Writing Prompts Inspired By Autumn
Autumn is a time of warm colours, cozy moments, and opportunities for reflection. It’s a time of fallen leaves, warm blankets and pumpkin-spiced everything. As the temperature drops and we pull on our fuzzy socks, we might find ourselves in an introspective mood or wanting to fill a cold afternoon at home. That’s where writing comes in. Here are some journal and creative writing prompts to inspire your autumnal writing.
Journal Prompts
Reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life right now, and how they relate to the idea of harvest and abundance.
Write about the symbolism of Halloween or other autumn holidays and how they resonate with you.
Explore the concept of letting go and shedding old habits, much like the trees shedding their leaves in autumn. What do you want to release from your life?
Describe the role of nostalgia in your life during the autumn season. What memories does this season bring back?
What do you think of Halloween? Journal on this questions, reflecting on Halloween’s of years gone by and traditions you still hold today.
Creative Writing Prompts
Write a short story about a scarecrow coming to life for one magical autumn night. What adventures does the scarecrow have, and what lessons does it learn?
Start with: ‘The leaves rustled underfoot as I wandered through the forest, and suddenly, I stumbled upon a hidden, enchanted glade where…’ and finish the short story.
A mysterious traveler arrives in a quiet, autumnal village, carrying an ancient, glowing lantern. The townspeople are both intrigued and wary. What secrets does the lantern hold, and how does it change the village?
‘A witch lives at the edge of town, besides the dark and eerie woods.’
Describe her home, her daily routine, and the reactions of people around her.
You wake up one morning to find your town covered in a thick blanket of fog, transforming it into an eerie and otherworldly place. As you explore the fog, you discover something unexpected.
I hope you get something out of these autumnal writing prompts, and enjoy the cosiness of the season.
If you want more seasonal journal and writing prompts, you can find the others in this series here.
Or, if you want to loose yourself in a book that is the epitome of autumn, check out these fall books:
Practical Magic - A tale of sisters, magic and love; this will give you all the autumn vibes as we follow generations in a family of witches. The movie is really good too!
IT - Give yourself a fright with a classic horror novel set in a small town.
A Secret History of Witches - Similar to Practical Magic, we follow five generations of powerful witches and the mother-daughter dynamics within them.
