Writing Prompts

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Imagine a conversation between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston about the Harlem Renaissance. What would they discuss?

Write a short story inspired by a poem by Phillis Wheatley, set in modern times.

If you could step into a novel by James Baldwin, which character would you be, and how would you change the story?

Create a new chapter for a book by Richard Wright. What event or theme would you explore?

Write a letter to a famous Black author, asking them for advice on writing or life.

Imagine living during the Civil Rights Movement. Write a journal entry from the perspective of a young activist.

How would Toni Morrison's characters react to today's world? Write a scene that connects her themes to modern social justice issues.

Write a poem reflecting on the Black experience in America from the perspective of someone living through the Harlem Renaissance.

Create a dialogue between a historical figure like Paul Laurence Dunbar and a modern-day social justice advocate.

Write an essay on how the works of Black writers influenced one specific aspect of the Civil Rights Movement.

After viewing an exhibit on the Harlem Renaissance, write a fictional story about an artist in the movement who was never recognized.

Imagine a day in the life of a writer from the Black Arts Movement. What does their workspace look like? What are they writing?

Write a poem about the power of words, inspired by a piece of literature displayed at the museum.

If you could curate an exhibit featuring your favorite Black author, what would you include and why?

Write a letter to your future self as a writer, reflecting on how the Black writers you admire have shaped your voice.

Write a short story that explores how a character discovers their cultural identity through the writings of Black authors.

Imagine a world where Black writers' works were never published. How would history have changed? Write an alternate history narrative.

Create a character who is a modern-day poet, inspired by the themes of Black identity in the works of Audre Lorde or Maya Angelou.

Write a personal reflection on how Black literature has shaped your own identity and worldview.

Write a poem or story that connects your personal heritage with the themes explored in a piece of classic Black literature.

Create Your Own Black Literary Hero: Design a character who is a modern-day writer, poet, or storyteller. What is their superpower or unique talent that sets them apart in the literary world?

A Day in the Life of a Book Character: Imagine you’re a character from a Black literary classic. Write a fun journal entry or letter about what your character would do in a day of the present day.

Literary Time Traveler: Write a short story where you’re transported back in time to the Harlem Renaissance. What’s the first thing you do, and who do you meet? How does the experience change your views on writing?

The Magic of Words: Write a poem or short story about a magical object inspired by a piece of Black literature. This could be an enchanted book, a mysterious pen, or a powerful manuscript that brings stories to life.

The Writer's Dream Job: Imagine you’ve just been hired to write for an imaginative literary magazine that combines the styles of Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and James Baldwin. What would your first article be about, and how would you creatively mix their styles?