Who are you mad at? Why?
Do you want to stay mad?
Would you like to reconcile, even if it’s just in your mind and heart?
Or: Who are you no longer mad at? What did you do with that anger?
Or: Who are you disappointed with?
Just Write!
Write about a time you were late.
Write about something it’s too late for.
Something you wish you would have said, but now it’s too late.
Something you wish you would have done, but now it’s too late.
Or is it?
Kangaroo Words: A word that contains a synonym:
Use kangaroo words in your writing.
Find other kangaroo words.
Inspired from San Diego Writers, Inc Facebook post
Just Write!
On my next birthday, I will be (___) years old.
It’s a big deal, because . . .
It’s not a big deal, because . . .
If neither money nor health/mobility were issues, here’s how I would celebrate my birthday . . .
At my age, my parents . . . . or my grandparents . . .
Just Write!
Brief definition: A hero or heroine goes on an adventure, is victorious, and is transformed.
This can be fiction or memoir.
Examples: Dorothy in Wizard of Oz
Kerrin in Amoran, recently published by Debra Koehler
If you were to write a story of your life, or a real person’s life, or your fictional character life as a hero’s or heroine’s journey, what would the lowlights be?
Write a scene involving a conflict or overcoming an obstacle.
Prepare to write:
Get into the head of the character, real or fictional, that you want to write about. This could be a younger version of yourself.
Become that person, that character. It could be a younger you.
Walk around as if you are the person you are going to write about.
Pantomime an action, or activity, the character might do.
Fully embody that person.
Walk around for about 3 minutes.
As you walk, imagine you are the character you have in mind.
Feel that character in your body.
After walking, write about what you just experienced.
Then, write a conversation or an interaction from real life or imagination, with the character you just inhabited.
Possible sentence starts:
You always . . .
I hate it when you . . .
I love when you . . .
Why didn’t you . . .
Remember when . . .
I thought . . . and then I learned . . .
In my mind, the trouble started when . . .
This exercise was inspired by author and writing teacher B. Lynn Goodwin.
Use a situation from real life.
Or:
Make up something that could have happened with either a real person or a fictional character.
Write a December memory.
In “Giving Up The Ghost” by Samantha Rose, Sam explores the possibility of having a relationship with someone after they die.
If you have lost a loved one, in what ways have you continued the relationship?
Or
Write about someone who has passed as if you were introducing them.
For example, “This is my grandmother, she sews all her clothes and makes noodles from scratch.”
Bring this person to life as if they were in the room, or right around the corner.
Make a list of things that are hard for you to do.
or
Write about one of those things that are hard, and yet you do it anyway.
Write about something someone thinks about you, but it’s not true.
A misconception.
Just Write!