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Happy May Day! Let’s start the brand-new month with some brand-new May writing prompts!
Guys, my April had some challenges! The copy edits on my book were tougher than I expected. We had a couple of big snarls with doing our taxes. My husband got COVID (though I managed to avoid it). Also on the medical front, bills that we thought were going to be mostly covered by insurance were not, putting us in a tough position.
But there were good things, too! We had a nice visit with my parents on Easter weekend, which was also my father’s birthday weekend. I enjoyed my author event in Waterford, WI. I saw an old friend in the city. I met with a few other writers. I started writing a new story. And my husband and dogs and I enjoyed each other’s company, as always.
Let’s get into these May writing prompts…and let’s enjoy a beautiful month!
1
They visit the farmers market, open for the first time that year.
2
He’s in the office or school alone, working over Memorial Day weekend, and sees something unexpected.
3
This could ruin the tulip festival.
4
Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, write about someone who is doing something to deal with their depression or anxiety.
5
When you visit a grave on Memorial Day, you meet a stranger…but they seem to know you.
6
Someone gathers wild plants or herbs, for food or for medicine.
7
The scent of lilacs brings back a memory.
8
It’s almost graduation, and someone is running out of chances to do this.
9
It’s almost graduation, and someone’s family is going to be shocked by what they plan to do next.
10
Mom surprises everyone on Mother’s Day.
11
This is a horrible Mother’s Day, actually.
12
May 1st is International Workers’ Day. Write about a protest or a strike, serious or lighthearted.
13
They have a date at the Dragon Boat Festival.
14
They have an argument about the garden…either one they plant together, or a community garden in the city.
15
Someone plants seeds, but what comes up is not what was pictured on the seed packet…or what the seller of the seeds described.
16
Take inspiration from the tradition of leaving May Day baskets on doors (do you know what I’m talking about? Let me know!) and write about someone giving someone else flowers or a gift…anonymously.
17
Write something that includes an emerald…the birthstone for May.
18
Write something that begins with the words, “Yes, you may.”
19
At a certain point in the conversation, a gust of wind sends apple, pear, or cherry blossoms raining down on them.
I hope you liked these spring writing prompts!
I know they are United States-centric…and Midwestern-centric…but hopefully, wherever you are, you related to some of them.
What is May like where you are? How is your spring going? Do you have any fun plans for May? Any writing goals for the month, or any writing projects you’re enjoying?
Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!
Bryn, I love your lists. Glad to hear the snafus are working out and that Mr. Donovan is on the mend. 🙂 April was a bit rough for me as well; hoping May is kinder. I’ll probably use your prompts in conjunction with my homework for our critique circle—we’re borrowing a character from someone else’s WIP and writing a scene where they interact with ours. We thought it would be a fun way to study how well our characters come across the page. Oh! In other good news—I’m 7 chapters away from completing the “first” draft of my WIP. (This story’s been wholly revised a few times over the years.) Thank you for the continued inspiration!! – Starlately
Hey there! Thanks so much for the kind words. 💙💙💙 I’m sorry to hear April was rough for you, too!
I have never heard of the exercise your critique group is doing, and I love that! What a great way to tell if people are “getting” your character.
You are getting really close to finishing that WIP. So exciting! I hope May is off to a much better start!
Hi, Bryn.
My birthday was early last month. I love that it comes in spring when a lot of my favorite things are happening. Lilac and iris are my favorite flowers. We’ve had a lot of rain this spring, so the air is thick with the scent of both when I wander outside. It’s delicious.
I attended the Ozarks Writers League (OWL) conference last weekend. That was a great time with excellent speakers. Other than a couple of tornado scares, April has been lovely.
My plans for May include meeting up with you for some early morning writing. (Be forewarned. I might be kind of scary first crack of the day.) I have a first draft of my second-in-a-series written. I’ll be working on a second draft. We have graduation parties to attend, a family birthday, and a visit with friends at the lake. It should be a great month. I hope it is for you and Mr. Donovan.