Category: 365 Days of Writing

365 Days of being a Writer: Month 4

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

To recap, the last month was on observation! Hopefully, you found a variety of different inspirations from the day-to-day simple sitting and listening. Perhaps, in this month, you can put those observations to even more use as we shift the focus to dialogue. Observation month focused heavily on images and listening. This month, you can take what you heard and translate them into actual conversations between characters. Welcome to Dialogue Month!!

Also, a little sidenote- this month has less prompts to give you a bit of a break as we hit observation and character month pretty hard. The following months will have fewer and fewer prompts as we get into actual creative writing less creative journaling, and writing exercises. Let’s stay away from that ever-prevalent writer’s burnout!

Month 4 – Dialogue

  1. Write a conversation where someone hides the truth.
  2. Write a conversation with no dialogue tags.
  3. Write a conversation between siblings.
  4. Write a conversation between enemies.
  5. Write a conversation that happens over text messages.
  6. Write a phone call scene.
  7. Write a conversation interrupted by something unexpected.
  8. Write two characters arguing about something trivial.
  9. Write two characters apologizing.
  10. Write two characters flirting awkwardly.

Break:
94. Listen to people talking in public and jot down interesting phrases.

365 Days of being a Writer: Month 3

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

This month is going to be focused on observing! Writers are at their best when they are paying close attention to their surroundings. Writers can be inspired by anything but it really helps if you can pull inspiration from your own life (“writing what you know”). In order to do this, one must be observant. So! The prompts for month 3 are designed to help you step out of your own head and take a look at your surroundings! What do you see?

Month 3 – Observation

  1. Sit somewhere public and write what you see.
  2. Describe three strangers.
  3. Write about overheard conversation.
  4. Describe a shop window.
  5. Write about the weather like a character.
  6. Describe a tree in detail.
  7. Write about someone walking a dog.
  8. Describe the smell of a bakery.
  9. Write about the sound of traffic.
  10. Write about a quiet afternoon.
  11. Describe a cloudy sky.
  12. Write about a bird.
  13. Write about a river or creek.
  14. Describe the inside of a coffee shop.
  15. Write about someone reading a book.
  16. Write about someone on their phone.
  17. Write about a couple arguing quietly.
  18. Describe a cluttered desk.
  19. Write about something abandoned.
  20. Describe a bench in a park.

Creative break:
83. Take a walk and write down five things you noticed.

365 Days of being a Writer: Month 2

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

This month is character month! Last month was about getting started and building momentum, while this month will focus on building a character or characters plural and developing them one step at a time. Create one from scratch or work on a pre-existing one. These prompts are for you to do what you will.

Month 2 – Character

  1. Invent a character and write their daily routine.
  2. Write your character’s worst habit.
  3. Write your character’s biggest fear.
  4. Write about something your character regrets.
  5. Write a scene where your character lies to someone they love.
  6. Write about your character’s childhood home.
  7. Write about something your character collects.
  8. Write about a childhood memory your character can’t forget.
  9. Write about your character’s favorite meal.
  10. Write a scene where your character gets unexpected news.
  11. Describe your character’s best friend.
  12. Write about a scar your character has.
  13. Write about your character losing something important.
  14. Write about a small victory.
  15. Write a scene where your character feels embarrassed.
  16. Write about something your character envies.
  17. Write your character’s inner monologue.
  18. Write a scene where your character forgives someone.
  19. Write a scene where your character refuses to forgive someone.
  20. Write your character’s morning thoughts.
  21. Write a dream your character had.
  22. Write about your character’s favorite place.
  23. Write your character’s greatest hope.
  24. Write your character’s greatest mistake.
  25. Write a scene where someone misunderstands your character.
  26. Write your character’s personal motto.
  27. Write a moment of jealousy.
  28. Write a quiet moment alone.
  29. Write a confession scene.

Creative break:
61. Make a playlist for your character.
62. Describe the playlist in writing.

365 Days of being a Writer: Month 1

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve ever wanted to write more but felt overwhelmed by huge projects, this challenge is for you.

The goal: 365 small creative actions over one year.

Some days you’ll write and some days you’ll observe. A mixing and matching of all sorts of creative outlets and exercises! So, without further ado, here is month 1.

Month 1 – Start Small

  1. Write about the room you’re currently in.
  2. Describe your morning routine as if it were a sacred ritual.
  3. Write 100 words about a character who is running late.
  4. Write about the smell of rain.
  5. Write a paragraph using only short sentences.
  6. Write a paragraph using one long flowing sentence.
  7. Describe a place from childhood.
  8. Write a conversation between two strangers.
  9. Write about a broken object.
  10. Write from the perspective of your coffee mug.
  11. Describe the sky today.
  12. Write a short scene set at a bus stop.
  13. Write a letter that will never be sent.
  14. Write about a secret.
  15. Describe someone entering a room.
  16. Write about the quietest place you know.
  17. Write a scene where someone lies.
  18. Write about a forgotten object.
  19. Write a 50-word story.
  20. Write a character description in five sentences.
  21. Describe a street at night.
  22. Write about someone waiting for news.
  23. Write about a sound that annoys you.
  24. Write about a smell that comforts you.
  25. Write about the weather changing suddenly.
  26. Write a short argument scene.
  27. Write about a locked door.
  28. Write about a memory that feels dreamlike.
  29. Write about someone finding something unexpected.
  30. Write a story in exactly 200 words.
  31. Take a break: read a poem and write one sentence about how it made you feel.