Whitewater rafting of the mind

What’s wonderful about writing prompts is that they provide cross-currents to the way our minds are already running. If our minds are creaks, babbling along in one direction, the prompt sends a rush going in a different direction. The result? White water, rapids: story. Energy. Writing.

When writing with prompts, it can be tremendously helpful to set a timer. Creating assignments with bounds allows a generative tension to arise.

Here is a prompt to try:

1) Make a list by filling in your answers to the following words:

• a street you used to live on
• three things in your pocket, bag or purse
• something that makes you feel ashamed
• a childhood pet
• a favorite word
• a word you hate
• something you’ve always wanted to see or experience
• something that surprised you
• something boring, familiar

2) Now, write for ten minutes–be sure to set the timer and keep your hand moving–about a blind date. Work each of the items from the list above into the writing as you go.

3) When you are finished, stand up, stretch, and then read what you just write ALOUD. Really. This will allow you to hear what you wrote, without which you actually will not know.

4) Consider this: repeat with different answers to the list, this time writing for ten, timed minutes about loss.