August 8 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, Aren’t You Glad You’re You by Tiny Tim.

What makes you, you? What traits and attributes set you apart from others? In what ways to you stand out in a crowd? Perhaps you wish you were someone else. Who would that be and why? For fun, create a character based on the most unique and distinctive part of yourself.

August 7 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, Five O’Clock World by The Vogues.

If you have a day job, write about it, or write about the one you wish you had, or the one you wish you could quit. What would be your ideal employment situation? Write about the steps you could take to create a better five o’clock world for yourself.

August 6 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, Incense and Peppermints by the Strawberry Alarmclock.

The smell of incense can be overpowering, a strong scent people either love or hate. Same is true with peppermint. Its taste either delights or overwhelms the palate. Is something overpowering you, or are you overpowering to others? Perhaps the song title reminds you of church or a love-in. Whatever it is, just write about it.

August 5 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, You Don’t Learn That In School by The King Cole Trio.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in life? Pick one of the most compelling and write about it. You might want to apply this lesson to a character you’re writing about. Or perhaps you want to write about an experience you had in school or something else this song title brings up.

August 4 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, Brain Damage by Pink Floyd.

Have you ever or are you now doing things that could damage your brain? Are you thinking negative thoughts, consuming too much alcohol or perhaps you abused yourself in some other way? Maybe you have a friend or family member whose behavior is troubling. Write about whatever Brain Damage means to you.

August 3 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.

Have you ever felt like you were trapped in a situation that made you want to run away? Maybe you’re the type of person who puts down roots and doesn’t understand why people leave what appears to be a good situation. Write about whatever the song title means to you.

August 2 Writing Prompt:

This prompt is based on the song title, I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash.

There are times for all of us when we are blind to the truth until something happens to open our eyes. Write about a time in your life when this happened to you, when the fog lifted and you could see a person, situation, or issue clearly.

Writing Prompts for August…

If the quote, “Music is the universal language of mankind,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is true, then, no doubt, the titles of songs can be an inspiration to those of us who love to write. This month’s prompts are based on a variety of song titles. It doesn’t matter if you know the song, all that matters is what memory or situation the title evokes for you. The idea here is to write about whatever comes up in whatever form you choose: poetry, essay, letter, journal entry, short story, memoir, or novel. Read the prompt, take a few deep breaths and write. Whether it’s about your deepest thoughts and feelings, your high school crush, or your favorite pet enjoy the journey.

August 1 Writing Prompt: Please Please Me by The Beatles. When in your life did you want someone to pay more attention to you or do something to please you? Perhaps the tables are reversed and you are the one who should be more considerate. Maybe this song title by The Beatles inspires something else. Write about whatever comes up.

 

July 31 Writing Prompt: Secrets

What secrets are you keeping? Change the names to protect the innocent and write about one or more in detail.

July 30 Writing Prompt: Police Blotter

Write an outrageous entry for your community’s police blotter or sheriff’s log.