Writing Prompts of the Week

It’s hard to believe that February is already almost over. But, on the bright side, for many, it means that we’re that much closer to March break. Still, it’s not quite here yet. This week, try to take a few minutes for yourself and change your mind from your busy workday or full day of studying. Try some of these prompts!

1. Sunday, February 21st

I’ve met many writers who write in English, but whose mother tongue is another language. They might do this because their education was in English, or because they believe they might reach a wider audience. Both are valid reasons to write in English. However, these people - people who can speak and write in multiple languages - possess an incredible tool: two (or more!) sets of vocabulary.

For this prompt, because February 21st is International Mother Language Day, try to use another language in your writing. Incorporate words and expressions in someone’s thoughts, or make a complete dialogue between two people, with one of them not speaking the language. Their level of understanding is up to you: do they understand but can’t reply? Can they speak a few words back? Are they completely lost and react badly?

Mixing two languages can help make characters feel more authentic. Incorporating a different language in your writing can be educational, can add a comedic side, and can be more powerful, because you are adding another aspect of your life to your writing. Somehow, you’re being more vulnerable, more relatable.

2. Monday, February 22nd

Many of us have been stuck in our homes for a while because of the pandemic. Soon we’ll be able to step outside once again, just not quite yet. This said, this prompt is an indoor activity. I need you to get up on your feet and move around a little. For this prompt, find the oldest object in your home. It could be a piece of furniture, a book, a piece of clothing… For some, it might even be some expired canned food in their pantry. No matter what it is, write a story about it!

Where did you get it? What events is it attached to? Why do you still have it? Is it sentimental? For an extra challenge, write from the object’s point of view.

3. Tuesday, February 23rd

I know that not everyone has been or even enjoys evenings out, but think about all your experiences in bars, or imagine what it would be like if you did go there. What kind of people did you find there? Did you meet anyone interesting? Did you fear for your life at one point? What struck out? Did anything happen?

For this prompt, all you need to do is incorporate a bartender. The story could be written from their point of view. Or, characters could simply be having a discussion with them. The bartender could even be a secondary character and only show up halfway through to break up a fight. To help you with this prompt, ask yourself a few questions. For instance, how would the evening be for them compare to your experience? Or, what does a day off look like for a bartender?

4. Wednesday, February 24th

Not everyone is like this, but I personally always write with some music playing in the background. Lately, it’s Taylor Swift’s Evermore. Music influences my writing, and my writing often inspires me to look up new genres and artists. What we don’t often realize is that musicians are themselves telling stories, just stories that have been summed up and are presented with a melody.

For this prompt, choose a song you love or select one at random. Analyze the lyrics and find the key story elements within them. Was it a breakup? The loss of a loved one? With the main plot points extracted from the song, rewrite the story, but in full. Add in the details that are missing. Give the characters some names. Show us why the events sung in the song were so tragic or meaningful.

5. Thursday, February 25th

Tough Thursdays: cue a diabolical laugh. I always enjoy giving these difficult prompts, because I’m always fascinated by what writers come up with in response. These vague prompts are often behind some of the most original and creative works I’ve read and produced.

This week, let yourself be inspired by the number 666. Yes, I know, this number is usually attached to the devil. But that’s the challenge: give it a new meaning! Is it a street address? A secret code? Is it just 999 upside down? In a world you create, what is the symbolism of 666?

6. Friday, February 26th

And now’s the time for the skills challenge of the week. This one is more creative than last week’s but will still require some critical thinking on your part. This week, we are exploring a different genre: fairy tales!

The first step for this challenge is to analyze a few of your favourite fairy tales: what do they have in common? What makes them fairy tales?

Second, choose one of the stories you are currently working on, or select one of your favourite books. Your job is to turn these into fairy tales. Take out all the unnecessary elements and add in what’s missing. If you really want to be challenged, write your own original fairy tale from scratch.

Lastly, reflect! How is the story different? Is it better or worst in this form? Is this genre one you would consider writing in the future?

7. Saturday, February 27th

The last prompt of the week is an easy one. February is Library Lover’s month, so I thought we writers could let ourselves be inspired by a place that most of us enjoy. For this prompt, write a scene that happens in a library. Again, you have a lot of freedom for this one. It could be fantasy (does opening a book transport you to another world?), it could be a romance scene (two people meeting, perhaps), it could even be a crime scene. All that matters is that you let your creativity flow!

I hope you've enjoyed this week's writing prompts.

Not inspired? Check out last week’s prompt here.

Feel free to give me feedback or share the results of these prompts on my Instagram (@n.m.blom), or my Facebook page (Noémi Blom - Writer). Can’t wait to hear from you!