The Phantom Tollbooth 2/8

Chapters 1-5: Writing Prompt

Welcome back! How are you liking the book so far?

Here is your first writing prompt to chapters 1-5 of The Phantom Tollbooth. Firstly, what do I mean by writing prompt? A writing prompt is a way to introduce a creative writing exercise. In this case it’s either a suggestion or a question to get you on your way to writing something wonderful. The idea behind these creative writing exercises is to offer you a fun and creative way to engage with the book. To give you the chance to bring some of your own imagination into it.

If you haven’t read the first few chapters, you can still (mostly) follow along with the writing prompts. But it’s definitely more fun if you do. Here is a link to the book so you can check it out.

I really hope to read what you’ve come up with, so please please, make sure to share it in the comments :)

Here is a quote from the first page of The Phantom Tollbooth, which describes Milos general outlook on things. It goes like this.

"It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time," he remarked one day as he walked dejectedly home from school. "I can't see the point in learning to solve useless problems, or subtracting turnips from turnips, or knowing where Ethiopia is or how to spell February." And, since no one bothered to explain otherwise, he regarded the process of seeking knowledge as the greatest waste of time of all.

Alright, prompt time. If you were a character in The Phantom Tollbooth and could talk to Milo, what would you say to him to explain how learning is not a waste of time? What would you say to convince him? Can you think of an example from your own life where learning something was worthwhile?

Now keep in mind, I said “if you were a character,” meaning you can be ANYONE. But if you would like write from the point of view of yourself, that’s totally fine. You can always spice it up making yourself his class or neighbor. Choosing a relationship to Milo helps set up the situation where the two of you talking would make sense.

And if you would like to try writing as a fictional character, who would you be? His parent or teacher, maybe you are Tock, or what about the house sparrow in the picture on page 2, who instead of rushing off talks to Milo? Are you even a character from this book? Maybe you are from another story that jumps into this book and is like, “listen up Milo. Almost everything is NOT and waste of time and here is why.”

If you are up for a challenge, put your conversation with Milo into a story. Describe the events, setting and other characters leading up to your conversation with him.

I leave all these creative choices up to you. Just remember to post your writing in the comments here.

Or better yet, share your responses with friends and family. Maybe even get them to post their writing too!

And as always, thank you for reading, for writing, and subscribing. Till next time!