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Missoula Public Library

Creative Prompt: Pick your favorite floor of the library. Now, pick a color, any color will do. And off you go! Search the stacks on your chosen floor until you find a book your color. Read the first page of that book. Scribble down or take a picture of your favorite sentence. Note the book's name and author.

Then, write a poem, take a photo, sculpt a sculpture, whittle, doodle, paint, write a creative nonfiction piece, a vignette, or a short story (whatever you like!) that incorporates that sentence or the central idea in it that intrigues you.*

*If you don't find a sentence that grips you in the first book, find another book your color, and repeat.


If you'd like to submit your work to our community, anthology zine, please send it to me with your pen name through my Contact Form. You can request my address there, if you'd like to send hard copies.


Please tag me if you post your work to Instagram, I'd be so happy to see it and share it. My handle is @taylor_stein__


The Creative Experiment & Treasure Hunt was cooked up by Taylor Stein. If you enjoyed this prompt and would like more creative goodness in your life, please check out Wonder-Gizmos, a Snail Mail Creative Writing Club & Whimsy Machine. Every month, Wonder-Gizmos delivers writing prompts, curated inspiration, and warm absurdity to your mailbox.

Assortment of Books

Where can I find more?

Here are all the spots around town where you can find unique, place-based creative prompts. If you don't have time to bop everywhere, the prompts are also available here.

Want to join next year's treasure hunt? Fabulous, just message me!

  • Free Cycles (Wed-Sat, 10-6:00)

  • Bob's Your Uncle

  • The Roxy

  • Northside Community Garden

  • The Moon-Randolph Homestead (open Saturdays, 11-5:00)

  • The Missoula Art Museum

  • Betty's Divine

  • Frame of Mind Art Supplies

  • Giving Art to Missoula

  • Kiwanis Park

  • Bonner Park

  • Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters

  • California Street Bridge

  • University of Montana, the UC

  • Little Free Library, Draught Works

  • Downtown Missoula, Worden's Bulletin Board

  • US Post Office Downtown

  • The Hip Strip

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