We are celebrating Thanksgiving this month where I live in New York City. So it’s a great time to be mindful and write about what we are thankful for.
Here are a few seasonal prompts to help you incorporate gratitude into your writing life this November:
1. Write about a time you were thankful for a meal, an event, or a celebration. Imagine the scents of the food and the spirit of the occasion. Include several of your senses in your descriptions if possible.
2. Craft a scene about a childhood memory surrounding Thanksgiving or another fall holiday. Incorporate details such as the people present, any dialogue you remember, and any seasonal decor.
3. Think about a time you were grateful for the actions of another person. What were the circumstances surrounding those actions? How did that make you feel? Try to capture these moments in story titles or scenes.
4. Imagine how you can feel grateful and also spread kindness during this season and beyond. What would that look like? Write a story based on these images.
I hope these gratitude-related prompts help you nudge into November ideas. Let me know in the comments!
MELISSA’S BIO:
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency.
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