- Write a story w/ two antagonists.
- Submit a story or article to a paying market.
- Scene: A snowy, abandoned carnival.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words: handed, going, perhaps, after, Wednesday.
- Write a scene where the lighting contributes to the mood.
- Use the phrase “This is the end.”
- Try genre writing, like fantasy or mystery.
- Use “bounce” and “softness” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Write from a second person POV.
- Submit to an online journal or magazine.
- Scene: backstage at a community theater production.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words: parent, would, also, quarter, nicely.
- Write about a form of nonverbal communication.
- Mix a couple of immiscible metaphors.
- Write in bed for 15 minutes, longhand,upon waking or just before lights-out.
- Use “mask” and “hibiscus” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Your MC is celebrating a birthday… one you’ve passed.
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Scene: A blind date… with three characters.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words: little, crawl, quality, lights, meeting.
- Include a handwritten note (or something longer) as a prop or element in the story.
- Use the phrase, “what are the odds?”
- Write an episode of a TV show. Get creative w/ kids shows & reality programs.
- Use “moon” and “violet” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- A character is eating something inappropriate with his hands.
- Do an in-depth critique of your own work.
- Scene: “Twas the night before Christmas…”
- Take a day off from writing. Make a hot drink and read instead.
- Listen to summertime music while writing today.
- Use “rivet” and “quench” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- A character doesn’t remember what he/she did the previous day.
- Submit to a print journal or magazine.
- Scene: What else? A New Year’s Eve party!
Category Archives: WP 2005
December 2005
November 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Use “flail” and “thrust” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Your character failed out of medical school.
- Submit a story or article to a paying market.
- Scene: three people at a coffee shop discussing the tip.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: work, rubber, home, because, people.
- Write about an awkward introduction.
- Open a novel and begin with the first sentence that catches your eye.
- Use “oil” and “resolve” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Your character has a dream job but it’s not exactly his/her dream.
- Submit to an online journal or magazine.
- Scene: an unexpected meeting of two former lovers.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: since, turning, doorway, spaces, change.
- Use the phrase “But I thought you were…”
- Use the phrase, “not for a couple months.”
- Do you snack or drink while you write? Imbibe something different today.
- Use “yank” and “invasion” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- A character regrets a recent purchase.
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Scene: a character is moving back in with his/her parents.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: thing, pressed, life, blood, where.
- Use the phrase “it’s hard to believe.”
- Write about an interruption.
- Write something for children today. Aim for a specific age group.
- Use “coil” and “migrate” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- A character who likes waking up in strange places.
- Do an in-depth critique of your own work.
- Scene: things are “evening out” for a character, then things “crash”.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: little, jumped, deal, quite, spoon.
- Include a detail (or details) that appeal(s) to a sense other than sight or hearing.
- Write about happily ever aftering.
- Write something adults-only today. It need not be “naughty” (but it may be).
- Use “useful” and “beautiful” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
October 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Scene: A wedding party with an unwilling participant.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: case, remembering, consumer, aunt, record.
- Use the phrase “in the dark.”
- Use the phrase “let’s take this (or it) apart”.
- Write a poem about a small moment of change.
- Use “chunk” and “limp” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Your main character’s decisions are all the opposite of what you would do.
- Submit a story or article to a paying market.
- Scene: A couple doing a crossword puzzle in bed on a Sunday morning.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words: should, whatever, voice, floor, himself.
- Use the phrase “I’m going to wander around” or some variant.
- Write a twist on a common saying or proverb.
- Write a flash story set in a grove of fruit trees.
- Use “lap” and “trinket” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Make the antagonist of your story “the nice guy”.
- Submit to an online journal or magazine.
- Scene: a character coming to terms with gender identity and/or sexuality.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words: point, side, gracious, other, completely.
- Use the phrase “As a blank, you should blank”.
- You or your character is forced to make a decision.
- Write a creative non-fic story about the last time you set foot outside.
- Use “tag” and “leather” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Your character is a one-time star athlete.
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Scene: An unconventional funeral.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words:parents, finally, perfect, century, directed.
- Use the phrase “We need to use up the _____ [fill in the blank]” or some variant.
- Write something based on a phrase from the song going through your head right now.
- Write a short story about the contents of a grocery bag.
- Use “history” and “crave” in a story or poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Character is someone in the public eye… but is quite different in private.
- Do an in-depth critique of your own work.
- Scene: two people in a remote cabin as winter sets in.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: sitting, glass, people, systems, stress.
- Fill in the blank: “If ____________, then it must be true.”
- Treat an inanimate object as if it had a personality.
- Write something you find suspenseful. Add a twist ending!
September 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Your main character is a kleptomaniac.
- Submit a story or article to a paying market.
- Scene: an arrow lands at someone’s feet.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: mean, impressive, pumped, equal, prone.
- Write about a scar.
- Use the phase “it counts extra”.
- Write longhand in a notebook or diary.
- Use “evildoer” in a story.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- MC has a hidden scar.
- Submit to an online journal or magazine.
- Scene: Why is he naked? In public?
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: watched, existence, knot, blame, inside.
- Today is 9/11/05. Talk about a moment when you (or a character) recalls exactly what he/she was doing, and where s/he was
- Use the phrase, “hundreds of miles”.
- If you’re overwhelmed today, make a writing appointment for later this week.
- Use “spirit and “waste” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Give your MC a “pet phrase” s/he overuses.
- Write for the Three Cheers Contest this weekend!
- Write for the Three Cheers Contest this weekend!
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: conspiracy, still, pushed, head, already.
- Write about an obscure or hidden talent.
- Use the phrase, “there’s an extra”.
- Rewrite your Three Cheers story as a mystery.
- Use autumn colors creatively in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- MC is a vegan or vegetarian.
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Scene: The hospital waiting room. A nurse enters…
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: indiscreet, would, trash, love, day’s (or days).
- Use the phrase “I like your…”
- Write about a rumor or an urban legend.
- Write something just for yourself.
- Use “yarn” and “cinnamon” in a story/poem.
- Use an archived AB article to improve existing work or to try something new.
- Make your main character “a little bit pregnant”.
- Do an in-depth critique of your own work.
August 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Use a symbol consciously in your story.
- Use “liquor” and “napkin” in a story/poem.
- Start a handwritten journal or writing notebook.
- Write about a character who is obsessive-compulsive.
- Submit a story or article to a paying market.
- Scene: a disastrous (outdoor) family get-together.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: vulnerability, smoked, being, things, accent.
- Write about an unexpected grief.
- Write about the anniversary of an event, or some otherwise significant date.
- Write from a POV you don’t normally use.
- Use “crayon” in a story/poem.
- Start a personal or writing weblog.
- A secondary character has her head in the clouds.
- Submit to a prestigious literary journal. Aim high!
- Scene: The MC is a day late and a dollar short, literally.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: bleached, binge, seasons, whine, language.
- A System Test Engineer wrote recently, “[I]t’s my job to break [computers], not … math them to death.” Write a twist on the phrase “… them to death.”.
- Write about plans upset by weather.
- Use a prompt from your writing notebook. If you don’t have one, start one.
- Use “leather” and “rain” in a story/poem.
- Try your hand at creative non-fiction.
- A practical character decides to follow his/her heart instead.
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Scene: they meet at a public fountain.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: option, framework, through, nameless, glasses.
- Write about ethnic or regional food not from one’s own culture.
- Complete the phrase, “I’ve got a date with …”
- Write a story based on a recent dream.
- Use “waning” and “flight” in a story/poem.
- Stuck in a story? Rename all your characters.
- Your narrator doesn’t want to share.
- Do an in-depth critique, spending at least half an hour on it.
- A child says something inappropriate.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: bookshelf, devices, concern, tomato, tough.
- Write about an irrational dislike or aversion to something.
- On the radio this morning, I heard the phrase “exotic luxury eco-tourism.” Use three (or more) mutually incompatible ideas in as many sentences (or fewer).
- Write only during the commercials of a show you watch tonight.
- Use “wrinkle” and “tangy” in a story/poem.
- Stuck in a story? Try a different narrative point of view.
July 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Set aside $10 and spend it on something writing-related for your workspace.
- Scene: two former lovers bump into each other in a bookstore.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: confusing, friends, uttered, attention, backlog.
- Write about pockets.
- Write about an encounter with an animal.
- Write about a day that has unseasonable weather.
- Write some fan fiction!
- List five verbs from today’s headlines. Use them in a story/poem.
- Your main character has acute amnesia.
- Frame something you’ve written that you love and display it.
- Scene: two friends in a waiting room.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: fluent, speaks, whispers, because, winter.
- Write about someone (or something) outside of their/its usual environment.
- A while ago on overheardintheoffice.com someone was quoted as saying, “If you could un-fuck this situation, I’d appreciate it.” Write about “un-” doing something.
- Set a scene at a convenience store.
- Rewrite using “The Musical Magic of Words” as inspiration.
- Use “contour” in a scene/poem.
- One character doesn’t speak the language of everyone else in the scene.
- Find an old, abandoned piece of writing. Post it & say it’s today’s prompt!
- Scene: the prelude to a fight or battle w/ an inevitable bad end.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following 5 words: unfortunately, trip, through, normally, darkness.
- Write about traffic lights or a similar signal.
- End a sentence with one of the following phrases (your choice):
… that it might rain.
… speechless. Just speechless.
… dumb as the next guy.
- Write a two-character scene in dialogue only. No speech tags!
- Finish it! It could be a novel, story, article or poem.
- Use “baby” and “roasted” in the same story/poem (in an unrelated way).
- Your character doesn’t know his/her birthdate.
- Time to research free-to-enter contests and paying markets. Earn some cash!
- Scene: a girl in a white dress enters…
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following five words: road, velvet, resonating, being, slipped.
- Write about trying to answer a difficult question.
- The last prompt this week is “The First” — write anything this phrase suggests.
- Write a love scene/poem w/o using “love” or any synonym (verb or noun).
- Step back from your story & look again with fresh eyes next week.
- Use “sobered up” in a story/poem.
- A character is doing an impersonation or using a fake accent.
- Write/edit in an unusual place today, outside if you can.
- Set a scene on December 30.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: especially, vocal, lived, outside, hitting.
- Write about finding or receiving a message intended for someone else.
- Write about a conversation held in traffic.
June 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Write about an unexpected test result.
- Use the title of a book as your opening line.
- List five excuses for not writing. Post them!
- Write about someone who thinks it’s Monday.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: long, company, will, comment, never.
- Write about unexpectedly matching clothes.
- Write about showmanship in a situation where it’s unexpected.
- Protagonist: Birnham Wood. Write the opening paragraphs.
- Use “miasma” in a scene.
- Work on your “A Midsummer Tale” entry.
- Work toward this closing line: “No one did it better.”
- Research contests. Write for one, even if you don’t enter.
- Write a scene at an unconventional funeral.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: rewinds, matter, about, concept, hundred.
- Use the phrase “I don’t believe that”.
- Write about haggling, or selling something.
- Antagonist: Lucy Pleasant. Establish her relationship with Birnham.
- Use “hoist” in a scene.
- Write about a dinner-and-a-movie date.
- Use circles or rings as a theme or symbol in a story.
- Buy or borrow a book about the business of writing.
- Rearrange and/or reorganize your writing space.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: coworker, drive, works, laughed, married.
- Write about a character (or yourself) picking a pseudonym.
- Write about rearranging things.
- Love interest: Selene Widdershin. Write an argument scene.
- Use “deadline” in a scene.
- Write about someone addressing a crowd.
- Think of something you’d be uncomfortable writing about and write about it.
- Check out five links at Mustard & Cress and share one you like on the boards.
- Write a scene with a 20-something character watching cartoons.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: anyhow, surge, woman, party, names.
- Write about two or more things happening in the same space (physical or metaphorical) at the same time.
- Use the phrase “… can’t remember ever feeling…”
- Write the scene revealing the surprise connection between Selene and Lucy.
- Use “a house divided” in a scene.
- Write about the aftermath of a disasterous wedding ceremony or reception.
- Show us a scene with a character who is knitting.
May 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Your character is at target practice. Why?
- This scene takes place in a library.
- Your character contracts malaria.
- Start with an unexpected death.
- Create a premise for a new reality program (250 words max).
- Someone vomits in unfortunate circumstances.
- Someone shows you his/her badge. What happens next?
- There is (a) cricket in your story.
- Create a mix CD (10 songs), then write a blurb explaining your choices.
- Something is on fire.
- Your character is in the audience at a concert or play.
- Use the newspaper for a purpose other than reading.
- Someone is on trial—what are the lawyers doing?
- Your character finds him/herself in a buffet restaurant.
- The bride or groom runs away days before the wedding. Why?
- George Costanza wanted to be an architect. Write about your fake career.
- You’ve given two weeks’ notice—what happens now?
- What would you do if you were a billionaire?
- You overhear a cell phone conversation—write about it.
- A missing plane is found.
- Write about a non-traditional wedding.
- Your character encounters Bigfoot (or another mythical creature).
- Rant about a pseudo-celeb who gets too much media attention.
- Someone has just been released from prison. What does s/he do now?
- You find a severed body part. Write about it.
- Write about what you are talented at.
- Fabricate a 911 call. Use dialogue only, and make it funny.
- Write a review of the book you’ve just finished reading.
- Create an email scam / hoax letter.
- Your character has to make an apology. Write it.
- You’ve broken the law. What’s your crime?
April 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- A character is wearing clown makeup.
- Go to a public place and transcribe overheard dialogue.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: bunch, drink, average, names, tophat.
- Use the phrase “I expect that behavior from my dog”.
- Write about the ringing of bells.
- Narrator’s name: Edgar Rush. Write your opening pp.
- Use “pungent” in a scene.
- Write a scene set in the 1980s.
- Find an abandoned story. Change all the char names & rewrite accordingly.
- A character is wearing a huge furry hat.
- Make a one-hour appt to write today and keep it.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: modern, huge, believe, ranting,because.
- Write about a situation with nervousness, dread, or tension.
- Write about something that happens on the wrong day of the week.
- Antagonist: Sylvia Moon. Write a scene of conflict.
- Use “robust” in a scene.
- Write a scene set in the 1910s.
- Find an abandoned story. Post it and ask what changes should be made.
- A character is wearing stockings and garters.
- Read an archived AB article (and the new one!)
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: renegade, gone, making, feigned, planned.
- Write about one event or incident which is used as a metaphor for another.
- Write about plans that change.
- Love interest: Robin McCarty. Write a quiet romantic scene.
- Use “inclined” in a scene.
- Write a scene set in the 1950s.
- Find an abandoned story. Change the beginning to have the “opposite” result.
- A character has an odd and visible tattoo.
- Explore a writing technique book or website.
- Do the Sunday Brunch prompts and post your exercises.
- Use the following words in a story or essay: terrible, mess, other, born, relationship.
- Write about weather that reflects a character’s mood.
- Write about a rite or ritual.
- Hangout is named “Scarlett’s.” Someone unexpected enters. Write the scene.
- Use “moribund” in a scene.
- Write a scene set in the 2020s.
- Find an abandoned story. Start the main action in the first pp and rewrite.
- Combine all the Friday prompts into one character!
- Check out five links at Mustard & Cress. Submit a review!
March 2005
Daily Writing Prompts
- Choose a novel to read outside your usual genre.
- Say, “I am a writer.” To five people today.
- Research three new publishers for your work.
- Take a new route to work.
- Write a full page by hand, by candlelight.
- List 10 things that make you cry.
- Rewrite a fable or fairy tale.
- Describe every physical aspect of one of your characters.
- Ask a friend to read your work.
- Take a picture of spring.
- Ask an elder to share a story with you.
- Write about something very, very ugly and make it sound very, very lovely.
- Write about a trampoline.
- Play a board game.
- Write about a surgery.
- Eat something exotic and write about the experience.
- Time yourself and write for five uninturrupted minutes.
- Write from a clock’s point of view.
- Write a paragraph using successive numbers in each sentence.
- Celebrate a strange holiday.
- Join an online cause you believe in.
- Listen to someone else’s favorite music.
- Make a bookmark.
- End a story with, “It’s as simple as that.”
- Organize your desk.
- Read something about writing.
- Pick up an old story and continue it.
- Write about a fruit.
- Describe a different culture.
- Start a writing discussion.
- Think up five names.