365 Days of Writing Prompts

A prompt to fire your imagination, each and every day for a year

The Editors, WordPress.com

365 Days of Writing Prompts Copyright © 2013 by The Daily Post.

Contents

- Write, Every Day of Your Life

- 1. January

- 2. February

- 3. March

- 4. April

- 5. May

- 6. June

- 7. July

- 8. August

- 9. September

- 10. October

- 11. November

- 12. December

Write, Every Day of Your Life

Enjoy this year-long collection of writing prompts geared to get you writing each and every day. We made them for you, with love.

Check out The Daily Post for writing inspiration, tips and techniques on making blogging a habit, and how to nurture your audience and grow your traffic. You can even get some friendly moral support from the blogging community.

– The Editors, WordPress.com

1

January

January 1

Stroke of Midnight
Where were you last night when 2013 turned into 2014? Is that where you’d wanted to be?

January 2

Resolved
Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution that you kept?

January 3

Kick it
What’s the 11th item on your bucket list?

January 4

Quote me
Do you have a favorite quote that you return to again and again? What is it, and why does it move you?

January 5

Call Me Ishmael
Take the first sentence from your favorite book and make it the first sentence of your post.

January 6

My favorite
What’s the most time you’ve ever spent apart from your favorite person? Tell us about it.

January 7

Helpless
Helplessness: that dull, sick feeling of not being the one at the reins. When did you last feel like that –- and what did you do about it?

January 8

Teacher’s pet
Tell us about a teacher who had a real impact on your life, either for the better or the worse. How is your life different today because of him or her?

January 9

1984
You’re locked in a room with your greatest fear. Describe what’s in the room.

January 10

32 flavors
Vanilla, chocolate, or something else entirely?

January 11

This is your life
If you could read a book containing all that has happened and will ever happen in your life, would you? If you choose to read it, you must read it cover to cover.

January 12

Take two
Run outside. Take a picture of the first thing you see. Run inside. Take a picture of the second thing you see. Write about the connection between these two random objects, people, or scenes.

January 13

Clean slate
Explore the room you’re in as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Pretend you know nothing. What do you see? Who is the person who lives there?

January 14

Ripped from the headlines
Head to your favorite online news source. Pick an article with a headline that grabs you. Now, write a short story based on the article.

January 15

Polite company
“It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

January 16

Toot your horn
Most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, and are not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself.

January 17

In a crisis
Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

January 18

Free association
Write down the first words that comes to mind when we say . . . home. . . soil. . . rain. Use those words in the title of your post.

January 19

Apply yourself
Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you.

January 20

Breaking the law
Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows). Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

January 21

Sweet sixteen
When you were 16, what did you think your life would look like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?

January 22

I got skills
If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

January 23

Shipwrecked
Read the story of Richard Parker and Tom Dudley. Is what Dudley did defensible? What would you have done?

January 24

Ready, set, go
Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

January 25

Dearly departed
Write your own eulogy.

January 26

Musical
What role does music play in your life?

January 27

Sliced bread
Most of us have heard the saying, “That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

January 28

Ode to a playground
A place from your past or childhood, one that you’re fond of, is destroyed. Write it a memorial.

January 29

Through the window
Go to the nearest window. Look out for a full minute. Write about what you saw.

January 30

Burning down the house
Your home is on fire. Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

January 31

Burnt
Remember yesterday, when your home was on fire and you got to save five items? That means you left a lot of stuff behind. What are the things you wish you could have taken, but had to leave behind?

2

February

February 1

Flangiprop!
Invent a definition for the word “flangiprop,” then use the word in a post.

February 2

Think global, act local
“Think global, act local.” Write a post connecting a global issue to a personal one.

February 3

Writing room
A genie has granted your wish to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

February 4

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
You need to make a major change in your life. Do you make it all at once, cold turkey style, or incrementally?

February 5

Call me, maybe
Describe your relationship with your phone. Is it your lifeline, a buzzing nuisance, or something in between?

February 6

Choose your adventure
Write a story or post with an open ending, and let your readers invent the conclusion.

February 7

Right to health
Is access to medical care something that governments should provide, or is it better left to the private sector? Are there drawbacks to your choice?

February 8

Karma chameleon
Reincarnation: do you believe in it?

February 9

Childhood revisted
Sure, you turned out pretty good, but is there anything you wish had been different about your childhood? If you have kids, is there anything you wish were different for them?

February 10

Teachable moment
You have to learn a new skill. Do you prefer to read about it, watch someone else do it, hear someone describe it, or try it yourself?

February 11

Whoa!
What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?

February 12

All about you
Explain why you chose your blog’s title and what it means to you.

February 13

Shoulda, woulda, coulda
Tell us about something you know you should do . . . but don’t.

February 14

Cupid’s arrow
It’s Valentine’s Day, so write an ode to someone or something you love. Bonus points for poetry!

February 15

Proud
When was the last time someone told you they were proud of you?

February 16

The clock
Write about anything you’d like. Somewhere in your post, include the sentence, “I heard the car door slam, and immediately looked at the clock.”

February 17

Mentor
Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?

February 18

Far from normal
Many of us think of our lives as boringly normal, while others live the high life. Take a step back, and take a look at your life as an outsider might. Now, tell us at least six unique, exciting, or just plain odd things about yourself.

February 19

Nightmares
Describe the last nightmare you remember having. What do you think it meant?

February 20

A plot of earth
You’re given a plot of land and have the financial resources to do what you please. What’s the plan?

February 21

Undo
If you could un-invent something, what would it be? Discuss why, potential repercussions, or a possible alternative.

February 22

Seconds
Describe the most satisfying meal you’ve ever eaten, in glorious detail.

February 23

B+
Write about what you did last weekend as though you’re a music critic reviewing a new album.

February 24

Buffalo nickel
Dig through your couch cushions, your purse, or the floor of your car and look at the year printed on the first coin you find. What were you doing that year?

February 25

Cliché
Clichés become clichés for a reason. Tell us about the last time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush for you.

February 26

Happily ever after
“And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there?

February 27

Comedy of errors
Murphy’s Law says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Write about a time everything did — fiction encouraged here, too!

Bonus assignment: do you keep a notebook next to your bed? Good. Tomorrow morning, jot down the first thought you have upon waking, whether or not it’s coherent.

February 28

First light
Remember yesterday, when you wrote down the first thought you had this morning? Great. Now write a post about it.

3

March

March 1

Back to the future
A service has been invented through which you can send messages to people in the future. To whom would you send something, and what would you write?

March 2

Places
Beach, mountain, forest, or somewhere else entirely?

March 3

No, thanks
Is there a place in the world you never want to visit? Where, and why not?

March 4

Twenty-five
There are 26 letters in the English language, and we need every single one of them. Want proof? Choose a letter and write a blog post without using it. (Feeling really brave? Make it a vowel!)

March 5

Perspective
Write about the last disagreement you had with a friend or family member — from their perspective.

March 6

All grown up
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

March 7

Seven days
You wake up tomorrow morning to find all your plans have been cancelled for the next seven days and $10,000 on your dresser. Tell us about your week.

March 8

Fantasy
The Tooth Fairy (or Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus . . .) : a fun and harmless fiction, or a pointless justification for lying to children?

March 9

VIP
Who’s the most important person in your life — and how would your day-to-day existence be different without them?

March 10

Playlist of the week
Tell us how your week went by putting together a playlist of five songs that represent it.

March 11

Ghostwriter
If you could have any author –living or dead – write your biography, who would you choose?

March 12

Erasure
You have the choice to erase one incident from your past, as though it never happened. What would you erase and why?

March 13

Silver screen
Take a quote from your favorite movie — there’s the title of your post. Now, write!

March 14

180 degrees
Tell us about a time you did a 180 — changed your views on something, reversed a decision, or acted in a way you ordinarily don’t.

March 15

Comfort zone
What are you more comfortable with — routine and planning, or laissez-faire spontaneity?

March 16

Show and tell
You’ve been asked to do a five-minute presentation to a group of young schoolchildren on the topic of your choice. Describe your presentation.

March 17

Bone of contention
Pick a contentious issue about which you care deeply — it could be the same-sex marriage debate, or just a disagreement you’re having with a friend. Write a post defending the opposite position, and then reflect on what it was like to do that.

March 18

Impossible
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – the White Queen, Alice in Wonderland.

What are the six impossible things you believe in? (If you can only manage one or two, that’s also okay.)

March 19

Menagerie
Do you have animals in your life? If yes, what do they mean to you? If no, why have you opted not to?

March 20

INTJ
Do parties and crowds fill you with energy, or send you scurrying for peace and quiet?

March 21

Bedtime stories
What was your favorite book as a child? Did it influence the person you are now?

March 22

Stranded
You’re stranded in a foreign city for a day with no money and no friends. Where do you go; what do you do?

March 23

Local flavor
Write a piece about a typically “local” experience from where you come from as though it’s an entry in a travel guide.

March 24

Competition
What activity, task, or game most brings out your competitive streak?

March 25

Idyllic
What does your ideal community look like? How is it organized, and how is community life structured? What values does the community share?

March 26

Déjà vu
Have you ever truly felt déjà vu, the sensation that you’ve already had the experience you’re currently having?

March 27

Judgment day
If you were to judge your favorite book by its cover, would you still read it?

March 28

Happy happy joy joy
We cry for lots of reasons: sadness, pain, fear . . . and happiness. When was the last time you shed tears of joy?

March 29

Trading spaces
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a member of the opposite sex for a day? What do you think life would be like?

March 30

Five a day
You’ve being exiled to a private island, and your captors will only supply you with five foods. What do you pick?

March 31

Odd couple
Does a messy home (or office) make you anxious and cranky, or is cleaning something you just do before company comes over?

4

April

April 1

The social network
Do you feel like you “get” social media, or do you just use it because that’s where all your friends and family are?

April 2

Prized possession
Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a child. What became of it?

April 3

Escape!
Describe your ultimate escape plan (and tell us what you’re escaping from).

April 4

The transporter
Tell us about a sensation — a taste, a smell, a piece of music — that transports you back to childhood.

April 5

Share the love
Tell us about another blogger who has influenced your own online journey.

April 6

Third from the top
Head to your favorite blog. Scroll down to the third post in the list. Take the third sentence in the post, and work it into a new post of your own.

April 7

Alma mater
You’ve been asked to speak at your high school alma mater — about the path of life. (Whoa.) Draft the speech.

April 8

Turn, turn, turn
For many of us, winter is blooming into spring, or fall hardening into winter. Which season do you most look forward to?

April 9

Do-over
Go back to a blog post you always thought could be better, or were unsatisfied with — now, fix it.

April 10

Imperfection
Imperfections — in things, in people, in places — add character to life. Tell us about an imperfection that you cherish.

April 11

Press it
Give some love to three blog posts you’ve read and loved in the past week, and tell us why they’re worth reading.

April 12

Decisions, decisions
How are you more likely to make an important decision — by reasoning through it, or by going with your gut?

April 13

Charitable
You’ve inherited $5 million, with instructions that you must give it all away — but you can choose any organizations you like to be the beneficiaries. Where does the money go?

April 14

S/he said
Pause whatever you’re doing, and ask the person nearest you what they’re thinking about (call someone if you have to). Write a post based on it.

April 15

The satisfaction of a list
Who doesn’t love a list? So write one! Top five slices of pizza in your town, ten reasons disco will never die, the three secrets to happiness — go silly or go deep, just go list-y.

April 16

History of language
Write a piece of fiction describing the incident that gave rise to the phrase, “third time’s the charm.”

April 17

Million-dollar question
Why do you blog?

April 18

Unknown caller
You receive a call from an unexpected person. Who is it, and what is the conversation about? Go!

April 19

Freaky Friday
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why? If that seems too easy, try this one: who would you like to have spend a day as you and what do you hope they’d learn from the experience?

April 20

The bizarro world
In the DC comics universe, a planet called “Htrae” (“Earth” spelled backwards) is populated with bizarre versions of superheroes. A Seinfeld episode made the idea of this Bizarro World popular, where the characters encountered their opposite selves. Craft a scene in which you meet an opposite version of yourself — or a story in a bizarre, backwards world.

April 21

Companionable
Head to one of your favorite blogs. Write a companion piece to their penultimate post.

April 22

Critical eye
Write about the subject you usually blog about as if you were a music critic.

April 23

Earworm
What song is stuck in your head (or on permanent rotation in your CD or MP3 player) these days? Why does it speak to you?

April 24

Stranger
Have you ever had a random encounter or fleeting moment with a stranger that stuck with you?

April 25

Clone wars
If you could clone yourself, how would you split up your responsibilities?

April 26

Second time around
Tell us about a book you can read again and again without getting bored — what is it that speaks to you?

April 27

Wall to wall
What do you display on the walls of your home — photos, posters, artwork, nothing? How do you choose what to display? What mood are you trying to create?

April 28

Your time to shine
Early bird, or night owl?

April 29

Cringe-worthy
Do you feel uncomfortable when you see someone else being embarrassed? What’s most likely to make you squirm?

April 30

Art appreciation
Do you need to agree with an artist’s lifestyle or politics to appreciate their art? To spend money on it?

5

May

May 1

Personal space
To what extent is your blog a place for your own self-expression and creativity vs. a site designed to attract readers? How do you balance that? If sticking to certain topics and types of posts meant your readership would triple, would you do it?

May 2

Mad Libs
Turn to your co-workers, kids, Facebook friends, family — anyone who’s accessible — and ask them to suggest an article, an adjective, and a noun. There’s your post title! Now write.

May 3

The little things
Describe a little thing — one of the things you love that defines your world but is often overlooked.

May 4

It’s a text, text, text world
How do you communicate differently online than in person, if at all? How do you communicate emotion and intent in a purely written medium?

May 5

The glass?
Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?

May 6

Evasive action
What’s the most significant secret you’ve ever kept? Did the truth ever come out?

May 7

Key takeaway
Give your newer sisters and brothers-in-WordPress one piece of advice based on your experiences blogging. If you’re a new blogger, what’s one question you’d like to ask other bloggers?

May 8

Success
Tell us about a time where everything you’d hoped would happen actually did.

May 9

Landscape
When you gaze out your window — real or figurative — do you see the forest first, or the trees?

May 10

Morphing
Language evolves. The meaning of a word can shift over time as we use it differently — think of “cool,” “heavy,” or even “literally.” Today, give a word an evolutionary push: give a common word a new meaning, explain it to us, and use it in the title of your post.

May 11

I want to know what love is
We each have many types of love relationships — parents, children, spouses, friends. And they’re not always with people; you may love an animal, or a place. Is there a single idea or definition that runs through all the varieties of “love”?

May 12

Fill in the blank
Three people walk into a bar . . .

May 13

Unconventional love
Over the weekend, we explored different ways to love. Today, tell us about the most unconventional love in your life.

May 14

The interview
Interview your favorite fictional character.

May 15

Memories for sale
On a weekend road trip, far away from home, you stumble upon a garage sale in a neighborhood you’re passing through. Astonished, you find an object among the belongings for sale that you recognize. Tell us about it.

May 16

Too big to fail
Tell us about something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail (and tell us why you haven’t tried it yet).

May 17

Feed your senses
Write down the first sight, sound, smell, and sensation you experienced on waking up today. Pick the one you’re most drawn to, and write. (For a bigger challenge, pick the one you’re least drawn to.)

May 18

Helping hand
Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you’ve ever received.

May 19

Dulled
You encounter a mysterious man offering you a magic potion that, once sipped, will make one of your senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch) super sharp — but dull the others. Will you sip it, and if so, what sense do you choose?

May 20

Bittersweet memories
You receive a gift that is bittersweet and makes you nostalgic. What is it?

May 21

Goals
When you started your blog, did you set any goals? Have you achieved them? Have they changed at all?

May 22

Green-eyed
Tell us about the last time you were really, truly jealous of someone. Did you act on it? Did it hurt your relationship?

May 23

Fictional elevator
You’re stuck in an elevator with an intriguing stranger. Write this scene.

May 24

The next big thing
What will the next must-have technological innovation be? Jetpacks? Hoverboards? Wind-powered calculators?

May 25

Tell us your story
Tell us about a journey — whether a physical trip you took, or an emotional one.

May 26

Switcheroo
If you could switch blogs with any blogger for a week, with whom would you switch and why?

May 27

Say your name
Write about your first name: Are you named after someone or something? Are there any stories or associations attached to it? If you had the choice, would you rename yourself?

May 28

Elevator from the past
You’re stuck in an elevator with a person from your past. Write this scene.

May 29

Weaving the threads
Draft a post with three parts, each unrelated to the other, but create a common thread between them by including the same item — an object, a symbol, a place — in each part.

May 30

Fight or flight
When faced with confrontation, do you head for the hills or walk straight in? Was there ever a time you wished you’d had the opposite reaction?

May 31

Teleport
If you could travel to any location in the universe — where would you travel and why?

6

June

June 1

Silver linings
Write about something you consider “ugly” — war, violence, failure, hatred — but try to find beauty, or a sense of hope, in your thoughts.

June 2

The zone
Tell us about your favorite way to get lost in a simple activity — running, chopping vegetables, folding laundry, whatever. What’s it like when you’re in “the zone”?

June 3

Tourist trap
What’s your dream tourist destination — either a place you’ve been and loved, or a place you’d love to visit? What about it speaks to you?

June 4

Red pill, blue pill
If you could get all the nutrition you needed in a day with a pill — no worrying about what to eat, no food preparation — would you do it?

June 5

Never
Tell us about a thing you’ll never write about.

June 6

Four stars
Write a review of your life — or the life of someone close to you — as if it were a movie or a book.

June 7

RSVP
Plan the ultimate celebration for the person you’re closest to, and tell us about it. Where is it? Who’s there? What’s served? What happens?

June 8

Do not disturb
How do you manage your online privacy? Are there certain things you won’t post in certain places? Information you’ll never share online? Or do you assume information about you is accessible anyway?

June 9

The normal
Is being “normal” — whatever that means to you — a good thing, or a bad thing? Neither?

June 10

Ripped into the headline
Write about something that happened over the weekend as though it’s the top story on your local paper.

June 11

Take care
When you’re unwell, do you allow others to take care of you, or do you prefer to soldier on alone? What does it take for you to ask for help?

June 12

You’ve got the power
You have the power to enact a single law. What would it be?

June 13

Person of the year
You’re asked to nominate someone for TIME’s Person of the Year. Who would it be, and why?

June 14

In good faith
Describe a memory or encounter in which you considered your faith, religion, spirituality — or lack of — for the first time.

June 15

Singin’ in the rain
Safe inside, toasty warm, while water pitter-patters on the roof…describe your perfect, rainy afternoon.

June 16

Bookworm
Tell us about the last book you read (Why did you choose it? Would you recommend it?). To go further, write a post based on its subject matter.

June 17

Shape up or ship out
Write a letter to the personality trait you like least, convincing it to shape up or ship out. Be as threatening, theatrical, or thoroughly charming as is necessary to get the job done.

June 18

Might as well jump
What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to? What would have to happen to make you comfortable taking it?

June 19

Tagline
Often, our blogs have taglines. But what if humans did, too? What would your tagline be?

June 20

Moment of kindess
Describe a moment of kindness, between you and someone else — loved one or complete stranger.

June 21

Ha ha ha
Tell us a joke! Knock-knock joke, long story with a unexpected punchline, great zinger — all jokes are welcome!

June 22

No, thank you
If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

June 23

Island of misfit posts
We all have something we’d like to write about, but that doesn’t really “fit” our blog. Write it anyway.

June 24

Morality play
Where do your morals come from — your family? Your faith? Your philosophical worldview? How do you deal with those who don’t share them, or derive them from a different source?

June 25

21st century citizen
Do you belong in this day and age? Do you feel comfortable being a citizen of the 21st-century? If you do, explain why — and if you don’t, when in human history would you rather be?

June 26

Planes, trains, and automobiles
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, or car? (Or something else entirely — bike? Hot air balloon?)

June 27

The artist’s eye
Is there a painting or sculpture you’re drawn to? What does it say to you? Describe the experience. (Or, if art doesn’t speak to you, tell us why.)

June 28

We can be taught
Tell us a moment or an incident that you treasure — not necessarily because it brought you happiness, but because it taught you something about yourself.

June 29

No longer a mere mortal
You’ve imbibed a special potion that makes you immortal. Now that you’ve got forever, what changes will you make in your life? How will you live life differently, knowing you’ll always be around to be accountable for your actions?

June 30

The natural world
Describe your first memorable experience exploring and spending time in nature. Were you in awe? Or were you not impressed? Would you rather spend time in the forest or the city?

7

July

July 1

Great or greatest
What makes a blog great? What makes you follow a blog or “Like” a post?

July 2

The road less traveled
Pinpoint a moment in your past where you had to make a big decision. Write about that other alternate life that could have unfolded.

July 3

A mystery wrapped in an enigma
Tell us something most people probably don’t know about you.

July 4

From the gut
Tell us about the last time you had a real, deep, crying-from-laughing belly laugh.

July 5

Mirror, mirror
Finish this sentence: “When I look in the mirror, I . . .”

July 6

Tables turned
Are as comfortable in front of a camera as behind one? Being written about, as well as writing?

July 7

Rolling stone
If you could live a nomadic life, would you? Where would you go? How would you decide? What would life be like without a “home base”?

July 8

Barter system
If the world worked on a barter system, how would you fare? Would you have services to barter? Would you be successful, or would you struggle?

July 9

Keep out
Who is the one person you hope isn’t reading your blog? Why?

July 10

Earworm
Write whatever you normally write about, and weave in a book quote, film quote, or song lyric that’s been sticking with you this week.

July 11

Fandom
Are you a sports fan? Tell us about fandom. If you’re not, tell us why not.

July 12

Singular sensation
If one experience or life change results from you writing your blog, what would you like it to be?

July 13

Your life, the book
From a famous writer or celebrity, to a WordPress.com blogger or someone close to you — who would you like to be your biographer?

July 14

Opposite day
If you normally write non-fiction, post a photo. If you normally post images, write fiction. If you normally write fiction, write a poem. If you normally write poetry, draw a picture.

July 15

Far from home
Tell us about the farthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

July 16

Dream home
You win a contest to build your dream home. Draft the plans.

July 17

Stranger in a strange land
What’s your favorite part about visiting a new place — the food? The architecture? The people watching?

July 18

Flip flop
Think of a topic or issue about which you’ve switched your opinion. Why the change?

July 19

Fly on the wall
If you could be a “fly on the wall” anywhere and at any time in history, where and when would you choose?

July 20

There’s no place like home
If you had the opportunity to live a nomadic life, traveling from place to place, would you do it? Do you need a home base? What makes a place “home” to you?

July 21

Party animals?
After spending time with a group of people, do you feel energized and ready for anything or do you want to hide in the corner with a good book?

July 22

The stat connection
Go to your Stats page and check your top three-five posts. Why do you think they’ve been successful? Find the connection between them, and write about it.

July 23

You, the sandwich
If a restaurant were to name something after you, what would it be? Describe it. (Bonus points for writing a recipe!)

July 24

From the collection of the artist
It’s the year 2114. A major museum is running an exhibition on life and culture as it was in 2014. You’re asked to write an introduction for the show’s brochure. What will it say?

July 25

A friend in need…
Finish this sentence: “My closest friend is…”

July 26

Back to school
If you could take a break from your life and go back to school to master a subject, what would it be?

July 27

From A to Z
Create a short story, piece of memoir, or epic poem that is 26 sentences long, in which the first sentence begins with “A” and each sentence thereafter begins with the next letter of the alphabet.

July 28

Life after blogs
Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

July 29

State of your year
Write up a mid-year “State of My Year” post.

July 30

Drawing a blank
When was the last time your walked away from a discussion, only to think of The Perfect Comeback hours later? Recreate the scene for us, and use your winning line.

July 31

Pat on the back
Tell someone you’re proud of just how proud you are.

8

August

August 1

A house divided
Pick a divisive issue currently in the news. Write a two-part post in which you take on two personas and approach the topic from both sides. Bonus points for a creative format (roundtable discussion, debate transcript, etc.).

August 2

Origin story
Why did you start your blog? Is that still why you blog, or has your site gone in a different direction than you’d planned?

August 3

Green-eyed monster
Write an anonymous letter to someone you’re jealous of.

August 4

Back to the future
Anachronism (noun): an error in chronology; a person or thing that’s chronologically out of place. Write a story in which a person or thing is out of place, or recount a time when you felt out of place.

August 5

Ballerina, fireman, astronaut, moviestar
When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up? What are you now? Are the two connected?

August 6

Everything changes
Walking down the street, you encounter a folded piece of paper on the sidewalk. You pick it up and read it and immediately, your life has changed. Describe this experience.

August 7

Never again
Have you ever gone to a new place or tried a new experience and thought to yourself, “I’m never doing that again!” Tell us about it.

August 8

(YAWN)
What bores you?

August 9

Smell you later
Humans have very strong scent memory. Tell us about a smell that transports you.

August 10

Moved to tears
Describe the last time you were moved to tears by something beautiful.

August 11

P.C.
Is political correctness a useful concept, or does it stifle honest discussion?

August 12

Life line
You’re on a long flight, and a palm reader sitting next to you insists she reads your palm. You hesitate, but agree. What does she tell you?

August 13

Drawing the line
Can anything be funny, or are some things off limits?

August 14

Mirror, mirror, on the wall…
Think of your blog as a mirror: what does it reveal? Consider your blog name, theme choice, design, bio, posts… what does every element tell you about yourself?

August 15

Freaky Friday
You experience your own Freaky Friday, and switch bodies with someone you love/hate. Tell us what happens.

August 16

Standout
When was the last time you really stood out in a crowd? Are you comfortable in that position, or do you wish you could fade into the woodwork?

August 17

Three-tenths
Scribble down the first ten words that come to mind. Pick three of them. There’s your post title. Now write!

August 18

Procrastination
What have you been putting off doing? Why?

August 19

On the edge
We all have things as need to do to keep an even keel — blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. What’s yours?

August 20

The full moon
When the full moon happens, you turn into a person who’s the opposite of who you normally are. Describe this new you.

August 21

Fifteen credits
Another school semester will soon begin. If you’re in school, are you looking forward to starting classes? If you’re out of school, what do you miss about it — or are you glad those days are over?

August 22

Viral
The New York Times is going to feature your blog on its home page, and you’ve been asked to publish a new post — it’ll be the first thing tens of thousands of new readers see. Write it.

August 23

Pants on fire
What was the last lie you told? Why did you tell it?

August 24

These boots were made for walkin’
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

August 25

Secret of success
What would it take for you to consider yourself a “successful blogger”? Is that something you strive for?

August 26

Funny ha-ha
Do you consider yourself funny? What role does humor play in your life? Who’s the funniest person you know?

August 27

I’d like to thank my cats
You are receiving an award –- either one that already exists, or a new one created just for you. What would the award be, why are you being honored, and what would you say in your acceptance speech?

August 28

Ready for your close-up
Cast the movie of your life.

August 29

I can’t drive 55
Take the third line of the last song you heard, make it your post title, and write for a maximum of 15 minutes. GO!

August 30

A little sneaky
Are writing prompts a useful exercise, or do you find them to be too limiting and/or hokey?

August 31

I pledge allegiance
Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

9

September

September 1

Groundhog day
In the comedy “Groundhog Day” Bill Murray experienced the same day again and again, stuck in a time loop until he got the day “right.” What day would you choose to repeat until you got it right? Do you think it’s ever possible to get life “right”?

September 2

Name that…you!
Do you know the meaning of your name, and why your parents chose it? Do you think it suits you? What about your children’s names?

September 3

Blogger with a cause
If your day to day responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?

September 4

I am a rock
Is it easy for you to ask for help when you need it, or do you prefer to rely only on yourself? Why?

September 5

Imagine all the people
The next time you’re in a public place — a coffeehouse, a park, a store — observe the people around you. Pick a person, a couple, or a group, and imagine what their lives might be like.

September 6

Regrets, I’ve had a few
What’s your biggest regret? How would your life have been different if you’d made another decision?

September 7

Luxurious
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?

September 8

The excitement never ends
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about — butterflies-in-the-stomach, giggling, can’t-wait excited.

September 9

What a twist
Tell us a story — fiction or non-fiction — with a twist we can’t see coming.

September 10

Six of one, half-a-dozen of the other
Write a six-word story about what you think the future holds for you, and then expand on it in a post.

September 11

Thank you
The internet is full of rants. Help tip the balance: today, simply be thankful for something (or someone).

September 12

Toy story
What was your favorite plaything as a child? Do you see any connection between your life now, and your favorite childhood toy?

September 13

Snark bombs, away!
Try your hand at parody or satire — take an article, film, blog post, or song you find misguided, and use humor to show us how.

September 14

Bookworms
Grab the nearest book. Open it and go to the tenth word. Do a Google Image Search of the word. Write about what the image brings to mind.

September 15

Sorry, I’m busy
Tell us about a time when you should have helped someone… but didn’t.

September 16

Super sensitive
If you were forced to give up one sense, but gain super-sensitivity in another, which senses would you choose?

September 17

The cat says meow
Write a story about yourself from the perspective of an object, thing, animal, or another person.

September 18

Naked, with black socks
Are you comfortable in front of people, or does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide in the bathroom? Why?

September 19

Are you being served?
What’s the most dreadful (or wonderful) experience you’ve ever had as a customer?

September 20

No fair
Tell us about something you think is terribly unfair — and explain how you would rectify it.

September 21

We can be taught!
What makes a teacher great?

September 22

Practice makes perfect
Tell us about a talent you’d love to have…but don’t.

September 23

Non sequitur
Write a post about anything you’d like, but be sure to include this sentence somewhere in the final paragraph: “He tried to hit me with a forklift!”

September 24

Standstill
For a moment today, time stands still — but you can tweak one thing while it’s stopped. What do you do?

September 25

Celebrate good times
You receive some wonderful, improbable, hoped-for good news. How do you celebrate?

September 26

2100
The language of the future: what will it be like? Write an experimental post using some imagined vocabulary — abbreviations, slang, new terms.

September 27

A bend in time
When you’re giddy with excitement, does time speed up? Slow down? Tell us about the experience of anticipation.

September 28

Ebb and flow
Our blogs morph over time, as interests shift and life happens. Write a post for your blog — but three years in the future.

September 29

Cleaning house
Is there “junk” in your life? What kind? How do you get rid of it?

September 30

On the road
If you could pause real life and spend some time living with a family anywhere in the world, where would you go?

10

October

October 1

Fearful symmetry
Pick a letter, any letter. Now, write a story, poem, or post in which every line starts with that letter.

October 2

Reading material
How do you pick what blogs or books to read? What’s the one thing that will get you to pick up a book or click on a link every single time?

October 3

New internet order
All the world’s countries have decided that the Internet itself needs a government. Your country asks you to run for Prime Minister of the ‘Net — do you accept? If so, what will your platform be?

October 4

The clothes that (may) make the (wo)man
How important are clothes to you? Describe your style, if you have one, and tell us how appearance impacts how you feel about yourself.

October 5

Eye of the beholder
Describe what it feels like to hear a beautiful piece of music or see a stunning piece of art.

October 6

Mixtape masterpiece
You make a new friend. Make them a mix tape (or playlist, for the younger folks) that tells them who you are through song.

October 7

Exhale
Tell us about a time when everything seemed to be going wrong — and then, suddenly, you knew it would be alright.

October 8

Bloggers, unplugged
Sometimes, we all need a break from these little glowing boxes. How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

October 9

Can’t get enough
Have you ever been addicted to anything, or worried that you were? Have you ever spent too much time and effort on something that was a distraction from your real goals? Tell us about it.

October 10

Fright night
Do you like being scared by books, films, and surprises? Describe the sensation of being scared, and why you love it — or don’t.

October 11

Mid-season replacement
For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

October 12

Blogger in a strange land
What’s the strangest place from which you’ve posted to your blog? When was the last time you were out and about, and suddenly thought, “I need to write about this!”?

October 13

Michelangelo’s YOU
Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing, or event from the last month of your life into the glistening marble of immortality. What’s the statue and what makes it so significant?

October 14

Imitation / flattery
Write a post in the style of (or simply inspired by) a favorite author.

October 15

Childlike
Explain your biggest regret — as though to a small child.

October 16

Honorific
October 16th is officially declared “Person X Day” — and you get to pick Person X. Tell us about someone who deserves to be commemorated.

October 17

Community service
Your entire community — however you define that; your hometown, your neighborhood, your family, your colleagues — is guaranteed to read your blog tomorrow. Write the post you’d like them all to see.

October 18

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
You get some incredibly, amazingly, wonderfully fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

October 19

Home sweet home
When you’re away from home, what person, thing, or place do you miss the most?

October 20

Release me
Tell us about the blog post you were most nervous to publish — and what it was like to set it free.

October 21

Blank is the new blank
Click over to your favorite blog, and pick out the 4th and 14th words (that aren’t “the” or “an”). Drop them into this phrase: “_____ is the new _____.” There’s your post title. Now write!

October 22

Sand but true
Tell us about the harshest, most difficult to hear — but accurate — criticism you’e ever gotten. Does it still apply?

October 23

As seen on T.V.
Write a script for a late-night infomercial — where the product is your blog. How do you market yourself? What qualities do you embody that other “products” don’t? What are the benefits of reading your blog?

October 24

Express yourself
Tell us about a time you couldn’t quite get your words or images to express what you wanted to express. What do you think the barrier was? For bonus points, try again.

October 25

Simply the best
NASA is building a new Voyager spacecraft that will carry the best of modern human culture. What belongs onboard?

October 26

Breakdown
Tell us about a habit you’d like to break. Is there any way it can play a positive role in your life?

October 27

The golden hour
6:00AM: the best hour of the day, or too close to your 3:00AM bedtime?

October 28

Seven wonders
Khalil Gibran once said that people will never understand one another unless language is reduced to seven words. What would your seven words be?

October 29

First
Tell us about your first day at something — your first day of school, first day of work, first day living on your own, first day blogging, first day as a parent, whatever.

October 30

Free to be me
What’s the character trait you admire the most about yourself?

October 31

Halloweeny!
If bloggers had their own Halloween and could go from blog to blog collecting “treats,” what would your blog hand out?

11

November

November 1

Eat, drink and be merry…
…for tomorrow we die. The world is ending tomorrow! Tell us about your last dinner — the food, your dining companions, the setting, the conversation.

November 2

Conflicted
You’re in the middle of a terrible argument, and everyone turns to you to help resolve it. How do you respond? How do you react to conflict?

November 3

Placebo effect
If you could create a painless, inexpensive cure for a single ailment, what would you cure and why?

November 4

It builds character
Tell us about a favorite character from film, theater, or literature, with whom you’d like to have a heart-to-heart. What would you talk about?

November 5

Intense
Describe the last time you were surprised by the intensity of a feeling you had about something, or were surprised at how strongly you reacted to something you thought wouldn’t be a big deal.

November 6

Google and rescue operation
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

November 7

Cheering section
Do you have a mentor? Tell us about him or her. Are you a mentor to someone else? Tell us what that relationship has added to your life.

November 8

Connect the dots
Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

November 9

About page for the future
Write the About page for your blog in 10 years.

November 10

The perfect game
You’re set to play poker (or Scrabble or something else . . .) with a group of four. Write a story set during this game. Or, describe the ideal match: the players, the relationships — and the hidden rivalries.

November 11

Food for the soul (and the stomach)
Tell us about your favorite meal, either to eat or to prepare. Does it just taste great, or does it have other associations?

November 12

Come fly with me
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

November 13

Non-regional diction
Write about whatever you’d like, but write using regional slang, your dialect, or in your accent.

November 14

Write about evil
Write about evil: how you understand it (or don’t), what you think it means, or a way it’s manifested, either in the world at large or in your life.

November 15

FAQ
Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.

November 16

Love to love you
What do you love most about yourself? What do you love most about your favorite person? Are the two connected?

November 17

Land of confusion
Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

November 18

Fear no more
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

November 19

Perspective
Think about something that drives you crazy. Now, think about something that makes you happy. Does it change your perspective on the former?

November 20

Safety first
Share the story of a time you felt unsafe.

November 21

A bird, a plane, you!
You get to choose one superpower. Pick one of these, and explain your choice: the ability to speak and understand any language, the ability to travel through time, or the ability to make any two people agree with each other.

November 22

Playtime
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

November 23

I have confidence in me
Are you good at what you do? What would you like to be better at?

November 24

Close call
Tell us about a bullet you’re glad you dodged — when something awful almost happened, but didn’t.

November 25

Simply irresistable
Tell us about the favorite dish or food that you simply cannot turn down.

November 26

To boldly go…
An impending new year gives rise to reflection and goal setting. What will your goals for 2015 be? It’s never to early to start thinking about self improvement!

November 27

Fear factor
People are afraid of all kinds of things: spiders, the dark, or being enclosed in small spaces. Tell us about your greatest fear — rational or irrational.

November 28

Keeping up with the Jones’
Tell us about the one luxury item you wish you could afford, in as much detail as you can. Paint a picture for us.

November 29

Humble pie
Tell us about a time you found out after the fact that you’d been mistaken and you had to eat a serving of humble pie.

November 30

Tattoo…you?
Do you have a tattoo? If so, what’s the story behind your ink? If you don’t have a tattoo, what might you consider getting emblazoned on you skin?

12

December 1

Hear no evil
Tell us about a conversation you couldn’t help but overhear and wish you hadn’t.

December 2

No you see me
You have a secret superpower: the ability to appear and disappear at will. When and where will you use this new superpower? Tell us a story.

December 3

Sink or swim
Tell us about a time when you were left on your own, to fend for yourself in an overwhelming situation — on the job, at home, at school. What was the outcome?

December 4

Five items
A classic question, revisited: what are the five items you must have on a deserted island?

December 5

The power of touch
Textures are everywhere: The rough edges of a stone wall. The smooth innocence of a baby’s cheek. The sense of touch brings back memories for us. What texture is particularly evocative to you?

December 6

Fifteen minutes
You have 15 minutes to address the whole world live (on television or radio — choose your format). What would you say?

December 7

What’s your learning style?
What’s your learning style? Do you prefer learning in a group and in an interactive setting? Or one-on-one? Do you retain information best through lectures, or visuals, or simply by reading books?

December 8

A source of anxiety
Write about a noise — or even a silence — that won’t go away. (We’ll let you interpret this in different ways…)

December 9

Out of your reach
Was there a toy or thing you always wanted as a child, during the holidays or on your birthday, but never received? Tell us about it.

December 10

Unexpected
Unexpectedly, you lose your job. (Or a loved one. Or something or someone important to you.) What do you do next?

December 11

My precious
Who is the person in your life who can do no wrong? Describe this person and tell us why you hold them in such high esteem.

December 12

Daring do
Tell us about the time you rescued someone else (person or animal) from a dangerous situation. What happened? How did you prevail?

December 13

Necessity is the mother of invention
Imagine, in great detail, an invention that could help reverse pollution — describe for us how your invention works and how it will help save the planet.

December 14

Festivus for the rest of us
You have been named supreme ruler of the universe. Your first order of business is creating and instituting a holiday or festival in your honor. What day of the year is your holiday? What special events will take place? Describe YOU DAY in as great a detail as you can muster: the special foods we’ll consume, the decorations we’ll use…everything.

December 15

Memories of holidays past
What is your very favorite holiday? Recount the specific memory or memories that have made that holiday special to you.

December 16

By the skin of your teeth
Share a time when you narrowly avoided disaster.

December 17

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
What is your least favorite personal quality in others? Extra points for sharing your least favorite personal quality in yourself.

December 18

Mad as a hatter
Tell us about a time when you flew into a rage. What is it that made you so incredibly angry?

December 19

A random act of kindness
Tell us about the time when you performed a secret random act of kindness — where the recipient of your kindness never found out about your good deed. How did the deed go down?

December 20

Forgive and forget?
Share a story where it was very difficult for you to forgive the perpetrator for wronging you, but you did it — you forgave them.

December 21

My number one
Who is the most important person in your life? Describe that person in as great a detail as you can muster and most importantly, tell us why you cherish this person.

December 22

Interplanet Janet
You get to design your own planet: tell us all about your planet — the weather, the seasons, the inhabitants. Go.

December 23

The guilt that haunts me
Share a time when you were overcome with guilt. What were the circumstances? How did you overcome you guilt?

December 24

The best day ever
You get to enjoy the best day ever — describe in detail what that means to you. Where are you? What will you do? What’s the weather like? What will you eat? Who will you see?

December 25

I was here
You are the first astronaut to arrive on a new, uncharted planet. Write the note that you leave to those who come after you.

December 26

Moment of clarity
Tell us about a time you’d been trying to solve a knotty problem — maybe it was an interpersonal problem, a life problem, a big ol’ problem — and you had a moment of clarity when the solution appeared to you, as though you were struck by lightening.

December 27

You’re a winner
You’ve just won $1 billion dollars in the local lottery. You do not have to pay tax on your winnings. How will you spend the money?

December 28

The new school
You get to redesign school as we know it from the ground up. Will you do away with reading, writing, and arithmetic? What skills and knowledge will your school focus on imparting to young minds?

December 29

Brainwave
What’s the best idea you’ve ever had? Regale us with every detail of the idea — the idea itself, where it came to you, and the problem it solved.

December 30

I believe in magic
You have been transformed into a mystical being who has the ability to do magic. Share your new abilities in detail. How will you use your new skills?

December 31

A brand new you, effective tomorrow!
Tomorrow is the first day of a brand new year. Tomorrow you get to become anyone in the world that you wish. Who are you? If you decide to stay “you” share your rationale.