Ever get stuck staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? Sometimes all you need is a little spark—and today, that spark comes in the form of five completely random, summer-inspired words. Your challenge? Use them all in one story.
Whether you’re writing flash fiction, a scene for your novel, or just warming up your creativity, this exercise will help shake loose any lingering writer’s block. Let’s dive in!
☀️ Your 5 Random Summer Words:
- Popsicle
- Tide
- Lantern
- Whistle
- Mirage
🖋️ Writing Challenge:
Write a short story, scene, or snippet that includes all five words in some meaningful way. You can twist them metaphorically, drop them into dialogue, or build a setting around them—just make sure they’re all there.
Want an extra challenge? Set a timer for 15 minutes and freewrite without stopping.
🌊 Example Starter:
The popsicle melted too quickly, dripping sticky red trails down Ella’s wrist as she watched the tide roll in. Somewhere behind her, a lifeguard’s whistle cut through the hum of beachgoers, but she barely noticed. Her eyes were locked on the strange shimmer just beyond the dunes—a mirage, maybe, or something more. As the sun dipped lower, someone lit a lantern on the pier, its glow catching her attention just long enough to make her question what she’d really seen.
💡 Tips to Get Started:
- Think about setting first: A beach? A campsite? A summer carnival?
- Use the words to inspire conflict or mood—a lost item, a ghostly mirage, a memory tied to a summer scent.
- Let one word anchor the tone. For example, “whistle” might suggest suspense, while “popsicle” could evoke nostalgia.
✨ Share Your Work
Tag me or leave a comment with your story! I’d love to see how you used these words.
Happy writing ^_^ and may your summer be full of creativity and surprise!
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 