Hi everyone,
I saw this Twitter thread by US author, Terese Marie, and thought it might be good to share here. I might give it a go over the Christmas break…
“I want to share a writing exercise for writers who can’t afford a class:
This is a fragmented essay exercise. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a first draft of a fragmented essay, It’s in the shape of a tree, and this exercise has produced published works!
Prompt 1. What is at the root of you and what do you luxuriate in? What feeds those roots? Write about it for 5-10 minutes. Students have described community centers/Hogans, longhouses, rivers, their grandmothers, their uncles in suspenders, … describe what you need to.
Prompt 2. What holds you up? What’s at your trunk? What skills have you acquired in spite of people, or because of them? Are you a good auntie? Show me that. Are you good at helping strangers? Tell me about it.
Prompt 3. Show me a scene where you used a skill that’s saved you. You can tell it straight. You can tell it in-scene. You can give me dialogue. Show me you at your best. Value yourself. Center yourself and your survival.
Prompt 4. This is the branches part. Show me your hopes and dreams: the things that reach for the sun. I used to dream about being interviewed on TV and that happened. My new dreams involve a purple couch and a peaceful life. Tell me about your dreams.
When you’re done, you’ll have an essay about the origin of you, and its trajectory. Dream big, write big. Red heart. Revision tips: read it out loud as many times as possible with a pen in hand.”
She’s worth a follow if you’re on Twitter as she seems to share other writing prompts. Have a happy Christmas!
Natalie x
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