Past Prompts

On this Fourth of July, think back ... How and when did you declare your own independence, and what did it mean to you when you achieved it? Have your children achieved theirs? Do you worry about living independently as you get older? How do you feel about your country on its birthday? Share your stories of independence forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Too long. Too short. Too curly. Too straight. We braided it, curled it, teased it, permed it, set it, fought with our parents over it. Later, perhaps, it thinned or turned gray, or disappeared altogether. What did hair mean when we were growing up? What does it mean now? Think back ... and share your hair stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Remember when summer was "bikini season" and everyone seemed to be on a diet? Think back ... to Slimfast and Metrecal, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, Atkins and Paleo. Did you diet? Why? Were you successful? How did you feel about dieting? Did you take dangerous diet meds like amphetamines or fen-phen? Did you ever develop an eating disorder or know others who did? How do you eat now? Share your diet stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

"It's just a piece of paper." Just as we came of age, weddings seemed to go out of style. Yet most of us eventually tied the knot—at least once. Think back ... to your own wedding, or to other memorable unions. Was it unalloyed joy? Everything you dreamed? What do you remember? What would you like to forget? How did the marriage work out? Share your wedding stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

In graduation season, we think of teachers. Think back ... to a significant teacher or mentor who helped shape your life. What did you learn from them? What do you remember about them? What made them special? Did they take a particular interest in you? How is your life different because of them? Share your teacher stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories