Welcome to the fifth in my series of creative writing tips, techniques and prompts! Today, I’m sharing a creative writing prompt you can use at any time.
Creative Writing: Tell the Story of a Life
On a trip to Spain a few years ago, I saw in Grenada a traveller with a typewriter and a sign reading, “I tell your life story in 10 minutes”. Tourists lined up before his desk on the street corner, eager to share their stories. While they spoke, he typed furiously. Each customer dropped coins into his hat, and took away their ‘life story’ as a souvenir. I heard the street writer tell someone that he turned down no job. He wrote declarations of love or hate, official letters, dream records, poetry, lies, confessions – anything his customers asked for.
Imagine you are this writer – working your way around the world by typing people’s stories. Don’t plan, simply sit down, give yourself at least 30 minutes, and start to write. Begin your story like this:
I’ve heard strange tales in my time, but none stranger than the one I heard on a street corner in (choose interesting city) on a hot afternoon, last July…
Our Creative Writing Retreats
Staying inspired to write can be a challenge when we do it alone. That’s why writers should consider attending a creative writing retreat, whenever they can carve space in their lives to do so. Our creative writing retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica bring together people from all over North America who love to write fiction, memoir, self help books, poetry and more. Creative writing is a solitary activity, but to write in a community alongside others who share your dreams is a great way to keep writing! Plus, our creative writing retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica include an opportunity to explore new cultures. Almost everyone attends solo – so you can spend time writing on your own, and share sightseeing experiences with others whenever you are in the mood to do so.
Julie Hartley is the director of Centauri Arts. Her poetry and fiction have been published in literary magazines in Canada and England. ‘The Finding Place’ – her novel for middle grade readers – was published last year by Red Deer Press. juliehartley.ca
