Generations of Home and Garden
Compile a series of interviews or accounts from different generations within your family about how home and garden practices have evolved over the years. Explore traditions, innovations, and what these changes say about societal shifts in your family’s culture.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Home and Garden prompts
- Sustainable Living Starts at HomeCreate a guide to sustainable living in your own home. Discuss practices you've implemented, such as composting, rainwater harvesting, or using solar…
- Designing a Calmer HomeCover the journey of designing a serene, multi-purpose home space that balances functionality with aesthetics, highlighting elements like natural…
- The Garden Without EqualCreate a guidebook entry for an imaginary yet ideal garden. Describe the types of plants, the layout, and any unique features or decorations that make…
- The History in My HouseReflect on the history of your home from when it was built to the present day. Research its past owners, architectural changes, and any historical…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.