Day 41

Write the perfect summer ballad.

Challenge: Try writing a tanka. It's a bit like a haiku. There are five lines of varying syllables: first - 5, second - 7, third - 5, fourth - 7, fifth - 7. (5/7/5/7/7)

Tip: If you're having trouble with inspiration, find pictures of what you're writing about. Print some out and post them around your writing area. Listen to songs that spark a relevant memory or feeling. Surround yourself with things that bring along the feeling you need.

Ready. Set. Summertime.

Day 39

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -Ian Maclaren

Challenge: Write a satire with this quote in mind, possibly satirizing it using war.

Tip: Know the background of everyone and everything that pops into a story - whether it's a person or place. The tidbit of information may not make it into the piece if it's not necessary to the plot, but you should understand it to better understand your story.

Ready. Set. Explore.

Day 35

We're saying our daily affirmations and looking on the brightside. Today, we're writing optimistically!

Challenge: Write about optimism in the middle of a storm.

Tip: Think of happiness and how it can shine in spite of darkness. Look at everything around you and let go of everything negative. You can't write something you're not feeling.

Ready. Set. Smile

Day 32

What's on your bucket list? Write about something on your list, whether you've done it or not. Be imaginative, be fearless, be alive.

Challenge: Use the word vivacious.

Tip: Don't be cliché. And, if you're going to be cliché, do it with a twist. Don't write the million and sixth story about skydiving unless you have something new to bring to the story. Don't talk about YOLO-ing (I apologize for using that phrase) or Carpe Diem unless you have a fresh insight on it. If you're story is just like everything else, it can't be distinctive. Be different; be distinguishable.

Ready. Set. Live.