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Writing Nestling

How To Describe Rain In Writing (10 Important Steps)

Describing rain in writing is akin to capturing the essence of a timeless and ever-evocative phenomenon that has fascinated poets, novelists, and storytellers for centuries.

Rain, in its many forms and moods, can be a powerful narrative device, setting the stage, conveying emotions, and mirroring the complexities of human experience.

In this guide, we will explore the art of painting rain with words, delving into the sensory language that allows writers to immerse readers in the beauty and drama of a rain-soaked scene.

From sight and sound to touch, smell, and taste, we will dissect the many dimensions of rain’s sensory language and its capacity to create mood, atmosphere, and profound emotional resonance.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning your literary journey, this exploration of how to describe rain in writing will equip you with the tools to harness the poetic potential of this natural phenomenon and infuse your stories with its captivating magic.

Table of Contents

How To Describe Rain In Writing

Describing rain in writing involves using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you do just that:

Setting the Scene

Start by setting the scene and creating the right atmosphere. Describe the location and time of day. Is it a city street, a quiet forest, or a coastal town? Is it daytime or night? This contextual information helps the reader envision the rain more effectively.

Select the Right Words

Use descriptive adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to convey the characteristics of the rain. Choose words that evoke the senses. For instance, you can use words like “gentle,” “drizzling,” “torrential,” “pattering,” “incessant,” or “misty” to describe the rain.

Sensory Imagery

Engage the reader’s senses. Describe how the rain feels, sounds, smells, and looks. Does it feel cool and refreshing on the skin, or is it a chilling, biting rain? Does it create puddles and ripples? Can you hear it tapping on windows or the leaves of trees? What is the scent in the air during and after the rain?

Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes can be powerful tools. Compare the rain to something else to create a more vivid image. For example, “The rain fell like a whisper from the heavens” or “The drops were as tiny as pearls.”

Emotions and Mood

Consider the emotional impact of the rain on the characters or the setting. Rain can evoke feelings of nostalgia, melancholy, or even joy. Describe how the characters react to the rain, which can help set the mood.

Focus on Details

Pay attention to the small details that make the scene come alive. Describe the way the raindrops bead on a window, how it slicks the streets, or how it makes the world glisten.

Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of telling the reader that it’s raining, show the effects of the rain. Let the reader infer the weather from the descriptions you provide.

Use Personification

Consider giving human attributes to the rain. This can add depth to your description. For example, “The rain wept from the sky,” or “The rain danced on the rooftop.”

Structure and Flow

Arrange your descriptions in a way that mimics the rhythm of the rain. You might start with a light drizzle and gradually build up to a heavy downpour, creating a sense of anticipation and climax.

Edit and Revise

After you’ve written your rain description, edit and revise to eliminate unnecessary words and ensure that your description flows smoothly.

Remember that the effectiveness of your rain description will also depend on the overall context of your writing , the characters involved, and the emotions you want to convey. By following these steps, you can create a captivating and immersive rain scene in your writing .

Understanding Rain

Rain, that ethereal veil woven from the heavens, defies our attempts to confine its essence within mere droplets. It is nature’s symphony, a celestial dance between Earth and sky, an invitation to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things.

The gentle kiss of a drizzle awakens memories of childhood laughter, while a torrential downpour offers a cleansing catharsis.

With every drop, it whispers tales of renewal and growth, a reminder that even the darkest storms yield to the brilliance of a new day.

To understand rain is to embrace the poetry of existence, where the tears of the sky become the tears of our own souls, falling, glistening, and ultimately nourishing the gardens of our hearts.

The emotional impact of rain

The emotional impact of rain is a symphony of feelings that flows within us as seamlessly as the raindrops descend from the sky.

Rain can evoke a profound sense of nostalgia, taking us back to cherished memories of dancing in puddles or seeking refuge from life’s storms.

It carries an inexplicable comfort in its steady pattering, offering solace to those in search of introspection. Yet, rain can also mirror our deepest sorrows, its tears mingling with our own.

It has a unique power to amplify our moods, whether it’s the serenity that follows a gentle shower or the restlessness that accompanies a thunderstorm.

In the realm of storytelling, rain is a powerful emotional conduit, capable of reflecting characters’ inner turmoil, sadness, or moments of profound revelation. Rain, in its ability to mirror and magnify our emotions, remains a symbol of the ever-changing human experience.

Why rain is a popular element in literature

Rain has emerged as a perennially popular element in literature, owing to its multifaceted symbolic significance and its capacity to elicit a rich tapestry of emotions. Its duality as both a life-giving force and a harbinger of melancholy makes it a versatile tool for authors.

Rain can symbolize renewal and cleansing, as seen in its ability to rejuvenate parched landscapes, while also conveying a sense of melancholy, reflecting the intricacies of human experiences.

It often serves as a narrative device, heightening tension, foreshadowing events, or mirroring characters’ internal turmoil.

From Shakespeare’s stormy tempests to the poignant rain-soaked scenes of modern literature, the rain transcends the physical world to become a vivid metaphorical language that resonates with readers on profound emotional and thematic levels.

Its role in literature is a testament to its timeless ability to captivate, challenge, and move both writers and readers.

Sensory Language

Sensory language is the poet’s palette, the novelist’s symphony, and the artist’s brush, allowing us to paint the world with words, evoke the symphony of senses, and ignite the imagination with a single sentence.

It transcends mere words, transforming writing into an immersive sensory experience. It’s the sultry scent of a tropical rainforest, the exhilarating taste of an adventure, the velvet touch of a lover’s hand, the symphony of colors in a bustling marketplace, and the resonating echoes of a forgotten memory.

Sensory language is a key that unlocks the door to vivid storytelling, where readers don’t just read the words; they taste, touch, hear, smell, and see the narrative come alive, engaging in a dance of imagination that leaves an indelible imprint on their souls.

It’s the secret elixir that makes literature not just something to read, but something to feel and savor.

Using sight to describe rain

Using sight to describe rain is an art of painting with words, capturing the visual poetry of nature’s tears falling from the sky.

Each raindrop, like a liquid jewel, glistens as it descends, creating a shimmering curtain that blurs the boundaries between heaven and earth.

The world transforms as rain showers down, whether it’s a soft drizzle that veils the landscape in delicate mist or a fierce downpour that blurs the horizon.

The sight of rain paints emotions on the canvas of our perception, from the gray melancholy of a stormy day to the joyful, bright hues of a rainbow arching over the horizon after a cleansing shower.

It’s a visual language that writers use to evoke moods, create atmosphere, and transport readers into the heart of a story’s sensory landscape, where every raindrop is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of storytelling.

Using sound to describe rain

Using sound to describe rain is like composing a symphony of nature’s rhythms. Raindrops are nature’s percussion instruments, playing a melodic and sometimes chaotic tune as they pitter-patter on various surfaces.

The soothing sound of a light drizzle creates a delicate lullaby, while a thunderous downpour is a crescendo of raw power, a thunderous applause from the heavens.

Rain’s symphony is not just the sound of droplets on rooftops and leaves; it’s the collective voice of a million tiny performers, resonating with the heartbeat of the earth.

The rustle of rain in a forest, the rhythmic tapping on a windowpane, or the playful splashes on puddles all speak of the rain’s emotional range, from peaceful serenity to turbulent intensity.

Writers use this auditory experience to immerse readers in the very heart of a scene, where the sound of rain becomes a character in its own right, narrating a story of nature’s grand drama.

Using touch to describe rain

Using touch to describe rain is to convey the sensation of nature’s caress or onslaught on the skin. Raindrops, like tender kisses from the heavens, can bring a refreshing coolness to a sweltering day, or they can prick your skin with a chill, making you shiver.

The texture of rain varies, from the gentle touch of mist in a drizzle to the sharp, stinging embrace of a heavy shower. Writers often describe rain as a tactile experience, whether it’s the way it makes your clothes cling, the feel of droplets on your face, or the softness of moist earth underfoot.

The sensation of rain is intimate and sensory, and it can evoke a spectrum of emotions, from comfort and rejuvenation to discomfort and vulnerability.

It’s this tactile connection that allows readers to not just see or hear the rain but to feel it, making it a powerful tool for authors to deepen the immersion of their audience in the story’s world.

Using smell to describe rain

Using smell to describe rain is to unlock the earth’s hidden perfumes, released with the first kiss of moisture after a dry spell.

The scent of rain is one of nature’s most enchanting aromas, a blend of petrichor, the earthy fragrance of soil awakening, and ozone, the electrifying aroma of the atmosphere refreshed.

This symphony of scents brings with it the promise of renewal, a reminder that life continues to thrive even in the midst of a storm. The smell of rain is evocative, transporting us to memories of childhood, when the world seemed pure and full of wonder after a shower.

For writers, it’s a sensory bridge that connects readers to the primal essence of the earth, awakening nostalgia, rejuvenation, and a sense of connection to the natural world.

It’s the scent of life itself, carried on the breeze, and it allows storytelling to transcend the visual and auditory realms into the olfactory, adding a layer of depth and richness to the narrative.

Metaphors and Symbols

Metaphors and symbols are the inkwells of imagination, the keys to unlocking hidden worlds within the written word.

They are the alchemical language of storytelling, where a rose becomes not just a flower but a symbol of love, and the ticking of a clock transforms into the heartbeat of suspense.

Metaphors paint vivid pictures in the mind, revealing hidden truths through comparison, while symbols carry the weight of ages, encapsulating entire ideologies in a single image.

They are the threads that weave the tapestry of literature, enriching narratives with layers of meaning and offering readers a kaleidoscope of interpretations.

In the hands of a skilled wordsmith, metaphors and symbols are the compass and the stars, guiding readers through uncharted territory and inviting them to embark on journeys where words are not just tools but magical gateways to understanding the profound mysteries of human experience.

Rain as a symbol

Rain, in the realm of literature and symbolism, is a versatile and evocative motif that carries a multitude of interpretations.

It often embodies the notion of renewal and rebirth, as it nourishes the earth and washes away the old, much like a cleansing baptism. Rain can symbolize growth and transformation, casting a hopeful light on new beginnings.

At the same time, it’s a symbol of melancholy, encapsulating the tears of sorrow, isolation, or the weight of unfulfilled desires.

In various narratives, rain can also serve as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability and the uncontrollable forces that shape our existence.

Whether it’s depicted as a harbinger of change or a reflection of human emotions, rain remains a powerful literary symbol that beautifully mirrors the complexity of the human condition, allowing readers to explore themes of life, death, and everything in between.

Rain’s role in character development

Rain, as a literary device, often plays a pivotal role in character development. It’s like a mirror reflecting the inner world of characters.

A protagonist caught in a sudden downpour may experience vulnerability and reveal a softer side, shedding their inhibitions or bravado.

For others, a storm can symbolize emotional turmoil, acting as a catalyst for self-discovery and growth. The way a character reacts to rain, whether seeking shelter, dancing in it, or cursing it, can reveal their temperament, desires, and fears.

Rain can also be a metaphorical cleansing, allowing characters to shed their past or old beliefs, paving the way for personal transformation.

In the hands of skilled writers, rain becomes a subtle but powerful tool to deepen character arcs, illuminating the multidimensional aspects of their personalities and serving as a conduit for empathy and connection with readers.

Setting the scene in a narrative is akin to the opening notes of a grand symphony, where every detail, every brushstroke, and every whispered word has the power to transport readers into the heart of a story’s universe.

It’s the alchemy of words and imagination, where the setting becomes more than mere backdrop; it becomes a living, breathing entity that influences characters, events, and emotions.

A vividly painted setting is not just a place; it’s a mood, an atmosphere, a character in its own right, with the power to set the stage for love, tragedy, adventure, or mystery.

It’s a doorway into worlds both real and fantastical, an invitation for readers to step into the shoes of the characters and feel the pulse of the story’s heart .

In the hands of a skilled storyteller, setting is the portal to the extraordinary, the touchstone of emotion, and the architect of immersion, where every word weaves a tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations that lingers in the reader’s soul long after the final page is turned.

Emotions and Themes

Emotions and themes in literature are the twin constellations that guide readers through the vast universe of storytelling, offering a kaleidoscope of human experiences and profound insights.

Like a masterful piece of music, they orchestrate the symphony of words, each note resonating with joy, sorrow, love, or conflict.

They are the compass that navigates the complex terrain of narrative landscapes, shedding light on the profound questions that define our existence.

Emotions are the heartbeat of characters, the catalysts for empathy, and the glue that binds readers to the story’s soul. Themes, on the other hand, are the hidden gems, the golden threads that tie seemingly unrelated events into a rich tapestry of meaning.

They are the questions that stir the deepest contemplations, be it about love, morality, fate, or the very essence of humanity.

Together, they transform literature into more than just ink on paper; they make it a mirror to our souls, inviting us to explore the boundless complexity of the human condition and reminding us that, within the pages of a book, we may find the reflection of our own journeys.

Conveying emotions through rain

Conveying emotions through rain is like tapping into the heart of nature’s own poetry. Rain has an extraordinary ability to mirror and amplify the feelings of characters and the overarching mood of a story.

A gentle drizzle can evoke a sense of calm, serenity, and even romance, as it envelopes characters in a soft, comforting embrace. In contrast, a torrential downpour might signify chaos, turmoil, or despair, with its relentless onslaught reflecting the characters’ inner struggles.

Writers use rain to create emotional depth, where the weather becomes a silent yet powerful protagonist that shapes the narrative’s emotional landscape.

Rain, in its myriad forms and intensities, becomes a conduit for the raw, unspoken sentiments that swirl beneath the surface, inviting readers to connect with characters on a visceral level, as they too become drenched in the emotional downpour of the story.

Exploring common themes associated with rain

Exploring common themes associated with rain is like delving into a treasure trove of symbolism and emotion. Rain’s presence in literature often mirrors a spectrum of timeless themes.

Love and romance often find their muse in rain-soaked moments, where passionate encounters occur under the soft drizzle or in the midst of a tempestuous downpour. Rain also serves as a symbol of melancholy, capturing feelings of loss, loneliness, or unfulfilled desires.

Beyond that, it represents the idea of renewal and rebirth, akin to nature’s cleansing, washing away the old to make way for the new.

Rain can even foreshadow change, be it positive or negative, in a character’s journey. These common themes associated with rain create a rich tapestry of meaning in literature, allowing readers to connect with the human experience on a profound, emotional level, while offering writers a canvas on which to paint the essence of life’s complexities and subtleties.

Literary Techniques

Literary techniques are the kaleidoscope through which words become art, and storytelling transforms into an enchanting dance of language.

They are the secret pathways that lead readers into the hidden chambers of a writer’s imagination, offering experiences that transcend mere prose.

Metaphors and similes become the brushstrokes that paint vivid pictures, while personification breathes life into inanimate objects, making them whisper secrets in the reader’s ear.

Symbolism, like a secret code, adds layers of meaning that ripple beneath the surface, inviting readers to decode its mysteries. Foreshadowing, that subtle whisper of destiny, guides the narrative, and irony adds a tantalizing twist to the tale.

With these literary tools, writers become magicians, conjuring universes, emotions, and characters that live, breathe, and linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page is turned.

Literary techniques are the key to the door that opens into the enchanting realm of storytelling, where words are not just ink on paper but enchantments that weave a spell over the soul.

Personification of rain

Personification of rain is like granting nature its own voice and personality, turning a meteorological phenomenon into a living character in a story.

Rain, when personified, can take on qualities, desires, and emotions, transforming it into a mystical entity with intentions and whims of its own.

It becomes a silent yet powerful participant in the narrative, capable of comforting, cleansing, or causing chaos. Personified rain can express empathy for the characters, becoming a compassionate friend in their moments of solitude or a relentless adversary during their trials.

By imbuing rain with human-like attributes, writers bridge the gap between the natural world and the human experience, creating a deeper connection with the reader as they explore the complexities of this weather-wielding character.

Rain’s role in creating atmosphere and mood

Rain’s role in creating atmosphere and mood is nothing short of transformative. Whether it’s a gentle drizzle whispering in the hush of dawn or a tempestuous downpour raging against the world, rain is a maestro of ambiance.

It can cast a serene, melancholic, or foreboding aura over a scene, setting the emotional tone with a few drops or a deluge.

The sound of raindrops can serve as a lullaby, soothing the soul, or a cacophony, intensifying suspense. The glistening streets after a shower can evoke serenity, while the gray clouds of an impending storm can shroud a narrative in tension.

Rain’s ability to mirror and amplify emotions, to dance between the mundane and the extraordinary, makes it an invaluable tool for writers in shaping the mood of their stories, turning the weather itself into a silent, atmospheric character.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How To Describe Rain In Writing

What’s the importance of effectively describing rain in writing.

Describing rain in writing is crucial for setting the mood, creating vivid imagery, and immersing readers in the story’s atmosphere. It can convey emotions, add depth to your narrative, and make your writing more engaging.

How can I make my rain description stand out from others?

To make your rain description unique, focus on sensory details, metaphors, and personification. Add elements that are specific to your story’s setting or characters to make the scene more memorable.

Can you provide some examples of metaphors for describing rain?

Certainly. You can describe rain as “teardrops from the sky,” “a silver curtain,” “a melody of droplets,” or “nature’s soothing lullaby.” Metaphors can evoke powerful images in the reader’s mind.

What are some words to avoid when describing rain?

It’s best to avoid clichés and overused words like “wet,” “dripping,” and “pouring.” Instead, opt for more creative and evocative terms that capture the rain’s unique qualities.

How can I evoke the sound of rain in my writing?

To evoke the sound of rain, use onomatopoeic words like “pattering,” “drumming,” “tapping,” or “whispering.” You can also describe how the rain sounds on different surfaces, such as leaves, roofs, or windows.

Are there any tips for describing the emotional impact of rain on characters?

To describe the emotional impact of rain, show how your characters react. Do they find solace in the rain, or does it bring them sorrow? Use their actions, thoughts, and dialogue to convey their emotions.

Should I use first-person or third-person perspective to describe rain effectively?

The choice of perspective depends on your writing style and the narrative voice. Both first-person and third-person perspectives can be effective. Consider which perspective best suits your story and characters .

How can I create a unique rain description for a specific genre, like fantasy or mystery?

Tailor your rain description to fit the genre. For a fantasy setting, you might incorporate magical elements, while a mystery could use rain to build suspense or reveal hidden clues. Let the genre guide your description.

Is it better to start or end a scene with a rain description?

There’s no strict rule, but you can experiment with both. Starting with a rain description can set the mood, while ending with it can leave a lasting impression. The choice depends on your narrative structure.

How can I avoid over-describing rain and bogging down my narrative?

Keep your descriptions concise and relevant to the story’s context. Focus on key moments and use rain descriptions strategically to enhance the narrative without overwhelming it. Less can often be more.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to describing rain in writing . Your approach should align with your story’s unique needs and your personal style as a writer.

In conclusion, the art of describing rain in writing is a window to the world of emotions, atmospheres, and sensory experiences that transcend mere words.

Rain, as both a natural phenomenon and a powerful literary device, has the capacity to enrich narratives, deepen characters, and connect with readers on profound levels.

As we’ve journeyed through this exploration of sensory language, metaphors, symbolism, and the intricate ways rain impacts storytelling, we’ve seen how the mere mention of rain can evoke a symphony of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and how it can add layers of meaning to the narrative.

Rain is more than just precipitation; it’s a vehicle for storytelling, a mirror reflecting our human condition.

By mastering the techniques of describing rain, writers can harness the evocative power of this natural element to create immersive, memorable, and emotionally resonant stories that leave an indelible mark on their readers’ hearts.

So, let the rain be your muse, and let your words dance with its beauty and complexity, inviting your readers to experience the magic of rain through your stories.

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Master List for Describing Weather

A lot of writers struggle with describing settings. I’ve written before about how to describe settings and why it matters , but a few people have told me they’d like me to do some of my master lists for writers to help them out!

I have a weird love for creating lists like this, so I’m happy to do it. “How to describe weather” seemed like a good place to start. This way, you won’t get stuck trying to figure out how to describe nice weather, or thinking up ways to describe rain. Hopefully, this will make your writing go faster.

I always include simple as well as more creative ways to describe or write about weather. Sometimes, the simple word is the one you want! I included dryness and humidity in a few of the categories because it felt weird for them to get their own.

As always, this is not a comprehensive list, and I might add to it. My list will probably make you think of other possibilities, too. Bookmark or pin it for future writing reference!

HOT WEATHER

blazing sunshine

glaring sun

baking in the sun

sun-drenched

scorching heat

extravagant heat

relentless sun

like a suana

dense tropical heat

radiating heat

blistering heat

oppressive heat

insufferable heat

suffocating heat

heat pressing down

searing sun

shimmering heat

like an oven

like a furnace

WARM / PLEASANT WEATHER

(“Pleasant” is a matter of opinion, of course.)

a beautiful day

a clear day

a temperate day

a golden day

a glorious day

heavenly weather

bright and sunny

a gorgeous spring day

a dazzling summer day

a brilliant autumn day

a vivid blue sky

a cloudless sky

fluffy white clouds

gentle sunshine

lazy sunshine

kind sunshine

filtered sunlight

dappled sunlight

welcome warmth

one of those rare, perfect days

the kind of day that made people forget to worry

the kind of day that lifted people’s moods

COOL WEATHER

refreshing air

stimulating cool air

invigorating cool air

bracing cool air

a nip in the air

a brisk day

a chilly day

weak sunshine

GRAY / OVERCAST WEATHER

(Most people don’t like gray days, so most of these descriptions are negative. I love them, so I had to add a few positive descriptions.)

colorless sky

a soft gray sky

a dove-gray sky

a gray day made for books and tea

steel-gray sky

granite sky

cement-gray sky

threatening clouds

foreboding clouds

COLD WEATHER

glacial air

bitter cold

brutal cold

bone-chilling cold

penetrating cold

devastating cold

numbing cold

punishing cold

dangerous cold

unforgiving cold

too cold to talk

so cold it burned one’s lungs

so cold it took one’s breath away

like a blast from a hair dryer

a gust of wind

insistent winds

heavy winds

strong winds

cutting wind

whipping winds

biting wind

wintry squall

violent gale

howling wind

shifting winds

restless wind

fresh breeze

soft breeze

balmy breeze

perfumed breeze

slight breeze

hint of a breeze

stirring breeze

wind rustling through the trees

fine drizzle

gray drizzle

pebbles of falling rain

spitting rain

stinging rain

steady rain

rain falling in torrents

cascades of rain

rain beating down

shower of rain

sheets of rain

hard-driving rain

pelting rain

lashing rain

slashing rain

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

rumbling in the distance

a roll of distant thunder

crash of thunder

crackle of thunder

crack of thunder

clap of thunder

bang of thunder

booming thunder

rattled with thunder

earth-shaking thunder

tempestuous

a furious storm

flash of lightning

streaks of lightning

SNOW AND ICE

flurries of snow

dancing flakes

snowflakes floating down

snowflakes wafting down

swirling snow

falling thick and fast

big flakes falling like petals

blinding snowstorm

raging blizzard

sparkling expanses

blankets of white

caked with snow

boulders of snow

branches coated in ice

glittering ice

crystallized by frost

silvered with frost

clouds of mist

swirling mist

billowing fog

cloaked in mist

cocooned in fog

shrouded in fog

enveloped by fog

smothered by fog

made mysterious by fog

the fog rolled in

the fog was burning off

the fog was lifting

the fog was clearing

the fog was dissipating

I have many lists like this in my book Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More . Check it out!

Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donovan

Do you describe weather conditions in your writing? Do you have a favorite example of a weather description? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!

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How To Describe Settings – and Why It Matters #how to write more descriptively #how to describe scenery in writing #how to make a novel longer

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1001 Writing Prompts About Rainy Days

March 17, 2021

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If you are familiar with anime, you’ve probably heard of Weathering with You—an animated film that tells the story of a high-school boy who ran away to Tokyo and befriended an orphan girl with the ability to manipulate the weather. It is set in a world wherein rain never stops, so the people have learned to accept the gloomy weather as a part of their everyday life.

The film was written and directed by the Japanese animator, filmmaker, and manga artist Makoto Shinkai. According to an article published by Deadline, Shinkai was inspired to create the film because of his interest in climate change. In an interview, he said he wanted to make a story about young people dealing with the environmental issue because he had noticed that the world has changed so much because of climate change.

Isn’t it interesting how a person was able to create such a unique story because of the long-term changes in our weather patterns?

Maybe you could also do the same by challenging yourself to write stories inspired by your observations about the weather. Check out this list of writing prompts about rainy days for inspiration:

Write about a spooky night scene with a mysterious atmosphere.
Escape from the rainy circumstance. Write about it.
Write about the love for rainy days.
Write about a night of dreams that rain was inside of you rather than outside.
A family reunion on a rainy day goes awry.
Write about how you feel when you hear heavy rain on the roof.
Write about the feelings of rain.
Write about an endless rain ruining a beautiful moment.
I wrote a poem about these prompts.
Write about a dark and stormy night that you lived through.
An umbrella won’t protect you, it’s way too late for you to be walking the streets, don’t you know?
Someone hides inside your home.
Write about your character chasing down a raindrop, or rather, not being able to catch one.
Find beauty in the little things.
Write about the absurdity of the phrase “the pot calling the kettle black”.
Write about a rainy day from your future.
Write a letter to a loved one who has disappeared.
You have died from a terrible drowning accident…
There’s an off-limits area at the end of my street.
A normal day in the rain is like any other.
Write about the awkward weather.
Includes writing prompts about snow days as well…
He tells you three stories that change you forever.
The spider is happily spinning its web in the center of the room.
Rain falls on the window like teardrops from a princess.
Write a letter from a collector to a person who owes money. Write the first page.
Write a story about a rain dance.
People fear the rain, but it is necessary for us.
Write about a time in your life when it rained.
For every paragraph of flippant fiction, write one paragraph of more serious fiction. Don’t reveal what’s been written, instead have others guess between authoring flippant or serious fiction.
The sun has finally come out after a hard summer of storms.
An angel must choose between the golden light of Heaven and the sunset of Town.
Write about a day spent hiking in the rain.
Write about your least happy memory about rainy days.
Home videos tell the tale of a family lost to the rain.
Write using one or more of your senses.
It’s a love story that begins with 4 letter words. Everyone is asking them how, but nothing is coming from you.
Sometimes, you have to get hurt before you can heal.
You survived the flood but now you must live in the sewers.
Write about the bratty kids who are always violently fighting in the house. Bonus points if they’re siblings.
Then make your day with a simple gesture.
Shipwreck! Be a castaway on an island. Write about your description of the island, your survival skills, etc. You are there for as long as you want to be. You know it will rain every day, and you know that you may never get rescued. What is your life like? Are you agreeable? Does the island get on your nerves? You are not sure when you eat, when you sleep, when you do anything. It is not important, the only thing that matters is that every day, the rain rains down on you.
Tropical rainforests don’t always enjoy sunshine, but are rather full of rains and storms during some times of year.
Write about the worst rain storms you’ve been in.
Write a fictional story about a rainy day.
Write a story about the greatest festival in the world. It always rains on that day.
The sky turns dark outside just as you’re about to give up on your homework.
You wake up from a vivid dream, only to find that the weather outside is exactly like the dream.
Write about a rainy walk home from work.
Write a poem about the rain and the power it holds over the plants.
Describe the beauty of falling rain, the smell of the wet ground.
Write a poem about rain.
Write about your day when it rains.
Write about making the best of a rainy day. Pick one rainy day based on place, time, or topic, and write about it.
Write a short story featuring a truck driving through the rain.
Write about dark rainy nights.
A raindrop falls from the sky, and promptly dissolves into your tears.
Yesterday was sunny and calm. Today is the opposite. Write about how this change affects your day.
Describe what life was like before it rained.
Write about your favorite rainy day rituals.
Write a love letter to rain.
Write about what it is like to experience a rain storm.
You sit on your porch for hours, observing the rain fall.
Write about a food you’d like to be served while it rains outside.
Clear stormy skies reveal a meteor shower overhead.
Write about your first unpleasant experience with the rain.
Write about finding shelter in the rain.
You wake up to the sound of pouring rain outside.
Write about your worst rainy day experience.
Your main character can’t stop thinking about the dark and stormy night.
Name 3 things you enjoy most about rainy days.
Understandably, the liquid freezes on solid surfaces, yet here you are. Fire lingers within the unlit fireplace.
Write about the cloud seeding going on in another part of the country.
You’re stuck inside, sick with the flu.
Create a food that brings thoughts of rainy days.
A boy and his mother hide together from the pouring rain in their fort made of sheets.
Start with a title and no ending.
You step outside to admire the rain, forgetting that your umbrella is broken.
Write about a game of hide and seek in the rain.
A standing puddle on a rainy day.
What beauty lies on a cloud-covered night?
The sun doesn’t come out until…
The dark man with the yellow umbrella shared some secrets with me.
I hope you enjoyed this list of writing prompts using the theme of rainy days. Leave me a comment before you head off and please share. If you need more prompts, check out my posts on going on a trip , visiting the city , and going to school . And, if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to sign up for my free newsletter to get more writing prompts, news about my books, and exclusive short stories not published anywhere else!
Inside a giant, pumpkin patch with no face.
Write about a rainy day you remember with a friend. Tell me about a rainy day when you were in high school. Tell me about a rainy day when you were in college. What is the significance of a rainy day? What do you do when it rains? What do you make of this list of photography ideas for rainy days? Aren’t they amazing? Which one is your favorite rainy day idea? Feel free to write us a comment.
Write a love poem about your significant other when one of you stays home sick while the other goes to work.
Rain drops become tears. Write about your life.
Write about your day soaking in the rain.
A homeless man begs for change from you, as he’s patiently standing in the pouring rain.
Write about the memory you would have from a rainy day.
Write about the weirdest thing you discovered on a rainy day.
Write about a lost person in the rain.
The pavement glistened in the shining streetlight. Its’ reflection flickered in the puddles, like the stars in the night sky.
Write about a rainy day that was from your childhood.
A plane crashes into the side of a building
Build a comical conversation between two characters who have to walk home in a rainstorm.
Are rainy days your favorite of all the days? Explain your answer.
Write about rainy days when you were a child.
Write about your thoughts on rainy days.
Rainy day gum
Write about a message sent with a carrier pigeon.
Write about what you are doing when the rain begins to pour.
Write about a dramatic rainy day.
Be careful driving, don’t hit anyone.
The world dries up and the dead rise.
Write about the hospitality of a stranger in your neighborhood.
Four grandparents are sitting around a table, bragging about their grandkids.
You open the door to see a person, who looks… you can’t quite tell.
You’re eating at a restaurant and it’s raining outside.
There is a sense of melancholy in the rain.
A raindrop is about to drop from the sky when…
On a rainy day, you look up at the sky and see a rainbow.
Write about this day in the life of a stormtrooper.
Colour outside the lines.
Write about things you remember about rainy days.
They say they have been walking through the rain for twice as long as you’ve been alive, and demanded to come in to do the final thing on their list. What did they say?
Describe the quiet of the day after the rain has stopped.
The next day, the rain never stops.
The first time you met your lover on a rainy day.
You walk outside to contemplate life and find yourself under a tree as it is raining cats and dogs. Write about that interaction.
Write about having to hide when it rains.
Your car has broken down and you’re trapped inside, write about what happens next.
Write a short story in a rainy setting.
You tell me that you are crying because no one understands you.
Keep the forces of nature grounded!
Stop staring at the ceiling and listen to words of a man soaked in rain.
Shout your favourite colour. Write down that word on a piece of paper. Tear it to pieces, and hide it. Write down a sentence that describes the colour.
Write about your neighbor, the crazy alchemist.
Write about a rain filled bird bath.
The rain drummed against the windows of the house.
You are trapped in a maze and it’s raining.
It’s still raining. The crops we worked so hard to grow withered overnight into nothingness.
Write about the last time you cried.
Rainy day writing prompts that trigger memories
The old man wore a hat and carried a newspaper.
Write a letter home to your parents about the day’s weather.
List five of those days where your family was stuck cooped up inside.
Write a poem about rainy days.
Write about a rainy day that you regret.
Write about a rainy day when your past is catching up to you.
What do a pirate and a rainy day have in common?
Write about life in a heaven of peace and rain.
A memory from a rainy day.
You try to read, but you can’t focus. The pounding of the rain on the roof drowns out all other sounds.
A girl cries as she sits on a bench in a public park, watching the rain.
Write about a person going through a bad storm.
Why does the rain seem to pause between the buildings but cascade so rapidly from the heavens when it’s over them?
Use your knowledge of beauty products and write a satirical column called “Help for Hags” about their usage on rainy days when one looks tired.
You walk into a room to find your husband lying dead on the floor. The windows are wide open. Snow drifts in from the storm. The curtains whip in the wind. In disbelief, you fall to your knees as rain mists your eyes.
Write about the sound of rain against the walls of your house at night.
It began when they entered high school. Nobody ever thought that it would happen to them. Now they have experienced it first-hand.
Write about a rainy day that changed you forever.
Rain taps upon my nose.
A girl walks alone in the rain.
A loved one has left you to wander in the rain, for an entire week.
Your mother says it’s time for school, but you don’t want to go. The sky is bright white. Write about it.
Write about a person you admire from a distance.
There’s no place to run from this downpour.
Write a story about a girl, boy, man, or woman who isn’t afraid to get their shoes wet.
You wake up to the sound of howling wind and the patter of rain on your bedroom window. You get up and look out, but can only see the grayness of an oncoming storm. You try to go back to sleep, but fear that later the storm will turn into a hurricane. You can’t eat to calm your nerves. The winds howl like a wolf’s baying howl.
It was a hot muggy summer’s night when it began to rain.
Write about your grandmother’s cookie recipe.
It was sunny and warm outside. Sprinkles of rain now began to fall.
He wears a black hat.
A mad scientist sewn together animals into monstrosities made to destroy the world, and only you can stop him.
Discuss your rainy day wishes.
The rain won’t stop. You know what it means. You must get out and stop them.
Tie a shawl around her shoulders and pull down your window shades.
Write about running the first red traffic light.
Write about an outing that gets out of hand in the rain.
Write about the effect of raining on someone.
Write about being stuck in the house with a foul smell coming from your kitchen or bathroom.
Write a story about a rainy day
The world gets flooded, except for a little bit of dry space, and it rains, and rains, and rains.
Write a letter to someone stating why they are wrong.
Write about two people caught in a storm.
List 5 ways to fit in when there is no sun!
Do you invite her in?
The rain gets worse at night.
Write about the horror of rainy days.
A treasure is hidden beneath the broken corner of this wall.
After the storm comes the quiet. The feeling of peace.
Write about why running makes you feel better.
Write about the misty landscape before the rain.
The weather outside is frightful…
Write about your favourite rainy day.
Describe what happens after a big storm.
An immense noise shatters the fragile silence.
It’s not safe to be outside, not when rain falls from the sky like this.
The end of the world happened when it was raining out.
The sky is dark and nothing but the crackling of thunder can be heard in the distance .
Rain taught me a valuable lesson about forgetting to take the trash out.
The pitter patter of rain shivers my window sill.
Write a story about a girl whose cat disappears during a storm.
She claims she can speak to the dead.
Blood Curdling screams echo through the woods.
Write about everyday life on rainy days.
The sky glows in the dark night.
You wake up to the sound of the rain steadily tapping against your window.
A shelter is what you need. Seek refuge.
Write about insomnia and the unreal feeling of nighttime when there is no light.
Write about a time when you were stuck indoors by the rain.
Your character has no umbrella, and now he is wet to the skin. Write from his perspective.
You arrive home after the rain has finally stopped.
People long for sunny days.
Write in the frame of mind of someone who has a lifetime flashing before their eyes.
The leaves crunch and soak up the puddle underneath them. Impossible to avoid.
Water is the blood of the Earth Mother. As we bleed, she bleeds.
Write about your neighborhood on a rainy day.
Write a poem in the style of your favorite artist.
Write about a rainy day when you did something totally unlike yourself.
It was a miserable evening because of the rain. The movie had to be canceled. Your favorite sports team lost in the rain. It’s been ages since you’ve gone outside, and you’re all cooped up in the house. There’s nothing to do but write about the storm.
The stench of salt, the burning sun. Two things which do not go very well with each other.
Did you know that some scientists for nefarious purposes. Many governments. And scientists say. Those days of rain. Might not be that bad.
I see stormy skies, leading my eyes to the walls of grey.
It’s your favorite weather. Write about why.
A glimpse of hope appears when the rain finally stops.
Write about the worst rainy day you’ve ever lived through.
Write about your struggle with chronic illness.
Find beauty in rainy days through art.
The grey clouds part, and you see the sun.
Write what you would do if it were your last rainy day on earth.
Write about what you do during the rainy days of summer.
Write about a day from your past that you would like to go back to.
The rain falls softly without water.
Write about what happens to the world when it rains. What are the consequences? What are some of the great trials caused by a single raindrop?
Write about your most awesome rainy day experience.
Explain why you don’t like rainy weather.
We call them haunted clouds.
The storm raged on for days. No end in sight.
Your prince has taken your apologies and still gone away. You will beg the rain to stop…if you can.
Village of Ravens was a dark fantasy story of betrayal. It was only available as an eBook and was included in the Dark Wings anthology by Ink Smith Publishing in December 2016. In February 2017 it will be included in the anthology Space Pirates by Unwholly Books.
Write about a rainy day that you would rather forget.
It’s been 6 days and it still won’t stop raining.
Explain how a rainy day affects you.
Write about how you became a writer.
Write about the worst rainy day of your life.
You fall down in your coffin-like bed, bringing the soft sheets in with you. “Lovely, drenching rain.”
Write about a rainy day.
Write about the struggle of survival in order to escape a storm.
Write about how you felt about a rainy day.
Does the rain cure or cause a sickness?
This is the first day of summer vacation when you realize it’s going to be raining for days.
Shine your driving lights.
A rainy afternoon makes you realize how grateful you really are.
The trees at the end of your street are yearning to be saved.
The rain is getting heavier and is penetrating your home.
It’s coming down… show me your silliness!
Some pillows, soft from being blown dry in the dryer, a good book, a gust of wind causing a tree …
The rain is blocking your view of the city, but you can still hear it.
Giant trees scattered all around torn apart by lightning strikes.
A small drop of water on a rain free day.
Walk outside in the pouring rain and go somewhere.
Write about the end of a relationship.
Tell how you spent your day.
Your partner ordered you to write. You attempted to write and failed miserably.
Use a coin to decide your fate. Will it be heads or tails?
Write about the moment you receive a letter from your secret lover, who is in another kingdom.
You stepped out into the garden when the downpour began. Having been unaware of this, you realize that you cannot see the light of your own home. You keep walking, trying to find your way home.
Try to cheer up a friend by reminding them of the beauty of those rainy days.
Rain drops trickle down your window.
They want to stay in for the night.
Something vital is hidden in the rain.
A window in a rainstorm.
You can write historical fiction scenarios with this dark and dreary setting. You can also write a suspense or mystery story.
A chance encounter on a rainy day.
Write as if you’ve been living in a world without rain. Your roof sprung a leak and it began to rain inside your house for the first time.
You wake and hear the rain pattering against your window.
Write about a rainy day that becomes clear of the clouds only to reveal the destruction caused by the flood.
After the downpour in the woods, a fairy appears.
A car crash results in your retirement, but it’s OK because it’s raining! Narrate it.
It’s always raining in Summerfield. No one seems to mind, though.
Write about a rainy day and the impact it has on a particular place. Where?
It is a rainy day, and you are excited to finally write your book.
Everybody has to avoid those dark clouds…
Write about a memory of ghostly rainy days.
Write about trying to survive a storm.
Write about the beauty of rainy-afternoons.
Leave the house on a rainy day on impulse. Describe where you end up.
After being caught outside in the stormy weather, you find a friend in someone you least expect. What happens?
Create a dramatic setting where it is always raining.
Write from the point of view of the rain.
Your car breaks down and you’re stranded in the middle of a rainstorm.
Someone has found a scroll with strange text on it. They ask you to copy it for them.
When a rainy day goes bad.
When it rains, the drain always seems to get clogged up.
Write about your reaction.
Write about the mysterious man who visits you on rainy days.
It’s cold and soggy outside.
A rainy night at the beach.
Write about yourself on a rainy day.
The darkness seems menacing as the dark clouds roll in
Write a letter. To the sun.
What does the rain sound like to you?
You wake up and discover the world is flooded.
Give a character weather-based superpowers.
Write about a rainy day from your childhood.
Write about the moment that rains stop.
The moment before the storm hits.
The night where you tried to wait up for the sunrise.
Write about the song the rain sings.
Write about your surroundings. What do you see, hear, and smell?
What are you doing inside the house? Don’t have the urge to play in the rain?
A conversation between two girls meeting for the first time in a crowded waiting room…
Why do we love the rain so much? Give a detailed list of your favorites.
7. Love and Emotions
The rain falls unusually hard for this time of year.
Speak to your inner child. How do rainy days make you feel?
An unexpected storm covers the town in darkness.
Write about a day that seems so much like any other that it doesn’t seem like anything at all.
Write about your house on a rainy day.
Write about a love story that is hopeless.
She hands you an olive branch.
Write about being caught in a torrential downpour.
Envision you are a stone lying on your bed. Using five senses, describe your experience and feelings about the rain.
The sky is dark and grey. There is a rhythm in the raindrops.
Describe a rainbow. In as much detail as possible, you describe the arc of the rainbow, the colors of the rainbow, and the environment at the origin of the rainbow.
Write about the first time you went to the beach, or an important beach memory.
Write a dream sequence about an unsettling rainy day.
Venus comes out from behind the clouds.
Describe how the monotonous, steady sound of the rain really relaxes you.
The rain is a great tapestry upon which my thoughts and feelings are woven…
You just bought a new umbrella and are excited to show it off.
Someone has begun to heavily stalk you.
Step outside on a rainy day. Notice how the rain takes on a particular scent.
You always wished to write like the world is ending. Why not try that thought to fit on a rainy day?
This could be a horror story or a fantastical one full of wonderful creatures.
Revel in the wonder of a boring and rainy day.
A character receives a message that changes their perception of the world.
When it rains, your mind goes into overdrive.
Write about a rainy day from a parent’s point of view.
Write about a rainy day that takes a tragic turn.
Write a story about a rainy day gone terribly wrong.
It was a dry, dry day… an inhospitable day to be outside so the air conditioner was running full blast… which, unfortunately, wafted a putrid odor throughout the house… which, unfortunately, caused your mood to drop like a rock. You banished everyone outside to play. After an hour, they started knocking on the back door.
Write about your favorite rainy day memories.
A drop of rain begins to write a letter.
You’re walking in the forest, watching the rain drip down from the leaves and branches.
Rain does crazy, unpredictable things.
What happens when the constant rains flood so far it covers the earth’s mountains? Who is that strange creature that appears in the waters?
A lightning bolt strikes you, transfiguring you into a vampire.
Icy tendrils twine around the bare trees and tug them as hard as the wind.
Write about a rainy night that was so deadly.
You’re watching the world through a rain-soaked window.
Write about a magical land where water is precious.
There’s nothing to be said when your child co
Spend an afternoon in the woods with a forgotten chest from a shipwreck.
Memories are worth cherishing during rainy days.
Write about falling under the spell of the rain.
What if we lived on a planet where it never rained?
How would you describe this rainy season?
Write about a dog or cat that looks like rain.
Write about a rainy day that changed your life.
I went to a carnival once and they had terrifying nightmare machines.
Write a poem about riding in a hot air balloon over the rainforest and watching the trees sway through a foggy dome of ominous darkness.
Shoes are rarely worn these days, since the good weather disappeared.
A grieving widow, standing alone next to her boyfriend on his open grave.
Write a time-travel romance where the only way she can go back is by flying to the tropics, just after a hurricane.
A boy on the beach, alone, wishing the rain would leave him alone.
It had not rained since Yk’thulghk, which was rumored to be the end of all planetary water, and now all that rain is back.
Write about a monster lurking under bed with the sole purpose of getting wet and spooking the reader with children.
Someone’s life is flashing before her eyes while floating in a lake of rain water.
Write about a moment of peace.
Write about the last time it rained on you.
Addressing a feline that has always been in the house…
It’s far too cold and wet today for anyone to be in a good mood.
Write about a rainy morning. A rainy high noon. A rainy sunset. A rainy midnight.
Write about the loss of faith in one rainy day.
The smell of mushrooms in the air is more potent today because of the rain.
You have the day off work, but because of the weather, there won’t be much to do.
“Ah, nothing like a good old storm to make your point.” He pulled out a knife, ready to fight.
Remember a rainy day long ago.
Write about what you can learn from rainy days.
It was a cold, rainy day when he found the Golden Snitch
Write about a rainy day in a foreign land.
What would you do if you woke up and the clouds were gone?
A rainstorm is making it impossible to sleep because it’s so loud outside.
A girl is walking down the sidewalk, her head tied with her raincoat. She looks very upset. Write a poem about what she had been through.
People get upset when they realize that they will never see the sun again. What are their reactions?
Drive home in a storm and write about it.
Write about the first time you defeated the Ultimate Ninja.
You’re sitting in your bedroom, enjoying the sound of the rain hitting your roof.
You’ve been forced to work outside in the storm.
On rainy days, the smaller things are more beautiful. Describe one of them.
She takes off her raincoat and reveals a soaked dress.
Write about the worst time you’d ever spent on a rainy day. What happened?
Write your own old-fashioned weather advertisement.
It may be considered bad luck, but it’s a rainy night and your date is late.
The scent of fresh rain invades your room and you can’t sleep.
Your dog disappears, it turns out to be a full moon.
Write about your first memory of the rain.
What would you do if you couldn’t go outside anymore?
People have discovered a water source in the barren desert. All of the sudden, everyone is trying to get to this new oasis. You’re trying to find out why, too.
It hasn’t rained for years.
A sunrise in a dark and dreary city.
A novel made up of short stories, one for each day of the week, with each story having something to do with rain.
Write a poem that describes the feeling of rain hitting the ground.
Have each character be affected by inclement weather.
5. We write to tell stories. Why tell what they think they know?
Write about the first time it rained? What surprised or scared you the most about it?
It is a story-telling website, and many seasons and weather are available. Famous authors and individuals have written stories using these prompts, to find them all,
Write about a character who’s always weathering the storm, no matter where they are.
Write about your own experience of a rainy day.
The dirty snow melted, leaving behind a shiny layer of black ice.
Write about someone who embraces rainy days.
From the lips of a rain spout, to the blue ink on your notebook’s pages, all will be washed away when the sun finally shines once again…
Tell your readers your name.
The world begins to fall apart through rain.
Describe what you do when it rains.
Our inner child catches a cold from the dripping rain.
A wild forest fire sweeps through a jungle, leaving the wildlife wet from all the water. Write from an animal’s perspective.
Write about a place that hasn’t seen rain in years.
The world went black, along with all the lights, and the rain continued to pour down.
Write about the end of a rainy day.
Write about a rainy day that changed your life forever.
Describe your favorite rainy day.
Remember the good times from when you first started dating.
Write about winter by describing rain.
You get a call from someone who’s trapped in an alley during a downpour.
What if the earth had no rain?
The night sky is full of water. So beautiful.
Explain how you feel about gloomy weather.
I stare out the window at the rain, watching the birds flee the skies for shelter.
It’s pouring rain. You open your window to let the fresh air in.
Describe a rainy day in your childhood.
Your pet is caught in the rain. Write a poem about this.
I hate rainy days!
Write about a time you experienced bad weather.
Write about your favorite shady spot.
A mysterious man is standing in the shadows. What are his intentions?
Write about a rainy heist.
Write a piece about a missing person or someone you miss on rainy days.
Describe the first time you saw the rain.
The better thou knowest thyself, the more pain thou canst Lake.
Write about the end of the world.
You’re walking through the park, and you discover an unexpected boy.
Write about how rain can relate to crime.
Most people love rainy days. You do not. Write about your experience.
Write about two people going through a divorce or a separation. One of them cheated on the other. Both of them are fighting for everything they have. Rain is trying to stop them, but they remain stubborn to find each other.
Head out and write about a rainy day.
An unidentifiable object lands in your yard and you smash it open with a shovel.
Write about the nastiness of rainy days.
Imagine a rainy urban fantasy.
A young man walks up to you, extending his hand, he proclaims with a grin to share his umbrella with you.
Avoid trying too hard to be fancy. It’s bad enough that it’s raining.
Write about the strangest sound you’ve heard on a rainy day.
Memories from the past…
Write about life before the rains.
Write about exciting things that happen when it rains.
A person sits in the rain staring at a wall.
Write a self-reflective, sad and mostly short haiku poem about how ugly rain and violence make you feel.
Write about how the rain drowned the world.
Write the first thing on your mind when you wake up on a rainy day.
Write about a first love that goes sour.
A petty thief tries to break into your house in the middle of the night, but the weather opposes it.
It is raining so hard, you can’t see the sidewalk.
A conversation on a melancholy, rainy day.
You find yourself trapped inside the house because of the rain.
A father tells his son a story on a rainy day.
Write about your first kiss, when it was raining.
The death of someone you loved was caused by the rain.
Write a short monologue about your disappointment about the weather.
Whether it be fictional or realistic, write about a rainy day.
Write about a rainy day that’s happening in the middle of summer.
It is stopped by a mysterious man who appears just outside your door and instantly says he knows everything about everyone.
Write about the first time you and your best friend met.
Signs of life in the city.
You wake up to the sound of a leaky roof. You are grateful it’s just a little leak, and not water pouring in.
How did you spend your rainy day?
Write about a rainy day when you were a child.
You’ve lost everything to the floods.
For your own safety, you must escape now, and survive the cruel weather.
Something weird happened while the sun was out.
Write about the rain.
Is it ever okay to cheat on your spouse?
How many days until it stops?
Write about a time when you were caught in a rain shower with a loved one.
Enjoy the rain while it’s outside of your window.
A child walks home through the downpour carrying a broken umbrella on a school day.
She is bleeding from her hand.
Write about a troubled, rainy relationship.
Write about the sad feeling of not being understood.
Write about a rainy day from the point of view of your favorite water drop.
Reality and fiction mixes together in today’s world.
Joseph lives for rainy days. There’s a smell in the air that only comes around on rainy days.
You are trapped, unable to get from inside to out.
Write what you would do, if you were in such a situation.
Something miraculous happened the other day, because of that wonderful rain storm.
The sky reminds me of angels.
A lone ship sails on a stormy sea, searching for home.
A flash of lightning lights up the sky.
Write about the true power of rain.
The rainbow was placed in the sky the moment you were born.
For the remainder of today, it will never stop raining.
You answered the door, to see a stranger. Wet from head to toe, with nothing but a flower.
It starts to rain a few days before they arrive.
Write about sharing a rainy day with a pet.
Write about the sounds of the rain.
The reader is only shown things from the second person.
Write about a rainy day when chores need to be finished.
A child opens the door.
Write about a person you miss on rainy days.
Write a diary entry about the day when it rained forever.
You are riding in your car, when all of a sudden it starts to rain.
The End of the Dwarves
Write a story about a person who is afraid of rain.
The road between your town and someone’s golden graves.
Write about the struggles of a lone survivor trapped by the rain.
The sound of raindrops creates an unnatural silence.
Rain soaks humans, but blesses the ground.
“I’ve come for your children,” he says. You look up, surprised, and say, “Well, they aren’t home.”
Write a story about the mysteries of the rain.
You and your significant other bring an umbrella on a date for an evening walk so you can spend time together. The two of you are opposites. While you are dressed in warm coats, he is wearing shorts and a vest. He has the umbrella and insists that you hold an end of the umbrella without saying a word. The two of you walk along, sharing a quiet intimacy.
Your husband comes home soaking wet.
She says her name is Jane Smith. There’s a flash of lightning outside your window.
It’s raining and snowing. The strange dichotomy of the two is soothing.
The sun is beginning to shine again, but the rain keeps falling.
Someone you love is going away and won’t be back for a long time.
At the very top of the tallest hill it tends to cancel the rain.
Write a short story from the perspective of the rain.
Write about a rainy, storm night.
A mail letter delivers a harsh message when you thought nothing could be worse.
Write the story that happens on a rainy day.
Have you ever had someone abandon you in the rain?
An old remembrance…
You have 24 hours to write a masterpiece.
What’s the meaning of rain?
There is no better day for a nap.
Professor Smith was your English teacher in college, and upon graduation, you moved to the other side of town. You haven’t seen each other in over a decade.
You are sitting in your house on a rainy day. It has been days since you’ve seen another human.
A backpacker pacing around at a bus and train station in the rain.
The only thing you can see through the torrential downpour is smoke rising from the top of the hill.
The sun is gone and winter will last for eternity.
Write about the unfortunate people working on rainy days.
Write about a bad day, turned upside down.
It’s starting to rain, and you were just about to leave on an adventure.
Springtime rain is refreshing and clean.
What little good thing is your character seeing in the rain?
Write about confining rain.
Write about umbrellas.
Are you somebody who loves rainy days?
Never leave the house on a rainy morning.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Imagine the smell of rain.
What did she want? What did she bring with her?
It is raining…
Write about an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time, and what happened when they just dropped by.
Write about a living’s quest to finish his painting.
You’re stuck outside because of the storm and need ideas for songs.
Someone tells you, “I hate rainy days.” Write what they are like.
Gary Carter left one last message for me…
Flashes of light streak across the sky. You run for cover. Avoiding those hot burning rays that singe skin with each touch.
Do you let the stranger in?
The first few drops of rain feel so good on your face.
They’re looking for a place to stay because the weather has become hostile and their shack has just blown away.
Write about what you’re supposed to do because of rainy days.
It was a dark and stormy night…
Rain drops pushed against your window. It’s a rainy day. Is it okay?
Write about something magical occurring during a rainy day.
Write about how your family spends rainy days.
Whoa, we fell through a black hole into Seattle.
Write about how a rainy day changed something for the better.
Write from the perspective of a rainy-day-loving serial killer.
The rain drops on your face.
Take your most valuable possession outside and let it be soaked with rain.
Invent a weather system and write a brief description of the rain it delivers.
Write about the spookiest thing you’ve ever heard while it was raining.
You wake up on a rainy day to two figures standing at the foot of your bed.
The sun is about to shine through the clouds.
It is raining cats and dogs.
Write about the things you remember about rainy days.
Write about how you stew over your problems during rainy days.
A child secretly hides in a closet as she hears her parents fighting above the rain.
The world is flooded, and your family floats in a makeshift raft.
Write about a lonely person on a rainy day.
Write a story about how fun rainy days can be.
It is a rainy day, and you decide to go swimming in the lake/river to relieve stress.
Write about storm season from the perspective of someone who has apocalypse level…
The rain is a blessing.
The rain always stopped by noon.
Why do birds suddenly sing in the night
The last time George needed to mow the lawn he shivered through raindrops.
It’s such a gloomy rainy day that no one has the courage to go outside.
The rain falls ceaselessly as you fall asleep.
Write about the fun you have when it rains.
A man suddenly jumps from behind your door. He has been sneaking in your house for a few days, eating your food, and taking a shower with your rain. He proposes that you are less sane than he is, and demands that you make soup.
Write about rain from the point of view of a sad, depressed person.
The most important setting, event, tool, or other element in the story begins to rain, as if on cue.
Write about someone who prefers the colors of raindrops.
Write a short description of the streets after a lengthy storm.
What do you do when it rains?
Lightning illuminates the dark forest.
The buzzer rings in the middle of your favorite TV show.
The rain is kissing my forehead gently. It’s dancing on my skin.
Write about your feelings on rainy days.
There was once a child who lived on a reservation… A psychiatrist tries to decipher the man who tried to kill her child…
Write about the sounds of rain.
They answer the door and are startled by what they see.
You unlock your deadbolt to see a friend standing at your doorway feeling sorry for yourself.
A hostile child locks you in a crumbling building with no escape.
It doesn’t matter to me that you live because of rain.
The rain falls to the ground in heavy droplets, clinging to your boots, forming a small pool that’s the color of dull silver.
Write about the reasons you like to sit out in the rain for long periods of time, and why you don’t mind getting soaked when it rains.
What did you do on this rainy day?
Turning away from the rain Leaning against the window Pause and stare outside Where darkness meets the downpour
A rainy day means you’re stuck indoors with someone you hate.
Write about the exquisite torment of the loved one who doesn’t remember you.
Your umbrella is useless.
Rain is a writer’s best friend.
Write about an exciting time that happened during stormy weather.
Thunder – The explosion of lightning strikes the sky and shakes the earth.
Write about a rainy day in the dungeon scene.
Write about a rainy morning.
Write a story featuring a rainy day or week that changes your protagonist’s life.
The sun comes out as soon as your umbrella opens.
The Queen walked slowly through the rain, her heels clicking on the floor as she went. Prince Charming struggled to stay upright in the mud, but he was determined nonetheless.
A “rainy day” is the background to a romantic story. Person A and person B meet on a rainy, stormy day. What happens next?
The rain never stops. Flowers begin to wilt and grow moldy.
Rain. It’s a real bummer.
A hot bath.
Tell a story about a somber, rainy day in prose.
Write a poem about a rainy day.
Why is he or she on your doorsteps so late at night in the rain?
Write about an afternoon you spent watching the rain.
After a particularly miserable rainy day, the sun finally comes back out!
Rain or shine, every day’s the same.
Teach your reader some survival advice for rainy days.
She is sent from the heavens to tell us something.
Write about the memory of a stormy night.
Describe the hardest thing about rainy days.
Write about the decision to stay in bed all day during spring showers.
The night that the rain landed.
Write about your first summer with your family.
You run for shelter from a super-powerful raindrop.
Write about your experiences on a rainy day.
Write about a time you were caught doing something illegal during a rainstorm.
Write about vacations covered in rain.
Write about the effects of rainy days on your self-confidence.
Write about your worst day during the rain.
Describe a normal, everyday rain part of your daily life.
Write a story about a man/woman moving to a new town entirely due to the weather.
The life of a castaway, stranded on a tropical island.
Write everything that happened on the worst rainy day.
Write about having the perfect day.
I open the door, not knowing why this stranger came here at this time of night.
How does it affect your daily routine?
Write a monologue about your relationship with rain.
A time machine fell from the sky, bringing with it an old family photo.
A bird catches the rain in its tail feathers and drinks it.
Write about a memory of a first love.
The war between humans and bad weather has begun.
A vampire story, about the trouble caused by flooding.
You feel angry at the rain?
There’s a flash of light through the thick clouds. Thunder rumbles. Write about a first kiss in the rain.
A deserted street during a thunderstorm.
You’re all tucked in your bed, but can’t sleep because of the constant rain tapping on your window.
Write about the lives of raindrops.
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It was an overcast day and you caught the raindrops on your fingers and licked them.
The man was lying in the ditch. He wasn’t dead…
Write about a day where it just rains, rains, rains.
Write a story within a story. Write about a storyteller telling a story to a group of friends. Write about the story being told. Write about the friends’ reaction. Write about what the friends do after the story is over.
Write a message in a bottle to a distant relative or close friend.
You discover that your city is run by intelligent reptiles.
What good can come out of such a horrible day like this one?
Write an exotic, tropical location, complete with a storm.
You are the last human on Earth, living deep underground.
You’ve just had a baby, and it’s been raining for a month. He’s sick and needs someone to talk to.
Write a scene wherein a sad rainy day gives way to a happy rainy day.
For the list of writing prompts for other seasons, go The Great Pumpkin Posts or to the Schoolhouse at the End of the Universe.
Write a short letter to nature or God.
A newly discovered planet orbits this dim red star.
Ask someone out for a walk in the rain.
Write about your emotional state during a rainy day.
Write a eulogy for a character whose life was defined by the rain.
Write an epic poem about sunny days.
The rains have stopped. How has the quarreling in your home stopped?
One day after the apocalypse, the sun refuses to shine again.
The world ends on a rainy day.
Do not like cauliflower.
A pleasant journey through rainy places.
There’s a magical power in the rain.
She tells you that there is a curse upon the town – that it rains and rains and rains forevermore.
Write a scene about swimming in the rain.
Write about the weather, good or bad!
The thunder keeps shouting.
Write about the creepy mystery about a rainy and gloomy night.
Write about a goblin who dances in the rain for villagers.
Write about your most vivid memory of a rainy day. Was there a child or pet lost, a fight, a lover? Did anyone save the day?
Write about the dreaming child, sad that it won’t be sunny.
The weather isn’t so bad out, you could go for a walk, or do some reading.
Write a poem about your home’s leaky roof.
Write about Christmas during a rainy day.
You have just received a box containing all your wishes. What did you wish for?
Write about playing in the rain on a hot summer day.
It was a dark and stormy night.
A confession during a rainy day
The fear of being a vampire or werewolf.
A sunny yellow raincoat flies through the sky.
The old man’s grandfather once fought a sea monster.
Have you ever danced in the rain? Written a song about it?
Write about a breakthrough you had on a rainy day.
Rainy season comes earlier every year, and we never know when it will end.
Describe a manifestation of misery during rainy days.
Jealous of the sun, the rain lies there… falling.
You turn your back on the world and turn to painting- perhaps a painting of a rainy day. You must use vivid words to describe the painting in your story. You can add things like symbolism, metaphor and simile but avoid any symbolism, metaphors or similes that reference rainy days. Only use vigorous language expressively
Revenge comes to those who are gracious enough to forgive.
Write about a rainy day when something strange happens.
The sun has submerged itself too long under water. It is time for it to rise.
How does the weather affect your romance life?
Write a story centered around a bad storm.
Write about your day. It can be whatever day.
Investigate the mysterious affair of x and y.
Ten rules for rainy days.
The sky is dark and the clouds are fat. It looks like it might rain.
Write about your first axe murder.
Find a rainy day simile.
A penny for your thoughts, they say…
The dark puddles of rainwater cling to your rain boots. You look down at them and a gnawing, seemingly endless hunger starts to stir inside you.
A screaming woman rushes by you. Eyes hungry and clothes stained red.
Are you a fan of rainy days?
It’s been so hot. Really, really hot. It’s made you feel sick.
Write 2-3 page stories about the apocalypse caused by the rain.
It’s too gray. Too feeble. Too inhuman. It’s not my kind of weather.
Write about a rainy day that turns into a sunny day.
Write about the goodness of rainy days.
A day without rain feels pointless. Sketch a busy city on your rainy day.
You’ve never enjoyed the rain more.
The sun glared through the window, lighting my hotel room.
Rain is a natural form of euthanasia.
You are the rain. Describe your day.
The sky is crying today for a loved one we have lost.
Write about the tension between raindrops and the flower covered ground.
Young boy goes into the woods to find a way to escape forever the rain
A little girl finds a kitten in the rain. Write about how she takes care of it in the dark, rainy woods.
I wonder if too much sunshine is just as damaging as too much rain.
Who is your very own character who would benefit from the gift of rain?
Write about how rain changes your day — or how it changes what you’d normally be doing.
Write about your character’s first memory.
Discuss the benefits of rainy days.
Write about a typical day for a character like Skeletor. Write from his point of view.
When it starts to rain I…
It was a rain so thick and a day so bright, that we could no longer see.
Write about a rainy day camping.
Write about your routine while it’s raining.
Direct the rain to tell a story.
In the middle of the rain, talk to yourself about how happy you are that you’re inside.
Write about a rainy day that ruined your life.
It’s been raining for weeks. Read a book. Develop a short film. Draw.
The rain beats down against the windows. Everyone cowers in their homes, except you. You take off your sweater and you go outside with only a towel around you.
You are driving your car home from a payday. The rain tears down your cheeks causing you to have blurry vision.
Write about a rainy night in a city.
Everyone goes outside to dance in the rain.
The heroes question, what about all of the people that got addicted to the rain?
Looking out your window and you can barely see your reflection.
Go back to the past, to the tale of the little girl, and the rain.
Write about a character-building rainy day.
Write about childhood memories of rainy days.
Write about a crazy person on a rainy day.
A good flood from the skies is always a cause for celebration!
You’re the parent of a very sick child on a rainy day.
Write a letter or a note to someone through raindrops.
Write about a rainy day you’d like to live over.
Write about your pet on a rainy day.
For someone who hates rainy days, you sure do write about them a lot. Why do you do this?
Ask your character why they love rainy days.
Describe the first moment when the rain stops.
How did he get caught in the downpour?
Write about what the storm sounds like, feel like.
On the first day of spring the rain suddenly begins falling. What will become of the budding away from your window?
If your character is a superhero, what does her costume look like in a rainstorm?
Write about how this stranger came into your life today.
A taxi cab driver talks to you about his life.
Write about a rainy day setting that will carry the story.
Write about the advantages of wearing raincoats.
Dreaming of the sound of rain…
The rain was the only reminder of what life used to be in this small village.
Write about your dreams while sitting on a park bench in the rain.
What happens when a meteorologist sees a “wanted dead or alive” poster?
Describe a cup of hot chocolate and an electronic device. Describe why they’re both life-changing.
A demon hunched over a desk in its lair, writing down a story while listening to soft rainfall outside.
Write about the darkness of a rainy day.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
There’s no place like a…
You have been stuck outside your home for days. How are you doing with actual supplies?
It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck the ground right in front of you. You look up and what do you see? The rain never stops anymore. It’s been so long since we’ve seen the sun. Rainy days make everything seem so much better. The fog blankets the sky. The walls of rain hit the ground. You show the beauty of rain. Bring out the sunshine on rainy days by writing a poem that shows it’s beauty!
Write about an inmate in a long-term prison, undergoing mental torture. Another inmate reveals that beauty is accessed through pain. Write the process of beauty.
His shop flooded, he only had a few moments to grab his most valuable possessions. What catches his eye?
Talk about your favorite rainy night.
The house on ninety-five Hemlock Lane was full of mold due to years of hard rains and neglect. All are gone, now, except for a group of teenage squatters in the basement. And Steve has been hearing a strange laugh in the attic.
Write about today’s rainy day.
Write about memories of rainy days from your childhood. Imagine the smells and sounds of rain.
Write about a character who has a pet raincloud sucking up the sunshine.
Write about a rainy day from the perspective of the rain.
The sun comes out. The world is so, so bright.
I dreamed about a rainy day…
Looks like rain today.
Write about the last storm you experienced. How did you spend your time avoiding the storm?
The poem that sprang to life, a loony palindrome
Open the window and let the rain in.
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You are stuck home all day on a rainy day.
You’re sick and need some medicine.
Lights flick on in a house across the street.
Inside your pockets, you felt something squishy. When you pulled out your hands, it was a tiny sea creature with golden eyes.
Believe it or not, this person used to be your spouse. Be specific.
Write about the memories of rainy days.
Pumpkins are pulled out of the ground after long cold days.
Nothing could save you from this storm.
Write about a lost soul.
Last night, it began to rain blood.
You know your life is about to change forever.
Write about what happens if there is a long or permanent rainy day streak in an otherwise sunny region.
A letter to the universe.
There’s too much water in the world today.
Walking home in the rain, you suddenly realize you don’t know where you are.
Your sibling was just run over by a truck in the middle of a rainy street.
In a world where rain never stopped on a nice day, write about everything that is wrong with this wonderful world.
A snapshot from a rainy day. A mother sends her child out into the downpour.
On rainy days, deep dark secrets unfold within us.
Who were you sitting with under the portico?
Write about time that’s been missing.
Write about your life in 3rd person. Write your way into and out of character.
Write a poem or a story about a rainy day.
Wet pavement, wet windshields, wet hair.
Pretend you are a flame, and write about the heat of the people surrounding you.
In your opinion, what’s the best thing about rainy days?
Write about the unfriendly town you live in.
Write about how to create a rainy atmosphere.
What do you say when the clouds collide with your heart?
The view from the helicopter is dreary. Desolate houses and towns are seen everywhere.
Write about the last day of a sunny season.
Write a story of a person whose special day turns out to be terrible.
Repetitive thud of rain on the window as we huddled around the fireplace trying to forget…
Write about a rainy day that brings you something special.
Write about your travels through a rainy landscape.
Write about the aspects of rainy days you enjoy…
Go on a walk to find a lone fellow, just like you, sitting on a bench covered in rain.
Write about the first day of summer.
The world is ending. What do you do?
Write about an umbrella that defies the prediction of a businessman that selling umbrellas will never fail.
On the day you graduated from the Summer Solstice School of Art, it rained continuously, forcing you to move the ceremony indoors … Write about what you did with your one free Saturday.
Answer a letter about a rainy day in the Middle Ages.
It has been 3 days since the last rain and the clothes outside the window are sopping wet. The inhabitants are mad with anger.
Remember the days when you didn’t have to hide inside the house all day.
Rain can be taken for granted only until it becomes a rare commodity.
It began as a typical day during a downpour and ended up…
Imagine a rainy day where you run into the one who got away.
Write about the rain’s effect on a relationship.
Describe a most memorable rainy day in your life.
Write about a family eating a meal on a rainy night.
Someone you never want to see again comes to a reunion on a rainy day.
Write about your dream, arranging the details in the order in which they appear in your brain.
Dodging the raindrops can be difficult.
A gloomy rainy day cuts shorter.
The sun is out, birds are chirping, we’re perfect for another date in the park.
They tell you they just needed a place to stay while waiting out the rain.
Who is this mysterious mystery person?
Write about the worst storm you have ever experienced.
Between the sheets, it’s a rainy day.
Life has always seemed so easy. Now it feels like it’s become so hard.
Write about the worst rainy day on record.
Is your dog afraid of the rain?
Write about a time you fell from grace.
Partake in the life of a raindrop.
Bath time. A child is splashing and playing in the water.
Write about the break-up letter.
The skies are dark and gray, making everyone on campus gloomy and worrisome.
Write about a stranger you’ve never seen before.
Write about a character who dreads rainy days.
Write about trying to spend the last of your days on earth as you leave it.
Write about the shortest, longest, deepest, widest, or kindest rainy day.
Life would be better without feelings.’ Was it true for you?
Rain trickles down your face, your neck.
Rain on your wedding day.
Describe rain in a disapproving manner.
The rain has washed away all of the beloved memories that you and your love shared.
Write a story about your turn to a zombie when the rain kicks in.
What is your rainy day routine?
Write about a rainy day in your life.
French cigarette commercials will always use dark and raining weather for a moody atmosphere.
The heavens open and your street becomes a river.
Before the rain came.
Write about the coming of a momentous event. The person in this story doesn’t know it yet, but the momentous event is about to happen very soon.
Another refugee from the rain rushes into your safe house. It turns out he’s your long-lost brother…and the key to the cure.
On a rainy night, you hear thunder and the sound of weeping.
One winter afternoon… Write the story.
How does the rain make you feel?
Free write about the positives of being drenched in water.
It was cold and rainy, a night like tonight.
Write about the past–father and son go on a long hunting trip.
Make a list of the litter that commonly gets found in puddles, as if you spotted it from an airplane.
A vacationing couple comes to a rainy island in mid-summer.
Write about a rainy day gone wrong.
Remember a rainy day from your childhood.
The road ahead of you is a stormy one…mine are.
Write a scene about a fabulous rain that suddenly transforms into an ominous storm.
Write a poem celebrating rainy days.
It’s raining cats and dogs outside. Put them in your story.
Your first kiss, in the rain. Write about it.
Write a poem about the rain.
Blood is scattered all across the entrance way.
A pristine rainbow appears and calls you to come outside & bow.
Write about…
Write a composition about your day. Remember to write about your experiences.
Write a story about the most important rainy-day moment in your life. A story about a rainy day you will never forget.
On a rainy day, after spending the day cooped up in the house, your children ask you to play outside. What do you do?
The smell of the ozone lingers in your home for the first time in weeks.
The rain can always be heard, but never seen.
Write about a rainy day in the life of a kept woman.
Write about the perfect rainy day.
Write about the time you lost your umbrella during a rainstorm.
The clouds are black and orange, a real setting for Halloween.
Darkness doesn’t bother you anymore. Rainy days are the only way to describe your night.
How would your life have been different if you’d found your one true love ten years earlier. Write about it.
A penguin walks through a field of daisies while sad, rainy piano music plays in the background.
A storm’s coming. Beware.
Mr Gloom invites your muse for a cup of tea.
Write a grocery list if you were only allowed to buy items found on rainy days.
The poem did not rhyme well. Everyone thought it was a poor attempt at poetry. It stopped you from going outside on a rainy day.
Write about the water cycle – rains down, rose up, floats away – and blessed be.
Write about how the rain is a blessing in disguise.
A writer laps up rainy days.
A tragic incident happens on a rainy day. The protagonist of the story tries to cope.
Do rainy days make you crave chocolate, or something else?
Write about a sad rainy day.
Write about a rainy day on the Job.
Write about two strangers who meet the day after a large storm.
Describe the strange creatures that run wild in the rain.
They come seeking a place to stay and are willing to give up anything.
Taking shelter in a nearby shop from the onslaught of rain, you believe you’ve met the man of your dreams.
Perspective is easy to lose when it’s been nothing but rainy days.
There is a storm outside, and it comes bearing fear.
Write about a meaningful symbol of yours being washed away.
Write about the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you.
It has been 100 years since it rained and left the city barren and empty. Write a story about it.
You could tell something was wrong, but you let him inside anyway.
Everything is gloomy.
Write about what you dream about on rainy days.
Write about your favorite rainy day memory. Is the memory from childhood?
Write about how an even stranger saves you on a rainy day.
Write something about a partner who wants to spend time with you, but you’re too busy staring out the window, refusing to be engaged with your world…
Write a letter to your partner about a time you got caught in rain together.
You hear the distant thunder.
Write about a memory you have that is rainy.
Write about a dream you had about rain. Were you walking on water? Did it feel like raindrops?
Write about two people who are stuck on a rainy day.
Write about the first time you saw rain fall from the sky.
Make a list of items you find scattered on rainy days.
The rain is so heavy. You can’t see out the window, and you can’t see in the mirror.
Write about a fleeting moment of love, lost in all of the rain.
Write about a rainy day from the viewpoint of a dog’s paw.
In between flashes of lightning, see what you can paint with your mind.
Describe the sound of rain.
A wayward soul, seeking refuge in your house.
Drunk with sadness, the rain reveals everything.
Take a photo of the sky full of rain clouds and turn it into a story.
Have you ever thought the rain to be a blessing or a curse?
My friend always tells me his favorite memory of rain was when we were kids.
I wish it would soak into my soul.
Trees sway in the rain, and small animals scurry about. Trees drop things from their branches — squishy things.
What is it about rainy days that make you want to curl up in a cocoon?
You hear the rain, see the rain, but you can’t feel it on your face.
The rain is so lovely today.
A gust of wind blows all your papers into the garden.
A child’s funeral- all their toys and books are placed in a cardboard box.
Rain, rain…all day long. It was the perfect weather for a picnic!
An unexpected surprise befalls you on a rainy day.
A bike ride through the neighborhood on a rainy day.
The only eye witness to a murder is hiding inside a secret room. Listen.
The rain has caused floods all over. Your town is slowly crumbling.
The showers were coming close together, and it wasn’t long before the weather cleared up.
Write about rainy days from your childhood.
A child crosses your path, running barefoot in the rain.
Your best friend died a few days ago. Write about their funeral.
It is so cold and wet outside that he begs to come in and dry off.
Write about an adventure where you clutch the crumbling, mold covered cover of your favorite book.
Your child wants to go outside and play in the rain.
Rain. Write a poem based on the sound of rain hitting windows.
You have to go outside on a rainy day.
Write about a rainy afternoon.
Write about a climatic event that turned out not as disastrous as it could have been.
A reddish dawn pokes through dark clouds.
A new meteorologist brings exciting forecasts including snow in the summer and year round sunny days.
The clouds were a flock of grouse huddled together in anticipation of their flight to warmer climates.
The murky, black rain clouds are much too thick for the sun and the moon to shine through.
The town clock tower chimes on the hour as a child wanders alone in a rainstorm.
Write about a rainy day injury. Who was involved and what happened?
It’s raining outside. You wake up to the sound of crashing waves.
Write about a rainy day you’ve had. Write about the worst rainy day that you’ve ever had.
It’s the first day of summer. Stare out the window. Write about summer.
Write about the nightmares that come during a rainy night.
Although your world is falling apart, you found something to live for.

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30 Creative Rainy Day Writing Prompts

Just as rain brings refreshment to the earth , it can also rejuvenate your creativity . While some might view rainy days as gloomy or dreary, writers often find them to be the perfect backdrop for introspection and imagination .

On such days, the world seems to slow down a bit, providing a tranquil environment where ideas can grow and flourish.

If you’re ready to transform that pitter-patter on your window into a symphony of words, here are some rainy day writing prompts to inspire you.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer, a newbie, or someone in between, these prompts will guide you into a world of creativity, where the only limit is your imagination.

Let the rhythm of the raindrops falling be your metronome as you write your way through the storm.

Rainy Day Writing Prompts

Trapped in the Rain: Imagine that you are stuck in a city park during a sudden downpour. You have no umbrella, and there is no shelter nearby. The rain isn’t stopping anytime soon. You are not alone; you see a few others trapped by the weather as well. Write a narrative where you describe the park, the people, and what unfolds as everyone waits out the storm. What conversations happen? What realizations do you come to? Describe your interactions and inner thoughts during this shared moment of unexpected pause in a city park.
Rainy Day at the Cafe: You are a barista at a popular downtown café. It’s a rainy, gloomy day outside and the café is unusually quiet, except for a few patrons. Each of these patrons has a unique story which you glean from their orders, their demeanor, and fragments of conversations. Write a detailed story about your observations and interactions, sharing the unspoken stories of the patrons in your café.
Forgotten Rain Jacket: Write a story about a day when you left your rain jacket at home , assuming it would be a bright, sunny day. However, midway through your day at work or school , the weather changes dramatically and it starts pouring. How do you adapt and get home without getting drenched? How does this unexpected challenge affect your day? Your goal is to depict your problem-solving process and the resulting emotional journey.
A Rainy Day Through a Child ’s Eyes : Rain can be an annoying inconvenience for adults, but for many children, it’s a cause for celebration and joy. Write a story from a child’s perspective on a rainy day. Describe their joy of jumping in puddles, catching raindrops on their tongue, or making paper boats. Show how the child’s perspective changes the ‘gloomy’ rainy day into a magical one .
The Rainy City: You’re in a city that’s known for its constant rain, like Seattle or London. It’s your first visit and you have a day to explore. Write a narrative of how you spend this day, how the city’s rain-soaked ambiance affects your experience, and what unexpected adventures you have. Use vivid descriptions to make the reader feel as if they’re navigating the rainy city with you.
Rainy Day Reflections: The rain has kept you indoors for the entire day. You take this time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the smaller details of your home that you usually overlook. Write a reflective essay on how this day makes you feel, and what new things you’ve discovered about your home and yourself . Use this prompt to explore the concept of mindfulness and self-discovery on a rainy day.
The Rhythm of the Rain: The rain taps against your window, each droplet adding to a rhythmic melody. It’s soothing, and it sparks your creativity. Write a poem inspired by the sounds, the rhythm, and the emotions the rain evokes in you. Let the rain’s rhythm guide your words and shape your poem.
The Unexpected Rescue: It’s a stormy night . You’re driving on a secluded road when you notice a stranded vehicle ahead. You pull over to help, despite the heavy rain. Write a detailed narrative of this event, focusing on your decision to help, the challenges you face due to the weather, and the impact this encounter has on both you and the stranded individual. Discuss the role of empathy and humanity amidst the chaos of a storm.
Rainy Day Mystery : It’s a rainy afternoon and you notice something unusual from your apartment window – a person in a bright yellow raincoat, seemingly waiting for someone or something in the relentless downpour. This continues for days, sparking your curiosity. Write a short mystery story based on this, unveiling who the person is and what they’re waiting for. Create suspense and intrigue centered around the person in the bright yellow raincoat.
Echoes of the Past : The rain reminds you of a significant event from your past. Maybe it’s a memory of a loved one, a turning point in your life , or a moment of realization. Write a narrative essay exploring this memory and how the rain triggers it each time. Focus on how specific weather conditions can evoke powerful memories and emotions.
Rainy Day at the Beach : You planned a sunny beach day, but the weather had other plans. Instead of the expected sun and sand, you’re faced with clouds and rain. Write a narrative of how this change in weather reshapes your day at the beach. Who do you meet ? What new activities do you discover? Describe your experience and how it defies the typical expectations of a beach day.
The Concert in the Rain: Imagine you are at an outdoor music festival or concert and an unexpected rain shower begins. Instead of leaving, the crowd and the band decide to embrace it. Write a descriptive piece about the experience of dancing and singing in the rain. Detail the transformation of the atmosphere as the rain becomes part of the concert.
A Rainy Day Interview: You’re a journalist scheduled to interview a notable figure. The weather is terrible, but the interview can’t be rescheduled. Write a narrative detailing your journey through the rain to meet this person, and how the weather influences the interview. Discuss the influence of the weather on the interview’s dynamics and outcomes.
An Artist ’s Rain: You’re an artist and the continuous rain is affecting your mood and, consequently, your artwork. Write a reflective piece on how the rain inspires a shift in your creative process and changes the themes of your art. Describe the effect of the rain on your artistry, both in terms of technique and emotion.
A Walk to Remember: It’s a rainy day and you decide to take a walk. The rain-soaked streets, the fresh smell of the wet soil, and the rhythmic sound of droplets hitting your umbrella create a transformative atmosphere. Write about the insights, encounters, and reflections from this walk. Convey the meditative and transformative nature of a simple walk in the rain.
Stormy Night Revelation: The power goes out on a stormy night, leaving you in darkness. Alone with your thoughts, the storm seems to echo your inner turmoil. Write a narrative where you confront a personal struggle or fear , using the storm as a metaphor . Explore your personal growth and self-revelation during the stormy blackout.
A Rainy Day on the Farm: You’re a farmer and a heavy, unanticipated rain is threatening your crops. You need to protect them, but the task is daunting. Write about the methods you use to save your crops, the worries you face, and the lessons you learn. Focus on the struggle and resilience of a farmer facing unexpected weather conditions.
The Rain Runner: You’re a long-distance runner who refuses to miss a training day, even when it’s pouring rain. Write a narrative about the unique challenges and rewards of running in the rain, and how it shapes your mental and physical endurance. Emphasize the determination and discipline involved in your commitment to run, regardless of the weather.
Cityscape in the Rain: You’re a photographer, and you decide to capture your city during a rainstorm. The wet streets, reflective surfaces, and people huddled under umbrellas present unique photo opportunities. Write about your experiences, the photos you capture, and the stories they tell. Describe the transformation of ordinary city scenes into extraordinary photographic subjects in the rain.
The Forgotten Book : You find an old book in your attic on a rainy day. As you flip through the pages, you discover a story that deeply resonates with you. Write a reflective piece on how the book influences your thoughts and perspectives. Discuss how this serendipitous discovery on a rainy day changes your worldview.
The Rescue Dog and the Rain: You recently adopted a rescue dog who, due to past trauma, is scared of the rain. Write a heartwarming narrative about how you help your new friend overcome this fear. Describe the journey of building trust and helping your rescue dog find comfort during a rainstorm.
Rainy Day Music: The rain inspires you to compose a piece of music. The rhythmic patter of rain against the window, the rolling thunder, and the tranquil ambiance serve as your muse. Write about this creative process, and describe the finished piece. Discuss how you translate the sounds and emotions of the rain into a musical composition.
The Unexpected Visitor: It’s a stormy night, and you hear a knock at the door. An unexpected visitor stands on your doorstep, soaked from the rain. Write a narrative about this surprising encounter, who the visitor is, and what their arrival stirs within your calm evening. Delve into the intrigue and drama brought on by the arrival of this unexpected visitor in the midst of a storm.
The Rainy Day Letter : On a quiet rainy day, you decide to write a letter to your future self. Reflect on your present state, your aspirations, fears, and the lessons you’ve learned. Write about the process, and what you choose to tell your future self. Focus on the self-reflection and introspection this letter-writing process triggers on a rainy day.
The Rainmaker: You have the unique ability to control the weather. After a long period of drought, you decide it’s time for rain to provide relief to the parched land. Write about the joy and relief you bring to the community , as well as the internal conflicts your power may bring. Describe your experiences as someone who has the power to control the weather and the implications it has on your life and others.
Rainy Day Proposal: You planned an elaborate outdoor proposal, but the weather decides to disrupt your plan with a downpour. How do you modify your proposal, and how does the rain add an unexpected charm to the moment? Write a narrative detailing the event. Focus on how you turn a potentially ruined proposal into a uniquely memorable moment with the unexpected rain.
Under the Bridge: You’re taking refuge from the rain under a bridge when a homeless individual joins you. Through your conversation, you learn about their life, struggles, and dreams . Write a narrative about this encounter, and how it challenges your perspective on homelessness. Convey how this chance encounter during a rainstorm deepens your understanding and empathy towards homelessness.
A Chef’s Rainy Day: You’re a chef who gets inspired by the weather. On this rainy day, you decide to create a special menu that captures the essence of the rain, comfort, and warmth. Write about the dishes you prepare, and the responses you receive. Describe how the rain influences your culinary creativity and the experiences of your guests.
Rain Soaked Poetry Slam: The local poetry slam has decided to host an impromptu gathering, with the rain being the theme for the night. Write a narrative about your experience at this event, the poems you hear, the people you meet, and the poem you write and perform. Illustrate your journey of crafting a poem that encapsulates the experience of a rainy day and the reactions it elicits.
Rainy Day at the Library: The rain forces you to take shelter in a public library. As you browse through the books, you come across a group of strangers engaging in a heated book discussion. You join them, leading to an unforgettable afternoon. Write a narrative about this experience, detailing the book discussed and the people you meet. Describe how a rainy day led you to an unexpected intellectual adventure.

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The Best Rain in Literature

Straight and silvery, big as buckshot, a thin knife of cool.

This morning, it is raining, and I am drinking tea. Whenever these two elements coincide, I always think of a poem I discovered and fell in love with as an irreverent literary teen: “It is raining. / I guess I’ll make / Some tea.” Yes, it’s a haiku, and sure, it’s by Gary Snyder, but what do you want from me, I was thirteen years old and still amazed at what counted as poetry. I inscribed this poem on my bedspread in fabric paint. I cannot pour tea in the rain without it bouncing through my head. I make this confession only to say that there is rain of all kinds in literature, and considering that it is April (month of showers) and it is a strange April because so many of us are spending it inside (which makes the rain much more appealing and romantic), I thought I would highlight some of my favorites. Maybe a phrase from the below will stick with you and torment you for years, who knows? One can only hope.

From Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea :

The rain came down, straight and silvery, like a punishment of steel rods. It clattered onto the house and onto the rocks and pitted the sea. The thunder made some sounds like grand pianos falling downstairs, then settled to a softer continuous rumble, which was almost drowned by the sound of the rain. The flashes of lightning joined into long illuminations which made the grass a lurid green, the rocks a blazing ochre yellow, as yellow as Gilbert’s car.

From Clarie-Louise Bennet’s Pond :

Incredible, really. Or so it seemed to me as I went by and heard the thing play out. Further along there were those very small raindrops, droplets I suppose, which attach themselves with resolute but nonetheless ebullient regularity among the fronds of a beautiful type of delicate crass, appearing, for all the world, like a squandered chandelier dashing headlong down the hillside.

From Halldór Laxness’s Independent People :

Shortly afterwards it started raining, very innocently at first, but the sky was packed tight with cloud and gradually the drops grew bigger and heavier, until it was autumn’s dismal rain that was falling—rain that seemed to fill the entire world with its leaden beat, rain suggestive in its dreariness of everlasting waterfalls between the planets, rain that thatched the heavens with drabness and brooded oppressively over the whole countryside, like a disease, strong in the power of its flat, unvarying monotony, its smothering heaviness, its cold, unrelenting cruelty. Smoothly, smoothly it fell, over the whole shire, over the fallen marsh grass, over the troubled lake, the iron-grey gravel flats, the sombre mountain above the croft, smudging out every prospect. And the heavy, hopeless, interminable beat wormed its way into every crevice in the house, lay like a pad of cotton wool over the ears, and embraced everything, both near and far, in its compass, like an unromantic story from life itself that has no rhythm and no crescendo, no climax, but which is nevertheless overwhelming in its scope, terrifying in its significance. And at the bottom of this unfathomed ocean of teeming rain sat the little house and its one neurotic woman.

From Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore :

In the afternoon dark clouds suddenly color the sky a mysterious shade and it starts raining hard, pounding the roof and windows of the cabin. I strip naked and run outside, washing my face with soap and scrubbing myself all over. It feels wonderful. In my joy I shut my eyes and shout out meaningless words as the large raindrops strike me on the cheeks, the eyelids, chest, side, penis, legs, and butt—the stinging pain like a religious initiation or something. Along with the pain there’s a feeling of closeness, like for once in my life the world’s treating me fairly. I feel elated, as if all of a sudden I’ve been set free. I face the sky, hands held wide apart, open my mouth wide, and gulp down the falling rain.

From William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying :

It begins to rain. The first harsh, sparse, swift drops rush through the leaves and across the ground in a long sigh, as though of relief from intolerable suspense. They are as big as buckshot, warm as though fired from a gun; they sweep across the lantern in a vicious hissing. Pa lifts his face, slack-mouthed, the wet black rim of snuff plastered close along the base of his gums; from behind his slack-faced astonishment he muses as though from beyond time, upon the ultimate outrage. Cash looks once at the sky, then at the lantern. The saw has not faltered, the running gleam of its pistoning edge unbroken. “Get something to cover the lantern,” he says.

From NoViolet Bulawayo’s We Need New Names :

Then it starts raining, like maybe Godknows has made it rain by all his talking. It’s a light rain, the kind that just licks you. We sit in it and smell the delicious earth around us.

Me, I want my mother, Godknows says after a long while. His voice is choking in the rain and I look at his face and it’s wet and I don’t know which is the rain, which are the tears. I am thinking I want my mother too, we all want our mothers, even though when they are here we don’t really care about them. Then, after just a little while, even before we are proper wet, the rain stops and the sun comes out and pierces, like it wants to show the rain who is who. We sit there and get cooked in it.

From Virginia Woolf’s The Years :

It was raining. A fine rain, a gentle shower, was peppering the pavements and making them greasy. Was it worth while opening an umbrella, was it necessary to hail a hansom, people coming out from the theatres asked themselves, looking up at the mild, milky sky in which the stars were blunted. Where it fell on earth, on fields and gardens, it drew up the smell of earth. Here a drop poised on a grass-blade; there filled the cup of a wild flower, till the breeze stirred and the rain was spilt. Was it worth while to shelter under the hawthorn, under the hedge, the sheep seemed to question; and the cows, already turned out in the grey fields, under the dim hedges, munched on, sleepily chewing with raindrops on their hides. Down on the roofs it fell–here in Westminster, there in the Ladbroke Grove; on the wide sea a million points pricked the blue monster like an innumerable shower bath. Over the vast domes, the soaring spires of slumbering University cities, over the leaded libraries, and the museums, now shrouded in brown holland, the gentle rain slid down, till, reaching the mouths of those fantastic laughers, the many-clawed gargoyles, it splayed out in a thousand odd indentations. A drunken man slipping in a narrow passage outside the public house, cursed it. Women in childbirth heard the doctor say to the midwife, “It’s raining.” And the walloping Oxford bells, turning over and over like slow porpoises in a sea of oil, contemplatively intoned their musical incantation. The fine rain, the gentle rain, poured equally over the mitred and the bareheaded with an impartiality which suggested that the god of rain, if there were a god, was thinking Let it not be restricted to the very wise, the very great, but let all breathing kind, the munchers and chewers, the ignorant, the unhappy, those who toil in the furnace making innumerable copies of the same pot, those who bore red hot minds through contorted letters, and also Mrs Jones in the alley, share my bounty.

From James Joyce’s Dubliners :

It was a dark rainy evening and there was no sound in the house. Through one of the broken panes I heard the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds.

From Willie Perdomo’s “ We Used to Call it Puerto Rico Rain “:

The rain had just finished saying, This block is mine .

The kind of rain where you could sleep through two

breakthroughs, and still have enough left to belly-sing

the ambrosial hour.

Blood pellets in the dusk & dashes of hail were perfect for

finding new stashes; that is to say, visitations were never

From Lauren Groff’s “ The Midnight Zone “:

The rain increased until it was deafening and still my sweaty children slept. I thought of the waves of sleep rushing through their brains, washing out the tiny unimportant flotsam of today so that tomorrow’s heavier truths could wash in. There was a nice solidity to the rain’s pounding on the roof, as if the noise were a barrier that nothing could enter, a stay against the looming night.

I tried to bring back the poems of my youth, and could not remember more than a few floating lines, which I put together into a strange, sad poem, Blake and Dickinson and Frost and Milton and Sexton, a tag-sale poem in clammy meter that nonetheless came alive and held my hand for a little while.

Then the rain diminished until all that was left were scattered clicks from the drops falling from the pines

From Charles Dickens’ Bleak House :

The weather had been all the week extremely sultry, but the storm broke so suddenly—upon us, at least, in that sheltered spot—that before we reached the outskirts of the wood the thunder and lightning were frequent and the rain came plunging through the leaves as if every drop were a great leaden bead. As it was not a time for standing among trees, we ran out of the wood, and up and down the moss-grown steps which crossed the plantation-fence like two broad-staved ladders placed back to back, and made for a keeper’s lodge which was close at hand. We had often noticed the dark beauty of this lodge standing in a deep twilight of trees, and how the ivy clustered over it, and how there was a steep hollow near, where we had once seen the keeper’s dog dive down into the fern as if it were water.

The lodge was so dark within, now the sky was overcast, that we only clearly saw the man who came to the door when we took shelter there and put two chairs for Ada and me. The lattice-windows were all thrown open, and we sat just within the doorway watching the storm. It was grand to see how the wind awoke, and bent the trees, and drove the rain before it like a cloud of smoke; and to hear the solemn thunder and to see the lightning; and while thinking with awe of the tremendous powers by which our little lives are encompassed, to consider how beneficent they are and how upon the smallest flower and leaf there was already a freshness poured from all this seeming rage which seemed to make creation new again.

From Elizabeth Hardwick’s Sleepless Nights :

Sometimes the rain was beautiful. The lavender and silver streaks, gleaming in the mud, seek to be honored, to receive some word of gratitude. The kindness of damp afternoons, the solace of opening the door and finding everyone there.

What next? Where to? Even in the midst of it all, in the devoted warmth, the well-disposed threat of familiarity, the cemetery waits to be desecrated.

From Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon :

She was thoroughly soaked before she realized it was raining and then only because one of the shopping bags split. When she looked down, her Evan-Picone white-with-a-band-of-color skirt was lying in a neat half fold on the shoulder of the road, and she was far far from home. She put down both bags, picked the skirt up and brushed away the crumbs of gravel that stuck to it. Quickly she refolded it, but when she tried to tuck it back into the shopping bag, the bag collapsed altogether. Rain soaked her hair and poured down her neck as she stooped to repair the damage. She pulled out the box of Con Brios, a smaller package of Van Raalte gloves, and another containing her fawn-trimmed-in-sea-foam shortie nightgown. These she stuffed into the other bag. Retracing hers steps, she found herself unable to carry the heavier bag in one hand, so she hoisted it up to her stomach and hugged it with both arms. She had gone hardly ten yards when the bottom fell out of it. Hagar tripped on Jungle Red (Sculptura) and Youth Blend, and to her great dismay, saw her box of Sunny Glow toppling into a puddle. She collected Jungle Red and Youth Blend safely, but Sunny Glow, which had tipped completely over and lost its protective disk, exploded in light peach puffs under the weight of the raindrops. Hagar scraped up as much of it as she could and pressed the wilted cellophane disk back into the box.

Jack Gilbert’s “Rain”:

Suddenly this defeat. This rain. The blues gone gray And the browns gone gray And yellow A terrible amber. In the cold streets Your warm body. In whatever room Your warm body. Among all the people Your absence The people who are always Not you.

I have been easy with trees Too long. Too familiar with mountains. Joy has been a habit. Now Suddenly This rain.

From Kevin Barry’s “ Fjord of Killary “:

So I bought an old hotel on the fjord of Killary. It was set hard by the harbor wall, with Mweelrea Mountain across the water, and disgracefully gray skies above. It rained two hundred and eighty-seven days of the year, and the locals were given to magnificent mood swings. On the night in question, the rain was particularly violent—it came down like handfuls of nails flung hard and fast by a seriously riled sky god. I was at this point eight months in the place and about convinced that it would be the death of me.

“It’s end-of-the-fucking-world stuff out there,” I said.

From J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye :

Boy, it began to rain like a bastard. In buckets, I swear to God. All the parents and mothers and everybody went over and stood right under the roof of the carrousel, so they wouldn’t get soaked to the skin or anything, but I stuck around on the bench for quite a while. I got pretty soaking wet, especially my neck and my pants. My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection, in a way; but I got soaked anyway. I didn’t care, though. I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don’t know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could’ve been there.

From Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing :

“A dollar thirty,” she says, and I have to lean toward her to hear because thunder booms, a great clacking split, and the sky dumps water on the tin roof of the building: a tumble of sound. I can’t see down her shirt but it’s what I think about when I’m standing out in the rain, the back of my shirt pulled over my head like it could protect me, but all of me wet, gas fumes thick with the smell of wet earth, rain running down to blind my eyes, to stream from my nose. It all makes me feel like I can’t breathe. I remember just in time and tilt my head back, hold my breath, and let rain trickle down my throat. A thin knife of cool when I swallow. Once. Twice. Three times because the pump is so slow. The rain presses my eyes closed, kneads them. I think I hear a whisper of something, a whoosh of a word, but then it’s gone and the nozzle goes slack. The care is close and warm, and Kayla is snoring.

From William Shakespeare’s King Lear :

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks! You sulfurous and thought-executing fires, 5Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts, Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Smite flat the thick rotundity o’ th’ world, Crack nature’s molds, all germens spill at once That make ingrateful man!

From Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd :

The air changed its temperature and stirred itself more vigorously. Cool breezes coursed in transparent eddies round Oak’s face. The wind shifted yet a point or two and blew stronger. In ten minutes every wind of heaven seemed to be roaming at large. Some of the thatching on the wheat-stacks was now whirled fantastically aloft, and had to be replaced and weighted with some rails that lay near at hand. This done, Oak slaved away again at the barley. A huge drop of rain smote his face, the wind snarled round every corner, the trees rocked to the bases of their trunks, and the twigs clashed in strife. Driving in spars at any point and on any system, inch by inch he covered more and more safely from ruin this distracting impersonation of seven hundred pounds. The rain came on in earnest, and Oak soon felt the water to be tracking cold and clammy routes down his back. Ultimately he was reduced well-nigh to a homogeneous sop, and the dyes of his clothes trickled down and stood in a pool at the foot of the ladder. The rain stretched obliquely through the dull atmosphere in liquid spines, unbroken in continuity between their beginnings in the clouds and their points in him.

Kay Ryan’s “Expectations”:

We expect rain to animate this creek: these rocks to harbor gurgles, these pebbles to creep downstream a little, those leaves to circle in the eddy, the stains and gloss of wet. The bed is ready but no rain yet.

From Colson Whitehead’s The Colossus of New York :

Out on the street they hardly notice the clouds before it starts raining. The rain comes down in sheets. Drenched all at once, not drop by drop. The first drop is the pistol at the start of the race and at that crack people move for shelter, any ragtag thing, they huddle under ripped awnings, the doorway of the diner, suddenly an appetite for coffee. Pressed up against buildings as if on the lam. Little sprints and dashes between horizontal cover. Dry here. Surely it will stop soon, they think. They can wait it out. It cannot last forever.

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9 Writing Prompts about Rain

The rain was heavier now, drumming on the roof, as darkness crept across the room. The embers of the fire were a dull glow as the rain drops pelted against the glass of the window.

I bet I’m not the only one who enjoys a good rain storm… when I’m inside and dry that is.

It’s one of those innate reactions to a primal force perhaps, that we’ve been dealing with for as long as humans have existed.

So what better a force to inspire a creative story, or help us think about how a force of nature impacts us in a whole range of different ways.

I’ve written a collection of prompts all about the rain, to share with you today, and if you haven’t tried them already you should also check out our winter writing prompts too. Enjoy!

How to use these prompts:

Read through the list until one immediately triggers a thought or emotion in response – grab that one and run with it! Write as much as you can on the topic without stopping to correct punctuation or anything else!

Take a prompt at random, and write 300 words on it. Swap with a buddy who has written their own 300 words on a different prompt, and complete each others piece of writing with an additional 300 words. Something different to try.

Pick a random number – that’s your prompt from the list. Write a page on the topic.

You may well have other different ways of using the prompts to inspire discussion and/or writing – and that is ok!

9 Writing Prompts about Rain:

Heavy rain is often said to help people sleep. Why do you think this is? Have you experienced this?
If you didn’t have running water in your home, think about how you could collect rain water, and make sure it was safe to drink.
Think back to a time when you were warm, cosy and dry while the rain poured down outside. Describe it in as much detail as you can.
While often people like to complain about rainy weather, it can be extremely important to get regular rainfall. When do you think rain is most welcome?
Imagine you’re an animal in a desert, and have been waiting many months for a single drop of rain. What is it like when you see dark clouds rolling in finally, and the rain starts pouring down?
If you got lost in the forest while out hiking, how would you build a shelter to keep dry as the rain started?
What is the best thing about rain, and why?
Think of how your pets have reacted to rain, and write about it using as much detail as you can.
Have you ever been swimming in the rain? Write about your experience, or what you imagine it would be like.

Looking for more free printables and prompts?

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Words of a Feather 🍃

Creative Writing for Rainy Days 🌧️

News from the creative write-it studio✨.

I love to write when it’s raining. The sound of rain hitting the roof, the way the droplets gather and slide against the windows, help me settle in just where I am and disappear into the story worlds of my imagination.

If you and your young writers would like to get creative this weekend (and it’s forecasted to rain where you are too!), here are a few of my favorite rainy-day prompts to try:

✏️ Make a story jar. This will become your very own resource for endless stories! Write nouns on small pieces of paper, fold them, and put them in the jar. Shake it, choose as many words as you like (the more the trickier!), and write a story that includes them all.

✏️ Write a story that begins in the rain. It’s the perfect time to try this when it’s actually raining! Start your story by describing a character at a time when it’s raining, just before something unexpected happens. For an extra challenge, try to do this without using the word ‘rain’.

✏️ Write an ‘ At this moment’ poem. This is a fantastic exercise to tune in with your senses and pay attention to the details that make your writing come alive. Here is the poem template. All you need to do is complete each line:

At this moment

I can hear…

I can smell…

I can taste…

I can feel…

If you'd like to share any writing with us, please consider joining one of our upcoming programs below. Or send us an email to chat about how we could support you and your young writer!

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How to describe rain: Descriptive words and adjectives for different types

There are many different types of rain, so it makes sense that we would have a lot of vocabulary to describe rain.

Here we’ll look at some wonderful descriptive words for rain, from adjectives to verbs to idioms. Get inspired to describe rain according to how it looks, sounds and smells, or just express in basic terms what the weather is like today.

Words to describe rain

You may wish to describe rain in a very practical way. For example, if you are going outside in this weather, you need to know whether to take an umbrella, or perhaps consider catching a bus instead of walking.

How to describe rain falling

The following descriptive words for rain are grouped according to the type of rain that they describe, from light to heavy.

Describing light rain

Drizzle is a steady but very light rain, almost mist-like. ‘Drizzle’ can be a noun or a verb, and you may use ‘drizzly’ as an adjective for rain like this.

When it is spitting, the rain is falling quite slowly and gently. Often it starts spitting and then turns into heavier rain.

A shower is a quick burst of fairly light rain. You might have heard of April showers, which are characteristic of spring weather. We have more idioms about spring here.

Describing heavy rain

Pouring (down).

You can say ‘it’s pouring’ or ‘it’s pouring down’ when the rain is steady and heavy. This description of rain is used in the nursery rhyme, It’s Raining, It’s Pouring .

Also featuring the word ‘pour’, a downpour is a short but sudden burst of heavy rain.

Bucketing down / raining buckets

‘Bucketing down’ and ‘raining buckets’ both describe heavy and persistent rain.

Tipping (it) down

This is a primarily British expression for heavy rain.

Chucking it down

Here’s another phrase to describe heavy rain, again usually heard in the UK.

Pissing (it) down

Why do the British have so many ways to talk about bad weather?! This one is rude slang, so be careful how you use it. You should be certain that the person you are speaking to is comfortable with this kind of language. ‘Pissing’ is an informal word for urinating.

Raining cats and dogs

This one is a fun idiom to describe rain ! Whoever thought to imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky? Anyway, it’s just another way to describe rain falling heavily.

A deluge of rain is a large amount that falls suddenly, possibly causing flooding.

Torrential rain is very heavy and lasts for a long time. This is the type of rain you may experience in countries with a monsoon season.

Driving rain is accompanied by strong wind that blows it into the sides of buildings (or straight in your face, if you’re caught out in it).

You could describe rain as ‘incessant’ if it has been going on for a long time and feels like it will never end.

Pelting rain seems to have particularly large raindrops that fall very hard.

If you do get caught in heavy rain you might end up ‘soaked through’ or ‘dripping wet’; these both mean that you and your clothes are very wet!

Example sentences to describe different types of rain

Let’s look at how some of these words can be used in sentences:

I don’t think I need an umbrella; it’s only spitting .
It’s drizzling at the moment but I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts chucking it down soon.
Unfortunately for Liz, it poured down all day on her wedding day.
It’s been bucketing down all afternoon but I hope it stops before the party.
Look at those clouds! Let’s get inside before it starts tipping down .
You’d better take your umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs outside.
Let’s go home, it looks like it’s going to piss it down soon.
The village was hit by a deluge . Fortunately, there was no serious damage to any property.
I have had enough of this incessant rain!
We’ve had light showers all morning but it looks like the afternoon will be brighter.
Sorry I’m late; I got caught in a downpour and had to wait until it had passed.
You can expect torrential rain if you visit during November.

Words to describe how rain sounds

If you’re indoors, the first sign of rain may be the sound it makes. Here are some words that describe rain according to the sound it makes:

Pitter-patter

“She woke to the pitter-patter of rain falling outside.” “The rain was almost too gentle for me to hear.”

Moderate/heavy rain

Splattering

“I could hear the pounding rain approaching before I could see it.” “They lay listening to the rain drumming on their roof.”

What’s the word for the smell of rain?

Petrichor is the technical word for the smell of rain hitting dry ground. Many people consider this their favorite smell, but may not realize that there is a word for it!

Other words you could use to describe the smell of rain include:

Describing rainy weather

Finally, here are some words to describe the weather in general when it is rainy:

Many of the terms we have to describe rain are negative, as it’s usually an inconvenience for us. However, let’s not forget that rain is necessary for life to survive and for crops and plants to grow, so we shouldn’t always complain about it.

If you’re looking for more ways to describe different kinds of weather, some weather idioms could come in handy.

Have you heard any different ways to describe rain? If so, please leave a comment to share them.

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wonderful information it really helped me with my writing.

Really, thank you so much for your information

Loved the terms and explanation…it’s very helpful.

yes, its nice information.. Good Job… keep it up….thanks

On the first day of my tent camping vacation, we encountered ” blinding rain ” just as we reached the Black Hills. Literally, could not see 3 feet ahead of us!!! (On the interstate! OMG#/=@$×!!! Thought we would die)

Oh dear, what a disaster!

a rainy day - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

Jigsaw Puzzle Piece
quote of the day
rain soaked ground

The rainy day soaks the paintings of my memory, softening sharp edges until knives and knaves become dust piles and jokers.

The rainy day comes with a confident wind, rousing the trees into a vortex of dance.

Upon this rainy day I am woven by these water threads into the ether that stretches from heavens to earth.

The rainy day comes with its heaven-given soundtrack, washing every hue into a strong and soulful vibrancy.

The rainy day comes as invitation to rest, to relax, to let the ever steady moment expand into dreamy poetic wonderings.

The rainy day offers the gift of meditation, for each tiny water-globe to touch the skin is a moment for the soul to command.

In each cloud-birthed water-globe is the chance of a rainbow's song.

Each raindrop is a kaleidoscope, if we could only see more closely. I wonder as I walk how it would be to stop time, to suspend this watery gift and peek through each one. Perhaps it would be fun to sit inside those raindrops and take that gravity propelled ride to the earth, as I imagine it I feel my inner self laughing - a little at the crazy daydream and a little at my own silliness. I see the rain beads upon the cars, upon each leaf and washing my outstretched fingers. Soon they will pull together, forming the puddles, opening up a whole new avenue of rain-related fun. Perhaps it isn't normal to love a rainy day so much, but who cares about normal anyway? I'm pretty sure "normal" is a made up thing.

It was still early when the clouds gave of their rain to the grass and trees, when the road became alive with more splashes than my eyes could appreciate. Yet together they brought such a soothing sound, a natural melody every bit as beautiful as a mother's soulful hum. I felt each splash that touched my skin, watched my cardigan become a deeper, more rocky hue. It was as if earlier the street had been a matt photograph, only to be washed as glossy as any magazine page.

With eyes at rest in the way of dreams, I hear the quenching rain. The percussion of the given water varies according to the surface it wets. There is the drums that are windows, the cymbals that are the concrete floor, and the soft, soft maracas that are the music of the grass. The triangles are the puddles, a high note to pick up the mood, to sing of the joy of the plants upon such a day.

Here comes the rain, little darlin,' desalinated by nature's own hand and given freely. Here comes the water we need for every part of life we cherish and hold sacred. For it is from the clouds as much as the sunshine that life comes forth, the cozy days of reflection to add to the dancing in warm rays. It deepens every hue, brings a boldness to scenes so familiar, a nuance that is so refreshing to the eye.

Have you heard the rain this morning? It’s crazy! Those drops are bigger than prairie hailstones and coming down just as hard. I’ll just turn the dishwasher off here so you can listen to it better. It’s almost as if the drops are striking your eardrums, right? I actually like it, I find it soothing. Anyhow, it’s just you, me and the dirty breakfast dishes. The kids are at school already, you should have seen them go all togged up in rain jackets and umbrellas. I was going to give them rides but the school is just so close and the traffic so bad in the mornings that it’s actually quicker to walk. I do hope their feet stayed dry, look at that water on the street. Come over to the window, you’ll see it way better. It’s a shallow river over the tarmac, we get that so much. Did I say it’s a temperate rainforest here? Oh, I did? Well, the kids do say I repeat myself a lot, maybe they’re right after all!

Found in Are you awake yet? - first draft , authored by Daisy .

My bicycle wheels turn over the wet track, my speed bringing the cold rain into my face harder than it would were I walking. My jacket gave up on keeping my body dry a while ago and now my trunk is as wet as my legs. On a rainy day like this there's just no point in heavy clothes, the only thing that'll keep me warm is my own movement, the pumping of my legs against the pedals. Head down, press on, thinking of the warmth at the other end. There's a part of me that's jealous of the car drivers, safe behind shatter-proof glass and painted steel. But then I recall my cyclist's mantra, "bikes burn fat and save money, cars burn money and save fat." After that I'm free to enjoy the rain, its part of life after all.

The rain has fallen steadily without let up since before I woke. Outside the summer flowers and leaves droop under the weight of the droplets. We've had so much heat lately that I'd almost forgotten this feeling, the cool freshness in the breeze. Come late autumn I won't be nearly be so impressed with the rain in whatever way it falls; it will be as ubiquitous as the lousy sit-coms and weight-loss advertisements. But for August it's such a novelty that I find myself sitting on the front porch, coffee in hand, watching the drips as they fall from beneath the guttering. Simply being outside without the need for sunglasses, taking in the softened hues with my naked eyes, and listening to the drumming is a treat. Something about this rain has me more relaxed than I've been in days and I'm in no hurry for the clouds to vanish, returning us to the dry heat that is so customary at this time of year.

Outside was an unexpected gift of rain. The wet season didn't generally start for another fortnight but the skies don't lie. It wasn't a mean rain either, the type that got everyone wet without filling the rain barrels. It was the type that got the streams running with pristine water from the mountains. Rose stood on the doorstep, her arms folded around herself in the best hug she could have without Joe being home. After such a dry summer it was all she could do to stop herself from dancing barefoot outside while the drops plastered her hair to her face.

The umbrella snapped closed, releasing a gravity defying plume of small droplets. Tara pulled down her hood and shook her hair to gain some life back into her flattened locks.

Mac stirs behind his closed eyelids, his mind ceasing dream-mode to bring him back to wakefulness. At first he's slightly confused; he hears the fan he's been cooling himself with this long dry summer, yet he knows he didn't turn it on before bed. A slow smile creeps over his face. He doesn't hear the drone of a fan he hears rain falling thickly outside, the beautiful sound passing right through his open window. He rolls to get up as his eyes open and takes himself to see the rainfall, already feeling the soothing coldness of the breeze. There is the scent of wetness, so ever-present in the autumn but so rare for late August. Today will be a day for long pants and an umbrella, a strong black coffee and fried plantain on toast with chilli sauce. A day for enjoying all the things that go with a change in season.

Between the hail and the rain I'm okay where I am. In this warm room, seeing the streaming sunlight that comes regardless of clouds; I'm content to watch the ever changing picture that is the world beyond mine. The newly washed roofs gleam as brightly as mirrors, the blossom tenacious on the branches that dance. It's a rainy day, one for the books, tea mugs and cozy socks.

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Writing contests, make money writing, hottest topics, how to use weather to set the scene.

The weather is so much more than how wet you’re getting. It’s amazing how many writers overlook the weather as a useful tool in both setting and also in telling the story.

Many years ago, we relied on the weather and took it seriously. Poor weather affected crops and livestock. Bad weather would even affect health – be it through famine or disease.

Nowadays we have supermarkets that will fly in food from around the world and central heating and air conditioning to ensure that whatever is happening outside, we don’t need to vary the climate inside our home.

But it’s deeper than that. Seasons reflect aspects of life and weather can be a great barometer (pun intended) for emotions.

In reality, we all react slightly differently to the weather. Some love the heat and others despise it. Even considering these variances, the majority of people will react similarly to most climactic conditions.

The English language is littered with idioms that reference the season or the specific weather. They don’t need explaining; we all understand exactly what people mean when they use one. That’s because they are understood as a subconscious level.

Weather Conveys Different Moods

Spring = hope, new birth Summer = adulthood, happiness Autumn = preparing for old age Winter = death Sunshine = happiness, goodness Storm = trouble, a change Calm before the storm = trouble or a change ahead Rainbow = hope, a link between two extremes (sun and rain) Cloudy = confused, muddled, unclear Clouds on horizon = trouble ahead No wind = no change Windy = changes Rough weather = problems Fog = confusion, unaware Rain = depressed, badness Snow = coldness, cleansing

How to Use Weather in a Setting

This makes weather an ideal setting tool to convey what’s going on in the story or in a character’s head.

You don’t need to use the sledgehammer approach but I’d also exercise caution at being too clever. A few references, subtle ones, dropped in during a scene will convey the message.

As an example, if you used the rain as a portent for something bad about to happen, don’t have the character thinking, ‘It’s starting to rain and rain is a bad thing.’

Instead, reference the changing light – from bright to muted grey tones. You could even describe the rain, or its effect as resembling something inherently evil. The use of metaphors and weather work well.

Mention the noise that the rain brings; reference something having to stop because of the weather. Consider how inanimate objects react to the weather – or even how the characters change.

How does the rain affect textures? How does it change how things sound? Does its own noise drown out something the character was listening to? Does it simply stop whatever was making a noise? Does it therefore bring silence?

How does it affect the character’s senses? Does it affect what they’re doing? And be subtle here – does it affect their mood?

Remember to build the mood; don’t dunk the reader in it. Sometimes a sudden change in mood is necessary and an equally sudden change in weather is appropriate but this is likely to be the exception to the rule.

Sometimes the change, or even the manner of the change, is as important as the weather itself.

Let the reader join the dots. If you’ve positioned them well enough, they’ll get the picture. You don’t need to go over them with a wax crayon to convey the message.

Finally, never forget that setting is an integral part of writing a novel. Despite this, the use of weather is just one tool to set the scene – not your only one.

About the Author: Mark Walton is the author of 46 Ways to Improve Your Plotting, a self-help guide for writers. If you want to improve your chances of getting a story published then visit http://www.betternovelwriting.com/Plotting.htm and see how quickly and easily your writing can advance.

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Rain Creative Writings Samples For Students

8 samples of this type

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Example Of Creative Writing On Helping Even Without Knowing How

Free creative writing on the picture in the house, adaption written by [name].

Phone e-mail

THE FIRST VISUALS CONTRAST MYSTERIOUS, SCARY, EXOTIC FAR AWAY PLACES WITH THE FRIGHTENING STARK NEW ENGLAD UNPAINTED HOUSE

THEIR PURPOSE IS TO SET THE ATMOSPHERE FOR STRANGE, AND NIGHTMARISH LOCATIONS. THE NARRATOR IS SPEAKING AS THE FILM SHOWS SCENES OF MYSTERIOUS PLACES: ANCIENT ITALIAN CATACOMBS AND GRAVEYARDS, CRUMBLING RHINE CASTLES, RUINS OF TEMPLES IN ASIA IN SHADOWS, GERMAN FORESTS AND HIGH DANGEROUS CLIFFS IN MOUNTAINS . . . TO THE WORST A PLAIN UNPAINTED HOUSES IN NEW ENGLAND SQUATING DEEP IN THE BACK WOODS . . .

NARRATOR (SPEAKING DARKLY AS THE SCENES OF SCARY PLACES ARE VIEWED BY THE AUDIENCE

Good creative writing on my unreal world.

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“Nice Of You To Let Me In, Mike, And Have A Beer Waiting For Me.” Creative Writings Example

The western edge creative writing sample, free it sets you free, harper repeated and glanced at the door closing behind joe creative writing sample, the man who envied cows creative writing.

Jim bit his lip as he leaned against the door frame. He watched his wife open her suitcase and start packing her possessions into it. He knew that he hadn’t been a perfect husband, and he also knew that they’d been having problems for a while. There had been frequent arguments, slammed doors and the revving of engines as one of them drove off into the night, furiously wiping tear-filled eyes. It had been hard to bear, but he still loved her in spite of all that.

Creative Writing On The Man Who Was Envious Of Cows

Jim leant against the door frame, biting his lip. He watched his wife open her suitcase and start packing her possessions into it.

He knew that he hadn’t been a perfect husband, and he also knew that they’d been having problems for a while. The frequent arguments, the slamming of doors; the revving of engines as one of them drove off into the night, furiously wiping tears away from their eyes, had been hard to bare. But despite all of that, he still loved her.

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The writings of a West Country Dapwearer

Creative Writing

What it feels like to me in the rain

The rain drops are not plump, there are just more of them. My mac is wet. My jeans are wet. My bag is wet. My hand that holds my bag is wet. There really is a lot of rain falling from the sky right now.

Sometimes when it rains, I want to strip naked and dance. Peel off my clothes, layer by layer, and just dance. I don’t know how the dance will go: I can’t visualise it. I know that it will be like no dance I have ever performed but when it happens it will be the right dance to dance.

I know that I will shout up at the clouds too. Incite them to do their worst. My nakedness does not care about how much rain falls upon it. My dance encourages it. The rain encourages it.

Other times, the rain makes me sad.

A nostalgic sadness emerges when I realise that I am a person with a past, a present and a future, and that I can never hope to embody the best bit of any of these states at the same time. It is this that makes me ache for it. I realise that I will never be this whole and it makes me sad.

Occasionally, rain makes me feel hopeful. It reminds me that there are beautiful things to see and feel as a human being. When the rain falls from the sky, it somehow passes through my clothes, my skin and connects with the water that makes up the most of me. Drops fall on ordinarily still and even stagnant pools, ripples expand within me and I feel an energy. Molecules shunt, and I know that I am alive.

This rain right now makes me feel nothing. It is rain and it is getting me wet. And I want to be away from it.

Like this, read about the freezing cold of Langmusi, China .

About the author

Tom spooner.

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Writing prompts for rainy days

by Kim Kautzer | Jan 13, 2016 | Writing & Journal Prompts

Whatever the weather today, kids will love dipping their toes into these fun writing prompts for rainy days. After all, rain can happen at any time of year! There’s something for everyone, including The Planner (planning rainy day activities), The Persuader (convincing a friend to like drizzly days), The Pretender (pretending to be a raindrop), and The Poet (writing poems using onomatopoeia ).

1. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella

When the rain starts falling, you’re the happiest person in the world! Unfortunately, your best friend doesn’t feel the same way. Write a paragraph or two in which you try to convince your friend to appreciate rainy days . Include at least three good reasons why stormy, wet, or drizzly weather can be as much fun as sunny days.

2. Cloudy with a Chance of … Marshmallows?

A strange storm just swept through your town , but instead of rain, something else has dropped from the clouds and covered the ground. What is blanketing the streets and lawns of your community? Marshmallows? Ping pong balls? Pennies? Something else? Write a paragraph explaining how you will lead the clean-up efforts.

3. Rainy Days and Mondays

It’s raining and pouring, and everyone at your house is getting grumpy! Make a list of 20 ways you and your family can have fun on a rainy day.

4. A Drop in the Bucket

Imagine that you are a raindrop who’s making a long journey from the clouds to the earth below. Write a story about your adventures. Where do you first land? What happens to you? Where do you finally end up? Use strong verbs and adjectives to describe what you see, hear, feel, and experience.

5. Sounds Like Rain

When a bee flies by or a window shatters, we can write words such as buzz or crash to imitate their sounds. This is called onomatopoeia . Make a list of words that imitate the sounds of rain, hail, sleet, or thunder. Then write a poem using several of these words. Your poem does not need to rhyme.

Need extra help? Explore these examples.

Examples of Onomatopoeia in Nature
“ Onomatopoeia ” – poem by Jonathan Goldman
“ Gentle Sound of Rain ” – poem by Lee Emmett

If you enjoyed these writing prompts for rainy days, be sure to check back each week for more Writing Prompt Wednesdays !

Photo Credit: Marc Samsom , courtesy of Creative Commons 2.0 .

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Creative Writing Prompt: Rainstorm

Prompt for first creative writing class: RAINSTORM

The torrential rain kept her awake. She couldn’t sleep. Wasn’t rain supposed to be relaxing? What was it that disturbed her? Why could she not sleep? The rain didn’t lull her, it irritated her. Reminded her that all was not well. The hills may slide. The mud carrying all away. But she was safe. Wasn’t she? Was it anxiety? Was it caffeine? Was it simply the din amplified by hypomania? Yes, when in this state any noise irritated her. What the hell did she think she was doing this week? Starting to rewrite her book, take a creative writing class, and work out with a personal trainer on the same week her son began college. He wasn’t away for college. Oh, no. He was attending the local community college and didn’t yet drive. So, on top of everything else, she remained his chauffeur. Fuck. He was getting better. He was more independent than before, but he still relied on her to drive him to classes and to doctors’ appointments. He still didn’t prepare his own breakfast and lunch. He’d just eat a protein bar and banana. At six feet tall and 125 pounds, he needed to eat more. Caring for him, worrying about him, wore on her. She had hoped that he’d be eating more by now, that he’d make a sandwich or eat a bowl of cereal. She had hoped that he’d feel ready to take his DMV written test, so he could learn to drive. Though, really, the time that they spent in the car was their special time. Often he wore his headset and cut her off from him. But, there were times when they talked, when they laughed, when he shared his thoughts with her Back to the storm. Crap transition, but the rainstorm felt like her life. Stormy, but cleansing.

4 responses to “Creative Writing Prompt: Rainstorm”

It was fun! Totally reworking my book, first organizing posts by theme then combining and editing pieces.

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

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Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

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Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

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Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain

People share different relationships with rain; sometimes, it may be soothing, or it can ruin an entire event that you had planned. In any case, you’ll need words to describe rain to convey your emotions or simply to describe the state of the weather.

The words to describe rain that you use can vary depending on the type of rain, for example if it is light or heavy rain. You can use words to describe the sound of rain as well.

Here are 25 rain-related words that you can add to your vocabulary or your descriptions of rain:

5 words to describe rainy weather

Rainy weather is either welcomed or unwelcomed, depending on the person. Sometimes, it’s the perfect chance to snuggle up with a loved one and watch some movies; other times, it can ruin your plans and make you feel sad or depressed. When you want to talk about the state of the weather, you can use any of these five words to describe rain:

woman in train sitting next to the window and looking outside with a book in her hand

For sound of rain

The sound of rain is comforting to some people, but whenever there is a storm or heavy rain, it can be quite terrifying for others (especially children). Here are five words to describe rain and the sounds it makes on your roof or against the pavement:

5 words to describe heavy rain

Heavy rains are the worst, without a doubt. They ruin plans, make people feel uneasy, and can even cause flooding or landslides! These are five words to describe rain that is heavy and terrible:

5 words to describe rain shower

Rain showers aren’t the same as other types of rain. They occur in short bursts, and they can be very light or very heavy. Here are five words to describe rain showers:

woman in black bra holding big leaf rraining plants

5 words to describe drizzling rain

Drizzling rain is super light, and sometimes, it takes a while for you to even notice that it’s happening. It’s the type of rain through which you can walk, getting soaked very slowly. It barely has a noticeable impact. It usually ends quickly, or it is followed by very heavy rainfall.

25+ of the Best Words to Describe Your Mood Accurately

Do you want the rain to stay? Or, do you want it to go away and come back another day? Now, you have the perfect words to describe rain to use to convey your feelings about the different types of rain that you can experience throughout the year.

Painting the Sky: Clouds Description Creative Writing

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Painting the Sky: Clouds Description Creative Writing

Different Types of Clouds and their Characteristics

The art of describing clouds in creative writing, how to capture the beauty of clouds through language, writing techniques to bring clouds to life on paper, using metaphors and similes to depict clouds in writing, tips for creating vivid descriptions of clouds in creative writing, the importance of observing clouds for writers, exploring the emotions and mood created by clouds in writing, frequently asked questions, wrapping up.

Clouds are fascinating natural phenomena that not only add beauty to the sky but also provide valuable insights into weather patterns. There are several distinct types of clouds, each with its own unique characteristics and formation process. Let’s explore some of the most common types and delve into their fascinating features.

Cumulus clouds: These are the fluffy, cotton-like clouds that often resemble big puffs of cotton candy in the sky. They are usually bright white in color and form at lower altitudes. Cumulus clouds are typically fair-weather clouds, indicating stable atmospheric conditions. However, when they grow vertically and darken, they transform into cumulonimbus clouds, bringing thunderstorms or heavy rain.

Cirrus clouds: Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy, and often appear high above the ground. They are composed of ice crystals and have a feather-like appearance. These high-altitude clouds are usually an indicator of fair weather, but their presence can also signal an approaching front. Cirrus clouds can indicate changes in atmospheric pressure and are sometimes referred to as “mare’s tails” due to their delicate and elongated shape.

The Art of Describing Clouds in Creative Writing

Clouds are nature’s ever-changing canvas, casting their ephemeral spell across the sky. To master the art of describing clouds in your creative writing, one must delve into the limitless possibilities they offer. These ethereal formations can enhance the mood, setting, and atmosphere of your writing, creating a vivid tapestry of emotions and imagery in the reader’s mind.

When describing clouds, consider employing sensory language that brings the reader into the scene. Use bold metaphors and similes to paint a captivating picture. Are the clouds fluffy as cotton candy or dense like an approaching storm? Do they drift lazily across the cerulean sky or race like wild horses? Explore the mesmerizing palette of colors: are they heavenly white, imbued with gold at sunset, or intense shades of gray, foretelling an imminent downpour?

Describe the shape: cumulus, stratus, or nimbus? Are they wispy, billowy, or towering?
Highlight the movement: are they dancing across the heavens or brooding with menace?
Capture their interaction with sunlight: do they sparkle, shimmer, or cast a comforting shadow?

To truly breathe life into your cloud descriptions, incorporate the emotional impact they have on your characters and story. Perhaps the sight of ominous storm clouds mirrors the protagonist’s looming sense of dread. Alternatively, a serene, cotton candy sky might reflect the idyllic atmosphere of a romantic scene. Remember, the art of describing clouds lies not only in their physical attributes but also in their ability to become an integral part of your narrative, evoking emotions and resonating with your readers.

How to Capture the Beauty of Clouds through Language

Describing the splendor of clouds can be a challenging task, but with the right use of language, their ethereal allure can be conveyed to perfection. Whether you are a poet, writer, or simply someone who wishes to appreciate the marvel of nature, here are some tips on capturing the captivating beauty of clouds:

1. Embrace vivid imagery: Paint a picture with words by employing rich and vibrant descriptions. Visualize the clouds as colossal cotton candy tufts stretching across the cerulean canvas of the sky. Capture their ever-changing forms, from wispy cirrus clouds that resemble delicate brushstrokes to majestic cumulonimbus clouds that tower like ancient monuments.

2. Engage the senses: Transport your readers into the world of clouds by appealing to their senses. Describe the softness of the cloud’s touch, as if reaching out and skimming fingertips across pillows of condensed moisture. Invoke the smell of rain before a storm, the subtle scent of ozone mingling with the earthy aroma of wet soil. Allow readers to hear the lullaby of raindrops as they gently patter against rooftops, carrying with them the promise of life and renewal.

Writing Techniques to Bring Clouds to Life on Paper

When it comes to capturing the essence of clouds on paper, there are a myriad of writing techniques that can evoke their beauty and ethereal nature. By employing these techniques, you can bring your cloud descriptions to life, allowing readers to feel the softness, movement, and grandeur of the celestial formations. Here are some tried and tested methods to help you master the art of writing about clouds:

Use vivid and descriptive language: Instead of settling for basic adjectives like white or fluffy, dive deeper into the details. Imagine how the clouds appear from different angles and at different times of the day, then use colorful words like billowing, wispy, or cotton candy-like to paint a more vibrant picture.
Create emotional connections: Rather than solely focusing on physical descriptions, explore the emotions that clouds evoke. Are they a source of comfort, mystery, or serenity? By infusing your descriptions with the emotions they elicit, readers can better immerse themselves in the scene you are conveying.
Play with figurative language: One effective way to bring clouds to life on paper is through the use of metaphors and similes. Compare the clouds to objects or phenomena that share similar characteristics. Perhaps they resemble a blanket of marshmallows, a flock of sheep grazing across the sky, or even the gentle strokes of an artist’s brush on a canvas.

By implementing these writing techniques, your cloud descriptions will take flight, transporting readers to a world where they can almost reach out and touch the delicate wisps of moisture dancing across the sky. Remember, the key lies in using vivid language, engaging emotions, and employing imaginative comparisons that transform simple clouds into extraordinary works of art on the pages of your writing.

Using Metaphors and Similes to Depict Clouds in Writing

Clouds, those ethereal entities that adorn our skies, have long captivated the imagination of writers. Symbolic of a myriad of emotions and atmospheres, they can add depth and atmosphere to any piece of writing. By utilizing metaphors and similes, writers can bring these celestial wonders to life, painting vivid pictures and creating emotional resonance.

Metaphorically, clouds can be compared to:

Soft pillows that float across the sky, adding a touch of comfort and tranquility.
Dream catchers capturing the sun’s rays as they dance on their cotton-like surface, filling the atmosphere with a warm and whimsical glow.
Heralds of the heavens silently announcing the arrival of twilight with their muted shades of orange, pink, and gold, like angelic messengers descending to earth.

Similes, on the other hand, allow writers to make direct comparisons using “like” or “as.” Consider these examples:

The clouds hung over the city as thick as a wool blanket , casting a shadow that enveloped the streets and buildings.
The sky was filled with billowing clouds, like cotton candy stretched across the horizon , tempting the imagination to dive into their sugary depths.
As the storm approached, the clouds gathered in the distance, as menacing as an army of gray giants ready to unleash their fury upon the unsuspecting earth.

With metaphors and similes at your disposal, embracing the poetic potential of clouds can elevate your writing to new heights. So, unleash your creativity and let your imagination soar like the clouds themselves!

Tips for Creating Vivid Descriptions of Clouds in Creative Writing

When it comes to describing clouds in your creative writing, no ordinary words will do justice to their enchanting beauty. To paint a vivid picture in your reader’s mind, consider these helpful tips that will unlock the magic of these celestial wonders.

Adjectives with flair: Don’t settle for basic descriptions like “fluffy” or “white.” Dig deeper and visualize the texture and colors of clouds by using expressive adjectives like billowing, iridescent, or ethereal. By choosing words that evoke emotion, you can transport your readers into a dreamscape of swirling vapor.
Metaphorical magic: Compare clouds to familiar objects or sensations to make them come alive in your writing. For instance, you could describe fluffy cumulus clouds as marshmallow mountains or liken the smoky wisps of cirrus clouds to delicate strands of silver thread dancing across the sky. By employing metaphors, the clouds will take on a new dimension, igniting your readers’ imagination.
Sensory sensations: Engage your reader’s senses by describing not just how clouds look, but also how they feel, smell, or even taste. Incorporate sensory details like the cool touch of a cotton candy cloud or the sweet scent of rain lingering in the air. By appealing to the senses, your descriptions will transcend mere words, immersing your readers in a multisensory experience.

With these tips at your fingertips, you can weave enchanting descriptions of clouds in your writing that will transport your readers to the boundless realms of sky and imagination. Let your words paint a mesmerizing canvas, and watch as the clouds come to life in the minds of your audience.

Clouds, oh those mesmerizing formations that decorate the sky! As writers, we often find inspiration in the world around us, and clouds have a way of sparking our imagination like no other. Observing clouds not only allows us to enjoy the beauty of nature but also serves as a valuable tool to enhance our storytelling capabilities. Let’s explore the importance of incorporating cloud-watching into our writing routine:

Visualization: Clouds awaken our inner child, inviting us to engage in imaginative play. By observing their ever-changing shapes, sizes, and colors, we can improve our ability to visualize scenes and characters in our writing. Just as clouds transform from fluffy cotton candy to menacing storm formations, our stories can come alive with vivid descriptions that captivate readers.
Mood and Atmosphere: Much like the weather, clouds have the power to set the mood and create atmosphere in our narratives. From the puffy cotton balls dotting a clear summer sky to the ominous dark clouds foreshadowing an impending storm, every cloud formation carries its own emotional weight. By studying clouds, we can gain insights into how to craft the perfect setting and ambiance to enhance the impact of our storytelling.

Clouds have a way of evoking a kaleidoscope of emotions and mood in writing, casting a spell of enchantment over the reader. These celestial formations possess a charm that captures the imagination and adds depth to the narrative. Here are some of the emotions and moods that clouds can create in writing:

Wonder: As we gaze upon a cluster of fluffy white clouds floating in a clear blue sky, a sense of awe and wonder washes over us. In writing, clouds can ignite the same feeling, making the reader marvel at their beauty and mystery.
Serenity: The gentle sight of wispy clouds gracefully drifting across the sky can instill a sense of peace and tranquility. Describing the calmness and serenity that clouds bring can create a soothing atmosphere in the written piece, bringing solace to the reader.
Melancholy: On gloomy days, dark clouds loom overhead, casting a somber shadow on the surroundings. In writing, these cloudy days can evoke feelings of sadness and nostalgia, setting the mood for reflective and introspective narratives.
Imagination: Clouds, with their ever-changing shapes and forms, provide an endless playground for the imagination. Describing the whimsical figures that clouds resemble can transport the reader to magical worlds and expand the horizons of possibility.

Clouds possess the remarkable ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and create a specific mood in writing. Their ethereal beauty and elusive nature make them a captivating subject that can elevate any piece of literature, filling it with awe, tranquility, melancholy, and a touch of whimsical imagination.

Q: What is the significance of clouds in creative writing? A: Clouds play a crucial role in creative writing as they not only add visual depth to descriptions, but also evoke emotions, set the atmosphere, and symbolize various abstract concepts.

Q: How can clouds be described in a creative and captivating manner? A: Clouds can be described using vivid and dynamic language, focusing on their shape, texture, color, movement, and interaction with the surrounding environment. Metaphors, similes, and sensory details can bring clouds to life on the pages of a story or poem.

Q: What emotions can clouds evoke in writing? A: Depending on the context and description, clouds can evoke a wide range of emotions. For instance, fluffy white clouds against a clear blue sky might evoke feelings of peace, serenity, or innocence, while dark, brooding clouds can create a sense of foreboding, tension, or melancholy.

Q: How can clouds set the atmosphere of a scene? A: By describing the characteristics of clouds, such as their density, size, or movement, writers can set the atmosphere of a scene. For example, a scene with low-hanging, dense clouds might create a feeling of claustrophobia or intensity, while wispy, scattered clouds could evoke a light, carefree atmosphere.

Q: Do clouds symbolize anything in creative writing? A: Yes, clouds often serve as symbols of emotion, change, or transition. They can represent fleeting moments, shifting moods, or the unpredictability of life. In some cases, clouds can also symbolize dreams, aspirations, or the vastness of the human imagination.

Q: How can writers incorporate clouds into their narratives? A: Writers can incorporate clouds by integrating them into descriptions of landscapes, weather, or characters’ emotions. They can use clouds to create contrasts, emphasize certain themes or symbolize events or transitions in the story. By making clouds an integral part of the narrative, writers can enhance the overall richness and depth of their storytelling.

Q: Are there any notable examples of cloud descriptions in literature? A: Absolutely! Many renowned authors have skillfully woven cloud descriptions into their writing. For instance, in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” the protagonist often observes the clouds to reflect his changing emotions. Emily Dickinson, in her poetry, utilizes clouds to symbolize various aspects of life and transcendence. These examples demonstrate how clouds can be employed to add meaning and depth to literary works.

Q: Can cloud descriptions be applied to other forms of creative writing? A: Absolutely! While cloud descriptions are often associated with visual arts or poetry, they can be effectively used in any form of creative writing. Utilizing captivating cloud descriptions can enhance narratives, add atmosphere, and create an emotional connection with readers in genres ranging from fiction and non-fiction to essays and memoirs.

Q: Any tips for aspiring writers on using cloud descriptions effectively? A: When incorporating cloud descriptions, consider the overall tone and mood of your piece. Experiment with imagery, metaphors, or personification to breathe life into your clouds. Remember to strike a balance between providing detailed descriptions and allowing the reader’s imagination to fill in the gaps. Ultimately, cloud descriptions should serve a purpose, whether it’s enhancing the setting, developing characters, or supporting a theme. Don’t be afraid to be creative and have fun with it!

In conclusion, writing creatively about clouds allows us to explore the beauty and essence of the sky, unleashing our imagination and connection to nature.

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Rain Shadow Review

Rain Shadow Revi ew

A literary journal that gives voice to inmates of arizona state prisons and throughout the united states, read the journal.

Rain Shadow Review is a free annual literary journal showcasing the creative talents and work of current and former prisoners of various correctional facilities, and occasional contributors also impacted by the criminal justice system.

The journal is a result of the Creative Writing Workshops directed by Gillian Haines at Arizona State Prison Complex and Richard Shelton at the United States Penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona.

Both the Creative Writing Workshops and issues of Rain Shadow Review have been funded by grants from the Lannan Foundation , Sante Fe, New Mexico, and in partnership with the University of Arizona Poetry Center .

read the Rain Shadow Review online ENTER LIBRARY HERE

current issue , monthly workshop newsletter.

In response to the pandemic, in 2020 Rain Shadow Review began producing monthly newsletters that offer poetry and prose exercises and sample writing for currently incarcerated people who are unable to attend the prison Creative Writing Workshops. These are available for anyone interested in increasing their creative writing skills.

read the workshop newsletter online ENTER LIBRARY HERE

contributing artist david palmer

Submission guidelines.

Award-winning author and former Richard Shelton student Ken Lamberton oversees submissions throughout the United States. Most contributors have been participants of various creative writing workshops in Arizona’s state prison system, and, except for the occasional invited contributor, all work is produced by currently and formerly incarcerated inmates of various U.S. correctional facilities.

Creative writing and artwork submissions published in Rain Shadow Review range from the work of fledgling writers and artists to those who have become widely published, award-winning, and nationally recognized.

send your best writing for us to consider

If you are or were incarcerated and you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry of literary quality, please let us consider your work for possible inclusion in a future issue of Rain Shadow Review. Artwork is also accepted.

Either email us or mail us a print copy by including a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want your work to be returned.

Do not send your only copy.

PO Box 85462

Tucson, AZ 85754-5462

rainshadowreviewwork at gmail dot com

untitled by garen zakarian

I live off leftovers scattered along a dusty highway stretching twenty thousand miles behind me i live off memories which hunt me down at every turn i live off scrapings of a luscious meal served at the parties of experience i live behind a one-way mirror watching the world , i live on pages of unwritten books and songs unsung i live off vivid smells spring grass cherry blossoms aphrodisiac violets i live off smiles engraved on retinas unsaid goodbyes abandoned on the sidewalks chasing the tinted windows of a departing bus i live off the future that is left behind.

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Subscribe to Rain Shadow Review in print for free. You don't even have to pay for the shipping. Your free subscription is possible thanks to the Lannan Literary Grant.

Rain Shadow Review is published once a year and is mailed out to subscribers in the spring. We respectfully request that used issues not be resold, but instead be donated, passed along, and shared freely.

contact us for your free subscription

Print issues from the archive.

Print copies of past issues may be available at your prison unit library and at The University of Arizona Poetry Center Library in Tucson, Arizona.

how it started

Richard Shelton was a young English professor in 1970 when an incarcerated man named Charles Schmid—convicted of multiple murders and dubbed the "Pied Piper of Tucson" in national magazines—sent Shelton his brooding verse and asked for feedback. The exchange began what would become for Shelton a life-long commitment to helping prisoners express themselves.

That same year, Shelton began directing his first prison creative writing workshop in Florence, Arizona. Decades later and with support from the University of Arizona Poetry Center and the Lannan Foundation, the program has thrived. Many of Shelton's students have gone on to publish the works they created while incarcerated. Gillian Haines now leads two Shelton workshops in the Tucson Arizona State Prison Complex and serves as a consultant for inmates who submit their work for publication in the Rain Shadow Review

In 1989, Shelton produced the first issue of Walking Rain Review , giving voice to scores of previously unknown important writers like Jimmy Santiago Baca , Michael Hogan , William Aberg, and Ken Lamberton . Shelton's wife and long-time UA Poetry Center Director Lois Shelton, who passed away in 2015, devoted over thirty-five years to typing and copy-editing the handwritten work of men in several Arizona State Prisons for their workshops and for submission to publications. That small gesture made a big impact on budding writers in the program. For the majority of these contributors, who are not allowed access to typewriters or computers, the Rain Shadow Review is the first time they see their work in print .

Walking Rain Review was renamed Rain Shadow Review in 2011—and remains a free literary journal showcasing the creative talents of current and former inmates. Many of these writers have won prestigious awards, establishing themselves within a greater literary community. We are proud to have played some small part in the writing careers that these creative writers have carried with them beyond prison.

go behind the scenes in Crossing the Yard

Read about the journey in Richard Shelton's book Crossing the Yard: 30 Years as a Prison Volunteer . In this gritty memoir, Shelton offers up a chronicle of reaching out to forgotten men and women—and of creativity blossoming in a repressive environment. He tells of published students such as Michael Hogan, Billy Sedlmayr, Greg Forker, Ken Lamberton, and Jimmy Santiago Baca, who have made names for themselves through their writing instead of their crimes.

Shelton also recounts the bittersweet triumph of seeing work published by men who later met with agonizing deaths and the despair of seeing the creative strides of inmates broken by politically motivated transfers to private prisons. And his memoir bristles with hard-edged experiences, ranging from inside knowledge of prison breaks to a workshop conducted while a riot raged outside a barricaded door.

Reflecting on his decision to tutor Schmid, Shelton sees that the choice "has led me through bloody tragedies and terrible disappointments to a better understanding of what it means to be human.”

Crossing the Yard is a rare story of professional fulfillment—and a testament to the transformative power of writing.

meet the editors

Richard Shelton (1933-2022)

Gillian Haines

Ken Lamberton

Managing Editor

Dora Rollins

Associate Editor

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