Leading a Creative Life• You are a creative person. You have the power to

transform the raw stuff of daily life into something beautiful.

• Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Right and left shoes were thought up only a about a century ago.

• Write about the most creative person you’ve ever known. Explain why you feel he/she is so creative, offering examples of his/her creative accomplishments.

Write your own preface/prelude/introduction…

Imagine someone found your journal in the street. This is the first thing they would read.

What would you want them/not want them to know? What conclusions could he/she draw about you based on what you wrote?

It must begin with:

The contents contained within…

Acknowledge the Difficulty• List the positive messages you have received about

writing or about any creative undertaking. What did people say? How did they say it? Then write about times when you felt good about your writing, such as when a great idea zipped into your mind or when you finished a project that turned out well. Keep these messages and memories handy. When you’re feeling stale or want to berate yourself about your work, read about what you’ve done in the past and know you can do it again.

Show Up• Writer Thomas McGuane goes to his study at a certain

time every day and stays there for a scheduled length of time. He sits at his desk. “I don’t have to write,” he explains, “but I can’t do anything else.” Try this approach for a week, scheduling a specific period of time, during which you must sit at a place where you can write. You don’t have to write, but you can’t do anything else.

• Write down specific times (for each day of the week) that you can set aside each day to write. Be realistic and as precise as possible. Where will you sit? What might distract you from writing? How much time will you schedule for writing?

Song Lyrics

• What are some of your favorite song lyrics?• What were the first song lyrics that

you memorized?

• Look around the room. Choose a classmate. Make up a childhood event that could have occurred in his/her past. Imagine how he/she would remember it.

Thinking About Poetry

• Make a list of all the poets you can think of.• Underline those writers that you consider

challenging or difficult to understand.• Circle your favorite poet.• What is that appeals to you about the writing

of that poet?

Thinking About Poetry Day 2

• Take out your poem for the week.• Write anything and everything that pops into

your head about it.

Thinking About Poetry Day 3

• Choose a phrase from your poem. Use it as a springboard for free writing.

Thinking About Poetry Day 4

• Based on what you learned about your poet, what connections can you make to the poem you have selected?

Thinking About Poetry Day 5

• What phrase, sentence, or image did you write down from this week’s poem? What can you say about it thus far?

Write several short notes that you might actually leave for someone you

live with or for yourself. Do at least one in each category.

• Informational (I’ll be home late tonight; Remember to call Jack; We’re out of milk.)

• Emotional (Sorry that I yelled at you this morning. I love you bunches.)

• Absurd (You’ll never beat me at Scrabble. I think I saw a raccoon in the house this morning.)

Brainstorming for Images I

• Jot down some of the places where you have lived.

• What sensory images do you recall?– Sights– Sounds– Smells– Textures– Tastes

Brainstorming for Images II

• Jot down a list of old friends, people you don’t see much of anymore.

• Who stands out on the list? What is special/unique about him/her? Why don’t you see him/her much anymore?

Brainstorming for Images III

• Jot down two embarrassing things you’ve done and a lie you once told.

Brainstorming for Images IV

• Jot down one triumph and one failure.

Brainstorming for Images V

• Jot down the names of someone who hurt you, someone who helped you, and someone you admired.

Brainstorming for Images VI

• Describe a piece of clothing you once loved, name a piece of music you still love, and two old movies you will always love.

Brainstorming for Images VII

• Recall an incident that was emotionally draining. This could be either a positive or negative experience.

Acknowledge the Difficulty

• Acknowledge that writing is hard. Write it down. Then write about how you’re going to make writing happen. How will you find the balance in yourself to combine willpower with relaxation, stubbornness with joy? Write about how you’ve struck a balance in the past, with writing, a sport, a musical instrument, a play—anything you’ve done.

Acknowledge the Difficulty

• Collect some motivational statements about writing or about creativity or about perseverance. (I have provided a list to get you started.) Choose ones that speak directly to your needs or beliefs, and post them where you write and in your journal. Use them to keep yourself writing.

Facing Obstacles• Recent psychological studies show that obstacles

actually aid creativity. The tension between your desire to be creative and the obstacles you have to overcome sparks ideas, like rubbing two rocks together to ignite a flame.

• Make a list of the obstacles that impede your writing. Next to each one, write about how you can overcome the obstacle and how it might be used as a tool for creativity.

Week Long: Recovering Memories• Recall a pleasant time in the past.• Recall a building/house in which you once lived.• Recall a secret you once had.• Recall an incident that filled you with dread.• Recall something sinful or bad you did as a child.• Recall something dangerous you did as a child.• Recall something that happened in a classroom or

schoolyard or during a vacation.• Recall your first romantic infatuation.• Recall a magical person from your childhood.

Week Long—Recovering Traumatic Memories• Recall an incident from your past that filled you with

sadness.• Recall an incident that you would be reticent to share

with others.• Recall an incident involving a parent/guardian that still

angers you.• Recall an incident in which you felt betrayed.• Recall an incident that ended in great disappointment.• Recall an incident in which you felt humiliated.• Jot down any memory that popped into your mind but

which you suppressed while answering this week’s questions.

Week Long: Playing With Time• Make a list of the places where you have lived.• Make a list of the jobs you have had (unpaid, too).• Make a list of old friends, people you don’t see much

anymore.• Jot down two embarrassing things you’ve done and a lie

you once told.• Jot down one triumph and two failures.• Jot down the names of people who have hurt you,

helped you, and someone you admire.• Describe a piece of clothing you once loved.• Make a list of old movies or music that you still love.

Journal Prompt—Who am I?

• How are you a different person now than you were the day you entered first grade? What has happened to make you different?

Journal Prompt—Who am I?

• What five websites do you visit often? Why?

Journal Prompt—Who am I?

• Name a totally useless possession and how you came to acquire it.

How We Spend Our Time

• Make a list of times you waited in a long line for something. Was it worth it?

How We Spend Our Time

• Write about a recent adventure.

How We Spend Our Time

• List your bad habits and/or addictions and what you have tried to rid yourself of them.

How We Spend Our Time

• Describe a time when you broke a rule or law. Did you get caught, or did you get away with it?

My Life on the Big Screen

• What music album would be used for a movie about your life?

My Life on the Big Screen

• What actor or actress should play you in the story of your life? What makes him/her the best choice?

My Life on the Big Screen

• In the movie of your life, what object will serve as a significant symbol. Explain.

My Life on the Big Screen

• What is the major obstacle (conflict) that you will overcome in the movie of your life?

Magazine Writing

• Make a list of magazines. Which ones do you read regularly? What attracts you to certain magazines?

Magazine Writing

• What kinds of articles do you read in magazines? What kinds of articles do you never read?

Magazine Writing

Magazines often feature lists. Such as…– “Foods that Fight Cancer”– “Ten Must-Have Fashion Accessories”– “Five Exercises to Fight Flab”– “25 Things You Don’t Know about Justin Beiber”

Come up with some “list” ideas of your own.

Magazine Writing

• Another common topic for magazines are “How to” articles such as– “How to Improve Your Golf Swing”– “How to Fix the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner”– “How to Make a Good First Impression”– “How to Dress for a First Date”

What are some “How to” articles you would like to read?

• What constitutes a perfect day for you?

Describe the meanest person you know.

Thanksgiving Week Prompts

• Make a list of people/things for which you are grateful.

OR• Describe a time when you were truly grateful

for something.

Thanksgiving Week Prompts

• Describe your best/worst Thanksgiving.OR

• What are some Thanksgiving traditions your family observes?

Consumerism

• Are brand name clothes worth the price (Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, Nike)?

• Do you buy designer brands? Why or why not?• Why is a t-shirt that says “Hollister” more

appealing than a t-shirt that says “Menards”?

Consumerism

• Advantages and disadvantages of credit cards • Do you own a credit card?• Do you know anyone who has gotten into

serious debt from credit cards?

Consumerism

• Should phone surveys and telemarketing be prohibited?

• How do you handle these phone calls?

Consumerism

• What fast food do you buy? How often?• Do you worry about how unhealthy fast food

is?

Consumerism

• Cell phones, television, computers…luxuries or necessities?

Holidays

• Did you once believe in Santa? If not, why not? If so, how and when did you learn the truth? How did you feel when you learned the truth?

Holidays

• Make a list of the top ten Christmas movies/cartoons in order from #1 thru #10.

Holidays

• What is your favorite Christmas book? Describe the plot and your reactions to it.

Holidays

• What are some of the things you like to do over Christmas break?

Reminder: Journals due tomorrow!

• Reminder: Journals due tomorrow!

• Describe a happy memory. What is the happiest you have ever been?

Write a short parody of the first two stanzas of the famous Christmas poem.

Twas the night before ChristmasAnd all through the houseNot a creature was stirringnot even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with careIn hopes that St. NicholasWould soon be there.

Short Stories

• What is one of your favorite short stories? What specifically do you like about it?

Short Stories

• Brainstorm possible problems/conflicts that your protagonist might face.

• (Think of some of the major problems you have had to deal with during your life.)

• What are your feelings/reactions to the school shooting in Connecticut?