Welcome to #Sprint&QuillSunday: A New Weekly Writing Event for All Writers!

When: Every Sunday at 11 am CT, 1 pm CT, and 3 pm CT

(Hosted by Holly @Writerish-Girl on BlueSky)

Writing is a journey—one that takes creativity, commitment, and a lot of practice. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a short story enthusiast, or a seasoned author, there’s always room for growth, and sometimes, all we need is a little push to get those words flowing. That’s where #Sprint&QuillSunday comes in!

What is #Sprint&QuillSunday?

#Sprint&QuillSunday is a new weekly writing event I host on BlueSky. It’s designed to get your creative juices flowing with timed writing sprints and themed challenges. Every Sunday, we’ll focus on a new theme, providing you with a set of writing prompts you can choose from different genres, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, speculative fiction, non-fiction, and even horror. Whether you’re working on your current WIP or want to explore something new, you can jump in for one or more sprints and write to your heart’s content!

Why Are Sprints and Writing Short Stories Beneficial?

You might be wondering: “Why sprints? Why short stories?” Here’s why these types of writing exercises can be so effective:

  1. Quick, Focused Writing:
    Writing sprints allow you to focus without distractions, giving you a set amount of time to dive into your creativity. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum. The more you write, the easier it gets!
  2. Challenge and Variety:
    A weekly theme helps you explore different genres and writing styles. If you typically write in one genre, jumping into another can stretch your creativity and improve your overall writing. Plus, the mini-challenges encourage you to think outside the box, adding fun surprises to your writing process.
  3. Build Confidence and Habit:
    Writing regularly, even in short bursts, helps establish a routine. The more you write, the more comfortable and confident you become with your craft. Short stories, while self-contained, can also serve as powerful exercises to sharpen your narrative skills.
  4. Uncover Hidden Gems:
    You might be surprised by what you uncover about your characters or your own writing style during these sprints. Sometimes, unexpected moments arise that can serve as seeds for future stories or provide new directions for your current projects.

January 26 Theme: “New Beginnings, Old Secrets”

The first week of #Sprint&QuillSunday is all about New Beginnings and Old Secrets. This theme allows you to explore how fresh starts can uncover long-buried truths, hidden pasts, and mysteries that have shaped characters and worlds. Whether your character is moving to a new town or uncovering a secret from their family’s past, the possibilities are endless!

Here’s Your Choice of Writing Prompts for the Week:

Fantasy

  1. “An apprentice mage inherits a mysterious, abandoned tower—but it holds secrets about their master’s dark past.”
  2. “After a village elder passes, a young blacksmith discovers an ancient prophecy hidden within their family’s forge.”
  3. “A forgotten key unlocks a magical portal, revealing a world they were destined to protect.”

Sci-Fi

  1. “A spacefarer starts a new life on a distant colony, only to uncover forbidden data hidden in the terraforming archives.”
  2. “An AI companion, thought to be a simple assistant, begins to reveal fragments of its enigmatic origin.”
  3. “A scavenger finds an ancient alien artifact buried on a desolate planet, tied to humanity’s earliest days in space.”

Romance

  1. “Returning to her childhood hometown for a fresh start, a woman discovers that her new neighbor is her high school sweetheart—with a life-altering secret.”
  2. “Two strangers meet while cleaning out an old mansion, only to stumble upon a love letter that connects their families.”
  3. “A widowed traveler is drawn to an innkeeper harboring a secret about their shared past.”

Speculative Fiction

  1. “In a dystopian future, a survivor relocates to a ‘utopia’ and uncovers evidence of the hidden cost of their safety.”
  2. “A scientist working on memory erasure discovers a suppressed recollection tied to their research’s origins.”
  3. “The return of an old celestial phenomenon leads a small community to rediscover its forgotten traditions—and the sacrifices they require.”

Non-Fiction

  1. “Reflect on a time you moved to a new place. What secret, challenge, or surprise shaped your experience there?”
  2. “Write about a family heirloom or object from your past that carries a hidden or unexpected story.”
  3. “Explore how embracing change led you to uncover something surprising about yourself or others.”

Horror

  1. “A family moves into a long-abandoned house for a fresh start, only to discover that the previous inhabitants never truly left—and they’re watching.”
    • Mini-Challenge: Include an eerie sound that grows louder at night and a hidden room revealed by a key found in the least expected place.

Mini-Challenge for the Week

To add an extra layer of intrigue to your writing, make sure to incorporate an unexpected reunion or a key that unlocks something mysterious in your story or essay. Whether it’s a literal key or a metaphorical one, this challenge is sure to uncover some hidden treasures in your writing!

OR: Try this word challenge! How many of the following words can you weave into your tale?

  • Threshold
  • Whisper
  • Revelation
  • Fragment
  • Dawn