When you are writing and you have more time to write, but you feel ready to stop . . . try to keep going. Push the limits. Push past the urge to go no farther.
Writing Prompt: Play with the word and the concept of “ghost.”
Writing Prompts
Seeing a ghost.
Have you ever seen, or thought you saw, a ghost?
Ghost of a former self
Not a ghost of a chance
Ghost of a smile
Give up the ghost
Caspar, The Friendly Ghost
Relationship (past or present) as a ghost
Rituals as ghosts
Look in a mirror and “see a ghost” . . . see grandmother or grandfather
Ghost writing
Ghost town
Ghosting someone: to cut off all contact abruptly and without explanation, pretending that person doesn’t exist.
“The Mask Self is that part of ourselves that we dare to present to the world. It is a way of being that we have put together, frequently in a rather haphazard way, and often through the trials and errors of our lives.
For the most part, the Mask Self protects us from having to look more closely at the dream figures that lie behind it. It protects the more vulnerable creatures of our inner world.
As we struggle with our masks, there are often many different layers to be peeled away.
In the meantime, life becomes a melodrama, a soap opera, as we find ourselves drawn to this person or that, all in an effort to make our lives work and still hold onto our masks.” — Hal Zina Bennet, “Write From the Heart”
Visualization
Before the writing prompt, please enjoy this visualization.
Imagine you are in the mountains in the springtime.
Walking on a soft, earthy path, breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Regal trees reach up to a calm blue sky.
Birds are singing with no cares.
There is a lake, so crystal clear you can see rocks underwater.
See the reflections of the sun sparkling on the lake like diamonds.
There is a waterfall that feeds the lake.
The sun shines down through the falls, creating rainbows.
Imagine . . . the sounds of water . . . the smells of earth, trees, and fresh water . . . the dance of light.
The majesty of the mountains surrounds you, creating a feeling of safety, like a sanctuary.
Sitting comfortably on a rock, breathe in the profound beauty and stillness.
Taking a deep breath, you are ready to release what no longer serves you.
When you are ready, write . . .
What would you like to release, or let go of?
Or: What would happen if you took your mask off?
Or: If you have taken the mask off, how did that go?
Or, what talent do you have that you are proud of?
Dubbed “America’s Funniest Cowgirl,” Karen Questhas been blazing a trail since 1998 with her one-woman award-winning original comedy act, Cowgirl Tricks. Skillful trick roping, impressive whip cracking, outstanding audience rapport and improvisational kooky cowgirl shenanigans have proven wildly popular at venues for audiences of all ages.
Karen’s talents include juggling, clowning, acrobatics, fire-eating, unicycling, and stunt work,
Your turn:
Write about your talents. Or your fictional character’s talents.
During a trip to Disneyland, a priest became fascinated with the costumed figure of Mickey Mouse. Every time Father Sean turned around, there was Mickey Mouse shaking hands with people, talking with kids, keeping everyone’s spirits up. And Father Sean began asking himself, “I wonder who that person is under that costume? What are they like at the end of the day, when they take off their Mickey Mouse suit?”
Instead of being who we really can be, we take on masks like the Good Little Girl, or we become the Black Sheep of the Family or the Rebel. Early on, we learn that if we are to be loved and cared for, we’d better buckle under and be what is safe for us to be.
