Category: Prompts

Using sensory detail when writing.

You can use any place you wish.

The prompts use “house.”

Prompt 1

When I walk into where I live, I smell . . .

You could write about where you presently live, where you have lived in the past, or a place you frequent (now or in the past).

Prompt 2

When I walk into my house, I can taste . . .

You can switch from “house” to “heart.”

Example:  If you walked into my heart, you would taste melted butter on crispy toast, creamy coffee first thing in the morning, sweet and sour flashes of time rushing away from me.

Prompt 3

When I walk into where I live, I hear . . .

Or: When you walk into my house, you can touch . . .

Use the details of texture.

You could write in first person point of view, or second person.

Prompts inspired from Jennie Linthorst, a poet, expressive writing teacher, and founder of LifeSPEAKS Expressive Writing & Poetry Therapy.

As you write on this prompt, if there is pain or hurt, put your hand where the pain is.

If you can’t put your hand there, put your thoughts there, as you take deep breaths.

Take a deep breath now, put your focus on where there is pain as you take a deep breath in. And release your breath.

Take another deep breath in. Let it out.

Prompt inspired from Kate Braestrup’s Memoir, “Here If You Need me.”

Consider the things you have lost:

~ Opportunities

~ People

~Jobs

~ An important item

~ A favorite item

Write about that loss, but instead of letting the story lead you towards pain, start from where it hurts and move forward from there.

Describe how you regained sanity, confidence, and the other things you have needed in order to maintain your healthy connection with life.

Perhaps there are allies and amulets that helped you proceed on your quest, like the Hero’s Journey.

If you have trouble with this, use the “as if” method.

Write as if you regained sanity or confidence, or as if you are on the path towards mental, physical, and emotional health.

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