September is an exciting month for literature. In the UK there are many literature festivals to look forward to, including the annual Bath Children’s Literature Festival. Not only that, but did you know that September celebrates a lot of famous children’s authors and their works? Well now you do! I’ll explain as we go, but our Monthly Writing prompts for September is inspired by children’s writers and their stories.
“A little magic can take you a long way…”
September 13th is Roald Dahl day and I am frankly ashamed I didn’t know about this earlier. I love Roald Dahl’s stories! I went to sleep as a kid with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory under my pillow (did anyone else keep books under their pillows for night-time reading? Just me?) and I must have re-read George’s Marvellous Medicine a million times trying to figure out what the missing ingredient was.
It’s easy to be inspired by Dahl’s stories, but in case you need some help, here are some prompts:
♦ You’ve been commissioned by George himself to create a new Marvellous Medicine. What does it do and what wacky ingredients will you use to make it? (hint: pick at least three things you can see from your desk!)
♦ The BFG gives you the opportunity to craft your perfect dream – what will it be?
♦ You’ve heard stories about the witches and the horrible crimes they committed. So you, a curious reporter, decide to find and interview the last witch. You just weren’t expecting her to be a rat…
“Little by little, one travels far…”
If you thought that was the only author with his own day this month, you would be mistaken! Hobbit Day is on September 22nd (Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday!) and many people across the world celebrate by having rather splendid parties and seemingly endless feasts – well, it IS Hobbit Day, after all. Hopefully just as many people celebrate by cracking open the original books and enjoying the unexpected journeys again.
♦ You are an archaeologist excavating an extinct volcano. While plumbing the depths of the rock, you find something unusual – a blackened ring…
♦ Everyone knows what a hobbit is, but no one has seen one for centuries. They’re too quick, too quiet. But so are you, and you are determined to find the hobbit you keep seeing in your garden.
♦ You’re sitting at home when there’s a knock at the door. A strange old man with a grey beard and bushy eyebrows is standing on the doorstep.
“I’m looking for someone to join an adventure… how are your computer hacking skills?”
Other things to look forward to this month:
♦ International Literacy Day (8th)
♦ Talk like a pirate day (19th)
Have a great September. The month is all about literacy, so why don’t you pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read?
If you are inspired to write from any of these, please share your short stories in the comments or @tonimoth.