I’d say it’s officially Fall, everyone! I woke up this morning to a sky full of pumpkin-colored clouds which are proceeding to shower my lovely town with a rich fall rain. If you’re like me, you love days like these–filled with overflowing puddles, crackling fireplaces, and extra-big mugs of hot cocoa. Or maybe…maybe you’re not. Maybe you long for days filled with outdoor adventure, sunshine-y skies, and fresh green grass.

Or maybe, no matter what kind of weather you like best, no matter if it’s all blue skies and sunshine or thunderclouds and rainbows where you live…maybe you’re bored. 

Boredom–it’s a strange sickness that we all suffer from at one point or another and, on a fall day like today, maybe you need something to kick you out of your rut and send you (or at least your imagination) on a one-of-a-kind adventure. If you’re feeling stuck–in your state, town, or even your own house–never fear. Words can take you on any number of adventures, and a properly strung-together sentence can bring a breath of adventure to even the dullest, dreariest day. Below are some of my favorite word-play activities, “games” of sorts that can give you a new perspective not only on writing, but also on the world around you.

ABC List

Challenge yourself to make a list of your favorite things–or maybe something more specific, like your favorite foods, books, or movies–with one catch. You have to list one thing–yes, just one!–for every single letter of the alphabet. You might be surprised by what you come up with!

Picture This

Take a favorite picture–maybe a family photo, an intriguing pic from a schoolbook, or one you’ve snapped yourself–and use it to spark a short story idea. Ask yourself what could have happened before and after this picture was taken (be creative!) and don’t forget to use the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, and Why?) and an H (How?) Let your imagination take off and see what kind of a wacky tale you can come up with.

Family Inspiration

Pick a family member–or maybe your entire clan–and let them star in their own book! Maybe one of your characters has Dad’s goofy laugh, or your mom’s love of coffee makes it into a scene. Imagine what would happen if your cousin got her dream job, or make up a tale about what really happens to all of your brother’s missing socks. Whether you create a short story, a picture book, or the start of a great novel, it’s always fun to create characters inspired by those closest to us.

Dream On

Now it’s your turn to take center stage in your story! Think of one your biggest dreams–maybe traveling to Paris, competing in the Olympics, or becoming a brain surgeon–and write a story about what might happen when that dream finally comes true. You can make your tale funny or serious, and who knows–writing about that dream-come-true might take you one step closer to seeing it happen in real life.

Sweet Sequel

Haven’t you always wonders what happens to your favorite characters after THE END?  Here’s your chance to find out! Choose one of your favorite books and write a sequel to it–it can be as short as an extra chapter or as long as a whole new book. You’re the author, so you get to decide! Just have fun writing about some of your favorite characters, and see where it takes you.

What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day? Let me know below!!