Thursday, February 6, 2020

Writing in February


This short month is already getting away from me. It may not have as many days as other months, but it is chock full of memorable ones. For a writer, that's fuel for our fire. When you have trouble coming up for an idea for a story, poem, essay or whatever, look to the month you're in. 

Ask things like:
  • What holidays are there?
  • How about historical events?
  • What National _______ is there?
  • Is there a particular food made and served this month?
  • Are there decorations for home and school this month?
  • Is there a religious holiday?
Let's look at February. It's known for: 
  • Black History Month
  • American Heart Month
  • Library Lovers Month (Bet you didn't know that!)
  • Groundhog Day
  • Valentine's Day
  • President's Day
  • Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
  • George Washington's Birthday
  • Leap Year Day
That's a plethora of possibilities for you. Take any one of the above and put it in the middle of a piece of paper. Then draw lines out from the word, writing words or phrases that the core word brings to mind. Keep going until you can think of no more. Surely something will inspire you to start writing.

It doesn't matter if it is a short story, a personal essay, a memoir bit, a poem, a nonfiction article, a craft or recipe--whatever your little February heart desires. If it's too late to submit for this year, write it and keep in a file for future submissions. For specific holiday subs, send at least six months in advance.

So, please don't tell me there is nothing to write about.


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