Hey there fellow writers and poets!

Are you looking for some not-too-spooky prompts to spark ideas for new poems or stories? Read on for 3 Halloween inspired prompts, each with 3 “ways to play” ideas to get those creative pumpkin juices flowing.

Prompt 1

Write a poem or story from the point of view (POV) of a Jack O’Lantern outside your/a door on Halloween night.

Ways to Play:

• For a poem, play with structure or form. Create a rhyme scheme for yourself or create a fast-paced list-style poem with everything the Jack O’Lantern sees.
• For a story, brainstorm some different stakes and potential conflicts before drafting. What does Jack O’Lantern want? Need? What’s getting in the way? Why does it matter so much to them?
• For either a poem or a story, play with the setting and mood. What’s special about this door? This Halloween night? What mood or feeling do you want to create and how can you evoke that through the setting?

Prompt 2

Write a poem or story titled “The Last Pumpkin.”

Ways to Play:

• Brainstorm where the pumpkin is – a pumpkin patch? A grocery store? A craft shop? Then brainstorm why it’s the “last” pumpkin – was it forgotten? Did it roll away or escape? Is it unwanted or doesn’t want to leave?
• Play with tense and/or person (pronouns). For example, if you usually write in the past tense, try the present or vice versa. If you usually use the “I” (first-person pronoun), try 3rd-person (they/she/he) or even 2nd-person (you).
• For either a poem or a story, try to surprise the reader with a twist ending!

Prompt 3

Write a poem or story about an unexpected Halloween costume.

Ways to Play:

• Dig deep on the “fish out of water” element of fiction writing for this prompt – in what way is this particular costume unexpected for this particular character? Remember: your characters don’t have to be human!
• Try some sound play in your story or poem. Work in some alliteration, assonance, or rhyme that connects to your character or theme in some way. For example, if your main character is a snail, you might work in the /s/ sound, the /l/ sound, or even the /eɪ/ vowel sound.
• Challenge yourself to try out a different technique or style. If you’re a poet, try writing a story. If you’re a picture book writer, try writing a poem or a story under 150 words. If you usually write serious stories or poems, try some humour and vice versa.

Happy Writing!

Write Your Own Joy: 31 Poetry Prompts is out now in ebook and paperback formats. Read for free on Kindle Unlimited! For beginner or more experienced poets.

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