Hey friends,

Welcome to (or welcome back to) Writing Prompts &, a series where I share a writing prompt with you from the many writing classes I’ve taken and the zero draft it inspired.

All zero drafts were written in the span of 10-15 minutes and are completely unedited, meaning that you get a completely untouched, unrevised version of the story.

Today’s Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt: Apples

This is what I wrote.

Apples are autumn. Groves of trees, their leaves a rainbow of burnt fall reds and oranges and yellows.

Farmhouses with chalkboard signs out front. “Hot apple cider! $1!”

“Fresh donuts! $1.50 for 6!” covered in sugar crystals you can lick off your fingers. The brown paper bag wet with oil stains.

They are Halloween and Thanksgiving. The first day of school. The end of the harvest as warm becomes cold. As sun melts into snow.

Every Columbus Day, we’d rent a car and climb up and up and up the Northeast coast. Newport oceans and Salem witches. Into Maine and Montreal.

We knew how far we’d gone when the leaves were no longer green. Far enough away from home to feel free. Close enough to feel safe. Everything covered in maple, including my memories.

And we’d always stop for the apple cider donuts. The pull of apple and autumn.

That’s it for now, friends. Another Saturday in the books.

How is your season going?

Until next week. : )