I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn’t enjoy writing. Even from an early age, I was enamored with stories and the collection of words that collaborated to make stories come to life. The written word is a form of cosmic magic. Words transform, transfix, and teleport us to places we dare to dream up or imagine. I consider it an honor to carry the title of writer. It is simultaneously daunting and powerful because I am always aware of the power of words.
Recently, I have intentionally sought to rekindle my love of writing. For too long, I have treated writing like a temperamental lover who is hot one day and cold the next. It has not been the kind of torrid love that leads to forever, with legacy building offspring in the form of published works like short stories, articles, and novels. I am desperate to change the trajectory of our relationship. My hearts desire is to be a best selling author. I have dreamed of spending my golden years crafting stories that become the lastest page-turners. I want to see readers lost in my books on their morning commute on the train or bus, while sprawled out pool- or beach-side on a lounge chair, or sitting around the living room for the latest book club meeting.
But that doesn’t happen over night. As much as I want to blink and skip the good part, I am excited about the journey it takes to get there. If I’m being honest, the journey is actually the good part! Saying yes to the journey led me to join a writing group that hosts a bi-weekly sip and write session. I had so much fun connecting with this intimate group of women who all share my love of the written word. The highlight of the time for me was having space to fall in love with creative storytelling again.
The host gave us a writing prompt, set a timer for 30 minutes, and instructed us to write whatever comes to mind. I admit to having a moment where my brain exploded with scenarios, characters, and geographic locations. It was slightly overwhelming considering I hadn’t attempted to write fiction in ages. I write often. It’s my profession. But the writing I do in my 9 to 5 doesn’t ignite the creativity and joy that dreaming up characters and worlds does. I was rusty and nervous that I wouldn’t be able to produce anything worth writing. That’s wild, right? The purpose of using writing prompts is to write freely and without judgement. No self-editing, no self-doubt. I needed to get myself together and do it quickly.
Once I settled into the rhythm, I transported into the story, finding myself in the room of my teenage protagonist’s best friend. I was lowkey annoyed when the timer went off signaling that our writing block had come to the end. To say that I was proud is an understatement. Not only did I bang out the beginnings of a suspensful supernatural story with no planning or thought, it wasn’t half bad! That last statement is not based on my opinion. I got really good feedback from the group after I read it out loud.
I have used writing prompts for journaling but I had never used them to jumpstart my creative writing. It was freeing to not have to put too much thought into what to write. With the prompt, I could just write. And there was no required formula. Hearing the other women’s stories, each person approached the prompt from a different angle. There were nine women sitting around the table, and we produced nine different stories.
Needless to say, I am now a fan of prompts for creative writing. Who knows, maybe my first book will be one of the stories I began at my first sip and write meetup!
