September Writing Prompts
We have a devoted group of memoir writers at PWN and their interests are as varied as their narratives. This month, we asked our memoir students what they are obsessing over and their answers did not disappoint. What are they using to inspire them, broaden their perspectives, escape from the world or inform their work?
In other words, what are they obsessed with right now? What are they reading, listening to, watching, eating? What is making them slow down, grabbing their attention, and inspiring them? Turns out, a lot!
October 2020:
What we’re reading …
Elisheva Blumberg says: “I recently started Reyna Grande’s memoir The Distance Between Us. She does a marvelous job of introducing the reader to the setting of her childhood in Mexico, painting all her characters and scenes beautifully.” And just in time for Halloween, Pat MacMillan has been captivated by three post-apocalyptic novels in which the world’s population is decimated by a flu virus: Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel, The Dog Stars, by Peter Heller, and The Stand, by Stephen King. She says: “Reading about survivors finding hope after destruction and loss has helped me keep our current situation in perspective. I thought it curious all three authors chose Denver or Boulder, Colorado, as the main setting for survivors’ communities. Does that tell us something?”
Listening to …
Shanda McManus is listening to “interviews with some great poets where they read and discuss their works” on the podcast Poetry off the Shelf as well as the music of Amy Winehouse and Angelique Kidjo. Kerin Nash is inspired by the sounds of nature and “the wind, the air, the changed sound moving through leaves that are slowly withdrawing, and falling away.”
Watching …
Nancy Francese is watching The Great British Baking Show on Netflix, noting that the British humor and delicious creations are “a good antidote to the news.” And Meg Glasser highly recommends Netflix’s The Forty-Year-Old Version, written, directed, and starring the brilliant playwright Radha Blank.
Eating …
Karen Harris is cooking her way through the cookbook No Crumbs Left. “Super easy recipes, love the tropical cobb salad, Greek lemon chicken, and cheesy chicken casserole so far.” Lori Kasner “just made Chicken Shwarma, Israeli salad, and Persian Rice. Delicious!” And Joan Ellis cannot get enough ice cream lately … we agree, Joan!
Miscellaneous …
Getting outside seems to be a common activity among our writers. Donna Beriont is “golfing, walking, hiking, biking … staying fit and writing a lot!” And Seth Kerekes says he is hiking, surfing and soaking up the sun as much as he can “because we’re all gonna be parka-ed up and inside soon.”
Feel free to share any comments or writing inspired by our Captivated column with us at info@projectwritenow.org.
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