Category Archives: A Pen In Each Hand

Writing Exercises.

June 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on June 30, 2021 by TC Editors

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1. Write about poison.
2. Set your story in a traffic jam
3. Write about getting the cold shoulder.
4. Use these five words: calling, double, lifetime, policy, treason
5. Write about being disappointed after a major accomplishment.
6. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
7. Write about a favorite place to sit.
8. Set your story at a funeral
9. Write about tasting something special.
10. Use these five words: watch, crow, parity, coffee, justice
11. Write about staying up very late to finish a book.
12. Start with this line: He said he meant it as a compliment.
13. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: inappropriate, arrange, projection, plead, update.
    2. Use the phrase, “It looks the same to me.”
    3. Write about craving a stimulant.
14. Start with this line: Two lucky winners will receive…
15. Write about waiting for quitting time.
16. Write about a character wearing robes
17. Write about a misremembered quotation.
18. Start with this line: The stakes just got higher.
19. Write about discovering a surprising shared interest.
20. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: ceremony, scheme, prey, charm, hesitate.
    2. Use the phrase, “Repeat after me.”
    3. Write about uncooked food.
21. Use the phrase, “Was I daydreaming?”
22. Use these five words: fastidiously, patience, director, zero, imminent
23. Write about unconventional clothes.
24. Use these five words: imaginative, intersect, genius, false, analysis
25. Use the phrase, “It’s just six months til Christmas.”
26. Write about a complicated threat
27. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: paralyzed, claim, formation, positive, fail.
    2. Fill in the blank: “Not enough room in the _______.”
    3. Write about being unable to hear.
28. Start with this line: Where are they now?
29. Use this phrase: “Why isn’t it red?”
30. Set your story in a wildfire

 

May 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on May 31, 2021 by TC Editors

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1. Use the phrase, “Mayday! Mayday!”
2. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: trait, earthquake, wire, laborer, suburb.
   2. Use the phrase, “Wait, don’t do that.”
   3. Write about trying not to laugh.
3. Write about a late-season storm.
4. Use these five words: married, tomorrow, founder, gala, surprise
5. Write about making up a holiday.
6. Start with this line: Please drive with caution.
7. Use “What day is it?”
8. Use these five words: ceremony, personal, legacy, lobster, swans
9. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: hardship, sour, provincial, miss, banner.
   2. Use the phrase, “Is it morning again already?”
   3. Write about doing habitual things in the wrong order.
10. Start with this line: It wasn’t something we focused on.
11. Write about using sign language in a noisy bar.
12. Start with this line: You should’ve cut him when you had the chance.
13. Write about a cat’s hunting habits.
14. Use these five words: superheroes, millions, human, poet, baseball
15. Use the phrase “And here it is mid-May already.”
16. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: recommend, class, abnormal, gravity, city.
    2. Use the phrase, “scratching people off the list.”
    3. Write about hoping not to encounter anybody you know.
17. Write about recreating a very old recipe.
18. Set your story at a movie premiere
19. Make up a child’s bedtime story.
20. Set your story in an airport
21. Write about a lesson learned during the pandemic.
22. Set your story at a protest
23. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: bind, corruption, distinct, deficit, passion.
    2. Use the phrase, “There was a time when I believed…”
    3. Write about putting on fancy clothes.
24. Write about receiving a diploma
25. Write about the limits of a can-do attitude.
26. Write about a musical collaboration
27. Start with “Why am I here?”
28. Use these five words: meet-cute, scrapbooking, arrest, envelope, neglected
29. Use “That’s not fair!”
30. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: institution, pest, lecture, nursery, pie.
    2. Use the phrase, “It’s almost time to go.”
    3. Write about troubleshooting.
31. Discuss the phrase “once upon a time.”

 

April 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on April 30, 2021 by TC Editors

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1. Write about why April fools get their own day.
2. Write about winning
3. Write about an animal mascot.
4. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: jump, extension, waterfall, pile, monopoly.
   2. Use the phrase, “Can we afford that?”
   3. Write about an auction.
5. Write about figuring out a weird calendar.
6. Use these five words: groups, masks, doctor, refused, office
7. Write about an unlucky number.
8. Start with this line: This rhetoric is inciting violence.
9. Write about introducing old and new partners.
10. Write about an intense class
11. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: defeat, growth, ask, highlight, grace.
    2. Use the phrase, “I don’t know what’s in it.”
    3. Write about interruptions.
12. Write about a shooting
13. Write about struggling to read fine print.
14. Set your story under the surface of the ocean
15. Write about a last-minute reprieve.
16. Write about an important vote
17. Write about a lazy Saturday spent with a friend.
18. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: claim, velvet, acquit, argument, loose.
    2. Use the phrase, “It’s better not to ask.”
    3. Write about a moth drawn to a flame.
19. Write about a formal tea ceremony.
20. Start with this line: Do you think he will leave peacefully?
21. Write about tedious repetition.
22. Use these five words: discovery, collaboration, hug, plant, voice
23. Write about confusion over an acronym.
24. Use these five words: staffing, rock, recipients, counted, author
25. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: chord, chain, exercise, smart, album.
    2. Use the phrase, “Here’s the plan.”
    3. Write about waiting for dinnertime.
26. Write about dancing in the rain
27. Write about a recurring nightmare.
28. Start with this line: What are you most looking forward to?
29. Write about the last of its kind.
30. Use these five words: outlandish, shattering, accident, syndrome, modicum

March 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on March 31, 2021 by TC Editors

1. Start with the names of three colors.
2. Use these five words: forgotten, identities, weird, attribute, completed
3. Write about a failing battery.
4. Set your story in a casino
5. Write about taking all day to do a simple task.
6. Write about your writing routine
7. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: dive, court, neighbor, collar, organize.
   2. Use the phrase, “Is that a cactus?”
   3. Write about an arithmetic mistake.
8. Start with this line: I shouldn’t be laughing.
9. Use the phrase, “Tell me a story.”
10. Write about unwelcome paparazzi photos
11. Write about a failed software update.
12. Use these five words: hopeful, detour, roadblock, active, loudly
13. Write about being afraid to go out.
14. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: glare, clerk, feign, conclusion, aloof.
    2. Use the phrase, “It’s not a good place.”
    3. Write about remorse or regret.
15. Write about being stuck with an uncertain welcome.
16. Start with this line: I don’t make the rules.
17. Give your character an unusual name.
18. Start with this line: The only thing that would horrify me is…
19. Use “I used to know how to do this.”
20. Set your story on a fishing boat
21. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: disorder, performer, waste, tropical, grief.
    2. Use the phrase, “What are you feeling?”
    3. Write about picky food preferences.
22. Start with this line: What a trip down memory lane.
23. Write about an apprentice.
24. Set your story in a dream
25. Write about a summer hockey league.
26. Set your story at a yoga class
27. Write about a childhood embarrassment.
28. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: medium, hard, unpleasant, care, orgy.
    2. Use the phrase, “mended feelings.”
    3. Write about an uncanny feeling.
29. Write about a bad case of the Mondays.
30. Write about making a big move
31. Write about pushing up against limits.

February 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on February 28, 2021 by TC Editors

1. Write about a wild speculation.
2. Start with this line: I’ve always been there.
3. Write about trying to revive an extinct holiday.
4. Set your story at a city council meeting
5. Write about waiting for a computer to update.
6. Start with this line: Are we allowed to go to bed yet?
7. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: vehicle, promote, perforate, green, friend.
   2. Use the phrase, “add that to the list.”
   3. Write about something that’s undercooked.
8. Set your story in a room with a fireplace
9. Write about watching events without being able to do anything.
10. Use these five words: books, school, talked, rushing, quality
11. Use the phrase, “That wasn’t there 5 minutes ago.”
12. Use these five words: scientists, freelancers, erupted, figures, question
13. Describe a sunrise or sunset.
14. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: fame, hesitate, sign, character, referee.
    2. Use the phrase, “Is your heat on?”
    3. Write about vigorous exercise.
15. Use the phrase, “Didn’t I just do that?”
16. Use these five words: bidding, positive, donuts, tycoon, wealthy
17. Use the phrase, “I’ll check that right now.”
18. Start with this line: She can’t say anything that will upset her boss.
19. Use the phrase, “Tell us that story again.”
20. Use these five words: parole, snowfall, riot, teachers, red carpet
21. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: mean, overall, circumstance, progressive, grind.
    2. Use the phrase, “You never listen.”
    3. Write about putting something in the wrong place.
22. Start with this line: Here’s what you need to know.
23. Write about treachery.
24. Use these five words: carriage, kneecap, garlic, terminated, uneasy
25. Write about kids playing on a statue.
26. Start with this line: The next scheduled departure is at 5pm.
27. Write about being “randomly” selected.
28. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: salon, twin, stroke, organ, breeze.
    2. Use the phrase, “How can that exist in the same world as this?”
    3. Write about a sad memory.

January 2021
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on January 31, 2021 by TC Editors

1. Write about looking back on hopes for last year.
2. Use these five words: boundaries, fraud, exhibition, intimacy, display
3. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: irony, die, mood, tissue, sound.
   2. Fill in the blank: “Love is what happens when _________.”
   3. Write about a preposterous excuse.
4. Set your story in a downtown alley
5. Write about a morning without coffee.
6. Start with this line: I have two options.
7. Use the phrase, “Read this and summarize.”
8. Use these five words: intelligence, awareness, power, bottleneck, sanctions
9. Write about translating a poem.
10. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: arrogant, qualification, overwhelm, listen, reflect.
    2. Fill in the blank: “_________ is what makes the world go around.”
    3. Write about being slightly too late.
11. Use the phrase, “Help me take this off.”
12. Write about a frightening book
13. Write about a birthday party.
14. Start with this line: What you are describing is a crime.
15. Write about rediscovering old music.
16. Start with this line: It’s not over yet.
17. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: body, grind, secure, spirit, disappoint.
    2. Use the phrase, “I don’t know what to think.”
    3. Write about refusing dessert.
18. Write about a medical diagnosis
19. Fill in: “Aren’t you tired of _________?”
20. Use these five words: essential, gifts, necessary, trend, soundtrack
21. Write about new beginnings.
22. Set your story in the home of a wealthy family that hates each other
23. Write about not participating in a common activity.
24. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: picture, doll, control, rule, eavesdrop.
    2. Use the phrase, “Look at the shadow.”
    3. Write about deciding if something is safe.
25. Write about blocking someone on social media.
26. Write about an asteroid headed for Earth
27. Write about a delivery that arrives early.
28. Use these five words: comeback, life, trading, badly, direction
29. Write about finding patterns where there are none.
30. Use these five words: hibernation, clothes, undercurrent, walks, log
31. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: meet, date, announcement, practice, rainbow.
    2. Use the phrase, “There’s only one left.”
    3. Write about hoping someone understands.

December 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on December 31, 2020 by TC Editors

1. Write about sibling rivalry
2. Include these 3 characters in a story: judge, police officer, bartender.
3. Use a made-up word
4. Start with this line: “Calling this justice would be a mistake.”
5. Write about introducing someone new to a favorite drink
6. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: recover, loose, arrange, absence, investigation.
   2. Use the phrase, “I don’t do that any more.”
   3. Write about using something that’s not quite ready.
7. Write about a house fire.
8. Incl. these characters: paralegal, secretary, human resources administrator.
9. Write about a new system for doing familiar things.
10. Write an imagined interview with your favorite author.
11. Use “It feels like a year since I saw anybody.”
12. Set your story at a hockey game.
13. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: crisis, freedom, fear, copy, craftsman.
    2. Fill in the blank: “I need a new __________.”
    3. Write about an unexpected crowd.
14. Start with this line: “Oh, I’m definitely subtweeting.”
15. Write about visiting a grave.
16. Write about unicycling.
17. Use “What kind of critter are you?”
18. Use these five words: praise, holy, skeins, stigma, complicated.
19. Write about observing a holiday nobody else shares.
20. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: correspond, arena, aid, witch, spot.
    2. Use the phrase, “That’s all they told me.”
    3. Write about waiting for something that might not happen.
21. Write about celebrating the Winter Solstice.
22. Write about an old house.
23. Explain something incoherently.
24. Start with this line: “I first met _____ on the streets.”
25. Write about the kid who got left out.
26. Write about being ahead of the curve.
27. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: sugar, multimedia, indirect, ignore, elephant.
    2. Use the phrase, “How long do we have to wait?”
    3. Write about an exception to the rule.
28. Use these five words: mechanics, practicing, love, choice, agent.
29. Write about waiting for the mail to come.
30. Start with this line: “One of the biggest mysteries is…”
31. Your character sums up a year.

November 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on November 30, 2020 by TC Editors

1. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: flash, technology, minimize, brown, display.
   2. Use the phrase, “It’s too bright.”
   3. Write about asking for advice.
2. Write about a report card.
3. Write about a nightmare.
4. Write about education in pursuit of knowledge & perspective.
5. Write about an obsession.
6. Use these five words: inspiration, deported, downtown, restricted, body.
7. Use the phrase “And now for something completely different.”
8. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: worry, hero, range, infect, corner.
   2. Use the phrase, “What can we do?”
   3. Write about not understanding.
9. Write about a younger sibling as a grownup.
10. Use these five words: creating, pattern, details, noodles, tiny.
11. What happened at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month?
12. Use these five words: airtight, method, gift, underestimated, prominent.
13. Use the phrase “All that and more.”
14. Include these 3 characters: truck driver, mechanic, baggage handler.
15. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: radiation, debt, trouble, glue, entry.
    2. Use the phrase, “Time to recharge.”
    3. Write about having enough to share.
16. Start with this line: “Sweet dreams.”
17. Use the phrase, “Now what do we do?”
18. Include these 3 characters: bookkeeper, financial advisor, auditor.
19. Use the phrase, “I don’t think I can do that.”
20. Start with this line: “We loved each other.”
21. Write about an unusual bird or animal sighting.
22. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: favour, west, invasion, referral, neck.
    2. Use the phrase, “Why are we doing this?”
    3. Write about an apology.
23. Write about counting blessings after a major loss.
24. Write a story set in the future.
25. Write about unexpected bad weather.
26. Set your story in the countryside.
27. Write about spending a family holiday alone.
28. Use these five words: self-pity, backpack, finished, boots, mittens.
29. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: create, ample, publicity, promise, elbow.
    2. Use the phrase, “I’ve forgotten how to dance.”
    3. Write about trying to finish before a deadline.
30. Start with this line: “The devil works hard, but…”

October 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on October 31, 2020 by TC Editors

1. Reminisce about a vacation or holiday
2. Write about an adverse drug reaction.
3. Write about how remarkable it is that someone is not looking at their phone.
4. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: sensitivity, message, realize, bake, trivial.
   2. Use the phrase, “No, I don’t believe it.”
   3. Write about quitting a game that can’t be won.
5. Write about a delight found in the midst of tedium.
6. Start with this line: “What was the outcome of the struggle?”
7. Write about carefully choosing an alias.
8. Write about a visiting scholar.
9. Write about the impression someone else is living parts of your life.
10. Start with this line: “Nobody bothered to tell me.”
11. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: realize, leftovers, extension, mug, favorite.
    2. Use the phrase, “Is it Friday yet?”
    3. Write about trying to focus when drowsy.
12. Include these 3 characters in a story: educator, groundskeeper, counselor.
13. Your character writes a letter to his/her younger self.
14. Start with this line: “I was 110% sure I was right.”
15. Your character finds a letter purporting to be from an older self.
16. Write about a digitization project.
17. Write about trying to figure out a beekeeper’s suit.
18. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: thaw, mourning, attract, stem, number.
    2. Use the phrase, “sounds like a plan.”
    3. Write about being interrupted when dancing alone.
19. Write about deciding not to come home from a trip.
20. Use these five words: outreach, index, peppermint, decline, nations.
21. Use this: “You’re not wearing that.”
22. Start with this line: “That is a huge leap.”
23. Write about being caught drooling.
24. Set your story at dawn during a heatwave.
25. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: prosper, disk, satisfaction, biology, able.
    2. Use the phrase, “the best ever.”
    3. Write about a stack of mail or lots of incoming messages.
26. Start with this line: “Don’t be fooled.”
27. Write about getting a multi-colored hair dye job
28. Write about a secret cinnamon bun recipe.
29. Write about dreading an oncoming holiday.
30. Set your story in a city park.
31. Write about a new widow in a fake graveyard.

September 2020
Daily Writing Prompts

Posted on September 30, 2020 by TC Editors

1. “Who had ________ on their Bingo card?”
2. Incl. these characters: ? worker, geological engineer, soil conservationist
3. Write about unexpected cold weather
4. Set your story on a desert island.
5. Set a story involving adults in your primary school.
6. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
   1. Use the following five words: spontaneous, clear, fascinate, pump, appointment.
   2. Use the phrase, “There’s a person I know…”
   3. Write about a chance to do something over.
7. Write about getting mail for a former resident.
8. Start with this line: “He was rather quirky.”
9. Write about rediscovering something you once thought important.
10. Write about something that’s seasonal.
11. Use this: “For a retired person you sure are busy.”
12. Incl. these 3 characters: fitness instructor, locker room attendant, coach.
13. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: fleet, stomach, seize, favorable, sunrise.
    2. Use the phrase, “Rumor has it…”
    3. Write about a change of heart.
14. Use these five words: networks, meaningful, ask, tea, review.
15. Write about figuring out what’s wrong with a car.
16. Start your story with light snow falling.
17. Write about finding a book down behind the others.
18. Set your story in an old-growth forest.
19. Write some foreshadowed atmospheric setting information.
20. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: donor, mouse, peanut, stage, systematic.
    2. Use the phrase, “The day I discovered…”
    3. Write about asking for help.
21. Write about the latest tech gadget.
22. Start with this line: “You’re in luck.”
23. Write about a month that drags on for most of a year.
24. Write about truths and myths.
25. Write about walking through a ruined building.
26. Include these 3 characters: web developer, computer programmer, designer.
27. Join us for a live Writing Chat every Sunday!
    1. Use the following five words: weak, excavate, allow, assumption, beard.
    2. Use the phrase, “Whatever they decided.”
    3. Write about smelling smoke.
28. Write about a benefactor.
29. Write about getting something done just before the deadline.
30. Start with this line: “Make sure you are prepared.”