Design a site like this with WordPress.com

BareFoot At The Kitchen Table

Free Writing Prompts

If for any reason you cannot make a writing group then sign up for a writing prompt.

Start in the middle

Today at writing group we looked at forgetting the preamble and starting where the action begins. For some this was a struggle, but we go there. Prompt – read Ode to the Joyful Ones With those words in your head now imagine you are in the middle of a meal and one of those joyful […]

December 6, 2022
Write a story of hope

After a lively discussion at yesterday’s writing group about the state of our world at the moment, I set the challenge to write a story that is honest and true but that expresses hope and suggested using mythology – or writing in that style. The Emperor’s New Clothes is an example of the world gone […]

October 19, 2022
Write a love story

I know it’s been a while but my plan is to post after every writing group I do with a prompt from the group. It won’t be quite the same as if you attend with the conversations, support and feedback but it is a great way to get writing WRITE A LOVE STORY Do feel […]

October 5, 2022
Using Grave Stones #2

This week’s writing group used the grave stones in a different way. We went to a larger graveyard to look for stories. It was interesting to note that the more recent stones just contained names, dates, ages and relationships to others in that plot. But the older gravestones came with occupations, wordings or poems; things […]

July 8, 2022
Using Grave Stones #1

Go to your local churchyard. Pick a gravestone. Write down the name, dates and any epitaphs or whatever written on it. Try to get one with only one person in it. Now write that person a letter – either asking about their life, telling them about yours, general chattering that you would put in a […]

May 24, 2022
Mass Observation Survey Day

Today is Mass Observation Survey Day On the 12th May 2022, the Mass Observation Archive will be repeating its annual call for day diaries, capturing the everyday lives of people across the UK. The written diaries will be stored in the Archive at The Keep and be used by a wide range of people for […]

May 12, 2022
Wild Garlic Prompt

Go and find some wild garlic near you. Remember to take a bag. It is prolific so feel free to pick loads. Though some of my writing group picked a pose to go in a vase. Then write using all your senses – touch, taste, hearing, sight, smell and of course emotions and memory – […]

April 20, 2022
A Prompt is Just a Prompt

It may sound obvious but I’ve seen people get into a muddle at trying to get what they write from a prompt “right”. A prompt is just a prompt. For instance I am doing some of the prompts from Everyday Words for April. The prompt from 5th April was based on a poem by Mohja […]

April 12, 2022
Write about emotion

Take a look at this painting. Now write either what emotion it evokes in you or pick a person in the picture and write their emotions. Use all the senses and sensations. Remembering that we feel emotion in our bodies as much as we do in our minds – eg mouth going dry, hands clenching, […]

March 16, 2022
Holding on for a hero

For this week’s writing prompt I asked my group to think about St David, as it was St David’s day, but also to realise that many of the tales about the Celtic saints were made grander. Making these people larger than life. So this week’s writing exercise is to think of a people group today […]

March 4, 2022