A year of writing prompts: 31 August

How to use these prompts

Picking flowers in late summer.
What are the flowers for?
A wedding? A special table decoration?
Something else?

Prompts

1. The summer holidays are rapidly coming to a close. Your character is dreading going back to school/college/university. Why? What might they do to mitigate the situation? Does it work?
2. The last day of the month is dedicated to Hecate, a Greek goddess who presides over crossroads. Your characters reach a crossroads. Perhaps this is where they go their separate ways, or need to decide which road to take.
3. "The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less." Eldridge Cleaver
4. The Sherlock Holmes adventure "Cardboard Box" began on this date. Write a story featuring a cardboard box.
5. A girl's first dancing lesson.

Character Names

Erika, Bella, Vilma, Sterling, Norma, Arvi

Character Traits

• Explorers, discoverers; love travel. Travel is likely to be their greatest passion and if they fly off the handle about anything, it is likely to be connected with travel.
• Money comes to them easily but there may be a woman in their life who causes trouble connected with money.
• Disinclined to marry, but may juggle several romances.
• Danger of falling prey to dishonest people if they are driven by greed or passions.
• Don't take duty all that seriously. Why do today what can be done tomorrow?
• Tend to lack concentration and willpower. Have big ideas and dreams but tend not to achieve them. Tendency to focus on tomorrow, not today.
• Tellers of tall tales.
• May be impulsive with a tendency to gamble and risk too much, losing what they have.
• Ruddy or flushed complexion.
• Unwilling to change their behaviour.
• May be shy and under-estimate themselves.
• Find it hard to let their guard down.
• Likely to do well in communications, politics, transport, entertainment or experimentation.
• Prone to casting shadows which come back to haunt them.
• Can be pessimistic and fatalistic.

Possible Themes

Hypocrisy, deceit.

Creativity, originality.

Evaluations and opinions.

Pecking orders.

Time travel.

Objects

A futuristic drawing; a mask; a leaking sack of corn; a stagnant pool; cement; a wild west town.

A year of writing prompts: 30 August

How to use these prompts

Who is this woman?
Where is she going?
What is her life like?

Prompts

1. Today is the birthday of Mary Shelley, who created Frankenstein. Write a story featuring Frankenstein's monster or a similar creation.
2. A group of friends are on holiday. One evening they decide to have a ghost story contest - who can come up with the scariest story? What happens? What if one story actually comes true?
3. It's International Day of the Disappeared. Write a story about a family in which one member has inexplicably gone missing.
4. "When God deprived bishops of sons, Satan gave them nephews." Alexander III
5. French skier Jean-Claude Killy was born on this date in 1943. Write a story about skiing.

Character Names

Rosa, Jolanta, Destiny, Elmer, Albert, Albertina

Character Traits

• Love nature and solitude; therefore well suited to living in remote, quiet places, especially where they are trees and mountains. Careers connected with nature such as botany or farming may attract them. Also careers connected with mountains.
• May enjoy mountain climbing or ascending to high places in some other way.
• They can also be a success in the commercial world. Dietetics, mathematics, psychology of politics, social services or astrology are also fields which could attract them.
• Likely to live a long life, but isolation is possible in old age.
• Do not hesitate to give to others and there is a danger they may take on too much and never get the thanks or rewards due for it.
• Can communicate ideas in an artistic and beautiful way.
• Cautious with money.
• May over-indulge in food or other pleasures.
• Like warm, exuberant colours.
• Enjoy being around younger people.
• Can be fatalistic or melancholic.
• Clear and open minds, adaptable.
• Loving, kind, gentle. Contemplative nature and sense of value.

Possible Themes

Lucidity and wisdom.

Connection between life and death.

Music and dance.

Taking on something new.

Objects

A dancing lesson; a forest; a tower on top of a hill; a coach full of passengers; a pen; a sword; a palace.

A year of writing prompts: 29 August

How to use these prompts

What is this elephant doing in the sea?
How will it interact with the swimmers?

Prompts

1. Edmund Hoyle's Treatise on the Game of Whist was published in 1742. Write a story about a whist drive. Your characters have gathered for a polite evening of card games - but there are underlying tensions.
2. "The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions." Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr
3. Michael Jackson was born on this date in 1958. Write a story based on a Michael Jackson song.
4. In 1839 the slave ship Amistad was hijacked by 53 Africans bound for slavery. They demanded to be taken back to Africa. Although the crew secretly changed course and took them to America anyway, the Supreme Court eventually ruled that they were free to go home. Your character was on board that ship. Write their version of events.
5. In the film Terminator 2, today is the day in 1997 when Skynet becomes self aware. In your story, machines, or a single machine or type of machine, become self aware.

Character Names

Evelina, Beatrix, Erna, Sabina, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jerry, Jeri, Jan, Nicola, Hans

Character Traits

• Pathologically shy, awkward and clumsy, especially around the opposite sex. Hence marriage is difficult or unlikely. if they marry, it is likely to cause them trouble.
• If they can overcome their shyness, they become moving and eloquent speakers, and make good friends once you get to know them.
• Good memories.
• Self sufficient; rarely take advice.
• Extraordinarily prudent in some areas but wasteful in others.
• Lack tact and patience with others.
• Can be critical and sarcastic.
• Sensitive and delicate.
• Orderly and clean.
• May be a carer for an elderly or sick relative.
• Talent for mathematics and politics.
• Could embark on a career in law or forensic science.
• A nasty woman, who enjoys doing harm for the sake of it may have a devastating influence on them.
• Danger of drug abuse.

Possible Themes

Humility.

Social isolation.

Conflict, strife, tension, pressure.

Women's circles and feminine rituals.

Mischief and the unexpected.

Objects

A harem; a wig and gown; ceremonial robes; a custard pie; a pomegranate; a lute.

A year of writing prompts: 28 August

How to use these prompts

Who is this character?
A priest? A magician? A teacher?
Something else entirely?

Prompts

1. It's National Bow Tie Day. Write about someone who wears a bow tie.
2. "One never goes so far as when one doesn't know where one is going." Johann von Goethe
3. I have a Dream...
4. A Merry-Go-Round.
5. The 28th of every month is Gone-Ta-Pott Day. Write about something which has gone to pott - a device which no longer works, or a day when nothing seems to go right.

Character Names

Augustin, Patricia, Gustavo, Vivian, Viviana

Character Traits

• Lucky in love - are good looking with intense sex appeal. Deeply romantic.
• Lively, merry and popular - have lots of friends.
• Because they are generally lucky and popular, if difficult circumstances do arise, they find it hard to cope.
• Active, perceptive; lifelong learners.
• Fascinated by perfumes and scents. Also love beauty in form and colour.
• Thorough and methodical, concerned about hygiene. Pay attention to detail and like perfection.
• Tend to spend money as soon as they get it.
• Good at following orders and being of service to others. Responsible and dedicated to the call of duty.
• May be drawn to work with dogs. Chemistry, psychology, soldier or inventor are other possible career choices.
• Practical and dexterous. May make durable, practical and useful products out of natural materials.
• May feel a need to prove themselves and defend their choices or beliefs.
• A chaotic personal life may undermine their reliability.
• Partnerships likely to prove unlucky.
• May suffer from motion sickness.
• Danger of addiction and manic depression.

Possible Themes

Efficiency.

Cycles, especially ups and downs.

Frustration.

Gambling.

Carnivals, lights and music.

Objects

A merry go round; jars of chemicals; a ballroom; a banyan tree; a game of cards; fruit, food and wine.

A year of Writing prompts: 27 August

How to use these prompts

Describe an encounter on the steps of this building.
It can take place in modern times or at any period in history.

Prompts

1. According to a survey, today is the most likely day for couples to argue. Write about a couple having an argument.
2. In the French Revolutionary Calendar, today is the Day of the Ladder. Write a story featuring a ladder.
3. "The house is a machine for living in." Le Corbusier
4. It's Be Kind to Humankind Week. Write about an act of kindness.
5. On this date in 1965, the Beatles met Elvis Presley. Both parties were awed by each other. Your characters are two mega-famous people, real or imaginary, who meet for the first time.

Character Names

Caspar, Sylvia, Wade, Joseph, Monica, Rolf, Rudolph

Character Traits

• It's important to them to do things right from start to finish.
• Strict observers of daily routines.
• Apt to experience forebodings about things.
• Always ready to leap into action when duty calls.
• Intelligent and hard workers although not especially ambitious. Work especially hard in connection with the welfare of others. When they see a need, they fill it.
• Possible career choices are medicine, functional architecture, construction and repair or surveying.
• May have a gift as a spiritual healer or medium.
• May be poor in later life.
• Lovers of quaint and picturesque art, and old world lore.
• Droll and mischievous outlook.
• Impatient and dislike disorder. Like things to be functional.
• Fond of the outdoors and natural sciences.
• Gentle and sensitive.
• May suffer from asthma.
• Possibility of delusions or schizophrenia.
• May lack perspective.

Possible Themes

Adventure and exploration.

Curiosity.

Danger.

Fairy tales.

Nature spirits.

Objects

A rescue worker checking his equipment; an eagle; a long straight road vanishing into the distance; a tapestry; a skull on a pole; a dark wood; a leprechaun.

A year of writing prompts: 26 August

How to use these prompts

What is happening here?
Who are these people?
Where are they?
What happens next?

Prompts

1. "Between too early and too late, there is never more than a moment." Franz Werfel
2. On National Dog Day, write a story about a dog.
3. Your characters attend Notting Hill Carnival.
4. In 1871, toilet paper was first sold on a roll. Write a funny story involving a roll of toilet paper.
5. In 1676 Robert Walpole, the first UK Prime Minister was born. Your character has just been elected Prime Minister. What is the first thing they do?

Character Names

Natalia, Nate, Alexander, Sam, Samantha, Samuel, Maria

Character Traits

• Those of modest beginnings will improve their wealth and social status, and enjoy a happy and affluent old age.
• There is a danger, however, that a destructive desire for pleasure will derail them.
• Place a lot of faith in technology, possibly too much.
• Orderly planners, hard workers but can lack originality.
• May be devious in romance.
• Fond of nature or art, not necessarily both.
• Concerned with justice, equality and human brotherhood. May have had to overcome prejudice at some point in their lives.
• Social idealists who will work for the benefit of the community.
• Capable of persevering with long, difficult and detailed research.
• Appear more on the straight and narrow than they actually are.
• Farming, agriculture, mechanics, construction, medicine or healing are possible career choices.
• May suffer from asthma.
• Make good employees, but could also forge ahead and encourage others, becoming leaders.
• Optimistic their needs will be met, and are usually right.

Possible Themes

Determination.

Acceptance, blindness to differences.

Overcoming prejudice.

Adoption and fostering.

Objects

A steamroller; red cloth; a tennis court; a piglet dressed in baby clothes; black and white children.

A year of writing prompts: 25 August

How to use these prompts

Who is staying in this hotel room?
What conversations might they have as they eat breakfast on the balcony?

Prompts

1. It's National Second Hand Wardrobe Day. Your character buys an old wardrobe from a charity shop. When they get it home and open it, they get a big surprise.
2. "One must have chaos within oneself if one is to give birth to a dancing star." Friedrich Nietsche
3. In 1999 a coven of witches held a ceremony to protest against the positioning of a 53ft telephone mast. Write about witches and or wizards getting involved with issues in the modern world.
4. Around now is National Neighbourhood Day, a day for holding a block party with your neighbours. Write a story which takes place at a block or street party.
5. The Wedding of the Giants.

Character Names

Louisa, Patricia, Ludwig, Pearl, Perry, Louis, Louise

Character Traits

• Particular fondness for justice and indignant at breaches of it. Will defend and help the weak.
• Value truth and beauty and dislike negativity.
• Appreciate fine workmanship and high quality.
• Have an insight into natural laws.
• May have talents as a medium.
• Kind and gifted with a sunny nature yet also have a cold, logical mind.
• Hard workers with endurance and cool courage.
• Generous, and want to use their resources in the best possible way.
• Independent and self-sufficient.
• Modern, possibly peculiar, outlook. Value youth and dislike stodgy social rules and restrictions.
• Faithful to their partners, but can be a sexual misfit.
• Sensible and prudent.
• Careers they may be drawn to are scientific research, particularly in the field of agriculture or anything to do with the soil; writer (most likely about science or the mystical, perhaps poetry or drama); philosophy, chemistry and food science. They may also be drawn to counselling or social work.
• Tendency towards a victim mentality.

Possible Themes

Insight.

Forethought.

Parallel worlds and the passages between them.

Being saved or finding a solution in the nick of time.

Objects

Two guardian angels; a laboratory; wheat; a ledger; an elephant with a castle on his back; a spinning wheel.

A year of writing prompts: 24 August

How to use these prompts

How did this couple meet?
Tell their story.
Does the course of true love run smoothly for them?

Prompts

1. "No matter what he does, each person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn't know it." Paolo Coelho
2. On Knife Day, write a story in which a knife features prominently.
3. In 79AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii. Your character somehow managed to escape. Tell their story.
4. In 2006, Pluto was demoted from being a planet when the definition of "planet" changed. Write a story about someone who is demoted.
5. Henry Gannett, nicknamed the Father of American Mapmaking was born on this date in 1846. Write a story about maps, and/or a map-maker.

Character Names

Bartholomew, Bertram, Alicia, Owen, Jerzy, Bert

Character Traits

• Precise thinkers with a talent for mathematics. Abstract intelligence with a gift for strategy. A career in mathematics or the military is possible.
• May be lacking in emotion so people find them cold and unapproachable.
• They are skilled at maintaining social relationships because they approach them like a mental exercise or pattern.
• Methodical and like to stick to a routine. Can be stubborn. Disorder irritates them.
• Can be passive and fatalistic.
• May reject religion and be an atheist or agnostic. They may have suffered bullying under the guise of religion.
• Can be irritable, critical and caustic.
• Resilient and steadfast with great capacity for endurance.
• May suffer difficulties in later life.
• Inclined to neglect business for pleasure until compelled to earn a living.
• May be social climbers who are ashamed of their origins.
• They may be drawn to science, metaphysics or the arts and may become musicians or composers.
• Speculative ventures are unlucky for them and they can become victims of deceit and treachery.
• They need to watch their health.
• They may be affected by institutions which disregard the rights of the individual.
  
  
  
  

Possible Themes

Peace and tranquillity.

Crossroads.

Mysticism.

Martyrdom.

Objects

A large white cross on a hill; a desert; a solitary rock in the sand; a talent show with a panel of judges.