Midweek Writing Prompt: Braving the New (11/5/14)
In my classrooms and workshops, I strive to create safe, welcoming writing communities where individuals feel free to explore ideas, stories, and concepts without judgment. After all, we need those spaces to get started. The judgment – of editors, professors, critical friends – will come later. But in the beginning, we need that soft, friendly embrace where anything is possible and everyone loves you. Let’s go there together.
When my schedule allows, I will post writing prompts for you to play with. I encourage you to write something and to share those initial efforts in the comment section, or even your response to the prompt – tell us what happened when you sat down to write. After all, some of these prompts will lead you down a path toward publication – I’ve seen that happen often enough to be confident in that statement.
Give it a try! 🙂
Writing Prompt: Braving the New
This prompt involves trying something new. One of the best ways to improve your personal vat of stories is to try new things. When is the last time you tried something completely new? Totally unfamiliar? Maybe a little scary? For instance, if you have never tried sushi – go to a really good restaurant and try it. If you have never had a pedicure, get a recommendation for a fabulous salon and go get one. If you have never driven a stick shift, find a friend with a manual transmission and ask for a lesson. You get the idea. Go and brave the new. Once you have that experience, write about it. Engage all of the senses in your re-creation, be honest about your fear and relief, and really work at re-creating the experience while reflecting on the experience of braving the new.
A writer is only as good as her experiences and her observation of those experiences. So push yourself outside your comfort zone and try something new. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results. Promise. 🙂
Amanda Morris, Ph.D. 