Festive Prompts

Squeeze in a few writing exercises this December

Yes, I know you probably have hundreds of things that you absolutely have to do right now - December is, after all, the busiest time of the year for many of us. But, if somewhere in the middle of making mince pies, wrapping presents, picking up guests who are coming to stay, decorating a tree and dressing your dogs in their Christmas pudding outfits, you do find a few spare minutes, then have a go at these fun Christmas prompts.

1. Write 100 words from the point of view of the ceramic angel that sits on the top of a tree, year after year. First person, present tense. Include one simile, one metaphor and one extremely funny line/quip/pun. And whilst 'extremely funny' is obviously subjective, if it makes you laugh so much your face aches, that's what you're looking for.

2. Write 150 words from the point of view of some mistletoe as various people kiss beneath it. Close third person, present tense. Include some humorous descriptions of different types of kisses.

3. Write 200 words from the point of view of a very anxious Santa (Joel) who's working at a department store grotto, counting down the minutes until he can shed his costume and hurry over to the gift wrapping counter, where the person he fancies is working. Joel is excited and thrilled but he's also extremely anxious that this attraction might not be mutual. Close third person, past tense.

4. Write 250 words from the point of view of a cat who goes in and out of different people's houses on Christmas Day. Focus on three houses lived in by very different people and with very different atmospheres. Close third person, past tense.

5. Write 300 words about a choir whose members keep struggling to hit the high notes in one particular Christmas carol. Rehearsals are not going well. Write a shifting narrative, made up of three singers, each of whom is convinced they can sing and that the problems lie elsewhere. Present tense.