There are many kinds of writing--fiction (made-up stories), non-fiction (fact-based), poetry, riddles--and all of them are fun to try.  Here are a few possible ideas to help you get started.  Just remember: Let your imagination soar like an eagle-- or a flying cow (whatever works for YOU)!

Crazy Writing

Observations

Observe things in your daily life.  Pay attention to the details.  Wonder.  Have you ever noticed the sound that a wooden bat makes when it hits a ball?  Have you ever looked at the whiskers on your dog's face?  What color is the chin stubble on your father's face on Sunday morning?  You can use your power of observation as inspiration in your writing. 

Here's a conversation poem I wrote after observing my cat upon the return from a family vacation:

Fat cat,

Look at that!

How'd you get so big?

Bottomless food bowl,

Family's away now.

Think I'll be a pig!

Riddles

Riddles are so much fun to create and share with your friends and family.  Try this:

Think of a compound word (words that are made from two different words being put together), such as "football, hotdog, sunset, halftime, catnap, homework."  Now change one of the words in your compound word to a different word that rhymes with it.  For example, if I use "hotdog" I would think of rhyming words for "hot" (cot, dot, knot, lot, pot, tot).  Have you come up with something silly yet?  Your silly new word is your riddle answer.  The next step is to come up with a funny question to go with it.  Try to connect the two words together somehow, without saying either word in the question.

Here's one I made up...

What do you get when you cross shoelaces and a Dachshund?

A knot-dog!

Poetry Fun

Poems take many forms: haiku, cinquain, limericks, free verse or shapes.  Some poems rhyme and some do not.  If you don't like to write in rhyme, then don't.  Writing poetry should be fun!  It is also personal.  Many feelings come from writing poetry: joy, satisfaction, sadness, silliness, healing.

Try this: The haiku originated in Japan, centuries ago.  It's a three-line poem, just seventeen syllables; five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line and five sylllables in the last line.  It does not rhyme.  A haiku is usually about something in nature or relate to the seasons.  Think of the season you're in right now and something that represents that season.  Write a haiku about it.  Remember, count the syllables, not the words.  Five in the first line, seven in the second line, five in the last line.

Picture This! Imagination Story Starters

Pictures are a great way to get your imagination working.  Pick up a magazine and flip through it.  When you find an interesting picture, look at it.  Really look at it.  pay attention to the details.  Ask yourself about the person, animal or place you see.  Write down the possible stories that could come from that photograph.

                                            Here are a few to try: