My classes went great last week. It had been years since I’d taught, but it all came back to me just when I needed it. If you have a journal and enjoy writing, here is what I proposed:
First, a free-write of about 10 minutes, just to get to get the Extraneous thoughts out of the way. Kind of like Julia Cameron’s morning pages in The Artist’s Way.
Then I asked them to write about an elder who had a positive influence on them, like a grandparent or an elderly neighbor. That one lasted about 15 minutes.
Then I suggested they make a list of things in their junk drawer just to shake things up That exercise lasted about 5 minutes. I’m not sure where that one came from—I think from a conference for fiction writers on how to build character. For example, if you are creating a fictional character like Old Sally, what would be in her junk drawer, purse, and closet You don’t ever use this information, but it just helps you get to know them.
Finally, I asked the journaling class to write about a time they felt brave. I gave the example of my moving here!