Writing Challenges
Get writing! Whether it’s poetry or a 10-word story, the challenges are aimed to inspire you to get creative. Share your work on any social media platform with #ILFWritingChallenge, or through our online submissions form, and we’ll select a few to share!
Click here to share your writing challenge entries with us.
Write a short story that includes five objects in your home beginning with the letter B.
See previous submissions here.
Describe a memory in no more than 100 words using the senses of smell, sound, touch & taste.
See previous submissions here.
Write a funny poem about something that makes you laugh during lockdown.
See previous submissions here and here.
Write a dramatic monologue with the title ‘The Street Party’.
See previous submissions here.
Write a haiku about a family.
See previous submissions here.
Write a sentence that summarises your favourite book, but don’t reveal the title!
See previous submissions here.
Write a letter to your younger self.
See previous submissions here.
Write a poem about the sea.
See previous submissions here.
Write a one scene play entitled ‘The Bookshop’.
Inspired by the reopening of hotels and campsites, write about a UK summer holiday memory.
See previous submissions here.
Write a conversation between two or more of your favourite characters. They don’t have to be from the same book!
Write a sonnet with the title ‘The Photo Album’.
See previous submissions here.
Write a one-scene play taking place in a kitchen.
Turn a novel into a newspaper headline.
Write a 200-word story entitled ‘The Forgotten Bag’.
Write a haiku on the theme ‘New Beginnings’.
Write a short story entitled ‘Migrations’.
Write a poem about the last person on Earth.
Write a one-scene play entitled ‘The Coming Storm’.
Write about your favourite autumnal memory.
Write a letter that tells a story.
Write a haiku about the first thing you see when you wake up.
Write a terrifying short story in 200 words.
Write a poem about fire.
Write a poem entitled ‘The Poppy’.
See previous submissions here.
Write a letter to your younger self or friend who has been bullied.
Write a short story from the perspective of an animal or your pet.
Write the opening scene to a winter horror movie.
Write about your favourite festive memory.
Write your own Christmas carol.
Write a letter to your future self in 2022 (don’t open it again until then!
Turn your favourite song into a short story.
Write a short story entitled ‘Cupid Quits’.
Drop your favourite female character into another famous literary world and write about her adventures.