Author: aimeehardy

Introduction

September marks the beginning of a season filled with inspiration: the vibrant colors of fall, the crispness in the air, and the promise of new beginnings. What better way to embrace this creative energy than by taking on a 30-day creative writing challenge? Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking to reignite your creativity or a beginner eager to explore the world of writing, this challenge will spark your imagination and get those creative juices flowing.

Why a 30-Day Challenge?

A 30-day creative writing challenge is an excellent way to establish a consistent writing habit. It provides structure, motivation, and a daily commitment to your craft. It’s a journey that can lead to personal growth, improved writing skills, and a deeper understanding of your creative voice. And it’s perfect for getting more ideas before we start NaNoWriMo in November. So, let’s embark on this adventure together.

How It Works

1. Set Clear Goals: Before you start, define your goals. Are you looking to write short stories, poems, journal entries, or essays? Knowing what you want to achieve will guide your challenge.
2. Create a Schedule: Allocate a specific time each day for writing. It could be in the morning before work, during your lunch break, or before bed. Consistency is key.
3. Choose Prompts or Themes: Decide if you want to write freely or use daily prompts or themes to inspire your writing. There are numerous online resources and books with writing prompts to choose from.
4. Word Count or Time Limit: Determine whether you’ll write a certain number of words each day (e.g., 500 words) or set a time limit (e.g., 30 minutes). Adjust it to suit your schedule and writing style.
5. Create Accountability: Share your challenge with friends or on social media. Join online writing communities or forums to connect with others taking on the same challenge. Accountability can keep you motivated.

Tips for Success

1. Stay Consistent: Even on days when you don’t feel inspired, write something. The act of writing daily is more important than producing a masterpiece every day.
2. Embrace Imperfection: Don’t worry about perfection in your first drafts. You can always revise and improve later. The goal is to get your ideas on paper.
3. Experiment and Explore: Use this challenge as an opportunity to try different writing styles, genres, or perspectives. Step out of your comfort zone and take risks.
4. Reflect and Learn: At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on your progress. What did you learn about your writing habits and style? Use this knowledge to improve.
5. Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate small victories along the way. Completing a week or hitting your word count target is an achievement worth acknowledging.

What is NaNoWriMo?

National Novel Writing Month, often abbreviated as NaNoWriMo, is a global phenomenon that takes place every November. It’s an event that inspires and challenges writers of all levels to embark on a creative journey by writing a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. This whirlwind of a month can be both daunting and exhilarating. In this article, we’ll explore what NaNoWriMo is, why it’s worth participating in, and how to prepare for this exciting writing adventure.

Conclusion

A 30-day creative writing challenge for September is a fantastic way to harness seasonal inspiration, boost your writing skills, and prepare for National Novel Writing Month! It’s a journey of self-discovery, discipline, and creativity. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and watch your writing flourish over the course of the month. So, grab your pen and paper or fire up your keyboard, and let your imagination run wild this September!

There was a woman who lived in my walls.
She was quiet at first. Sometimes, I could hear her tapping at night. Mama said it was just
the house settling, but I knew the truth. I heard her creeping when we first moved into this house
with Ray. He popped a beer at the kitchen table when I first heard her stir. It sounded like a gasp
or a sigh. I couldn’t quite tell…

And the woman stayed there in the walls as I grew. I got used to her sounds, her tapping,
and her breath whenever things went teacups. That’s what Mama always used to call it: teacups.
She said that once, when she was little, her own mother had taken her to the fair. She had been
amazed by all the sights and sounds, by all the lights. But her favorite ride by far had been the
teacups. She remembered gripping the wheel and spinning the cup faster and faster. The lights of
the fair spun into blurs. The smells of funnel cakes swirled about her. Fellow riders cried out in
terror and delight. And when she got off the ride, she stumbled from side to side trying to find
her bearings, but it was impossible. Instead, she sat down on the bench outside until the lights
stopped spinning and the people stopped squealing and the world came back to Earth. She looked
up at her mother, smiled, and asked to ride one more time.

Continue reading this short story by Aimee Hardy that was published in Stonecoast Review Issue 13: Superstition. Read more…

My first memories were of paper. Big bright white sheets flying through the air and being ripped free only to float down perfectly on the counter. 

I remember balling up tiny pieces of paper in my fast little fists. I remember my mother’s laughter. 

My parents owned a butcher shop on the outskirts of town. I grew up inside shop windows, between flashes of white packages, through the smell of salt and meat. I took my first steps on the stoop of the shop. I learned to sit up and roll over between crates in the storage room. I learned words spoken over the tops of counters. But I never spoke. I couldn’t speak. 

My father became frustrated with me. He labeled me stubborn, lazy, not useful to him or the business. But my mother was different. 

She suggested paper. 

I woke to monstrous sounds that shook me from my dreams. 

Groggy, I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock. I blinked until the green lines came into focus from the bedside table. 

2:12 AM. 

The hammering continued, and I sighed as I pulled myself to my feet. My head ached. I grabbed my robe from the foot of my bed and put it on as I pulled open the door. 

Light blinded my eyes. My mother had turned on all of the lights in the house. She was standing unsteadily on the sofa with a picture frame in each hand. She turned her head and nodded at me, mumbling hello between lips clenching long silver nails. She set down the picture frames and took a nail from her mouth. She squinted her eyes, lining it up, and started hammering. The bangs rang around the room. I cringed with memory. 

“Mom,” I choked out. “What are you doing?”

Continue reading this short story by Aimee Hardy that was published in Las Positas’ Havik 2020: Homeward. Read more…

I opened my eyes, and it was snowing. 

I was all alone. 

I lay there wrapped up in a blanket, looking out at the snow. The TV was playing softly in the corner, but my attention was captivated by the white outside. 

I don’t remember how old I was, but when I tried to move my bones ached. It was like tiny pieces of glass were ground into each muscle and joint. But the snow called. It sang to me. 

Continue reading this short story by Aimee Hardy that was published in Adelaide Literary Magazine 2019. Read more…

Once, there was a superhero who didn’t know how to fly. He was on his fourth drink, and his tie hung limply around his collar. His face was in shadow hiding the stubble on his chin. He was slumped back in his chair and swirled his drink. He absentmindedly tapped his other hand to the slow country music piped in through the dim light. A TV in the corner flashed the sad state of the news. He shook his head, careful not to make eye contact with anyone in particular…

Continue reading this short story by Aimee Hardy that was published in Bluntly Literary Magazine October 2019. Read more…