A Writer’s Prompt

I’m painfully aware that I haven’t been keeping up with my blog posts. This lapse can, in part, be attributed to three things:

1. Laziness;
2. Reading rather than writing (let’s call that research); and
3. Covid-19 induced writer’s block.

Although, if suffering from writer’s block is the worst thing that happens to me during the pandemic, then I’ve been blessed.

One thing that got me writing again came from an unexpected source: a local theater group called the People’s Light. While our state was still in “lock-down”, they couldn’t perform in front of a live audience, so they came up with a clever idea. They offered weekly prompts and invited the community to share their experiences and thoughts about the Covid-19 situation. The cool part about it was the actors would perform some of the pieces on Zoom. But don’t let me get ahead of myself.

Their first prompt was titled, “We have to talk.” These were the instructions: Write a conversation you would like to have right now. This can be in any format or style, two sentences or two pages. I submitted the following conversation between me and my FitBit (FB):

Aud: When you showed up at Christmas, I had no idea you’d be so pushy.

FB: 199 steps left this hour.

Aud: There, see? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Let’s walk and talk so you don’t get your wristband in a twist. So, thanks for the fireworks-kudos when I hit 10,000 steps by the way.

FB: Your daily goal is 10,000 steps.

Aud: Right. But what about yesterday? I clocked just over 23,000 steps and when I hit the 20,000 mark; nothing. It seems to me, if you’re going to give me fireworks at 10,000 steps, I should get a parade if I go over 20,000. Or at the very least, send me a balloon.

FB: You’re an overachiever!

Aud: No, I’m not. I’m bored sheltering in place! I don’t have Netflix, I don’t have Amazon Prime. My only entertainment is taking a walk. And you ruin it by bugging me that I didn’t do enough steps in the hour.

FB: Nicely done! 250 of 250.

Aud: Ha! I did it. And you doubted me. We’ll keep going.

FB: Fat burn zone, 109 beats per minute.

Aud: That reminds me, I’ve already burned 1,294 calories today. That means I can have a Reece’s Klondike Bar when we get back home. They’re only 250 calories.

FB: Start logging your food.

Aud: No thank you. I have no interest in you harping at me whenever I eat mac and cheese.

FB: Log some water. 64 fluid ounces left.

Aud: I’ll drink when I’m thirsty, thank you very much. And before you ask, no I do not want to track my female health. I’m perfectly capable of tracking that myself.

FB: Wear your FitBit to bed. Your sleep goal is 8 hours.

Aud: I am not falling for that. You buzzed my wrist during a nap two days ago just to tell me I owed you 15 steps. I thought I was having a stroke.

FB: Five day exercise goal reached – you crushed it!

Aud: I did, didn’t I? I’ve already reached 14,553 steps and it’s only four in the afternoon. Maybe you’re worth having around after all.

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That prompt submission didn’t make it into the Zoom performance. They liked it, but there were time constraints and they had too many other pieces to include.

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The actors:

Fortunately, I did get to have a piece performed, which meant I got to be in the credits. 🙂

The piece they accepted came from a prompt about three wishes. This is what I submitted:

1. When people open their mouths, they can only speak truth;
2. Kindness, not greed, will motivate people; and
3. We’ll all remember we have too much in common to call anyone “other.”

At the end, they invited people to comment on the performances and there were some very touching pieces that they read. I raised my hand to speak, but when it was my turn … I promptly forgot what my “wishes” had been.

If you ever happen to suffer from writer’s block, I suggest working from someone else’s prompts, wherever you can find them. Even if an actor doesn’t perform it, the exercise just might get your creative juices flowing! 🙂