Writing Practice

Day 30: January 30, 2023

Welcome to Writing Practice. The idea is simple: I send out a prompt, often with links to related published pieces to help fuel creativity. Then you write.

Write as much or as little as you like. I would recommend not over-thinking this, and just using it as an opportunity to jot down some words. I would also recommend just writing through – don’t try to make it perfect (that’s for later).

Some of these prompts may resonate, and you’ll find yourself writing paragraph after paragraph. Others will fall flat, and you’ll roll your eyes, or come up empty and feel frustrated. This, too, is part of having a regular writing practice. On those days of frustration or blockage, try to write something down anyway – even just one sentence, even just one word. And then take heart in the reality that, if we are lucky, there is always tomorrow.

WRITING PRACTICE DAY 30

Read this well-loved piece by Cheryl Strayed, “The Ghost Ships That Didn’t Carry Us.” Call up one of your ghost lives – you, but maybe with a different job, living in a different city, with a different partner, or having had a different childhood. Begin a short story introducing us to this different version of you – set a scene, put yourself in it, and paint a picture of yourself ghost life. [Looking for more inspiration? Here’s another great piece].

xx Jill