December 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on December 31, 2003 by TC Editors Write about a technophobe. Write about a child with a humiliating nickname. Write about an aggressive reindeer. Write about a stout, grumpy ghost. Write about the perfect robot. Take any line from a book and begin with it Write about a veteran Write about “the other side” Write the story behind a scar Finish an old story Write about an iconoclast. Write about a piece of marble. Write about a predominantly purple painting. Write about building a snow fort. Write about a potted amaryllis. Tell the truth all day. Write a smell. Write about a party. Make a snowflake from paper with scissors. Sit in a new chair or spot every chance you get. Write about returning to a place from your past. Write about someone from high school who turned out in a surprising way. Write about a hot place. Write about a pioneer. Write about a relationship that isn’t what it seems. Write about an unruly poinsettia. Write about jalapeno peppers. Write about a favorite holiday decoration. Write about a tube of toothpaste. Begin with “Champagne” Write about the best thing that happened in 2003.
November 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on November 30, 2003 by TC Editors Write about hunger. Write about a craving. Describe a mirage. Write about the many uses of a yardstick. Begin with “That’s not orange” Write about a kitchen Write about a green light Write the story behind a song Go to Sunday Brunch chat and try the writing prompts there Write a fight scene Write about a gift Describe a charater’s pet Draw a setting from one of your stories Write a dialogue that takes place around the dinner table Write from the point of view of an animal Make a list of what you would buy if you could afford it. Read a classic novel. Write about war. Make a birthday card by hand. Listen to classical music. Write about a recipe/food that reminds you of childhood. Write the table of contents for the non-fic book you plan to write “one day” Write about a–literal or metaphorical–circus. Write a story where an incriminating video plays a role. Write about a pet. Start with “The casserole looked poisonous” Discover and record your family history. Write about a wishbone. Write about a horseshoe. Tell a funny story about yourself.
October 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on October 31, 2003 by TC Editors Write about a person remembering a dream. Begin with “It changed…” Write about a child running. Begin with “My only choice is to leave” Allow what is on your floor to begin your story. Learn about writers events in your area Imitate a favorite writer’s style Research contests and vow to write for one Rename your character and note changes in him/her Write standing up Write about an etched glass goblet. Start with “Where did you get this sea shell?” Write about water. Explore the word transgression. Write about crossing a boundary. Make a list of all the pets you have ever had. Color in a coloring book. Take a pencil and pad with you everywhere today. Describe your perfect mate. Describe your favorite childhood toy. Take a stab at slash fiction. Write a poem in 10 words or less. Write about obtaining an autograph. Write a story where two characters are common-law married. Include a naked person in a story. Write about two brothers. Write about a hypochondriac. Valerie and Michel; write their story. Start with “I groaned with satisfaction.” Proudly proclaim “I am a writer” today. Begin with “The streets lights just came on…”
September 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on September 30, 2003 by TC Editors Write about a woman in a non-traditional job Write about a man in an untraditional job Start with “Wednesday” Love yourself and your creativity today Begin with “Ugh, what is that?” Read some poetry Spend your writing time doing some editing Share your work with someone who’s never read it Learn more about a favorite writer Put a book near your remote control. Read instead of watching TV Begin a story with the color your character loves Begin a story with a color your character hates. Write about a fan. Describe the sky today. Begin with “Today is my anniversary” Write about your favorite teacher. Write about someone with a disability. Describe yourself in exacting details. Write about cookies. Describe your favorite reading chair. Sound off about a law you disagree with. Write a chapter in an hour. Write about something that always seems better in the movies than IRL. Write about a professional wife. Write a flash story or poem using words of 6 letters or less. Organize your writing space today. Create a character sketch of a woman named ‘Doc’. Start with “Why is the steering wheel red?” Write a review of the last movie you saw. Write an impressionistic view of a lake.
August 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on August 31, 2003 by TC Editors Write about crossing a border. Start with “I knew we should have gone to Vegas.” Write about a flight that’s been delayed. Write about a kiss. Use these three words in a story or poem: cowards, bowling, college. Tell the story behind a photograph (in under 1000 words) Write about flying Weather permitting, write outside today Write about stealing something Write about having something stolen Write an ode to the best water you’ve ever tasted. Study a pine cone and write about your observations. Write about the sound of a new pair of corduroy pants. Write about falling. Start with “Her puppies…” Visit a monument. Write about snowcones. Write a story with prejudice as the theme. Write about a bodily function. Write a short story where day turns to night. Write about how important (or not) religion is to you. Fictionalize yourself. Write about spending a holiday away from home. Write about a party that got out of hand. Write about a product you wouldn’t hesitate to endorse. Make red moccasins the focal point of a story or poem. Describe the green turtleneck your character would buy. Write about an apple. Begin with “His blue jeans didn’t fit.” Write about a braided rug. Create a story about camping equipment.
July 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on July 31, 2003 by TC Editors Start with “It was a less-than-beautiful day.” Write about a remedy. Write about a regret. Declare your independence. Write about a test. The character has a secret obsession. Write about it Fictionalize a vacation experience Write about the reality of love Have the weather influence your plot Write about a guilty pleasure Write something from the point of view of a small dog. Have one of your characters write a letter to another author’s character. Take a walk around the block. Write a scene about something you saw. Write about a bus ride. If you were a bear, what would you be doing right now? Write about it. Write about a secret. Ask someone older than you to tell you a story. Write a movie or book review. Research an era for an hour. Type your name into Google. Write about a “witch hunt”. Write about excess. Make a tall building a key element in a story. Write a proclamation for “_________ Day”. Have a writing potluck–along with food, everyone brings writing to share. Write about a free range chicken Begin with “It was the longest road…” Your character can see into the future, how does she deal with it? Write about a worm farm. Create a character whose ethnicity is different from yours. Start with “I woke up in a tattoo parlor…”
June 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on June 30, 2003 by TC Editors Begin with “The first day” Begin with “The first time” Write about a nude beach. Allow heat and cold to enter your writing today. Play day, walk barefoot through mud puddles. Work on a character bio Write an episode from your narrator’s past You’re the therapist. Your character is the patient. Record the conversation Try the reverse of yesterday’s prompt Write a story where “war” is a theme Start with “I must go to Easter Island.” Research the migration of your favorite bird. Describe a desert blooming with yellow flowers Create a conversation between two people looking at a building plan. Write about an old bathrobe. Write about a gated community. Begin with ” That’s too ambiguous” Write about a dog swimming. Write about a child’s teddy bear. Begin with “I can’t hear you” Write about a holiday you don’t celebrate. Write a story that revolves around a deception. Write about a close finish. Write about seconds you wish you could take back. Start a story with a conversation overheard on public transportation. Begin with “He’s a militant vegetarian.” Write about a piano recital. Write about singing a capella Base a story on the fear of germs. Begin with “My back itches.”
May 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on May 31, 2003 by TC Editors Write about a character in danger. Start with “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed…” Write a scene that takes place at a wedding. Write about being a fool. Base a story on a drive-in movie. Have your character do something you’d never dare What’s the worst that could happen? Write it! Write about a fad Use these in a story: a green candle, a box of papers and a bottle of wine Have a character from an old story make a different choice Write about a cross-dresser. Describe the horizon from where you live. Write about a golfer who cheats on his scorecard. Describe insects mating. Begin with “Her watch stopped at 11:15. Write out your Christmas list. Write about a news story as if you were participating in it. Write about a childhood trauma. Write a conversation between two five-year-olds. Write about what you did LAST summer. Describe a family ritual. Write about a visit from someone you don’t like. Use complementary colors symbolically in a story or poem. Write about a concert. Document, in words, an event you’d normally capture on film. Write about a fallen tree limb. Describe the beauty within an unattractive character Steam burns, write about it. Create a toast for a marriage you don’t approve of. Begin with “I hate rainbows” Write about a woman with heavy eye makeup.
April 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on April 30, 2003 by TC Editors Write about being a fool. Write about your worst nightmare. Write about a man with a sword Begin with “She had more pimples…” Write about a woman in a hat Your narrator is under the influence of a drug Your narrator is under the influence of a person Write a birthday story without using a party setting Write a story using as many cliches as you can think of Fictionalize or parody a story from today’s news Write about an on-line buying experience. Create a new life for your favorite comic strip character. Write a dialogue between Coke and Pepsi lovers. Write about the energy you feel in spring. Begin with “Not tonight…” Put new paper in your silverware drawers. Describe the perfect birthday. Write the words to your favorite song. Now, rewrite them. Read a book in a garden or park. Tell us what it’s like to fly. Write about a train ride. Write about buying a gift. Write about a person in a non-traditional (gender-wise) occupation. Have a character rant about an overpriced, overhyped product. Use lava, metaphorically, in a story or poem. Write about a bus ride. Write an ad for your favorite restaurant. Write a fan letter to your favorite TV character Write a review of the last book you read. Play day, enjoy the shapes of clouds.
March 2003 Daily Writing Prompts Posted on March 31, 2003 by TC Editors Write about a jazz drummer. Write about a woman with a glass eye. Write about a dance contest. Write about an angry fish. Create a setting by describing its sensual aspects. “It always starts the same way…” Describe a landscape Write about getting on the freeway Look up a favorite screenplay online and read it Experiment in a genre you’ve never tried Write about a chess game. Begin with ” The bagels were stale…” Write a character sketch of a pompous waiter.” Write an ode to snuggling. Research Botox parties. Write a historical story. Write a how-to. Make a family tree from memory. Write what happened on your favorite TV show. End a story with, “…it was what it was meant to be.” Write a story/essay where a beneficial drug plays an important role. Write about something you do only because you feel obligated. Pick 5 words randomly from a dictionary and use them in a flash story. Write a proposal for specialty TV channel or radio station. Write a story where the protagonist feels s/he is underpaid. Write a character sketch of someone in a “before and after” ad. Create a story about head lice. Write about a U.N. Relief Worker. Begin with “Our backyard swing was on old tire…” Allow the first piece of litter you see today be the focal point of a story. Describe your big toe in great detail.
