September Writing Prompts
With a new season comes new possibilities (isn’t September the new January?). So as we kick off Fall Session I, we’ve turned to our instructors to find out what’s been inspiring them, keeping them excited about new projects, or getting them into a creative mode.
What are they reading, watching, listening to, eating, and more?
September 2021:
What we’re reading …
Michele Prestininzi: Christina Soontornvat’s MG book All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team. Though it’s nonfiction and geared toward middle grade readers, this Newbery Honor Book captivated me from the very first pages, and I read the story in one day. I was filled with worry for these boys even though I had followed the news coverage, along with millions of others, and knew how the story would end. Michele teaches PWN’s KidLit classes and is one of the facilitators of the Fresh Reader Program.
Watching …
Zoë Gulliksen: I started watching the Spanish television show La Casa de Papel, or Money Heist as it’s called in America, on Netflix and I can’t get enough. The fifth and last season was recently released and the outpour of love online for the show from fans, including Stephen King, encouraged me to give it a shot. Two seasons deep and I’m in love with the characters. Watching it as a writer adds an extra element of fun as I’m constantly trying to figure out the screenwriter’s next plot twist (there are so many!). The show handles character development well while simultaneously keeping several storylines in motion. I’m learning a lot from the writing but ultimately the show is a blast to watch. Zoe leads the Author Platform challenge and class.
Listening to …
Courtney Harler: I’ve been obsessed with the folk rock music of Josh Ritter for a couple of years, mostly for his intense approach to narrative. He’s also a novelist, and his second book dropped last week. It’s called The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All, and it’s my favorite kind of book: a bold, braw, irreverent coming-of-age story that tells it like it is, or in this case, like it was, in the last days of the lumberjacks. To hear Josh’s music, or join Josh’s book tour and order your own signed copy, visit Josh’s website. Courtney leads PWN’s new Sub & Pub class & club.
Eating …
Laura Cyphers: I’ve been crazy about eating kraut lately! Cleveland Kraut with salt and caraway seeds. Out of the cold bag. Or I warm it up and eat it with cornbread. I’m craving tangy and salty as fall approaches. Also, it’s good for the gut. Laura teaches Poetry and Tween Writing Group.
Miscellaneous …
Gay Norton Edelman: I’m all about Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti mystery series. I love the Venice setting. There are tons of luscious details about living in that damp and famous city where Leon lived for 20 years. And the characters are wonderfully well developed. The Commissario (detective) is a flawed human in a flawed system, yet he stays with his mission. And his wife, Paolo, is one bad-ass college professor. I’m on book 15 of the 30 book series. Here’s hoping she writes #31 before I finish #30. (Fun fact: Leon was born in Montclair!) Gay teaches Write for You and leads the Saturday Writing Group.
What are you obsessed with this month? We’d like to know! Email your response to wi@projectwritenow.org for a chance to appear in an upcoming column!
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