Two Years, 100+ Prompts, and a Whole Lot of Growth
A little over two years ago, I did something small that ended up changing everything about my writing life: I committed to a weekly writing-prompt challenge. Just one prompt a week. No pressure beyond showing up. Just be creative on the page, no editing, no judgement. Looking back now, I can honestly say it completely transformed me as a writer. And maybe even as a person. Over two years, 100+ prompts and a whole lot of growth! Honestly, I didn’t think it would last past a few weeks but here we are and still going strong.
There are some very important things I’ve taken away from the Writing Prompt Challenge. If you take up the challenge I know you’ll get the same benefits that I did and I hope you’ll take up the challenge with a couple of friends. If you’re a writer that’s been spinning your wheels for a while, now is the time to start growing. Here’s what I got from this challenge.
I Built Solid Writing Habits
There’s something magical about repetition. Week after week, sitting down to write became less of a chore and more of a ritual. Eventually the blank page stopped feeling intimidating. When writing becomes a habit instead of a “someday” goal, your creative muscles strengthen faster than you’d ever imagine.
Even on the weeks when life got complicated, that little prompt held me accountable — and taught me that consistency beats inspiration every time.
My Creativity Expanded in Ways I Never Expected
I never realized how much room there was to grow. Seriously! I had been a member of a writer’s guild for years and already had 10 or more self-published books under my belt. (All of them on Amazon. Go buy one!) The prompts pushed me to write outside my comfort zone. Weird ideas, strange worlds, unexpected characters — none of it was off-limits. I had to stretch. I had to experiment.
Suddenly, I found myself thinking more deeply about storycraft than I ever had before: pacing, theme, emotional resonance. And once you open that door, you can’t help but push your own boundaries. I’ve saved every prompt from the beginning to track the changes in character development over time. I also came to a quick realization as to how important a back story is! For a well developed short story they are almost a requirement.
I Learned About Myself Along the Way
Some prompts forced me to dig deeper. I found myself tapping into fears I’ve avoided and some I’d forgotten about, insecurities, old memories — things I hadn’t thought about in years!
I didn’t expect that.
But exploring those emotions made my writing feel more honest. I still hold back a lot in regards to this. There is a book idea I’ve had for years but fear has kept me away from getting started. However, the writing prompt challenge helped me to give my characters real depth and vulnerability. And in the process, I discovered more about who I am, too.
I Became More Thoughtful About Character Traits
Every prompt demanded a different angle, a different emotional flavor.
Resilience. Despair. Hope. Those traits became more than just labels. They turned into living, breathing parts of the story. I found myself reflecting on how people respond to hardship, joy, and loss. How one trait can shape an entire narrative. That reflection naturally led me into stronger themes. I wasn’t just telling stories… I was exploring ideas.
I Experimented — A Lot
Different genres. Different voices. Different character types.
Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t. But every attempt taught me something.
And somewhere in the middle of all that experimentation, I began to notice it happening: My own unique style. It didn’t show up all at once. It developed slowly, like a photograph in a darkroom. But now, heading into year three, I can point to a piece of writing and think, “Yeah. That’s mine.”
This is why you need to take the writing prompt challenge.
If you’re reading this wondering whether it’s worth it… I promise you, it is.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
More discipline
Stronger storytelling instincts
The ability to write even when you’re not inspired
A deeper understanding of your characters — and yourself
Dramatically improved writing skills
And if you do this challenge alongside other writers?
***You’ll find something priceless: community.
Writers often feel isolated. We create worlds alone, behind screens or notebooks. But sharing prompts, stories, and feedback connects us in a way nothing else does. That camaraderie is fuel.
Take Up the Challenge
One prompt. Every week. That’s it.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need to be “good enough.”
You just need to start.
Two years from now, you’ll be blown away by how far you’ve come — and who you’ve become. So, grab a prompt. Write something. And see where the journey leads you.
I’ll be cheering you on.

By JC Schweingrouber
For many Appalachian writers, the mountains aren’t just a backdrop. They’re a living, breathing presence in their books and stories. All the things of beauty we experience day to day and season to season in these mountains are not just settings, they are often times characters in their own right. The ridges and hollows, our winding back roads, the morning mist that clings to the mountains and valleys. Writing with a strong sense of place means dropping your readers into a world that feels authentic and rooted. In Appalachian literature, that world is often steeped in deep generational ties, rich local culture, and the push and pull of the beauty and hardships that defines life in these mountains. The hardships that define our lives.
Capturing that sense of place goes beyond naming a town or describing the landscape. It involves conjuring up a mood and memory. For example, how a rusted coal tipple smells after the rain, or the sound of a whip-poor-will echoing off a hollow at dusk. The sound of rain on the tin roof. It’s about showing how the setting shapes the characters and their values, their speech, their choices. In Appalachia, place may be inseparable from the people you are writing about. A story set in these hills should reflect that deep connection, showing how the land leaves its mark on everyone who calls it home.
One powerful technique is to let your setting influence the rhythm and tone of your story. A slow, reflective chapter or paragraph might mirror the quiet stillness of a foggy morning at South Holston Lake or on the Appalachian Trail. A shorter scene might echo the intense sharp turns of a mountain road.  Even dialogue can be used to ground the reader in place, through the gentle cadence of local dialects or the use of regional expressions. We’ve often been reminded of that cadence by Jesse Graves and his poetry. When used with care these elements make your work more authentic without leaning on caricature or stereotype.
Whether you’re writing memoir, fiction, or poetry, grounding your work in the Appalachian landscape gives it roots. Your stories become part of a larger tradition. It becomes part of a chorus of voices that preserve the unique beauty, complexity, and resilience of this region. Writing with a sense of place isn’t just about setting a scene. It’s about honoring where we come from and inviting others to understand it, one story at a time.