“So, while I still write for understanding, for truth, for clarification, to tell a story, to help people, to help myself and even for fun—I also write for communication, for discussion, for connection. In a world that can feel fragmented and lonely, I write to bring myself closer to others.” —Diane Forman, “Why I Write,” Brevity’s NonFiction Blog, October 31, 2022 More on “Why Write?” Why Do You Write? Why I Write Just Write!
Tag: writing freely
Right now . . . Prompt #633
What’s happening for you right now? Be in the moment. Write about whatever is on your mind. Write what your heart wants to say.
What calls to you? Prompt #582
It feels to me like we’re coming down from a precipice, a surreal 15 months. As we enter this new phase, what calls to you? What are you ready to let go of? How can you release or lighten the load you carry? Prompt inspired from “Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?” by Bella Mahaya Carter.
California Winter
California Winter By Patricia Morris (with thanks to Ted Kooser) The wind turns the pages of rain As drops splatter on the skylights, beating a rhythm punctuated by the cracks of unmoored oak limbs hitting the roof. The rain chain dances, brass acorns jingling, water swooshing through its cups. The creek rushes over rocks, gushes into the culvert and out again, making its overground / underground way to the river. The thirsty earth soaks it in, filters it down into empty aquifers. One chapter ending, another beginning. Freewrite inspired by the poem, A Rainy Morning, by Ted Kooser Patricia Morris misses the summer thunderstorms of her rural Midwestern upbringing, but enjoys observing and writing about the California rains from her home in Petaluma. After careers as diverse as…
What are you afraid of? Prompt #553
Like many, I am worried about the future of America. I believe in the power of writing as a path to healing. If you are feeling overwhelmed and scared, please take a few minutes to write about your feelings. You can’t change what happened. You can change what you think. Today’s prompt is a hope and a chance for you to write about your thoughts and your feelings, as a way to start healing. For more prompts and suggestions for healing through writing, please consider reading the anthology, The Write Spot: Writing as a Path to Healing, available as a paperback and as an ereader through Amazon. Prompt: What are you afraid of?
Your message. . . Prompt #481
If you could give the world one message, what would it be? Inspired from Rachel Macy Stafford’s guest blog post.
An object that “speaks” to you. Prompt #430
Picture the house or apartment you grew up in. If there was more than one house or apartment, choose one to focus on for this writing. Imagine standing outside, looking at the door you usually entered. Stand outside for a moment. Walk in and wander until you see a piece of furniture that speaks to you. Describe the object. Write about the memories and feelings it brings up for you. Write until you feel done with this object. Another time write about another object from your childhood or adolescence.
Shhhh . . . Prompt #428
Today’s writing prompt: Opening line from Maxine Hong Kingston, The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts: “You must not tell anyone, my mother said, what I’m about to tell you.” Or: You must not tell anyone . . . Or: My mother said . . .
Word Problems . . . Prompt #422
Remember math word problems? If x = a + c, then what does b equal? If Johnny and Tony want to end up at the same place and at the same time, why didn’t they just travel together? Prompt: Word problems
What would you do, if . . . Prompt #418
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?