October 20 – National Day on Writing

National Day of Writing is Today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY ON WRITING STEP-BY-STEP 

•  Take a writing class.
•  Purchase some calligraphy supplies and make something amazing.
•  Get help writing with artificial intelligence.
•  Learn how to write on social media.
•  If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR NATIONAL DAY ON WRITING

Every year on October 20th, we celebrate National Day on Writing, a day dedicated to the art and craft of writing. This day encourages us to celebrate the power and importance of writing in our everyday lives. Writing is more than a mere communication tool; it is an avenue for self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking. Whether it’s a love letter or a research paper, writing is a skill that we all need to foster and develop.

National Day on Writing gives us a chance to reflect on how writing has impacted our lives and encourages us to use this medium to connect with others, express our thoughts, and make a difference in the world. Writing is a celebration of our humanity and an essential tool for us to shape the world around us.  What are you going to write today?

NATIONAL DAY ON WRITING:  A BRIEF HISTORY OF WRITING

The earliest forms of writing, such as cave paintings and hieroglyphics, date back to prehistoric times. Later, ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans developed their own writing systems, which eventually led to the modern alphabets we use today. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was disseminated and paved the way for the widespread use of books and newspapers.

Writing has played a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world, and it continues to evolve and adapt in the digital age. From handwritten notes to emojis, the history of writing illuminates the evolution of human communication.

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY ON WRITING

1. Writing Workshop: Host a writing workshop where participants can share their work, receive feedback, and engage in writing exercises.
2. Literary Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt where participants search for literary clues and quotes hidden throughout a designated area.
3. Author Q&A Session: Invite a local author for a Q&A session where they discuss their writing process, inspiration, and experiences as a writer.
4. Spoken Word Poetry Night: Host a spoken word poetry event where writers can perform their original pieces in front of an audience.
5. Collaborative Storytelling: Gather a group of writers to collectively write a story, with each participant contributing a paragraph or section.
6. Journaling Workshop: Lead a journaling workshop focusing on different prompts and techniques to inspire personal reflection and creativity.
7. Literary Open Mic: Organize an open mic event where writers can share excerpts from their works-in-progress or favorite literary pieces.
8. Flash Fiction Challenge: Challenge writers to create short stories within a limited word count or time frame, sparking creativity and brevity.
9. Poetry Slam Competition: Host a poetry slam competition where poets compete against each other with their original spoken word performances.
10. Author Reading Event: Arrange an author reading event where local writers can showcase their published works and engage with readers.
11. Writing Marathon: Organize a writing marathon where participants gather in a designated space to write for an extended period, fueling productivity and camaraderie.
12. Character Development Workshop: Lead a workshop focused on character development techniques, helping writers create dynamic and compelling characters for their stories.
13. Literary Trivia Night: Host a trivia night with questions about literature, authors, famous literary quotes, and book-to-film adaptations.
14. Writing Retreat: Plan a writing retreat where writers can escape to a serene location to focus on their craft, surrounded by like-minded individuals.
15. Book Swap Party: Organize a book swap party where participants can exchange books and discuss their favorite reads with fellow book lovers.
16. Poetry Writing Workshop: Lead a poetry writing workshop exploring different forms, styles, and poetic devices to inspire creativity.
17. Plotting and Outlining Seminar: Host a seminar on plotting and outlining techniques to help writers structure their stories and overcome writer’s block.
18. Literary Pub Crawl: Arrange a literary-themed pub crawl where participants visit bars and pubs associated with famous authors or literary landmarks.
19. Writing Prompts Challenge: Provide writing prompts and encourage writers to create short pieces based on the prompts, fostering creativity and experimentation.
20. Book Club Meeting: Host a book club meeting where members discuss a chosen book and share their thoughts and interpretations.
21. Author Book Signing: Organize an author book signing event where readers can meet and interact with their favorite authors and get their books signed.
22. Creative Writing Games Night: Plan a games night featuring creative writing games and activities like writing sprints, storytelling games, and word association challenges.
23. Literary Film Screening: Host a screening of a film adaptation of a beloved book, followed by a discussion comparing the book and the film.
24. Writing Critique Circle: Form writing critique circles where writers can share their work-in-progress and receive constructive feedback from peers.
25. Writing Inspiration Walk: Lead a guided writing inspiration walk through a scenic area, encouraging participants to observe their surroundings and draw inspiration for their writing.
26. Word Association: Players take turns saying words that are associated with the previous word said, creating a chain of interconnected words.
27. Storytelling Relay: Participants sit in a circle and each adds a sentence to a collaborative story, passing it on to the next person to continue.
28. Literary Trivia Quiz: Host a trivia game with questions about famous authors, literary works, and literary history.
29. Writing Prompt Roulette: Write various writing prompts on slips of paper, place them in a bowl, and take turns drawing prompts to write about.
30. Book Title Charades: Act out book titles without speaking, and other players try to guess the title based on the charades.
31. Author Pictionary: Draw famous authors or book titles while others guess who or what is being drawn.
32. Alphabet Story Challenge: Start with a sentence beginning with ‘A’, then each player contributes a sentence following the next letter of the alphabet to create a story.
33. Literary Bingo: Create bingo cards with literary terms, genres, or famous book titles, and mark off squares as they’re mentioned during discussions.
34. Six-Word Story Contest: Challenge players to write compelling stories using only six words, focusing on brevity and impact.
35. Plot Twist Game: Players take turns adding unexpected plot twists to a story, keeping the narrative unpredictable and exciting.
36. Character Guess Who: Write down names of famous literary characters and stick them to players’ foreheads, then players ask yes/no questions to figure out who they are.
37. Book Balderdash: Create fake book summaries or excerpts, mix them with real ones, and players guess which are genuine.
38. Themed Writing Relay: Start with a theme or prompt, then each player writes for a set time before passing their piece to the next player to continue.
39. Literary Mad Libs: Create funny stories by filling in the blanks with nouns, verbs, and adjectives suggested by players.
40. Poetry Potluck: Each player contributes a line to a collaborative poem, building upon each other’s words to create a unique piece.
41. Genre Mashup: Combine two or more literary genres and brainstorm story ideas that incorporate elements from each.
42. Book Cover Redesign: Select a book and have players design new covers based on their interpretation of the story.
43. Literary Hangman: Guess letters to uncover a hidden literary term, author, or book title before completing the hangman.
44. Plot Synopsis Challenge: Summarize well-known books or movies in one sentence, challenging others to guess the title.
45. Writing Marathon: Set a timer and have players write continuously for a set period, aiming to produce as much content as possible.
46. Dialogue Duel: Pair up players who take turns writing dialogue between characters, each trying to outdo the other with wit and creativity.
47. Round-Robin Poetry: Each player contributes a line or stanza to a poem, passing it around until it’s completed.
48. Book Character Match-Up: Write down character names from different books and players match them to their corresponding book titles.
49. Literary Debate: Divide players into teams and debate topics related to literature, such as the importance of a specific genre or the merits of a controversial book.
50. Sentence Starters Game: Provide sentence starters and have players continue the story in any direction they choose, crafting unique narratives.
51. Quill Pen and Ink Set: Create your own quill pen using feathers and make homemade ink for a classic writing experience.
52. Literary Quote Wall Art: Design and frame your favorite literary quotes as decorative wall art for your home or writing space.
53. Handmade Leather Journal: Craft a personalized leather journal cover and bind your own notebook inserts for a custom writing journal.
54. Book Page Wreath: Fold and glue book pages into a wreath shape, embellishing it with literary accents like paper flowers or typewriter keys.
55. Poetry Magnets: Create your own magnetic poetry set by printing words onto magnet sheets, allowing for endless creative expression on your fridge or magnetic board.
56. Writer’s Inspiration Board: Make a vision board filled with images, quotes, and ideas that inspire your writing projects and goals.
57. Literary Character Bookmarks: Craft bookmarks featuring your favorite literary characters using cardstock, markers, and embellishments.
58. Vintage Typewriter Key Jewelry: Upcycle old typewriter keys into unique jewelry pieces like necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.
59. Writer’s Block Buster Jar: Decorate a jar and fill it with writing prompts or inspirational quotes to help overcome writer’s block.
60. Library Card Catalog Drawer Organizer: Repurpose old library card catalog drawers into stylish and functional organizers for pens, notebooks, and writing supplies.
61. Literary Candles: Make homemade candles inspired by your favorite books or characters, incorporating scents that evoke literary settings.
62. Book Page Coasters: Mod Podge book pages onto ceramic tiles and seal them for durable coasters that add literary charm to your coffee table.
63. Vintage Book Cover Laptop Sleeve: Transform a vintage book cover into a unique laptop sleeve, providing both protection and style for your computer.
64. Writer’s Desk Organizer: Construct a desk organizer using cardboard or wood, dividing compartments for pens, pencils, notepads, and other writing essentials.
65. Literary Quote Tote Bag: Stencil or embroider your favorite literary quote onto a canvas tote bag, carrying your love of writing wherever you go.
66. Ink Splatter Art: Create abstract ink splatter art using black ink or paint, reminiscent of the creative chaos of the writing process.
67. Book Page Garland: String together folded book pages to create a decorative garland, perfect for adorning bookshelves or mantels.
68. Writer’s Retreat Sign: Design and paint a sign for your writing space, declaring it as your personal writer’s retreat for inspiration and focus.
69. Vintage Typewriter Planter: Repurpose a vintage typewriter into a unique planter for succulents or small plants, adding a touch of nostalgia to your writing environment.
70. Literary Quote Throw Pillow: Transfer your favorite literary quotes onto fabric and sew them into decorative throw pillows for your reading nook or writing chair.
71. Book Spine Bookends: Glue together stacks of old books to create bookends, showcasing the colorful spines of your favorite reads.
72. Poetry Chapbook: Compile your original poems into a handmade chapbook, binding them together with decorative covers for a personal collection.
73. Writer’s Vision Journal: Decorate a blank journal and use it to document your writing journey, including goals, progress, and reflections.
74. Novel-Inspired Bookmark Tassels: Craft tassels inspired by characters or themes from your favorite novels, attaching them to bookmarks for a literary touch.
75. Writer’s Inspiration Jar: Fill a jar with inspirational writing quotes, prompts, and affirmations written on colorful strips of paper, to uplift and motivate during moments of creative doubt.
76. Shakespearean-Inspired Feast: Prepare a feast featuring dishes mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays, such as roast goose, meat pies, and syllabub.
77. Literary Character Cupcakes: Bake cupcakes decorated to resemble iconic literary characters, such as Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, or Alice in Wonderland.
78. Poe’s Raven Pie: Create a savory pie filled with ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and blackberries, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven.”
79. Hemingway’s Cuban Sandwich: Make classic Cuban sandwiches filled with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway.
80. Tolkien’s Elven Lembas Bread: Bake homemade lembas bread, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” using a recipe with wholesome ingredients like honey, nuts, and dried fruit.
81. Dickensian Christmas Pudding: Prepare a traditional Christmas pudding with suet, dried fruits, and spices, reminiscent of the festive desserts described in Charles Dickens’ novels.
82. Narnian Turkish Delight: Create homemade Turkish delight flavored with rosewater and dusted with powdered sugar, as featured in C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
83. Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age Cocktails: Mix up classic cocktails from the Jazz Age, such as the Sidecar, the French 75, or the Mint Julep, to evoke the glamorous world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novels.
84. Steinbeck’s Grilled Oysters: Grill fresh oysters and serve them with garlic butter and a squeeze of lemon, inspired by the oyster feasts enjoyed by characters in John Steinbeck’s works.
85. Proustian Madeleines: Bake delicate madeleine cookies flavored with lemon zest and vanilla, inspired by Marcel Proust’s famous literary reference in “In Search of Lost Time.”
86. Carroll’s Wonderland Tea Party: Host a whimsical tea party with assorted teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
87. Plath’s Black Forest Cake: Bake a rich Black Forest cake filled with layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries, a decadent dessert fitting for the intense mood of Sylvia Plath’s poetry.
88. Woolf’s Bloomsbury Picnic: Pack a picnic basket with gourmet sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit, inspired by the leisurely outdoor gatherings of the Bloomsbury Group, frequented by Virginia Woolf.
89. Twain’s Mississippi River BBQ: Grill up a barbecue feast featuring ribs, pulled pork, cornbread, and coleslaw, reminiscent of the hearty meals enjoyed along the Mississippi River in Mark Twain’s novels.
90. Brontë Sisters’ Yorkshire Pudding: Bake traditional Yorkshire pudding, a savory British dish made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk, enjoyed by the Brontë sisters in their Yorkshire home.
91. Wilde’s Dorian Gray Deviled Eggs: Prepare deviled eggs with a twist, adding ingredients like truffle oil, caviar, or smoked salmon, inspired by the decadent lifestyle depicted in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
92. Homer’s Greek Feast: Create a Greek feast featuring dishes like moussaka, spanakopita, tzatziki, and baklava, inspired by the culinary traditions of ancient Greece, as depicted in Homer’s epics.
93. Austen’s Regency Tea Time: Host an elegant afternoon tea with delicate tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and petit fours, reminiscent of the refined social gatherings in Jane Austen’s novels.
94. Hugo’s Les Misérables Baguettes: Bake fresh baguettes and serve them with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, and wine, evoking the streets of 19th-century Paris depicted in Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables.”
95. Joyce’s Dubliner’s Irish Stew: Prepare a hearty Irish stew with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, enjoyed by the characters in James Joyce’s “Dubliners” against the backdrop of Dublin’s working-class neighborhoods.
96. Verne’s Underwater Voyage Seafood Platter: Serve a seafood platter featuring oysters, shrimp, crab legs, and lobster tails, inspired by the adventurous sea voyages depicted in Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.”
97. Homer’s Odyssey Greek Salad: Prepare a Greek salad with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil, paying homage to Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey.”
98. Orwell’s Animal Farm Vegetarian Farm-to-Table Buffet: Create a vegetarian buffet featuring farm-fresh produce, grains, and legumes, inspired by the ideals of equality and sustainability in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”
99. Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes Victorian High Tea: Host a Victorian-style high tea with an array of tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, cakes, and pastries, reminiscent of the elegant tea parties enjoyed by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
100. Tolkien’s Middle-earth Feast: Prepare a feast fit for hobbits, elves, and dwarves, featuring hearty dishes like roasted meats, root vegetables, pies, and ale, inspired by the culinary descriptions in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”

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Do you have any ideas about how to celebrate National Day on Writing?  Please share them!