Anne of Green Gables Writing Prompts

Anne of Green Gables Museum, a photo by Smudge 9000 on Flickr.

Today it is the birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the woman who wrote the Anne of Green Gables series.

In honor of Lucy's birthday, I am going to take two quotes inspired by the Anne series to guide us along for our creative writing prompts.

Prompt #1:

Mrs. Cadbury: Tell me, what you know about yourself.
Anne Shirley: Well, it really isn't worth telling, Mrs. Cadbury... but if you let me tell you what I imagine about myself you'd find it a lot more interesting.

I love this little conversation. For today's prompt, one option is to imagine yourself doing something you otherwise wouldn't be able to do. Perhaps it is telling someone a secret, or perhaps it is some extravagant act. You can write about it in either poetry or prose.

Prompt #2:

Anne Shirley: Don't you ever imagine things differently from what they are?
Marilla Cuthbert: No.
Anne Shirley: Oh Marilla, how much you miss.

For this prompt, take something from your world, and turn it into something it is not. You can write in either poetry or prose.

And today's writing prompts would not be complete unless I share a link with you that goes to one of my most favorite poems ever. I encountered it on Poetry Daily years ago. It's called "Like Anne Shirley's House" and it is by Faye George.  You can find it by clicking here.

Bonus Poetry Prompt: Read the poem, "Like Anne Shirley's House," and then you write a poem that starts, "I want a house that. . . "

Writing Prompts With Laughter

Laughing Out Loud, a photo by amslerPIX on Flickr.

For today's creative writing prompts, we will reflect on laughter. I love this picture of these kids, especially the one on the left. They look like they are having a good time, goofing off and enjoying themselves.

Story Prompt: Write a story that begins with two or three people who are laughing. Why are they laughing? Who are these people and what relationship do they have with each other? Write for 10 minutes without stopping.

Essay Prompt: What is something that made you laugh a lot? Write about it.

Poetry Prompt: Write a poem that contains laughter in it.

Peace Dove Writing Prompts

peace dove, a photo by Jeff Attaway on Flickr.

Today for our creative writing prompts, we will reflect on PEACE.

Please read the poem "Let it Begin with Me" by Wisconsin poet Mary Jo Balistreri.  (This poem is featured on Your Daily Poem (dot com), which is a wonderful resource of all kinds of great poetry.  Teachers, please check it out!)

Essay Prompt: What are examples of letting peace begin with ourselves? Please elaborate on personal examples from your own life or examples you've observed through others.

Poetry: Begin a poem with this prompt:

If peace. . .

Story Prompt: Create a story that ends with a very small in appearance, but big in meaning, gesture of peace.

Happy Writing!

Writing Prompts with Polka Dots

polka dot tea party, a photo by Shandi-lee on Flickr.

Today's writing prompts start with the image of "polka dots." For one minute, free-write what images come to mind when you think of "polka dots."

After the time is up, pick one or more images from your list to write a story, poem, personal essay, etc.

OR you can write a story based on the character in today's picture. Why is she wearing the red polka dot dress today? What is she waiting for? Who will she see?

Bonus Prompt:

Reflect on this quote and write a short sketch of a character, showing HOW this character travels in the manner of happiness.

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling. " -Margaret Lee Runbeck

Writing Prompts with Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves, a photo by Ray Wise on Flickr.

So many beautiful leaves are everywhere out here---on the ground and some still on the trees. For our writing prompts, here are some starters you can use to start a story, essay, poem, song, etc.

1. Walking through the wet leaves, she realized. . .
2. The leaves were falling like. . .
3. The color of the leaves brought him comfort. . .
4. In autumn, there is comfort in. . .
5. The smell of leaves. . .