Past Prompts

Pranks and practical jokes go hand in hand with Halloween, so think back ... What pranks have you pulled? Did you TP a house? Make crank phone calls? Did you get caught? Do you regret pulling them? What's the most creative prank you've heard about? Have you been victimized by scams targeting seniors? Share your pranks and practical jokes forward. Start Writing Read Stories

It’s “all about the shoes,” they say, but there’s also hats, handbags, jewelry, scarves, fragrances, and even tattoos. (Men: don’t forget ID bracelets, class rings, ties, watches, and that midlife sports car.) Think back … What’s the earliest accessory you remember? Have you had a “signature” accessory? Are accessories more important as we age? Share your accessory stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

As Ogden Nash wrote, "Children aren't happy with nothing to ignore / And that's what parents were created for." Think back ... Why did you choose to be a parent—or did parenthood choose you? Which stories best encapsulate the joys and sorrows, pride and frustration, privileges and responsibilities of being a parent? Or, if you're not a parent, well, that's a story too. Share your parenthood stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Think back ... to the "British invasion." It was the Beatles vs the Rolling Stones and you had to pick a side. The moptops next door or the bad boys of rock? Soulful John or unruly Mick? "She Loves You" or "Satisfaction?" "The White Album" or "Sticky Fingers?" Do you still love their music? Are you fans of the remaining band members now? Share your Beatles and Stones stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Pantyhose. Curlers. Coonskin caps. Disco. Polyester. Nixon. Segregation. Think back ... what object, person, or trend from our past are you thrilled to have behind us? What role did they play in your life, and what accounted for their eventual demise? Give us your quick take—a story you can write in 15 minutes or less—and bid good riddance to our past mistakes. Start Writing Read Stories