October themed topics of discussion for HWA

Creator: Konoplytska | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

As the not-so-crisp breeze of October in Hawaii sweeps through the rustling palm leaves and the world transforms into a tapestry of vibrant hues, our writers' group gathers once more to celebrate the magic of this enchanting month.

October, with its bewitching charm and a touch of the supernatural, beckons us to explore the rich tapestry of autumnal inspiration. With Halloween's playful spookiness and the cozy embrace of falling leaves, this season ignites our creative spirits. Within these discussions, we shall delve into the mysteries of spooky tales, the allure of fall's sensory delights, and the profound influence of this season on our characters and settings.

So, dear writers, let's embark on a journey through the pages of October, where imagination dances with the changing winds and creativity finds its muse in the heart of autumn. Here are some fun & creative topics for discussion that may inspire our writers' group. 

                                        🚨YOUR HWA MISSION🚨  (Should you choose to accept):
             Choose at least one topic below to discuss with the group at the next HWA meet-up. 
                       **We are meeting on October 14th, 2023 at Kona Stories from 11am-1pm.**

1. Spooky Stories: October is synonymous with Halloween, so encourage members to share or brainstorm spooky or supernatural story ideas. Discuss what makes a good ghost story or the elements of suspense in horror writing.
2. Fall Foliage and Descriptive Writing: Explore the beauty of autumn with discussions on descriptive writing techniques. Share your favorite fall descriptions and discuss how to capture the essence of the season in your writing.
3. Seasonal Settings: How does the change in seasons impact the setting of a story? Discuss the ways in which autumn settings can influence character development and plot.
4. Autumnal Poetry: Invite members to share and analyze autumn-themed poems. Discuss poetic devices like metaphors and similes that are often used to convey the feeling of fall.
5. Fall Traditions and Customs: Explore the various cultural and seasonal traditions associated with October, such as harvest festivals, Dia de los Muertos, or Thanksgiving. How can these traditions be integrated into storytelling?
6. Character Costumes: With Halloween just around the corner, talk about character costumes. How do costumes reveal or disguise a character's identity, and how can this be used in your writing?
7. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Discuss the emotional and psychological effects of autumn, particularly the onset of SAD in some individuals. How can you incorporate these themes into your characters' struggles and development?
8. Autumn Foods and Recipes: Share recipes or descriptions of your favorite autumn dishes and discuss how food can be used to enhance storytelling and world-building.
9. Writing Retreats: October can be an ideal time for writing retreats due to the cozy and inspirational fall atmosphere. Share experiences or plans for writing retreats and discuss their benefits.
10. Writing Prompts: Provide your group with October-themed writing prompts, such as "Write a story set in a haunted house" or "Describe a character's encounter with a mysterious autumn forest."
11. Fall Travel Writing: Share experiences or plans for autumn travel and discuss how travel can serve as a source of inspiration for your writing.
12. Famous October Birthdays: Research and discuss famous authors or literary figures born in October. Explore their contributions to literature and how they were influenced by the season.
13. Book Recommendations: Share and discuss books that are perfect for cozy autumn reading. What makes these books particularly enjoyable during this time of year?

​At the next meeting, let's encourage our writers' group members to share their own work inspired by these topics and to provide constructive feedback to one another. October can be a wonderfully creative and inspiring month for writers, so embrace the seasonal themes and let the creative juices flow!

Hope to see you there!

Aloha,
Zach Parker