A nudge for your imagination
More on writing prompts to jump start your creativity
Our stories, if only we could get them onto the page, have such potential. Our profound and powerful words would entertain, inform, excite—enlighten, even. But sometimes, words get stuck. Our imagination bogs down, and we’re not sure how to get ti going again. We feel blocked.
The job of a writer is to engage their own imagination, and make a connection, through words on a page (or screen) with the reader’s imagination. Right now, by writing, I’m inviting you to think, to consider ideas and respond to them. What an astonishing thing, really. By imagination, I am not speaking of fallacy or imaginary things. Rather, imagination is our ability to conceive of things, to hold ideas in our minds and examine them. In some ways, our imagination is the lens through which we view and interpret the world.
Writing can provide an opportunity to examine that lens, to step back from the stories we tell ourselves. In other words, to see the world from a different perspective. To figure out what we think, explore other perspectives.
Last week, we began a short series on writing prompts. When we play with prompts, we take the pressure off. A writing prompt is like a musician playing scales, an athlete warming up. It’s just practice, to nudge our imagination into gear.
As I wrote last week, a writing prompt is a brief question or “set up” that introduces and focuses a writing topic. It’s an open-ended, intriguing question to launch a quick writing exercise. It motivates you because it asks you to write a short response on a very specific topic. In my work as a writing coach, I find prompts and well-crafted questions help writers find freedom and productivity.
For those who missed last week’s post:
The power of writing prompts
You’ve been sitting at your desk all day and now you’re feeling a little stiff. You might be tempted to pour yourself a beverage and just hit the couch. A better strategy? (We all know this, right?) A quick walk around the block, or a few quick stretches or jumping jacks on the living room floor renews our energy and chases away those tight shoulders.
Last week I promised to put a few prompts on the Powerful Story Facebook page. I hate to admit it, but I only managed to put one up there. We got a fun response from writer Tracie H. Jump over to the page to read her creative response, and to post your own writing!
This week’s prompt
Want to play with prompts? Jump on in. Write 500 words or less in response to this prompt. Don’t edit or critique yourself, just write quickly and freely.
Graduation addresses have been in the spotlight lately (in a bit of a controversial way). Today's writing prompt: you've been invited to speak at the graduation ceremony of your high school or college. Do you accept the invitation? How do you feel about this? What do you say?
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/
Use this prompt to write 500 words or less. You don’t have to share it, but if you’d like to, you can do so in the comments below, or on the Powerful Story Facebook Page.
P.S. I believe writing can help us pay attention—to our lives, to God, to our deepest desires. It can help us to listen. If you are wondering how to listen to God, my book Listen is a helpful and encouraging resource. The Kindle version is only $7.99 and you can grab a copy here.
Those seated before you have reached a significant milestone. They have wrestled with last minute assignments, pulled all nighters in an attempt to get caught up, and fought the lure of playing the comparison game. They have persevered.
Students, I'm here today to offer a fresh perspective going forward. The world will try its best to fit you into a mold, don't let it. The assembly line created by Henry Ford doesn't apply to your future. We are not suppose to look exactly alike the way his cars did. In forging your future, you may have to disappoint those who have decided they know what's best for you. They don't. You are not someone's trophy to be put upon a shelf so the owner of said trophy can brag of their contribution to your success.
Whatever you do today, next week, or next year, remember there's a truth that will serve you well: "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most." In addition, carefully choose who you want in your bullseye. Choose those with integrity, kindness, patience, and a confidence in the One who created this incredible planet we call home. You become like those with whom you spend the most time. Choose wisely.
To quote the great Dr. Seuss: "Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to great places. You're off and away. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. Any YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024