Prompts

An argument. Prompt #512

“At the time it seemed very important. That’s the funny thing about arguments. Now, I can’t even remember what it was all about.” Quote by Dr. Chilton in the movie, Pollyanna. Writing prompt: Write about an argument or a disagreement. After you have written all you want on this subject, put on your screenplay hat. Write this same scene from the point of view of the other person involved in the argument or disagreement.

Prompts

Hold or carry. Prompt #511

Like Prompt #510, this prompt is also inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda, besides being an amazing lyricist, he is the author of Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You which came from his Tweets. Jonny Sun said Lin should make the tweet comments into a book. Lin asked Jonny, “Why would I write a book when you can get this free?” Jonny, the person who became the illustrator for the book, answered, “Because people like to hold things.” Prompt: What do you like to hold or carry?

Prompts

What do you need to hear? Prompt #510

This prompt is inspired by an interview with Lin-Manuel Miranda, an American composer, lyricist, actor, singer, rapper, producer, and playwright. He composed music for Moana, and starred in Mary Poppins. He is possibly best known for creating and starring in the Broadway play, Hamilton. He is the author of Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You which came from his Tweets. Jonny Sun said to Lin, “You should make these tweet comments into a book.” Lin replied, “Why would I write a book when you can get this free?” Sun, the person who became the illustrator for the book, answered, “Because people like to hold things.” Lin’s tweets came from asking himself, “What do I need to hear right now?” Prompt: What do you need to hear right now?

Prompts

Today I trust. Prompt #508

I usually like to include a photo or an image with the writing prompts. It usually takes me longer to find an image than to create the prompt. Today’s writing prompt is multiple choice: What image would you use to go with this writing prompt? Or: What song lyrics would you use for this prompt? You can create your own song lyrics, or use a song you know to write about. I’m thinking of “You Raise Me Up,” by Josh Groban. Writing Prompt: Today I trust. Just Write!

Prompts

I want to tell you about . . . Prompt #506

If you want someone to understand you, what would you tell them about your past? Imagine a room full of people, they are looking at a speaker behind a podium. They want to know more about the topic. In a way, they want to be entertained. They are talking about you. Who knows more about you than you?  Who best to celebrate the essence of you, than you?  Write about you . . . Provide enough information so the people in that room have a clear vision or impression of you and your life.  Prompt: I want to tell you about . . .

Prompts

Significant Events . . . Prompt #505

Make a List. Start with the year you were born and make a list of significant events that happened in your life, both personally and historically. If you are having trouble thinking of major events, here are a few: 1950-1975       Vietnam Conflict 1958                Explorer I, first American satellite is launched January 1959   Alaska becomes the 49th state August 1959   Hawaii becomes the 50th state January 1961   John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th president August 1963   Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream” Speech Nov. 1963       President Kennedy is assassinated 1964                Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan Show April 1968       Martin Luther King is assassinated June 1963        Sen. Robert Kennedy is assassinated July 1969        Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the moon 1973                Roe v. Wade, legalizes abortion 1973                Watergate cover-up. July 1974        Nixon resigns 1986                Space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff 1990                Iraqi…

Prompts

Write about an important person. Prompt #503

Write about someone who was, or is, important to you. Write how that person impacted you. Bonus points for a crazy coincidence . . . The unexplainable event . . . The hilarious accident. The outsized personality. Write about how that person impressed you or changed you. Today’s Prompt is inspired by Brandon Stanton and his Humans of New York project. I learned about Brandon Stanton around 2009 as he began his Humans of New York project. Intrigued, I pre-ordered his book, which is now a prized possession. From Brandon’s Humans of New York’s May 17 Facebook Page, about not being able to have personal interviews on the streets. I was initially worried about doing these interviews remotely. I thought that without the context of the street-—the stories might lose their sense of immediacy and randomness. But the experiment has been quite a success. These remote interviews have been a…