IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . AUTUMN WRITING PROMPTS

by Melissa Stoller

In my corner of the world, leaves are turning colors and the breeze is cooler. Autumn is a time of year filled with sights, smells, and tastes all its own. 
 
Here are some autumn writing prompts to help spark your imagination:
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​1. TREES – notice the trees outside your window, in a magazine, or online. Think about the leaves - color, texture, shapes. What animals inhabit the tree or its surroundings? What would it feel like to incorporate a tree, leaf, or animal into a story? 

2. FALL HARVEST – can you smell and taste apples, pumpkins, or cinnamon? What fall foods of childhood, or of your current life, prompt story ideas? Look through old photos featuring family feasts and sprinkle some food memories into your current manuscript.  

3. PEOPLE – which people do you associate with most in the fall? Of course, Fall 2020 is unlike any other. Call up memories of past visits. Conjure people you would like to see now. Imagine fall scenarios and pick one to include in a story.

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​I hope these tips for using your senses and the fall season to heighten your manuscripts is helpful. Let me know in the comments. Cheers to Autumn and to creativity.
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​BIO:

Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island and The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2021); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, Fall 2018). Upcoming books include Sadie’s Shabbat Stories and Return of the Magic Paintbrush (CFP). Melissa is a Blogger and Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for the Debut Picture Book Study Group, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long beach walks.

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