Seven-day Creative Writing Challenge


creative writing challenge

In the current self-isolation situation we find ourselves in, I thought it would be good to highlight a creative writing challenge.

If you Google “writing challenges”, you’ll find lots of different results — from one-word creative prompts, to ones that are more specific in terms of characters and subject matter.

NaNoWriMo is a popular project, which challenges writers to write 50,000 words during the month of November.

Below I have come up with seven one-sentence writing challenges. That’s one for every day of the week, to keep everyone busy!

You can use the sentences in your own story or stories, or they might even inspire a totally different train of thought.

The end result will hopefully be the same: inspiring the beginnings of some captivating stories.


Sunday

He clutched the suitcase like a tired prize-fighter.

Monday

“Well, would you look at that — she’s wearing a Christmas jumper in July!”

Tuesday

He broke his promise and she loved him for it.

Wednesday

The sign quite clearly said, “No Smoking”.

Thursday

One good strike would make all the difference.

Friday

Why don’t people elope anymore?

Saturday

I love the rain, especially the splish-splash kind.


For Saturday’s prompt, you might think, “I hate the rain.” Then why not write about that?

Or about two characters who find themselves on holiday. One loves the climate, while the other detests it. Throw these two characters together and you have instant conflict, and the basis of a story.

If you manage to write a short story around any of the prompts, then why not send it in to the “Friend”?

You can find out all about submitting your stories to us by downloading our fiction guidelines.

Enjoy the creative writing challenge!

For writing guidance from the “Friend” Fiction team, click here.

Alan Spink

Alan is a member of the “Friend” Fiction Team. He enjoys working closely with writers and being part of the creative process, which sees storytelling ideas come to fruition. A keen reader, he also writes fiction and enjoys watching football and movies in his spare time. His one tip to new writers is “write from your imagination”.