Writing Prompts and Suggestions

Here are some creative writing suggestions connected to the works you have recently read (for those of you who are looking for things to write about):


"Uncle Ernest"
*Write the conversation the two girls have about Uncle Ernest when they are both in their forties.
*Write Uncle Ernest's thoughts/diary the day after he is led out of the cafe by the two policemen.
*Imagine a conversation between Alma and Uncle Ernest. He is now an old man, and she is pushing a baby carriage. They meet by chance.
*Imagine that you are Uncle Ernest. Defend yourself against the accusations you find yourself facing and fight for your rights.
*Imagine a conversation between the girls' mother and Uncle Ernest the day after he is turned out of the cafe. She discovers he's a distant relative of her dead husband, for example.
*Write the story of the girls' dead father and what he died of...or maybe they have just been told that he's dead.

The Bluest Eye

*Imagine that Pecola dies. Write an epitaph or a eulogy for Pecola.
*Write Pecola's mother's thoughts when she sees that her daughter has gone mad.
*Write about one of your dreams.
*Write Pecola's or Pauline's letter to an Agony Aunt column.
*Write a conversation that Poland, China and the Maginot Line have when they learn that Pecola has gone mad.

"Auto Wreck"

*Imagine being the only survivor of an auto wreck.
*Write about a plane crash instead of an auto wreck. What would have to be changed? What can be retained?
*Write a letter of condolence to the family of a friend who died in a crash.
*Write a short text arguing for the abolition of cars and planes.
*Write about other types of wrecks or crashes (emotional and personal) that can be equally devastating.

"Not at Home"
*Imagine that all you have is this title and that you have not read the poem. Write the story or a poem you might have expected to read given this title. People may be absent in different ways, emotionally or mentally "not at home."

"With Her Lips Only"

Write the poem as a story...who is the lover? What are the husband's thoughts? Does he suspect anything?

What other situation might there be where people say things "with their lips only". Write about such a situation.

"The Zulu and the Zeide"

*Write the conversation the Zulu and the Zeide might have had if they could speak the same language.

*Write the conversation Harry and the Zeide might have had if Harry were given one more chance to talk to his father.

*Write the conversation Harry and his wife might have had the night after the funeral.

I hope this can get you started and help you to think of other things you may wish to write about in response to these and the other texts you read this term.