Popcorn prompt, yummm.

If you were writing in my workshop this week your experience would begin with your eyes closed and your hands open before you. I would put a handful of popped corn in your hands for a sensory start to the session. I ask you to first explore your mystery item (remember you wouldn’t know it was popcorn yet because your eyes would be closed) with your other senses before opening your eyes. Begin to write when you are ready. You can try this by imagining the popcorn (or what  a good excuse to make popcorn 😉 ) and let your pen take you wherever it will. Set a timer and write for ten minutes. Try to keep your pen moving without worrying about an outline or plan. You can change topic if you wish. Try doing this now. After ten minutes you may stop or continue.

Did you try it? Do write before reading more of this post.

Be kind to yourself about whatever writing comes. With practice your words will flow easily. This prompt has had as many kinds of responses as there are writers. Our voices are that unique. Some participant responses: a list of favorite salty foods, a story about the circus, a story of a trip to the dentist from breaking a tooth, a riff on Target Stores because of the popcorn stand inside the entrance, a description of the crunch and cloud-like characteristics, a scientific explanation of how the kernel pops, and more.

I wrote from the popcorn prompt this week. This prompt made me  think of my father, as he made popcorn for my family every Sunday night.That first short raw draft transformed, as I continued writing, into  a memoir piece focused on the importance of time I had with my father when I was five years old. You can read it here.

Did the popcorn prompt take your pen someplace interesting? I’d like to hear how it worked for you. Please tell me in the comment section below.