Purposeful Writing Prompts: October

Are you looking for inspiration this October? Let us help! Use these prompts for creative writing exercises or to build on the development of your work in progress.

Fiction

1. You wake up around 3:30am with no memory of the last eight hours and no idea how long you were asleep. While supposedly safe in your bed, you feel a piece of paper. After rubbing the sleep from your eyes and adjusting your vision, you notice it’s a handwritten letter. Dear [Name], Your assistance was greatly appreciated and your wish has been granted. Despite my gratitude, your wish took much power to grant. In order for all of this to work, I had to take something of yours to complete the ritual. If you are once again in need, find me. Yours, A Friend
   

2. Your phone rings in the middle of the day, and while you don’t recognize the number at first, you do recognize the voice on the other end. They’d been trying to track you down for some time. Their voice sounds rushed, breathless, frantic. “I need your help, and you are the only person I know of who could make heads or tails of any of this. A storm is coming, and I have something that will help, but we need to switch to a video call. I’m texting you a link right now.” “What do you mean a sto–” They hang up quickly and you feel a buzz in your palm.
   

3.  Your best friend has convinced you to sign up for a new dating app. It seems to be nothing more than standard. You swipe in one direction if you’re interested, and you swipe in another if you’re not. You’re not optimistic, but the reviews seem decent. What’s the harm? The app requests you upload a profile picture and choose questions to answer. “What are your core values?” “What’s your idea of a good first date?” “Who do you think you were in a past life?" You answer the questions, and you’re greeted by a “Free Trial” page. Of course. “Welcome to MatchM8! You have thirty swipes per day, but you can unlock unlimited swipes with MatchM8 Premium for $0/Month. We want something special for you, [Name]” Right…fantastic marketing campaign. Wait…what is that?
   

4. You showed up fifteen minutes early for your job interview. The young man at the reception desk appears to be new, but well-meaning. After you state that you’re there for a job interview, he asks you to wait a moment because he isn’t sure which office you need to go to. After about five minutes, a woman radiating confidence emerges and approaches the computer that the front desk receptionist was at earlier. She wore a no-nonsense expression that implied small-talk was a thing to be tolerated, not enjoyed. “You’re here for the 2:30pm interview with Tabitha?” She looks at you directly through thick-rimmed glasses. “Yes,” you speak simply. “You may proceed through those doors and to the waiting room on the left. You must sit in the third chair in the row nearest to the door. On the seat, you will see three forms. Fill out the yellow form and the top of the blue form. Are we clear?” She remains silent as you nod and move to open the door. You couldn’t see anything. It seemed to be a big, black, empty void. “Are we clear?” She asks again, enunciating. You turn to face her. “Y-yes, but–” As soon as you spoke that word, the void turned into a maze of dimly lit hallways.
   

5. You’re walking through a library full of older manuscripts. You’re looking for something specific, something to solve the problem that’s been gnawing at you for years. “You won’t find our books in alphabetical order, child.” This was the kind of library where the librarian greeted you at the door. It was also the type of library no one came in to browse. Everyone was looking for something, and the librarian was the kind of person few couldn’t confide in. This is why, when you told them your heart’s desire, you didn’t hesitate or stumble over your words. The librarian lifted up their arm gracefully, their slightly wrinkled hand indicating direction. “Go to the fourth set of shelves there, and they’ll be on the left side. You’ll find what you need.”
   

Personal

1. Look around the room and find an object. Where did this object come from, and how did it come into your possession? Do you have any specific memories tied to that object? Then, consider the object’s placement. Why was it there? Using the answers to all of these questions, tell a story from the perspective of that object.
   

2. Pick any emotion (happy, sad, hopeful, bored, content, angry, curious, afraid, anything). After you’ve chosen your emotion, think carefully about the word and what memories come to mind. Pick one of those memories. First, think of the big picture. What’s happening in the memory that you’ve chosen? Is anyone with you? Where are you? Why were you there? Then, try to pick apart smaller details. Do you remember what you were wearing? Do you remember the expressions on the faces of those around you? The color of the walls? The taste of something you were eating or drinking? Does your memory of how you felt during the memory match the way you feel about it now?
   

3.  What was the last mundane task you completed? Was it cleaning your home, doing your laundry, washing dishes, running errands? What were you thinking about as you were doing that task? Were you listening to music, an audiobook, or a podcast? Think about how you were moving. Describe your actions and how you approached the task. Was it strenuous in any way? Was any part of it annoying? Describe that. How did you feel after you were done? Consider every detail, even the details that could be easily taken for granted.
   

4. Think of a talent that you have. Maybe it’s singing. You could use writing. You could even use cracking an egg with one hand. Now, exaggerate that talent. You don’t just sing, you create waves that you can almost hear hitting every surface in your home. Sounds flow through your body, and it creates an almost overwhelming sense of calm. Extend your exaggeration for as long as you can.
   

5. What is your favorite tradition? It can be something you do every day, once a week, once a month, once a year, or irregularly. It can be personal or it can be widely recognized. First, describe your tradition and, specifically, the last time you carried out your tradition. Has your tradition ever been changed or added to? Can you imagine that happening? Have any other people been included in your tradition? If so, what is their experience of it compared to yours?
   

If you write something using one of these prompts, I’d love to take a look! Send me a message or comment below. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.