Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, how about writing a character sketch, either about yourself, or about your fictional characters. Finish the following sentences as your fictional character would, or for yourself, perhaps a new way of looking at old ideas. “Character Sketch” My full name is: I live at or near: I live with: Today I want: Today I hope: I am happiest when: I daydream about: If I had my way: I don’t understand: What I could do is: Sometimes I think: If I were in charge: I get angry when: People wouldn’t like it if they knew: If only we had enough: A person can’t be happy unless: I never told anyone that I: Five years ago: Five years from now: “Character Sketch” by B. Lynn Goodwin, Writer Advice The idea of using Lynn’s “Character Sketch” as inspiration for a new way of looking at old ideas is…
Category: Prompts
It’s a wrap . . . Prompt #701
Write an end-of-the-year letter. One you might send, or would never send. You can capture how the year was for you, where you went, why you went there, what happened on that trip. Or, it might be “I didn’t go anywhere and I didn’t do anything.” You can write about a friend or a family member. Or write about goals achieved, accomplishments met, or what was disappointing. Just Write! #amwriting #iamawriter #justwrite
2020 was . . . Prompt #700
My son said, “2020 was last week and lasted three years.” Writing Prompt: Your take on the past three years. Or: Nothing prepared me for . . . #justwrite #amwriting #iamawriter
Invent a Holiday . . . Prompt #699
If you could invent a holiday, what would it be called and what would it celebrate? #justwrite #amwriting #iamawriter
Random Acts of Kindness . . . Prompt #698
Have you received random acts of kindness? Have you given random acts of kindness? Have you witnessed random acts of kindness? Writing Prompt: Random acts of kindness. #amwriting #justwrite #iamawriter
This holiday season . . . Prompt #697
What would you appreciate seeing or happening this holiday season? #justwrite #amwriting #iamawriter
A note of appreciation . . . Prompt #696
Back in the day, many people sent Christmas cards with notes or the generic letter. How about a tweak to the standard holiday greeting? Write a note of appreciation, letting someone (alive or not alive) know what you appreciate about them. This is a note or letter you may or may not send. Prompt: Write a note of appreciation. #amwriting #justwrite #iamawriter
A Meditative Quality . . . Prompt #695
“To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren’t doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands . . . The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!” — “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life,” by Thich Nhat Hanh Prompt: Write about a mundane chore, or something you routinely do, that has a meditative quality.
Who Influenced You . . . Prompt #694
If you could thank someone (living or dead) for their influence on your life, who would you thank? Many people would think of a family member. How about this: Write a thank you note to someone (living or dead), excluding family, for their influence on your life. Just Write!
Letter Delivered Years Later. . . Prompt #693
“It is a relatively little-known fact that over the course of a single year, about twenty million letters are delivered to the dead.”— “The Girl With No Shadow” by Joanne Harris Prompt: Write about a letter delivered 25 years after it was written. Or 33 years after it was sent. Or 18 years. You can write from the point of view of the recipient, the sender, or both. Or write about the unintended recipient . . . the person who now lives at the address the letter was sent to. Does the letter reveal disturbing or euphoric news? Just Write!