Well, Since There's Nothing Else to Do...

If you're one of those lucky people who currently find yourself with more free time than you know what to do with thanks to this unfortunate virus, keep reading.

I have generously compiled a list of challenges for your reading/writing pleasure.

Use this list as you best see fit during these trying times and feel free to post any challenges of your own in the comments.

1. Read a book that is entirely out of your realm of interest and write down a list of 10 things you learned from the experience. You might pick up some writing dos and don'ts or just learn something new about a topic you've never explored before.

2. Write down the first sentence someone says to you today (or it could be the first sentence of an email since, you know, social distancing) and make it the first sentence of a new story. See how far you go from there. You could write a whole page, a whole chapter, or a whole novel!

3. Find a book that has been turned into a movie. Read the book, then watch the movie. Write one page that expresses your feelings about the pros and cons of the movie interpretation. Was it good? Was it bad? Were the characters spot on? Did the injustice of it all make you weep tears of remorse? (Some interesting book/movie pairings to do this with are Maze Runner by James Dashner, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, and, if you're up for the challenge, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein.)

4. Pick up a book you have never read before and know absolutely nothing about. Read only the first page and only the last page. Write a synopsis of what you think the book is about. Now read the whole book and see how close you were. This would be a fun exercise to do with friends. Sharing your blind synopsis afterward should produce some laughs 😁.

5. Write a final will and testament for one of your favorite characters. It could be a character you have read in a book or a character you have written yourself.

6. Binge an entire book. Bring plenty of snacks, get comfortable, and don't get up until you read "The End." If you can't finish on the first try, just see how far you get! Note: This challenge excludes bathroom breaks of course.

7. Write a letter to the villain in your book. It could be the villain in the book you're reading or the villain in the book you're writing. Say whatever you want to say. There are no rules or guidelines. This is your time to just get some things off your chest and have a little heart to heart with your favorite bad guy.

8. Write up an interview where your favorite talk show host asks you questions about your favorite book. It could be a book that you have either read or written. This challenge might be my favorite because as an aspiring author, I dream of the day I get to sit down and answer questions about my latest (hopefully bestselling) masterpiece 😂.