Autumnal Writing Prompts

Be inspired by the change of season

For me, October is a time to go on walks and marvel at how much change is going on in forests and gardens. I love the turning of the leaves, the visibility of spiders' webs and the sight of squirrels busily hiding nuts for the winter. These prompts are all about autumnal changes. I hope you enjoy them.

1. Find a tree whose leaves are turning colour. Describe the exact shape and then colour of one of these leaves, using specific words and phrases for colours. Try not to use orange, red or yellow. Try to include a simile or metaphor.

2. Write a short paragraph from the point of view of a pumpkin that sits on a porch with a carved face, waiting for trick or treaters to come. Does he love this day or is this the day that his life/usefulness comes to an end? Write in the first person.

3. The clocks go back! Janine has decided that this year she is going to do something amazing with the extra hour she gets when the clocks go back. Write a short paragraph in the first person describing Janine's plans. You might want to consider what she normally does when the clocks go back and why this year she wants to savour this extra hour.

4. Marvin loves squirrels and has set up an elaborate feeding station for the ones that visit his garden. He likes nothing better than sitting in his window watching the squirrels work out how to get to the food he's left out for them. Write this as a short monologue with Marvin addressing one squirrel in particular. Include one use of alliteration and one metaphor.

5. Alicia is packing away her summer clothes and filling her wardrobe with her warmer items. As she hangs up a knitted scarf (or any other item), it makes her think of the last time she wore it and how she felt. What has changed for Alicia since then? Write this in a close 3rd person.

Happy October!