes letters anymore.
  • Don’t open that!
  • Cold fog rolled up from the lake.
  • Two in the morning was the wrong time to see lights on the hill.
  • Even the sound of rain on the tin roof couldn’t keep me awake.
  • I liked to think I was immune to Henry.
  • I’d been desperate to hear an approaching car, but this was the wrong car.
  • A man shoveling dirt always makes me think of Henry.
  • As usual, Helen did not say thank you.
  • Saving Henry’s life was getting to be a habit.
  • Lightning never strikes birch trees.
  • I couldn’t stop myself from laughing, which didn’t help me make a friend.
  • Why are you so sure that it was murder?
  • Karos pulled his robe tightly around him and swept from the room.

Try one of these titles:

Adjoining Rooms, Camp Leopard, Life is Good, Tables Turned, The Welcome Harbor, Those Meddlin’ Kids, Pike’s Peak, The Jasmine Secret, The Window, The Ghost Ferry, Biding Time, Resurrection, Door Number Three, Keeping Faith, Secrets from the Past, Ley Lines, The Crimson Sword.

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

He wants to see you now.
What happens if I don’t want to see him?
I wouldn’t risk finding out.

Henry doesn’t seem to like Helen very much.
It’s not what it looks like.
You mean, he likes her?
No, he hates her.

Helen need you to do her a favor.
Well, why doesn’t she ask me?
She knows how you feel about her.
I can guarantee that she doesn’t.

Henry just did the stupidest thing.
No, what was stupid was letting you find out about it.

I hope you’re pleased with yourself.
No, not really.
Then, why did you do it?

What’s that noise?
I didn’t hear anything.
Liar.
Okay, I heard something.

Have a writerly summer! See you September!

writing Prompts for June 2019

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a guest blog for Elizabeth Spann Craig whose blog I’ve been following for years. Elizabeth is a cozy mystery writer who posts regularly with writing tips and behind-the-scenes peeks at her publishing journey. She also compiles a weekly list of links, Twitterific, packed full of information of interest to writers and self-publishers. I always find something helpful or inspiring in the articles she chooses.

I decided to write my guest post about journaling, a writerly task that I have never even remotely mastered. In spite of that failing, journaling does have a helpful and inspiring place in my writing life. If your relationship with journaling is an uneasy one, please check out my guest post: Intermittent Journaling: How I Lost the Guilt and Acquired a Helpful Writing Strategy.

Here are your June writing prompts.

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

  • Statue, water, cry, bench, sunset, life
  • Chair, smartphone, empty, alert, drop, shiver
  • Ladder, tree, see, above curious, time, laugh
  • Umbrella, chase, tumble, door, sigh, after, drip
  • Ring, stone, chose, reward, remember, gold, stare

Try one of these sentences to start or end a story.

  • I’m afraid of flying.
  • Ask Helen. She remembers everything.
  • Henry kept one too many secrets.
  • That’s blackmail.
  • The door swung open. It should have been locked.
  • What do you mean there’s a Canada goose in the kitchen!
  • I thought you said they’d be too scared to turn up.
  • I was really looking forward to the part. Shows how wrong a person can be.
  • You took the last one!
  • There’s someone here to see you.

Try one of these titles for story or poem.

When All Else Fails, Chocolate Cake for Breakfast, Honor Among Thieves, Only One Left, Distraction, Embers, Mars Mayhem, Lucky Pennies. Passport to Murder/Romance/Fear, Angus Reports to Work, Dogs Are People, Too.

Here are some dialogue excerpts to inspire a story or scene.

I’m looking for Henry.
Well, he’s not here.
That’s not what I was told.

I think you two will get along really well.
I’m sure we won’t.
Why not? Or don’t I want to know the reason?

You said we’d be safe here.
We were.
Yes, but for not long enough.

Hand me your cup.
But, I’m not finished.
I won’t ask again.

The last person I want to see is Helen.
That’s unfortunate.
She’s on her way, isn’t she?
Yup.

HAVE A WRITERLY JUNE!

Writing Prompts for May 2019

I’m so excited to announce my three new books are now available on Amazon.com. These books have been a labor of love, and I hope that the genre writers among you will find them useful. These workbooks will help you keep all your research, character ideas, setting notes, writing schedule, plot outlines, etc., all in one place as you work through your first draft. Click here to see sample tables of contents and links to Amazon. A shout-out to D’vorah Lansky at Share Your Brilliance for inspiring me to write these books.

Here are your writing prompts for May.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to inspire a story or poem.
1. clouds, heat, escape, green, forest, shadow
2. spring, sleet, fear, mountain,path, decision, grey
3. cabin, deserted, shelter, noises, roof, footsteps, green
4. bowl, vision, crystal, red, cloak, whisper
5. trees, wind, silence, eerie,thud, surprise

Here are some opening sentences you could try, or you could use them anywhere in a story:
1. I thought Earth only had one moon.
2. You can’t go in there.
3. The first day of Henry’s vacation didn’t turn out remotely as planned.
4. We jumped when Helen burst into the room.
5. Toads. I hate toads.
6. The other road passed to close to the castle
7. We expected the scream.
8. Henry promised he’d deal with it tomorrow.
9. One puppy equals hard work. Three equals madness!
10. At rehearsal, I’d been fine, but in one hour I’d be in front of an audience.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem: A Winter Dream, Helen/Henry: Teen Detective, My Life with Braces, Farm Girl/Boy, March Break Blues, The Blunder Years, View from the Roof, Consequences, Parachute, Past Meets Present.

Here are some dialogue excerpts that I hope give you ideas for a scene or story:

I heard what you said.
So?
Does Henry know what you’re planning?

I don’t like the look of those clouds.
We’ll find shelter soon.
I want to go home.
You know that’s not possible.

Helen’s tired.
She’ll have to keep up.
She’s our responsibility.
She’s your responsibility.

Henry’s been suspended.
I know.
Already?
Who do you think turned him in?

I hope you have a writerly May!


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 2019

Writing Prompts for April 2018

Last week I presented a workshop at my local library, offering tips for writing great dialogue. Today, I’m sharing my resource links to help you keep your dialogue as fresh as the Spring we’re all waiting for. (My apologies for the layout below. WordPress has changed their blog formatting, and I’m still struggling to get it right.)

RESOURCES FOR WRITING DIALOGUE

9 Rules for Writing Dialogue

Harvey Chapman

9 Rules For Writing Dialogue Like a Pro

Five Tips on Writing Dialogue

5 Tips on Writing Dialogue

How to Write Effective Dialogue in Your Novel

Gary Smailes

https://bubblecow.com/posts/how-to-write-effective-dialogue-in-your-novel

Who Speaks? Pointers about Attribution in Dialogue 

By Victoria Grossac

http://www.writing-world.com/victoria/crafting15.shtml

Do You Have “As You Know, Bob…” Syndrome?–How Writers Can Butcher Dialogue & How to Fix It

By Marcy Kennedy

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/do-you-have-as-you-know-bob-syndrome-how-writers-can-butcher-dialogue-how-to-fix-it/

Dialogue: Make Each Character Unique

Darcy Pattison

Dialogue: Make Each Character Unique

Are Your Characters Talking Heads?

K.M.Weiland

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2009/12/are-your-characters-talking-heads.html

10 tips for writing better dialogue

Alice Kuipers

10 TIPS FOR WRITING BETTER DIALOGUE

Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue

Nathan Bransford

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/09/seven-keys-to-writing-good-dialogue.html

Beginnings, Middles and Ends

Nancy Kress

I Can’t Believe You Said That- Using Dialogue to Build Conflict

Eileen Cook

I Can’t Believe You Said That- Using Dialogue to Build Conflict

Here are a few writing prompts for April.

Opening Lines:

  • I didn’t know that this would be the last time.
  • Puddles were meant for splashing in..
  • Judgement doesn’t become you.
  • The plane’s engine sputtered.
  • Henry never lost control.
  • If there was a good day to break up with your boyfriend, this was it.
  • The corners of the house were full of memories–not all of them good.
  • Puppies!
  • We huddled in our cloaks and moved closer to the fire.
  • And all along, I’d believed I could trust him/her.

And here are some dialogue excerpts that you can expand into longer scenes, so you can practice your dialogue-writing skills.

  • I’m so tired. Can we stop now?
  • You weren’t tired when Henry was in charge.
  • Maybe he treated us like humans.
  • I’ve never seen Helen so angry.
  • You haven’t known her long, have you?
  • Did you get it?
  • Yes.
  • Well, where is it?
  • I didn’t bring it with me.
  • Why not?
  • I don’t trust Henry like you do.
  • Why is that light flashing?
  • Don’t worry. We’re going to be fine.
  • You didn’t answer my question.
  • You’re right. Now, sit down and hold on.

Hope you have a writerly April!

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 march 2019

Thinking Spring. Writing Prompts for March 2019

March came in like a lamb here, and despite a little foreboding about its exit in four weeks, I was very glad to say good-bye to February.

I’m trying to think spring, despite the white stuff on the ground, so I’m putting my online Writing Camp for Teens on sale just in time for March/Spring Break. Please drop by here and check out the five days of activities that I’ve assembled for creative teens.

I’m very excited to be working on a new non-fiction project for genre writers. I hope to have at least one of the planned books ready by the end of March, so I can share it with you in my next blog. I’m working on books for sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, romance, and memoir authors, and enjoying every minute of creating these resources for you. Do you have a favourite genre that you like to read? Please drop a note in the comments. I’m a big mystery fan myself, but I do read some romance and fantasy, too.

Here are your writing prompts for March. I hope you have a creative month ahead!

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

  • Call, storm, run, lost, black, lightning
  • Computer, message, unknown, threat, secret
  • Hidden, treasure, capture, bluff, scarlet
  • Distracted, danger, child, cry, flee, blunder

Here are some opening lines that might suggest a story or two.

  • I don’t like it when he’s so quiet.
  • That sound wasn’t thunder.
  • I was down to my last ten minutes of battery power.
  • The room on the other side of this wall was supposed to be empty.
  • Just my luck!
  • Sleet hammered the car windshield.
  • No, I was not going to answer his text.
  • Whoever said, “Cheaters never prosper,” never met Henry.
  • Helen hadn’t meant to lie.

See if any of these titles inspire a story or poem: Blue Moon, No Dreams Left, What S/He Was Waiting For, Meadowland, Purple Dusk, Climbing to the Stars, Scary Dreams, The Last Planet, The Garden, The Remains, Ice Storm, Raven Song.

Here are some short scenes of dialogue. Can you imagine the rest of the scene?

I don’t want to see you ever again.
Ever again is a long time
That’s what I’m counting on.

I’m sorry.
I wish I could believe you.

I have to go.
Have to or want to?
I think you’ve already decided.

Should the clouds look like that?
No. We need shelter. Now.
Where?

Wishing you a writerly March!

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 November and December 2018

I hope your November is off to a brighter start than mine. Sunshine has been at a premium, and we’ve had more wind, clouds and rain than we need on consecutive days. On the plus side, I still have some Halloween candy left—I love Rockets—so it’s not all gloom. 😊

A day-long writing conference last weekend inspired me to look at fiction again, so I signed up for NaNoWriMo to give myself a boost into this new project. I also downloaded Scrivener. The learning curve is challenging, but I’m determined to master it. I have another writing conference coming up—online this time. I’ve attended this conference in person many times, but this will be the first time that I’ll be experiencing it from my own desk. Looking forward to more learning!

Here are your writing prompts for the balance of the year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and will be starting the new year with energy and more creative ideas than you know what to do with.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR GIFTS FOR WRITERS, please have a look at my Online Writing Camp for Teens, or consider buying some coaching time for your favourite writer–or for yourself!

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

  • Painting, glass, light, shadow, cold, secret
  • Lamp, cave, map, lost, wet, empty
  • Pursue, hills, horses, honour, cause alone
  • Window, escape, fall, forest, storm, dawn
  • Lake, thunder, shelter, friends, stranger
  • Cliff, climb, slip, danger, noises, wind

Here are some opening sentences that might inspire a story or two.

  • I was sure you liked him/her.
  • Don’t ask me that again!
  • Henry only knew two ways to make money—neither was legal.
  • Last night Helen came back home.
  • The gate creaked on its hinges.
  • I remembered that cabin, but mostly the corners where I tried to hide.
  • What do you do when your dog actually eats your homework?
  • I hated the silence.
  • Waves lapped on the shore like heartbeats.
  • Henry was the last to leave.

See if you can come up with a story to go with one of these titles: The Swarm, Time’s Fool, Crack of Dawn, A Murder of Crows, Aunts at the Picnic, Truth Has a Price, Pirates’ Cove, The Secret Brother/Sister, The Blue Door

Here are some groups of dialogue lines. Use the lines in a group to create a scene or incorporate them into a story that you’re already working on.

Where did you get that?
At the store.
Did you pay for it?

Henry said he’d pick me up at 3:00.
No rush. It’s only 2:30.
Oh.

You’re so competitive!
No one likes to lose.
But not everyone needs to win as much as you do.

I don’t think we should go in there.
What’s the matter? Afraid?
If afraid keeps me a live, then, yes.

I can’t believe you finally walked out.
Well, I did.
What did she/he say?
She/he doesn’t know yet.

Here are some other writing ideas. Answer these questions for yourself or for your character.

  • What is your favourite holiday story or tradition?
  • What is your favourite holiday food?
  • What was your best surprise?
  • Which family member do you resemble most?
  • Are you an introvert, extrovert, or a bit of both?
  • Describe some childhood, holiday memories.
  • What was the worst outfit your parents made you wear.

Hope you have a writerly and creative finish to 2018. Onward!

 

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!

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