Daily Writing Prompts 2003

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January 2003

  1. Write some writing goals for the new year, and share them at the forums!
  2. Write about an unhappy New Year's eve.
  3. Answer the FUM and write a scene or story about one of them.
  4. Finish something you didn't finish last year.
  5. Write something inspired by your favorite song.
  6. Write about a pleasant surprise
  7. Write about an unpleasant surprise
  8. Taking one's medicine
  9. Write about a red hooded sweatshirt
  10. Tell an old story from a new POV
  11. Write a journal entry for a character who is on a journey.
  12. Clean your slate: Write something, anything, on a blank sheet of paper.
  13. Describe your favorite meal. Be sensory.
  14. Write a nonsense poem.
  15. Close your eyes and write about the first thing that pops into your mind.
  16. Write about a stuffed animal.
  17. Write five of your favorite recipes and give them to a friend.
  18. Tell a story from a picture.
  19. Do something you've always wanted to try, but never did.
  20. Describe your grandmother's house.
  21. Write a story where one of the characters is a refugee.
  22. Write about the "middle of nowhere".
  23. Write about a celebrity you like.
  24. Write about a cocktail party.
  25. Write about the repercussions of a Supreme Court decision.
  26. Write about eating spaghetti.
  27. Write about a purple bag.
  28. Write about a card game.
  29. Create a character who is incredibly happy.
  30. Write about a pot-luck dinner
  31. Write about the sounds at a basketball game.

February 2003

  1. Write about a day without sunshine.
  2. Write about a groundhog
  3. Write about a man who chews tobacco
  4. Write five sentences without using the letter T.
  5. Write about a mistake you learned from.
  6. Use a writer as your narrator
  7. Write longhand for at least fifteen solid minutes
  8. Write a story based on a myth
  9. Write a story based on a true experience
  10. Write about a Monday-morning weekend-hangover
  11. Write a new myth to explain why the sun rises.
  12. Write about something that feels soft.
  13. Explain why a particular good luck charm is lucky.
  14. Write about hearts or roses.
  15. Begin with "The roses are withered now..."
  16. Write an anti-love story.
  17. Describe a place you've always wanted to visit, but never have.
  18. Write about your family vacation.
  19. Take your journal to a cafe.
  20. Window shop.
  21. Write about a war on _________.
  22. Use a favorite album as a soundtrack for a story/essay.
  23. Draw Scrabble tiles until you have a word. Start a story/poem with that word
  24. Use an eyecatching billboard in a story.
  25. Write a speech introducing the winner of "Moron of Year".
  26. Start with "The temptation ..."
  27. Write about an honorable deed.
  28. Write about a second childhood.

March 2003

  1. Write about a jazz drummer.
  2. Write about a woman with a glass eye.
  3. Write about a dance contest.
  4. Write about an angry fish.
  5. Create a setting by describing its sensual aspects.
  6. "It always starts the same way..."
  7. Describe a landscape
  8. Write about getting on the freeway
  9. Look up a favorite screenplay online and read it
  10. Experiment in a genre you've never tried
  11. Write about a chess game.
  12. Begin with " The bagels were stale..."
  13. Write a character sketch of a pompous waiter."
  14. Write an ode to snuggling.
  15. Research Botox parties.
  16. Write a historical story.
  17. Write a how-to.
  18. Make a family tree from memory.
  19. Write what happened on your favorite TV show.
  20. End a story with, "...it was what it was meant to be."
  21. Write a story/essay where a beneficial drug plays an important role.
  22. Write about something you do only because you feel obligated.
  23. Pick 5 words randomly from a dictionary and use them in a flash story.
  24. Write a proposal for specialty TV channel or radio station.
  25. Write a story where the protagonist feels s/he is underpaid.
  26. Write a character sketch of someone in a "before and after" ad.
  27. Create a story about head lice.
  28. Write about a U.N. Relief Worker.
  29. Begin with "Our backyard swing was on old tire..."
  30. Allow the first piece of litter you see today be the focal point of a story.
  31. Describe your big toe in great detail.

April 2003

  1. Write about being a fool.
  2. Write about your worst nightmare.
  3. Write about a man with a sword
  4. Begin with "She had more pimples..."
  5. Write about a woman in a hat
  6. Your narrator is under the influence of a drug
  7. Your narrator is under the influence of a person
  8. Write a birthday story without using a party setting
  9. Write a story using as many cliches as you can think of
  10. Fictionalize or parody a story from today's news
  11. Write about an on-line buying experience.
  12. Create a new life for your favorite comic strip character.
  13. Write a dialogue between Coke and Pepsi lovers.
  14. Write about the energy you feel in spring.
  15. Begin with "Not tonight..."
  16. Put new paper in your silverware drawers.
  17. Describe the perfect birthday.
  18. Write the words to your favorite song. Now, rewrite them.
  19. Read a book in a garden or park.
  20. Tell us what it's like to fly.
  21. Write about a train ride.
  22. Write about buying a gift.
  23. Write about a person in a non-traditional (gender-wise) occupation.
  24. Have a character rant about an overpriced, overhyped product.
  25. Use lava, metaphorically, in a story or poem.
  26. Write about a bus ride.
  27. Write an ad for your favorite restaurant.
  28. Write a fan letter to your favortie TV character
  29. Write a review of the last book you read.
  30. Play day, enjoy the shapes of clouds.

May 2003

  1. Write about a character in danger.
  2. Start with "I knew I shouldn't have gotten out of bed..."
  3. Write a scene that takes place at a wedding.
  4. Write about being a fool.
  5. Base a story on a drive-in movie.
  6. Have your character do something you'd never dare
  7. What's the worst that could happen? Write it!
  8. Write about a fad
  9. Use these in a story: a green candle, a box of papers and a bottle of wine
  10. Have a character from an old story make a different choice
  11. Write about a cross-dresser.
  12. Describe the horizon from where you live.
  13. Write about a golfer who cheats on his scorecard.
  14. Describe insects mating.
  15. Begin with "Her watch stopped at 11:15.
  16. Write out your Christmas list.
  17. Write about a news story as if you were participating in it.
  18. Write about a childhood trauma.
  19. Write a conversation between two five-year-olds.
  20. Write about what you did LAST summer.
  21. Describe a family ritual.
  22. Write about a visit from someone you don't like.
  23. Use complementary colors symbolically in a story or poem.
  24. Write about a concert.
  25. Document, in words, an event you'd normally capture on film.
  26. Write about a fallen tree limb.
  27. Describe the beauty within an unattractive character
  28. Steam burns, write about it.
  29. Create a toast for a marriage you don't approve of.
  30. Begin with "I hate rainbows"
  31. Write about a woman with heavy eye makeup.

June 2003

  1. Begin with "The first day"
  2. Begin with "The first time"
  3. Write about a nude beach.
  4. Allow heat and cold to enter your writing today.
  5. Play day, walk barefoot through mud puddles.
  6. Work on a character bio
  7. Write an episode from your narrator's past
  8. You're the therapist. Your character is the patient. Record the conversation
  9. Try the reverse of yesterday's prompt
  10. Write a story where "war" is a theme
  11. Start with "I must go to Easter Island."
  12. Research the migration of your favorite bird.
  13. Describe a desert blooming with yellow flowers
  14. Create a conversation between two people looking at a building plan.
  15. Write about an old bathrobe.
  16. Write about a gated community.
  17. Begin with " That's too ambiguous"
  18. Write about a dog swimming.
  19. Write about a child's teddy bear.
  20. Begin with "I can't hear you"
  21. Write about a holiday you don't celebrate.
  22. Write a story that revolves around a deception.
  23. Write about a close finish.
  24. Write about seconds you wish you could take back.
  25. Start a story with a conversation overheard on public transportation.
  26. Begin with "He's a militant vegetarian."
  27. Write about a piano recital.
  28. Write about singing a capella
  29. Base a story on the fear of germs.
  30. Begin with "My back itches."

July 2003

  1. Start with "It was a less-than-beautiful day."
  2. Write about a remedy.
  3. Write about a regret.
  4. Declare your independence.
  5. Write about a test.
  6. The character has a secret obsession. Write about it
  7. Fictionalize a vacation experience
  8. Write about the reality of love
  9. Have the weather influence your plot
  10. Write about a guilty pleasure
  11. Write something from the point of view of a small dog.
  12. Have one of your characters write a letter to another author's character.
  13. Take a walk around the block. Write a scene about something you saw.
  14. Write about a bus ride.
  15. If you were a bear, what would you be doing right now? Write about it.
  16. Write about a secret.
  17. Ask someone older than you to tell you a story.
  18. Write a movie or book review.
  19. Research an era for an hour.
  20. Type your name into Google.
  21. Write about a "witch hunt".
  22. Write about excess.
  23. Make a tall building a key element in a story.
  24. Write a proclamation for "_________ Day".
  25. Have a writing potluck--along with food, everyone brings writing to share.
  26. Write about a free range chicken
  27. Begin with "It was the longest road..."
  28. Your character can see into the future, how does she deal with it?
  29. Write about a worm farm.
  30. Create a character whose ethnicity is different from yours.
  31. Start with "I woke up in a tattoo parlor..."

August 2003

  1. Write about crossing a border.
  2. Start with "I knew we should have gone to Vegas."
  3. Write about a flight that's been delayed.
  4. Write about a kiss.
  5. Use these three words in a story or poem: cowards, bowling, college.
  6. Tell the story behind a photograph (in under 1000 words)
  7. Write about flying
  8. Weather permitting, write outside today
  9. Write about stealing something
  10. Write about having something stolen
  11. Write an ode to the best water you've ever tasted.
  12. Study a pine cone and write about your observations.
  13. Write about the sound of a new pair of corduroy pants.
  14. Write about falling.
  15. Start with "Her puppies..."
  16. Visit a monument.
  17. Write about snowcones.
  18. Write a story with prejudice as the theme.
  19. Write about a bodily function.
  20. Write a short story where day turns to night.
  21. Write about how important (or not) religion is to you.
  22. Fictionalize yourself.
  23. Write about spending a holiday away from home.
  24. Write about a party that got out of hand.
  25. Write about a product you wouldn't hesitate to endorse.
  26. Make red moccasins the focal point of a story or poem.
  27. Describe the green turtleneck your character would buy.
  28. Write about an apple.
  29. Begin with "His blue jeans didn't fit."
  30. Write about a braided rug.
  31. Create a story about camping equipment.

September 2003

  1. Write about a woman in a non-traditional job
  2. Write about a man in an untradtional job
  3. Start with "Wednesday"
  4. Love yourself and your creativity today
  5. Begin with "Ugh, what is that?"
  6. Read some poetry
  7. Spend your writing time doing some editing
  8. Share your work with someone who's never read it
  9. Learn more about a favorite writer
  10. Put a book near your remote control. Read instead of watching TV
  11. Begin a story with the color your character loves
  12. Begin a story with a color your character hates.
  13. Write about a fan.
  14. Describe the sky today.
  15. Begin with "Today is my anniversary"
  16. Write about your favorite teacher.
  17. Write about someone with a disability.
  18. Describe yourself in exacting details.
  19. Write about cookies.
  20. Describe your favorite reading chair.
  21. Sound off about a law you disagree with.
  22. Write a chapter in an hour.
  23. Write about something that always seems better in the movies than IRL.
  24. Write about a professional wife.
  25. Write a flash story or poem using words of 6 letters or less.
  26. Organize your writing space today.
  27. Create a character sketch of a woman named 'Doc'.
  28. Start with "Why is the steering wheel red?"
  29. Write a review of the last movie you saw.
  30. Write an impressionistic view of a lake.

October 2003

  1. Write about a person remembering a dream.
  2. Begin with "It changed..."
  3. Write about a child running.
  4. Begin with "My only choice is to leave"
  5. Allow what is on your floor to begin your story.
  6. Learn about writers events in your area
  7. Imitate a favorite writer's style
  8. Research contests and vow to write for one
  9. Rename your character and note changes in him/her
  10. Write standing up
  11. Write about an etched glass goblet.
  12. Start with "Where did you get this sea shell?"
  13. Write about water.
  14. Explore the word transgression.
  15. Write about crossing a boundary.
  16. Make a list of all the pets you have ever had.
  17. Color in a coloring book.
  18. Take a pencil and pad with you everywhere today.
  19. Describe your perfect mate.
  20. Describe your favorite childhood toy.
  21. Take a stab at slash fiction.
  22. Write a poem in 10 words or less.
  23. Write about obtaining an autograph.
  24. Write a story where two characters are common-law married.
  25. Include a naked person in a story.
  26. Write about two brothers.
  27. Write about a hypochondriac.
  28. Valerie and Michel; write their story.
  29. Start with "I groaned with satisfaction."
  30. Proudly proclaim "I am a writer" today.
  31. Begin with "The streets lights just came on..."

November 2003

  1. Write about hunger.
  2. Write about a craving.
  3. Describe a mirage.
  4. Write about the many uses of a yardstick.
  5. Begin with "That's not orange"
  6. Write about a kitchen
  7. Write about a green light
  8. Write the story behind a song
  9. Go to Sunday Brunch chat and try the writing prompts there
  10. Write a fight scene
  11. Write about a gift
  12. Describe a charater's pet
  13. Draw a setting from one of your stories
  14. Write a dialogue that takes place around the dinner table
  15. Write from the point of view of an animal
  16. Make a list of what you would buy if you could afford it.
  17. Read a classic novel.
  18. Write about war.
  19. Make a birthday card by hand.
  20. Listen to classical music.
  21. Write about a recipe/food that reminds you of childhood.
  22. Write the table of contents for the non-fic book you plan to write "one day"
  23. Write about a--literal or metaphorical--circus.
  24. Write a story where an incriminating video plays a role.
  25. Write about a pet.
  26. Start with "The casserole looked poisonous"
  27. Discover and record your family history.
  28. Write about a wishbone.
  29. Write about a horseshoe.
  30. Tell a funny story about yourself.

December 2003

  1. Write about a technophobe.
  2. Write about a child with a humiliating nickname.
  3. Write about an aggressive reindeer.
  4. Write about a stout, grumpy ghost.
  5. Write about the perfect robot.
  6. Take any line from a book and begin with it
  7. Write about a veteran
  8. Write about "the other side"
  9. Write the story behind a scar
  10. Finish an old story
  11. Write about an iconoclast.
  12. Write about a piece of marble.
  13. Write about a predominantly purple painting.
  14. Write about building a snow fort.
  15. Write about a potted amaryllis.
  16. Tell the truth all day.
  17. Write a smell.
  18. Write about a party.
  19. Make a snowflake from paper with scissors.
  20. Sit in a new chair or spot every chance you get.
  21. Write about returning to a place from your past.
  22. Write about someone from high school who turned out in a surprising way.
  23. Write about a hot place.
  24. Write about a pioneer.
  25. Write about a relationship that isn't what it seems.
  26. Write about an unruly poinsettia.
  27. Write about jalapeno peppers.
  28. Write about a favorite holiday decoration.
  29. Write about a tube of toothpaste.
  30. Begin with "Champagne"
  31. Write about the best thing that happened in 2003.

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