Russell Literary Groups

Russell Writers

Each month of 2009 brings the Russell Writers a writing challenge to spark their imaginations. Of course, you are always welcome to write on any topic and in any format you choose, but we hope these writing prompts are helpful for those times when you’re not sure where to begin.

The Russell Writers meet on the second Saturday of the month, from 9:30am until noon, in the third floor Meeting Room.  Each participant will have a chance to read his or her work (please bring several copies) and have it gently critiqued by the other members. All writers, from beginners to the experienced, are welcome. Please join us!

For more information, contact Michele Rousseau at 344-8136 or shellywriter@sbcglobal.net, or call Russell Library’s Programs and Publicity office at 347-2528, ext . 135.

2010 Schedule

January - Write about what you and some other characters, real or fictitious, do and say and feel and experience on what you consider to be a day well spent.
February - Write a piece that is entirely narrative, on any subject of your choice, entirely in the first person, second person, or third person format.
March - Tell your reader about a major decision that you made in the past, or one that you soon must make.
April - Develop a story or poem, serious or humorous, about the subject: creating memories.
May - Write a story in which you use the following words as the beginning of some sentence: Once upon a time there was a time . . .
June - Relate to your readers the circumstances surrounding an act of kindness to you, and why you appreciated it so much.
July - Have an unopened novel or book of poetry or magazine or newspaper before you. Close your eyes, open the reading material, and put your finger down on a random spot. Open your eyes and note the sentence or headline to which your finger is nearest. Use that as the first sentence or line of your story or poem.
August - Craft a narrative, using some dialogue if you wish, within which you include: I am/was rendered nearly immobile as/when/because/from/due to . . .
September - Write a news article about a violent crime, just committed, which you--a newspaper journalist--just witnessed. You are confident that it will be the news scoop of the year and earn for you a Pulitzer Prize.
October - Write a scary piece in which you tell someone, or someone tells you: "Third floor, last room on the left. And be careful, there's only one twenty-five watt bulb lighting the hallway."
November - Sidney Poitier, the very talented and famous actor, wrote an insightful, fascinating, and poignant memoir, entitled The Measure of a Man. Write a poem or prose piece in which you begin to take the measure of your own self.
December - Tell your readers about an event in your life that you consider to have been a miracle, or, at the very least, a close call.