Where I live, we just moved the clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time. That means we “lost” an hour on Sunday morning. I started thinking about the notion of “time” and how we can incorporate time into ideas this March.
Here are a few prompts to try:
1. Write a story about the passage of time. Maybe it’s a story using sunrise to sunset as a structure. Or perhaps it’s using the days of the week or months of the year. Or even the seasons. Show the reader how time has passed.
2. Think of a story about “losing time.” It could be about bedtime or waking up in the morning. Or maybe a character simply loses track of time. Be creative and see where the idea takes you!
3. Write a story that includes a watch or clock as a central part of the idea. Was the watch a present? Does the clock stop chiming? Did someone forget to set the clock for Daylight Savings Time?
4. Write about someone who is either always late or always on time. Describe their character traits. What obstacles might they face?
5. Set a timer for 10 minutes and do some free writing. Don’t edit yourself at all. Just let the words flow and see where a timed writing sprint will take you.
Enjoy your writing time this month. Let me know in the comments about how you used these prompts to generate ideas.
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 Trustee, 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.
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