Writing Prompts: 16 March 2022

Image by WorldInMyEyes from Pixabay

Wednesday Writing Prompts are back, but renamed simply Writing Prompts. This is so I don’t feel obliged to do one every week, especially when I’m snowed under doing other, paying work.

Six months away
Personally, I try to work roughly 6 months ahead because the majority of my writing markets are quick to take work from me and publish it. Many markets, however, already have their content planned for up to a year.

Quicker writers than me will also be able to churn out an entire book — or more than one — in time to hit the market when the anniversary strikes. You will already know what kind of writer you are.

Do check these dates yourself before doing too much work. If I’ve already noticed any contradictions, I’ll mention them. But sources do go slightly awry on occasion.

What I’m working on in March
In March, I’m ‘thinking’ September, ‘writing’ August, and ‘submitting’ July.

At the moment, I’m catching up, so while I’ve selected four potential story themes for July, the following prompts are my ‘throwaways’ for that month.

Some of the following prompts appeared last year when I was offering prompts for 12 months away. There’s still plenty of time to write something for the faster markets if you can write it now.

These prompts can be applied to fiction or non-fiction, or even poetry.

Topical anniversaries in July 2022

July in general

July is often the month that manufacturing companies in the UK begin their annual 2-week close-down. It is also when many of the annual outdoor events and festivals begin with a vengeance — unless you’re in Australia. In Australia it’s winter.

In the UK, we have a lot of music festivals in July. Well dressing is still underway, across all of the summer, and Morris Dancers feature often at festivals and events.

Multi-day UK events, July 2022
27 June – 10 July: Wimbledon
28 June – 3 July: Henley Royal Regatta
1 – 3 July: F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone
2 – 3 July: Wales Airshow
3 – 9 July: Holmfirth Art Week
4 – 10 July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
6 – 9 July: Penzance Literary Festival
7 – 24 July: Buxton International Festival
9 – 10 July: Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
11 – 17 July: The Open Championships, St Andrews
15 – 17 July: Bristol Harbour Festival
15 – 24 July: Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
20 – 24 July: RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park
22 – 24 July: Tramlines, Sheffield
22 July – 2 October: Buckingham Palace State Rooms open to the public
26 – 30 July: Glorious Goodwood
28 – 31 July: Kendal Calling
30 July – 6 August: Cowes Week

1 July
Evergreen: Canada Day

175 years ago, on 1 July 1847, the first US postage stamps went on sale.

50 years ago, on 1 July 1972, the first Gay Pride march took place in England.

40 years ago, on 1 July 1982, more than 2,000 Unification Church members married at Madison Square Gardens.

15 years ago, on 1 July 2007, smoking in indoor work and public places was banned everywhere in the UK.

2 July
Evergreen: World UFO Day

This Year: 2 July 2022 is Alice’s Day in Oxford

100 years ago, on 2 July 1922, the fashion designer Pierre Cardin was born in Italy.

40 years ago, on 2 July 1982, Larry Walters attached 42 helium balloons to a lawn chair and rose to 16,000 feet.

20 years ago, on 2 July 2002, Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo around the world, non-stop, in a hot-air balloon.

10 years ago, on 2 July 2012, GlaxoSmithKline settled the largest health care fraud case in history (still?) for US $3billion.

4 July
Evergreen: American independence Day

175 years ago, on 4 July 1847, James Anthony Bailey of Barnum & Bailey Circus, was born in Detroit.

100 years ago, on 4 July 1922, pilot Lother von Richthofen, brother of Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen, died, aged 27.

7 July
Evergreen: World Chocolate Day

75 years ago, on 5 July 1947, alleged Roswell UFO incident

8 July
200 years ago, on 8 July 1822, the English poet Percy Shelley drowned at sea, aged 29.

10 July
25 years ago, on 10 July 1997, the murder trial of British nanny Louise Woodward started.

11 July
100 years ago, on 11 July 1922, the Hollywood Bowl opened.

12 July
60 years ago, on 12 July 1962, the Rolling Stones made their debut at London’s Marquee Club.

15 July
Evergreen: St Swithun’s Day

25 years ago, on 15 July 1997, fashion designer Gianni Versace was shot dead by Andrew Cunanan.

18 July
150 years ago, on 18 July 1872, the Ballot Act introduced secret ballot voting in Britain.

21 July
125 years ago, on 21 July 1897, The Tate Gallery opened in London.

50 years ago, on 21 July 1972, Bloody Friday took place in Belfast.

22 July
30 years ago, on 22 July 1992, drug lord Pablo Escobar escaped from prison.

24 July
40 years ago, on 24 July 1962, heavy rain caused a mudslide that destroyed a bridge in Nagasaki, killing 299.

10 years ago, on 24 July 2012, 4 barrels were found in Russia containing 248 human foetuses.

29 July
75 years ago, on 29 July 1947, a gas leak caused an explosion in a Virginia beauty parlour, killing 10.

30 July
10 years ago, on 30 July 2012, popular author Maeve Binchy died, aged 72.

Over to you

I hope you find something of use. Please let me know if you do, and come back and let me know what you did with it/them and how you fared.

Good luck!