Jumpstart Your Creativity

Writing Prompts and Challenges for the week of June 28

Every day is a fresh start to new ideas if you’re open to inspiration. Every morning I freewrite for about 20 minutes. This is my ritual, no matter where I am. No excuses. Freewriting is my playtime as a writer. I set a timer, put my noise-cancelling headphones on, and write without stopping. No editing. Just writing.

What do I write about? Freewriting time is about experimenting so I like to use writing prompts for inspiration. I keep a list of writing prompts for challenges that I can use during these writing sessions. Sometimes I submit to challenges, sometimes I don’t. Either way, I keep the prompts for inspiration anytime, regardless of a contest deadline. I decide which prompt I will use the night before. So when I sit down to write in the morning, I’m set to go.

Writing Prompts and Challenges on Medium

Shortform

They are holding their first writing challenge. It is due June 30, 2021 and it must be 150 words or less. Even if you don’t make the deadline, still use a prompt like this for your writing inspiration.

The Weekly Knob

Each Saturday, The Weekly Knob posts a new writing prompt. The due date is Thursday. I recommend following this publication and make it a goal to submit each week.

Centina Pentina

This is a yummy challenge (pun intended). Write about doughnuts (or donuts). I think I need to research this one. I will write while eating a doughnut or two. Are ya with me?

Write Here!

Creators Hub announced each Monday they will post three new prompts in a new space called Write Here! Make sure to tag your piece “WriteHere” to add to the community of writers sharing their work. And maybe your piece a Medium editor will share your piece (ya never know!).

Know Thyself, Heal Thyself

You will find inspiring prompts over at Know Thyself, Heal Thyself. They just began a prompt month with 12 people, 12 prompts and 12 opportunities. Today is day one, make sure to follow the publication to get the new prompts.

Write Under the Moon

This is an ongoing challenge based on empowering questions that can spark your creativity. Use the hashtag “moonchallenges” so your articles appear on their Challenges tab. For the list of questions (you can pick what you want to write about) visit the challenge post.

Be Open

The Be Open publication challenges writers to Be Open, their version of the About Me Challenge. Share the “real” you in your post, a more personal profile than your standard About Me.

Microcosm

If you are looking for fiction inspiration, you need to follow Microcosm. You will find weekly prompts and their ongoing Greater Challenges. Make sure to read over the guidelines and have fun with it! I’m working on the Mini Novella in Flash challenge (found on challenge page). Last week I posted Part I and will post another this week. Love the creativity found in the Microcosm community.

I hope some of these writing prompts and challenge will kick start your creativity. Remember to freewrite, allow yourself to see where you will go when you respond to a prompt. Don’t edit yourself. Don’t overthink it. You will be amazed where your thoughts will go. There is nothing like being in the flow when you freewrite. After you let your words sit, then put your editor hat on. That’s when you will think about structure and edits.

And be kind to yourself, your words matter.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ― Louis L’Amour

Feel free to share any other challenges and writing prompts around the Medium world in the comments below.

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