Prompt 1: Shower Conversations

For when you think of the perfect come-back…four hours later in the shower

We’ve all been there. You’re in an argument or “a passionate discussion at an elevated volume” as I like to sometimes call them when all you can think to say is: “No, you’re the jerk!” or the even wittier: “Whatever” followed by an epic eye roll.

You leave the argument feeling silly, unheard, unseen, small, and even a bit, dare I say, *gasp* stupid. The worst part is when you take a shower later that evening and you replay the entire incident over and over in your head. Suddenly, you think of the most perfect thing to say! You shout it out to the tile squares covered in long pieces of hair that do nothing in response but slide down the wall and disappear down the drain, just like your come-back.

So here’s your writing prompt: Rewrite an argument you had in the past, but this time add in exactly what you wished you had said or done. Let your shower scene take on new life on the page.

The best part? This version won’t wash away. It will empower you to lean into this response next time.

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Prompt 2: Her, continued

For when you need to write the happy ending that didn’t happen

Recently one of my beloved students made an attempt on her own life. Without going into any more details, it’s obviously a painful and shocking situation for everyone who knows and loves her. Our entire community was left shell-shocked and breathless, wondering what we could have done differently and how we plan to move forward.

We all have people in our lives who take an unexpected road–often times one we never saw coming and one for which we were never prepared. It can feel like we’re walking along a path with our loved one walking ahead, just out of reach, until they suddenly turn a corner. We run to catch up, but they’re just gone.

So here’s your writing prompt: Write a scene where you get to have that last conversation you never had, where you get to dance that last dance, throw back that last beer together, belly laugh until you cry together. Continue their story, just for a moment, to find peace.

The written word is one of most obstinate forces against the test of time. It creates monuments that wind, rain, and even great tremors in the earth can’t topple. Writing our loved ones into words preserves them and our hearts forever.