Prompts About Birds

Nest-builders, garden visitors and musicians

I’ve been very taken by birdsong this month. Each time I hear it, I stop whatever I’m doing, close my eyes and sit on my doorstep to properly listen to these beautiful songs. It’s why this month’s prompts are all about birds.

1. Write a scene from the point of view of a little bird, about to make a nest. She’s determined that this year’s nest will be better than last year’s attempt. I love an animal narrator – you can make them as human-like as you choose on top of their own unique characteristics. For this nest-building narrator, give her a busy, enthusiastic and hopeful personality. First person, present tense.

   
   

2. Write a scene from the point of view of a parakeet determined to get the owners of the feeding station it regularly stops at, to bring out more bird food. I have lots of parakeets in my front garden and have noticed that they do get a bit more squawky if they’d like a top up of the chopped apples I feed them. Have fun with this scene. Who is this parakeet? How does he interact with the other birds? What does he do to get the owners to bring out more food? First person, present tense. 

   
   

3. Write a scene where your character, Julia, watches a peacock strut across the driveway of a stately home. She is envious of its beauty and confidence. Close third person, past tense.

   
   

4. Write a scene where your extremely lonely character, Adam, is grateful for the presence of a small, fat robin who visits his garden every late afternoon – the time of day when Adam is at his most depressed and isolated. Close third person, present tense.

   
   

5. Write a scene where your character, Lily, lets out all the caged birds kept by an unkind old man who lives next door. She braves the consequences of her actions because she understands how it feels to be trapped. And what it means to escape. Close third person, past tense.