Writing prompt for August 31st

California is on fire!

Write a short story or play that includes fire as a background, setting or character interest, etc.

Writing prompt for August 29th

Write a short story about the last day of summer camp.

This can be written from the perspective of parent or child, attendee or no.

Writing prompt for August 27th

Write a short story about what happens when someone stays home from work with the flu.

What unexpected events can occur in your home that you're not aware of until you change your routine.

Writing prompt for August 25th

Today is “National Banana Split Day.”

Write a short story or scene featuring a banana split.

Writing prompt for August 24th

Go to your closet and choose one of your favorite outfits.

Pull it out and have it in the room where you write.

Write a scene or story for a character wearing the outfit.

Writing prompt for August 23rd

Write a review for your latest work.

Be fair and impartial.

If you aren't able to honestly give yourself a rave review, then figure out what your piece needs.

Writing prompt for August 22nd

Write a letter of apology to anyone you feel you have wronged in your life.

Use the letter as a launching point for a short story or scene.

Writing prompt for August 21st

Query a publication with holiday theme ideas (Arbor Day, Memorial Day).

Be sure to choose holidays that are four to six months away (that’s how far in advance magazines work).

Writing prompt for August 20th

Work on your nonfiction query hooks or your fiction opening sentences.

Craft 10 of each.

Writing prompt for August 19th

Take a happy character, and place him in an exceptionally dull and dismal setting.

How does he react to the mournful sounds, dark colors and negative things in his surrounding world?

Writing prompt for August 18th

Choose one of your favorite books, and copy down the first sentence.

Why is this line intriguing?

Create a list of other alluring first sentences.

Writing prompt for August 17th

Personify several objects in a child’s room.

What would happen if the objects held a presidential election?

Writing prompt for August 16th

Compose a journal entry from the point of view of a bored elementary school child shut in on a rainy Saturday.

Writing prompt for August 15th

Take a depressed character and place her in an exceptionally bright and cheerful setting.

How does she react to the happy sounds, bright colors and positive things in her surrounding world?

Writing prompt for August 14th

Write about the last time you were in Vegas (or similar location.)

Exaggerate every possible detail.

Writing prompt for August 13th

Think back to elementary school.

Recall a day or specific time in which you felt particularly smart for some reason.

Write about it.

Writing prompt for August 11th

Today is “National Play in the Sand Day.”

Write about a day at the beach.

Or write about a day at the beach.

Writing prompt for August 9th

If you could have your lover say one thing to you more often than they do (and mean it), what would you want to hear?

Write a scene in which the conflict arises from this being said too often, or not often enough.

Writing prompt for August 8th

If you could change one thing about the American electoral system, what would it be?

Writing prompt for August 7th

Write a fan letter to your favorite musician, writer, director, actor, painter, etc.

Mail it.

Writing prompt for August 6th

Choose one of your favorite songs.

Write a parody of it.

Writing prompt for August 5th

Think of a time when your life was chaotic or you were in crisis.

Think about all of the people who were in your life at that time.

Pick someone who was present, but you weren't especially close to.

Write a letter, reconnecting with this person.

OR, write a short story about how you imagine their life is now.

Writing prompt for August 4th

Make a list of shoes you've owned, whether from childhood or recent times, that you no longer own.

Select a pair that you particularly miss.

Write a story that involves, in a significant way, those shoes.

Writing prompt for August 3rd

Imagine receiving a jury summons in the mail.

Write all the thoughts and possibilities of what may come of it. (EX: How you might get out of serving, who you could meet if you do serve, what kind of case might you be assigned to, etc.)

Choose one thought to further explore.

Writing prompt for August 2nd

Take a poem, and turn it into a short story.

Or take a story, and turn it into a poem.

Writing prompt for August 1st

Imagine you had to relive the experience of starting first grade for the first time.

What advice would you give that little person about school, friends and life in general?