Category Archives: A Pen In Each Hand

Writing Exercises.

March 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

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A Pen In Each Hand

  1. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: likely, powder, thick, formulate, flock.
    2. Use the phrase, “knock on the door.”
    3. Write about finding something that’s been lost for years.
  2. Use these five words: contestants, cookies, recommendation, release, toxic.
  3. Write about showing up late without your homework.
  4. Write about a TEDx talk, real or imagined.
  5. Write a more realistic version of a stress-induced dream.
  6. Use these five words: communities, debut, employees, sexy, electric.
  7. Write about trying to get a date on short notice.
  8. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: string, elephant, cream, market, misery.
    2. Use the phrase, “Does anybody want this?”
    3. Write about deciding what to do with a last hour together.
  9. Write about those last few drops of wine in the glass.
  10. Write a story about birders.
  11. Write about a discussion about money.
  12. Use these five words: zoo, target, date, mugged, variety.
  13. Write about a small child watching construction vehicles.
  14. Include these 3 characters: jewelry maker, artist, occupational therapist.
  15. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: promise, bridge, contain, fade, ivory.
    2. Use the phrase, “There’s nothing new here.”
    3. Write about forgetting to recharge a battery.
  16. Start with this line: “You are what you do, not what you say.”
  17. Fill in: “The ______ is the limit.”
  18. Use these five words: DIY, undone, block, photograph, liar.
  19. Write about being asked to leave a group.
  20. Write about applying to be an astronaut.
  21. Make up something that only happens on the Equinox.
  22. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
  23. Write about an unusually nice day with a sudden turn in the weather.
  24. Use these five words: lectured, crust, weave, cutting, introverts.
  25. Write about someone else’s holiday.
  26. Set your story in Hawaii.
  27. Write about a strange noise in the night.
  28. Set your story on a volunteer tourism trip.
  29. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
  30. Use these five words: exchange, safety, attempt, tail, defense.
  31. Write about someone suddenly discovering they’re not alone.

February 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

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A Pen In Each Hand

  1. Get that story out of the drawer and work on it.
  2. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: picture, elegant, graze, cooperation, waist.
    2. Use the phrase, “I don’t know who that is.”
    3. Write about not participating in a popular activity.
  3. “I see the problem. How am I going to fix it?”
  4. Write about the power of story.
  5. Write about a pet animal’s revenge.
  6. Include these 3 characters in a story: landscape architect, editor, nanny.
  7. Write about waiting for a storm.
  8. Start your story in a chilly room.
  9. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: decline, bland, marble, flower, crevice.
    2. Use the phrase, “You can’t get there in a car.”
    3. Write about a bird with attitude.
  10. Use these five words: flights, nefarious, highlights, cinnamon, bullying.
  11. Write about explaining technology to an older person
  12. Start your story with your MC surrounded by thick fog.
  13. Invent a holiday celebrating something strange.
  14. Use these five words: violins, modern, fixing, vase, premiere.
  15. Write about dropping out of an activity.
  16. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: substitute, drag, acceptable, import, possible.
    2. Use the phrase, “People have other things to do.”
    3. Write about feeding an animal.
  17. Fill in: “I’m a _________ and proud of it.”
  18. Write about a life or death struggle.
  19. Write about a premature thaw.
  20. Use these five words: synopsis, mimics, easy, beginner, biggest.
  21. Rewrite that story from someone else’s point of view.
  22. Use these five words: authentic, magic, slipped, influencer, travel.
  23. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
  24. Set your story in the suburbs.
  25. Use the phrase, “There’s just one more thing…”
  26. Start with this line: “Roughly twenty years ago…”
  27. Write about pretending to understand what a bird is saying.
  28. Include these 3 characters: roofer, real estate agent, construction manager.
  29. Your character gets a birthday only every fourth year.

January 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Write about waking up the morning after.
  2. Start with this line: “I was doing it at such a young age.”
  3. Something urgent interrupts cooking.
  4. Use these five words: reducing, hope, battle, stopping, happy.
  5. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: bolt, casualty, supplementary, see, normal. Bonus word: bitch.
    2. Write about something that happened an exact multiple of years earlier.
    3. Use the phrase, “Why is there only one?”
  6. Write about being stuck inside the box.
  7. Something once thought obvious that’s no longer true.
  8. Start with this line: “I wish I could draw well.”
  9. Answer the “How are you?” question honestly.
  10. Write about balancing passion with making money.
  11. Write about the emotion inspired by avocado green.
  12. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: outer, banish, oil, craftsman, falsify.
    2. Write about a heroic animal.
    3. Use the phrase, “Deeps of winter.”
  13. Two characters with nothing in common but their shared birthday.
  14. Start with this line: “I think that had a huge impact.”
  15. Copy editor saves the day!
  16. Start with this line: “What have you been up to lately?”
  17. Use the phrase, “I thought that was tomorrow.”
  18. Write about being gifted a kitchen appliance.
  19. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: burst, observe, boxes, world, ready.
    2. Fill in the blank: “Why is there ________?”
    3. Write about getting reacquainted with an old friend.
  20. Start with this line: “Dream job alert!”
  21. Use the phrase, “We need to talk.”
  22. Set your story in a small town.
  23. Use the phrase, “I cannot imagine…”
  24. Write a story set on a film set.
  25. Write about the smell of cinnamon.
  26. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: treaty, fence, press, twilight, water.
    2. Use the phrase, “It makes me wonder.”
    3. Write about responding to natural surroundings.
  27. Use the phrase, “When you say it, your name seems pale blue.”
  28. Include these 3 characters in a story: CT/MRI tech, RN, epidemiologist.
  29. Write about politely declining to eat a new food.
  30. Write about non-physical violence.
  31. Write about reading as temporary insanity.

December 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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A Pen In Each Hand

  1. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: confusion, lend, lid, know, fitness.
    2. Use the phrase “That changes everything.”
    3. Write about a nearly forgotten friend.
  2. Use these 5 words: derail, safety, trailer, sinking, bridge.
  3. Write about a song stuck in your head.
  4. Start with this line of dialogue: “I woke up at three in the morning.”
  5. Write about something found that’s unexpectedly wonderful.
  6. Start with this line of dialogue: “That’s sick.”
  7. Write about what a wild bird wants.
  8. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: bowl, tree, box, safe, coffee.
    2. Write about monsters in the closet.
    3. Use the phrase: “It’s almost like a spoonful of sugar”.
  9. Write about hooking up electronic equipment
  10. Write about: a child ripped out of her mother’s arms.
  11. Write about a brunch date
  12. Start with this line of dialogue: “It’s pretty self-explanatory.”
  13. Write about a new diet.
  14. Start with this line of dialogue: “It was that kind of a day.”
  15. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: flexible, map, remedy, revoke, hiccup.
    2. Use the phrase “You’re probably going to hate this.”
    3. Write about winning something that’s unwanted.
  16. Write about: a deepening crisis.
  17. Rewrite a historical narrative with a new ending.
  18. Your setting is: afternoon, strong wind, country estate, creepy atmosphere.
  19. Write about fighting over decorations.
  20. Use these 5 words: rhetoric, college, genius, test, history.
  21. Write about the day the sun stood still.
  22. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: bomb, strap, guerrilla, designer, outside.
    2. Use the phrase “What’s the deal?”
    3. Write about oncoming winter.
  23. The sudden realization that the bird is speaking English.
  24. Write about: being held without the possibility of bail.
  25. Write about the first holiday with a missing loved one.
  26. Start with this line of dialogue: “There is no time to waste.”
  27. Write about choosing not to return an unusable gift
  28. Use these 5 words: brain, frustrated, innovative, process, artist.
  29. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: vague, panel, square, offset, credibility.
    2. Use the phrase “I missed that.”
    3. Write about finding something unexpected in one’s self.
  30. Your setting is: late afternoon, heavy rain, mountain, mystical atmosphere.
  31. Use the phrase, “Well, I guess it’s over.”

November 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Write about watching a kid with a sugar high.
  2. Your setting is: evening, hazy-humid, a small town, hostile atmosphere.
  3. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Write about the sound of a machine.
    2. Fill in the blank: “I just did it for _________ and giggles.”
    3. Use the following five words: slant, greet, insert, quest, widen.
  4. Write about: glaciers shrinking.
  5. Write about failing to attach that crucial file to the e-mail.
  6. Write about a character who is: judgmental, eccentric & secretive.
  7. A software upgrade gone wrong
  8. Use these 5 words: smash, complexity, breathe, sadness, glass.
  9. Write about geese honking in the night.
  10. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Write about discovering a new talent in someone you know.
    2. Fill in the blank: ” _________ like you’ve never done it before.”
    3. Use the following five words: fine, suffering, clerk, faint, aware.
  11. Write about an end to hostilities.
  12. Write about: turning away people.
  13. Write about sending that letter you never intended to send.
  14. Start with this line of dialogue: “This is kind of a perfect ending.”
  15. Use the phrase, “Is it Friday yet?”
  16. Write about: an unlikely prophet.
  17. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Write about hurrying and fouling something up as a result.
    2. Fill in the blank: “_________ has happened again.”
    3. Use the following five words: design, heel, gas, shed, angle.
  18. Write about: a spoiled brat.
  19. Write about how not to do something.
  20. Start with this line of dialogue: “I’m supposed to be taking notes.”
  21. Write about the moment of realizing help isn’t coming.
  22. Use these 5 words: police, pressure, falsehoods, coffee, pencils.
  23. Write a heartwarming story about a dysfunctional family.
  24. Join us for live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: rib, receipt, mean, linen, cultural.
    2. Fill in the blank: “You’re rooting for the wrong _________ .”
    3. Write about waiting to deal with a dreaded occurrence.
  25. Explain why “Wait, what?” is the most important question.
  26. Use these 5 words: slump, game, goal, buddies, crucial.
  27. Write about stopping to turn a turtle right side up.
  28. Write about a character who is: aggressive, ambitious & rude.
  29. Write about clothes that are threadbare in interesting places.
  30. Your setting is: noon, ice on the ground, a small town, charming atmosphere.

October 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Write about a sound heard out of context
  2. Use these 5 words: gift wrapping, lemon, candles, anniversary, impatient.
  3. Use another sense in describing something.
  4. Use these 5 words: swan, stigma, implications, ideology, ethics.
  5. Write about sending a message by carrier pigeon.
  6. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Write about preparations for a storm.
    2. Fill in the blank: “I really need to _________ before I sleep.”
    3. Use the following five words: cooperate, portion, trip, blackmail, herb.
  7. Use the phrase, “Did I miss something?”
  8. Your setting is: dawn, a band of heavy cloud, suburbs, sad atmosphere.
  9. Write about waiting for a call.
  10. Use these 5 words: cookbooks, trained, resign, successor, inspired.
  11. Even on a momentous day, people still need to eat.
  12. Write about: a widespread problem.
  13. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Write about wanting to be alone
    2. Fill in the blank: “When does _________ happen?”
    3. Use the following five words: mud, wonder, banish, embarrassment, child
  14. Use these 5 words: speech, generation, confidence, leaders, innocence.
  15. Write about getting lost on purpose.
  16. Write about a character who is: fearless, daring & lonely.
  17. Interview your main character for a TV talk show.
  18. Use these 5 words: custom, dressing, model, exclusive, eye.
  19. Use the phrase, “The Ancients understood this.”
  20. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Write about waiting in traffic or a crowd
    2. Fill in the blank: “Kids these days don’t _________.”
    3. Use the following five words: dance, hover, penetrate, indulge, aunt.
  21. Write about weather delaying plans.
  22. Use these 5 words: bird, plummeted, downtown, trolley, traffic.
  23. Write about correcting the spell checker.
  24. Write about a pop-up bunny cafe.
  25. On this date in history…
  26. Write about being kind to a stranger.
  27. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Write about figuring out why something happened.
    2. Fill in the blank: “Oh, is it time for _________ again?”
    3. Use the following five words: vision, integrity, fix, mushroom, condition.
  28. Start with this line of dialogue: “I just feel disappointed in myself.”
  29. Write about adding the wrong powder to pumpkin spice.
  30. Write about a very thoughtful gift.
  31. Write about somebody else’s holiday traditions

September 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: program, honest, instrument, willpower, resist.
    2. Fill in the blank: “Last time we did this, _________ happened.”
    3. Write about a character meeting someone who knew their parents.
  2. Use these 5 words: surprise, help, superheroes, wrongdoing, threatens.
  3. Write about kneading bread while having a difficult conversation
  4. Use these 5 words: remembrance, immigrants, letter, portrait, fire.
  5. Write about waiting for a machine to finish.
  6. Write about: the only human left in the world.
  7. Write about a busy day after several days off.
  8. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
  9. Write about an autocorrect disaster
  10. Your setting is: evening, thick fog, by the sea, sad atmosphere.
  11. What goes through a busy mind during a shared moment of silence?
  12. Your setting is: noon, thunderstorm overhead, on a ship, lonely atmosphere.
  13. Invent a new 13-phobic superstition
  14. Write about a character who is: inspirational, restless & nurturing.
  15. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: supply, side, corruption, mourning, belly.
    2. Fill in the blank: “_________ you very much.”
    3. Write about getting drafted for some task.
  16. Start with this line of dialogue: “This is a stretch.”
  17. Write about a malfunctioning thermostat.
  18. Write about a character who is: nurturing, idealistic & adventurous.
  19. Setting: That snow cave they dug last year.
  20. Write about a character who is: optimistic, considerate & fun-loving.
  21. Day and night, evenly balanced. What is unbalanced?
  22. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: smile, crack, back, labour, pioneer.
    2. Fill in the blank: “Once a _________, whether we need it or not.”
    3. Write about a pair of things (or people, or creatures …), one of which is missing.
  23. “This is the part of the job where we ______.”
  24. Write about: how you define love.
  25. Write about a sudden distraction.
  26. Write about a character who is: lively, adventurous & selfish.
  27. Write about something only the mathphobic people see.
  28. Start with this line of dialogue: “This is unacceptable.”
  29. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: expand, request, weak, barrier, distance.
    2. Fill in the blanks: “Once a _________, always a _________.”
    3. Write about the difficulty of finding hope.
  30. Start with this line of dialogue: “He made an ass of himself.”

August 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Write about very hot weather.
  2. Start with this line of dialogue: “You know it’s bad when…”
  3. Write about lingering over dinner.
  4. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: bedroom, adopt, quaint, school, reproduction.
    2. Write about a power (or other infrastructure) failure.
    3. Use the phrase, “This is the answer to everything.”
  5. Second time a show is watched, it’s a rerun of the same episode.
  6. Your setting is: dawn, heatwave for days, a film set, dream-like atmosphere.
  7. Write about a delayed dentist appointment.
  8. Write about: a journey.
  9. Write about being unable to talk to the very attractive person.
  10. Start with this line of dialogue: “I wanted it to be real so bad.”
  11. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: admission, arrogant, cup, hope, prestige.
    2. Write about trying to comfort someone.
    3. Use the phrase, “I don’t do that kind of thing.”
  12. Use these 5 words: smoky, malfunctioned, smells, directions, headquarters.
  13. Setting: A comic book store.
  14. Use these 5 words: fundraising, gallery, culture, significant, dialogue.
  15. Use the phrase, “Tell me more lies.”
  16. Write about a character who is: optimistic, depressed & arrogant.
  17. Write about a last dinner together.
  18. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: pocket, south, unfortunate, endure, cope.
    2. Fill in the blank: “that dream where _________ and no one notices.”
    3. Write about ignoring something obvious.
  19. Use the phrase, “What year is it again?
  20. Start with this line of dialogue: “You lose them how you get them.”
  21. Use the phrase, “Did I hit the hyperspace button by mistake?”
  22. Write about: holiday traditions.
  23. Write about a secret transformation.
  24. Use these 5 words: magicians, kittens, embarrassed, coerced, face.
  25. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: accent, dirty, evening, stroll, morsel.
    2. Fill in the blank: “All that’s left is _________ .”
    3. Write about stealing something from another culture or language.
  26. Use these 5 words: recipe, garnish, note, rabbit, rain.
  27. Setting: A funky cheese shop.
  28. Write about: a farm to table menu.
  29. Write about someone getting something stuck in their hair.
  30. Your setting is: dawn, bright sunshine, desert island, restless atmosphere.
  31. Use the phrase, “They’re serving brunch.”

July 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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A Pen In Each Hand

  1. Write about a sudden rain shower
  2. Use these 5 words: saint, fearless, courage, beaming, listen.
  3. Use the phrase “I meant to do that.”
  4. Your setting is: noon, light cloud, national park, friendly atmosphere.
  5. Start with “There’s more wine.”
  6. Write about: an avalanche.
  7. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: course, commitment, stretch, dressing, wrist.
    2. Write about help coming from an unexpected direction.
    3. Use the phrase, “There’s more where that came from.”
  8. Start with this line of dialogue: “Show the evidence.”
  9. “On this date in history…”
  10. Write about a character who is: secretive, unkind & cheerful.
  11. Use the phrase, “We’re stuck with each other.”
  12. Write about: a no-confidence vote.
  13. Write about forming new habits.
  14. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: behavior, profit, cat, underline, tongue.
    2. Write about needing more of something before starting.
    3. Fill in the blank, “Let’s try that out before _____.”
  15. Use the phrase, “How is that possible?”
  16. Start with this line of dialogue: “I have the best job.”
  17. Use the phrase “It’s all downhill from here.”
  18. Use these 5 words: pancakes, books, soulful, inspiration, music.
  19. One character is obsessed with numbers.
  20. Use these 5 words: wildfires, hurry, sprinting, monster, entangled.
  21. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: carbon, tiptoe, teenager, stitch, clock
    2. Write about not wanting to talk to anybody at all.
    3. Use the phrase, “It needs a refill.”
  22. Start with this line of dialogue: “I’m going to call her now.”
  23. Write about the new neighbors who don’t fit in.
  24. Use these 5 words: matrilineal, Martian, refugees, flu, spacecrafts.
  25. Write about going to do something you forgot you already did.
  26. Start with this line of dialogue: “He was going to propose.”
  27. Use the phrase, “Why did I come into the kitchen?”
  28. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: skeleton, calorie, modernize, grind, rob.
    2. Write about a minor annoyance that can’t be ignored.
    3. Use the phrase, “The end result is…”
  29. Use the phrase, “Don’t make me come back there.”
  30. Use these 5 words: orchestrated, revoke, pathos, exciting, challenge.
  31. Write about training the computer to expect something new.

June 2019
Daily Writing Prompts

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  1. Write about new beginnings
  2. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: color, index, dependence, herd, rocket. Bonus word: earthwax.
    2. Write about a new way of thinking about the same old things.
    3. Fill in the blank: “It’s different for _______.”
  3. Let the setting be as important as a character.
  4. Your setting is: mid-morning, misty, rough neighborhood, joyful atmosphere.
  5. Write about not asking important questions.
  6. Write about: living through loss.
  7. A character who thinks they are alone, but is not.
  8. Use these 5 words: icon, idiosyncrasies, ensemble, heels, altered.
  9. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: lace, inspector, growth, mood, fee.
    2. Write about developing a blister.
    3. Fill in the blank: “That is so _______ that I have to scream now.”
  10. Write about a character who is: fearless, inspirational & judgmental.
  11. Here’s how you find out about that…
  12. Use these 5 words: isolating, sailing, fish, beaches, simplicity.
  13. Write about a child who is sick.
  14. Use these 5 words: sand, lobster, oceans, message, dolphin.
  15. Write about trying to understand a cat.
  16. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: penetrate, lump, object, destruction, flourish.
    2. Write about a forgotten holiday.
    3. Fill in the blank: “I hope you have a nice _______.”
  17. Write about a significant birthday.
  18. Write about: a welcome guest.
  19. Weave a story around an improvised recipe.
  20. Write about a character who is: generous, mysterious & industrious.
  21. Write about admiring nice weather through a window.
  22. Start with this line of dialogue: “Crews are responding.”
  23. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: mist, traction, exploration, diet, whole.
    2. Write about going out just after the rain ends.
    3. Fill in the blank: “I never would have thought you were _______.”
  24. Write about a character who is: rude, aggressive & selfish.
  25. Write about visiting an abandoned building.
  26. Write about: having everything you want.
  27. Write about exploring a new website.
  28. Write about a character who is: dependable, unkind & timid.
  29. Start with “You may ask yourself…”
  30. Get today’s prompts on Twitter.
    1. Use the following five words: reach, strange, impact, priority, wrap.
    2. Write about finding a way to do something better.
    3. Use the phrase, “This is the interesting part.”