Do you ever have
that blank-page-panic?
You know, when you're staring at an empty computer screen and you're trying to figure out something brilliant and insightful to say, except your brain is dry as a bone.
Maybe you feel pressured because you're supposed to send out a newsletter by 5 p.m. today,
or you need to finish your essay a.s.a.p., or you promised yourself you'd write 500 words today but nothing's happening. The clock is ticking. But the words aren't flowing.
When you're having one of those "Ugh, I don't know what to write about..." moments, here's my recommendation:
- Pick an interesting question or scenario. (This is sometimes called a "writing prompt," because it "prompts" you into writing something).
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Then respond to the prompt. Start writing. That's
it.
No big expectations. No pressure. Just respond to the prompt and see what comes out of your brain. You might realize, "Whoa, I have a lot to say about this topic!" or "I totally forgot about that story until this exact moment..." or "Oh my gosh, I could write a whole book about this."
You might surprise yourself.
Here are 10 prompts for you. Perhaps one of these prompts will lead to a new novel, short story, article, newsletter, a topic for an inspiring speech, a new realization about yourself, a fascinating dinner table conversation with
your friends, or who knows what?
Set a timer and see what happens...
1. When's the last time you felt ashamed? What was happening? What did you learn from that
experience?
2. Can you remember your first kiss? Where were you? Who was it? How did you feel? What happened
afterward?
3. When's the last time you did something that felt really difficult? What was the toughest part and how did you get through it? What did you learn from that
experience?
4. What's something you see out in the world that breaks your heart? Is it homophobia? Oppression? Corruption? Rainforest destruction? Cruelty and lack of empathy? Poverty? Kids being separated from
their parents at US borders? Something else? How does this situation make you feel? What's something specific that you pledge to do to make things better? If you were standing onstage, speaking to one million listeners, what would you urge everyone to do?
5. Who's one of the most inspiring people you've ever met? What's their story? Why does it move you? What have you learned from this person?
6. What's one of your favorite possessions—a piece of clothing, artwork, a coffee mug, an heirloom ring from your grandmother, or something else? Where did you get it? What does it represent for
you?
7. Can you remember a time when you said "Yes" to something impulsively—a project, a date, a trip, or something else? Was it a good choice? What happened next?
8. Imagine two fictional characters: a woman (62 years old) and her neighbor (22 years old). The older woman just got fired from
the company she's worked at for several decades and she's devastated. The younger neighbor is unemployed, too. Write a scene where these two people have a conversation.
9. Imagine a
fictional character who's 14 years old. She's realizing that she might have superpowers. She can read people's minds and feel their emotions just as strongly as her own. She's not sure if she's crazy, or delusional, or if this is really happening. Write a scene where she experiences one of her powers for the first time.
10. Write a quick story that begins with the phrase, "It was 11:58pm on New Year's Eve, and that's when I realized that..."
-Alex
PPPS. If you're feeling stiff or lethargic today, try this gentle 9-minute morning workout. It feels so good. We can't squint at our computers all day long, right? It's so important to get up and
move.
PPPPS. I am sending you a big hug, even if we've never met before, because I just have a gut feeling that you might need one today. <3