Resources

Information regarding #30dayshmr has been updated and moved to the Resources page here. Please see the FAQs page for more information that may not be covered here.

#30dayshmr

Please see the Templates section for all the #30dayshmr downloadable Resources. Please see the Writing Prompts section for all the #30dayshmr writing prompts and their credits. Last updated 03.06.20

#30dayshmr was originally set up as a personal challenge, to hold me more accountable to note-taking and to help my own writing process. Essentially 30 prompts for writing poetry, #30dayshmr has evolved into my BIGGEST collaborative project to date, encouraging us all to confront our creative processes. The challenge encourages free-writing for five minutes every day, within the broad constraint of using the writing prompts. In doing this, the poems created are often messy, experimental and unstructured. When I first started writing poetry, this was one of the things I was most afraid of doing, convinced I would only be a 'good' writer if my poems were perfect straight away. But through undertaking this challenge, I have realised how essential getting things wrong is to the writing process; by seeing my mistakes, re-working my poems and playing around with structure, it has allowed me to produce better poetry and learn far more about my approach to writing than I first thought when I created this challenge.

I was sceptical about using prompts at first and put off trying them for SO LONG, but I have found this way of working helpful with my overall motivation, as I am somewhat restricted by the prompt, and so forced to think deeper (I often find myself relating prompts to specific memories and experiences that would not otherwise influence my work). Through sharing this approach with others, it allows us to consider each other's work in relation to our own, and allow our differences to improve our own poems and writing.

There have currently been twelve rounds of #30dayshmr has (that's twelve months, three-hundred and sixty different writing prompts) is taking a little, indefinite break. Here are a few of my favourite responses from some of the people who have joined in with the challenge so far. You can find more responses under the #30dayshmr hashtag on Instagram.

Celeste, @poetryandlight

Using #30dayshmr May

Day 18 prompt 'The taste of sunrise'

Karri, @innerglowpoetry

Using #30dayshmr September

Day 4 prompt 'Sunken'

September, @september.stardust

Using #30dayshmr March

Day 17 prompt 'Once was love'

OM, @obscuremonlogues

Using #30dayshmr October

Day 4 prompt 'The empty harvest'

Anna,

@expansivenessofalways

Using #30dayshmr October

Day 18 prompt 'Sophistication'

Scarlet's response to a #30dayshmr prompt

Amy, @amylittleford.author

Using #30dayshmr May

Day 1 prompt 'Broken clock'

Mona, @blossom.mist

Using #30dayshmr February

Day 6 prompt 'A beautiful smirk'

Scarlet, @a_scarlet_b

Using #30dayshmr August

Day 26 prompt 'Bliss'

Yash, @yashpoetry

Using #30dayshmr May

Day 27 prompt 'Behind the curtain'

Anna, @expansivenessofalways Using #30dayshmr December

Day 22 prompt 'When we were the happiest we ever were'

Mari, @poetessofhearts

Using #30dayshmr January

Day 5 prompt 'The journey concludes'

Nadine, @bynadinetomlinson

Using #30dayshmr May

Days 1-18 prompts

Kristiana, @kristianamst

Using #30dayshmr May

Day 24 prompt 'Vandalism'

How can I get involved?

Even though #30dayshmr is taking a little break, you can always get involved by using the prompts in any way you choose, in any order, for your own poetry and writing projects (some writers use one prompt and then go on to write a longer poem, others only use the ones they like, they also work in long-form poetry and longer fiction pieces - it's your opportunity to get creative!). You can also get involved by following my socials (@hmrwrites on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), and using the hashtag #30dayshmr (please tag me, @ me and let me know if you decide to participate in any way! I would love to read and share what you create).

*Free writing in literary terms is often referred to the technique of ‘just writing whatever comes into your head’; I usually give myself five minutes and write until the timer goes off, then I underline my favourite parts which I think I could use in my work.