Looking for Some October Inspiration? Check Out These Hashtags and Challenges

When it comes to creative challenges for October, if I have my little devil horns on, I’m saying, “DO ALL THE THINGS!” If I’m wearing my halo, it’s “just do what you can and have fun!”
Image by Kaiskynet/ Adobe Stock

Rev up your fall inspo

Is fall the most creative season? Some people may say spring, but I think there’s a special energy about autumn. Maybe it’s because (in the Northern Hemisphere) we finally get a break from the hot weather. Perhaps harvesting the year’s hard work inspires people. Or maybe the Harvest and Hunter’s moon sends us special vibes. Could it just be that Halloween gets our creative juices flowing? Are you ready for creative challenges and hashtags for October?

I blogged about #Spectoberquest23 which I designed for speculative fictions fans and creatives to connect and share their love for the season and spec fic but there is always a lot going on in October.

Below is a curated list for some Halloween or spooky-themed art to check out on Instagram (the hashtags probably also apply to other social media but I’m focusing on Insta). Some challenge you to use a certain type of media and others have no rules at all. Whether you want to flex your creative muscles and join in or just follow along, there are so many interesting things to see. You also don’t have to do every prompt. Do what fits for your time, goals and interest.

NOTE: I’m not adding images of the prompts because I really want to encourage you to give these creators direct views.

Curated lists of prompts and challenges for Halloween

Art

Intense Mode: The Full 31 Days of Prompts

#Drawlloween

There are two main Drawlloweens and the hashtags get mixed up between the two often but the lists have different prompts.

The original Drawlloween by Brian Soria. You can find out more about it and old calendars at his Drawlloween website or at his instagram account @phantasmasoria. Don’t forget to check out the Drawlloween2023 promp t.

How to participate: use the prompt to create a piece of art in any style using any type of media. Use the hashtags: #Drawlloween and #drawlloween2023

My favorite is Mab’s Drawlloween Club by @mabgraves. Mab’s was the first drawing challenge I encountered and it was a lot of fun. I really enjoy Mab’s prompt selections and 2023 prompts look fun, too.

How to participate: follow the prompts. Any media. If you like use #mabsdrawloweenclub #mabsdrawloweenclub2023.

#Loretober

Babayaga, banshee or kitsune interest you? With almost 4k worth of posts over the years, the 31 prompts for 2023’s #Loretober is about mythology and folklore around the world. A 2023 prompt list is found on @piratesarrrt account.

How to participate: any media, any style. Just use the prompts, #loretober or #loretober2023 and tag @piratesarrrt if you want to share with the challenge host.

#magiktober

Magiktober has several different prompt lists you can check out. This one is a bit smaller in scale with just under total of 3000 posts on instagram but the prompts look fun. I liked the one found on @threeleaves_artwork and their 2023 prompts.

A challenge by brellian_official combines #magiktober and #Painttober. This challenge has a full 31 prompts. Check out the Relaxed Mode section for less strenuous #Painttober list.

#CREEPTOBER

The challenge prompts for #creeptober are found on Kickinthecreatives.com. It is a basic list but I look forward to seeing what people come up with.

#DrawInHorror

Calling all horror movie fans! Cody Schibi started “Watch (& Draw) in Horror” 6 years ago and has done 155 horror movie-based illustrations. Check out this year’s movie selection. Cody mentions that the movie selection is becoming a bit obscure now, but I saw some classic B-cuts I recognize from my video store rental days (I’m either old… or very retro). There are 2700 posts that have responded to this challenge.

How to participate or follow: use the hashtag #DrawInHorror and show your work to the community.

Relaxed Mode: 16 Prompts or Less

While it’s not required to do all the prompts in a 31-day challenge, I call the challenges below “relaxed mode” only because there are fewer prompts. Some of the work from these past prompts are exquisitely elaborate and take more than a day. But, again, it’s more about having fun, stretching your creative muscles and meeting other creatives than being perfect.

#Witchtober

There are a couple of Witchtober prompts lists to choose from. There are over 13 000 Instagram posts using #witchtober from 2022 alone.

The 16 prompts by willowandroxas feels more manageable if you’re the type that likes to complete everything once you start.
The 4 weekly challenges by sunnylee_draws can be turned into a daily prompt by using the keywords mentioned in each weekly challenge as daily prompts.

DRAWTOBER

This is a community-based challenge with their own a Discord channel (Discord link in the Drawtober account bio). This challenge has 6 prompts. I’m not sure if it fits in Relaxed Mode because the prize standards look pretty intense. This year, Xencelabs is sponsoring and there are potential prizes (drawing tablets) to be won. In order to win, there are more rules to follow. Prizes are available worldwide.

Paintober (Relaxed Mode)

This challenge by Lindenshield.artsis structured like sunnylee_draw’s #witchtober challenge: 4 weeks with sub-prompts. This is mainly a painting challenge but I think any kind of style or media is ok. Use the hashtags #lindentober #lindentober2023 to participate or follow.

CRITTERSGETSPOOKY

#CrittersGetSpooky is really small or new since there are only 10 posts using the hashtags, but the illustrations are so ADORABLE you have to check them out! These are definitely the cute side of Halloween. There are several prompt lists which provide weekly challenges.

Craftober

Art isn’t only about drawing and painting. Crafts are also art. The #craftober tag seems like a bit of a wild card in what you get but there are definitely gems to be found. Follow #craftober or check out this prompt list.

For writers:

SpectoberQuest2023

I’m going to promote SpectoberQuest23 (instagram link), the challenge hosted by myself and JayleeAustin. It’s for readers, writers and creatives of all types. No rules. Just respond to prompts in words or art or reels and use the hashtag #SpectoberQuest23.

You can copy this image and use it, but I’d be really grateful if you signed up for my newsletter and downloaded a copy through there.

How to participate: No rules. Any media (including story or reel), any style. If you like a bit more structure to get you going, I have some optional rules in the instagram post. This challenge is really about sharing our favorite books and seasonal frights and delights.

Ready to create or meet new creatives?

I’m really excited by all these creative challenges and hashtags for October. I want to do all the things. Sadly, just not enough time, so I will be enjoying a lot of new-to-me accounts. There are probably many more interesting challenges going on. Drop a comment below if you know of one I should check out.

As the season progresses, keep an eye out for more curated lists about book events, favorite scary videos and podcasts. I’d love to get to know you more, so please consider joining #Spectoberquest23 and share your holiday spec fic faves.