Past Prompts

Cars, even expensive ones, were not very reliable when we were growing up. Stalls, breakdowns, dead batteries, and flat tires often happened. But unlike autos today, older cars could be more easily fixed by their owners. Think back … to the cars you or your parents drove and the problems you had with them. How did you get out of trouble? How does your current computer-enhanced car behave? Would you trade it for yesterday’s simpler model? Share your Car Trouble stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Whether family heirloom, vintage keepsake, or store-bought antique, most of us are in possession of at least one special item that's been around longer than we have. What is its enduring appeal — beauty, craftsmanship, nostalgia, sentiment, the fact that it's unique? Think back...about something you have that evokes a special feeling and tell us about it. Share your What I Own That's Older Than I Am stories forward.  Start Writing Read Stories

Three television networks and a few trusted anchormen: likely that is how we got our news when we were growing up. While broadcast news still exists, now there are endless sources, from cable TV, to internet, to social media. Think back … what was the first news story you remember? Which newscaster did you most admire? What influence did they have on you and your peers? Share your Broadcast News stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

As Juliet tells Romeo, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But would it? The names we are given and which we give to our children are often imbued with meaning. Naming ceremonies exist in all cultures, and names are in and then out of fashion. Think back … Why did your parents give you the name they did? Were you named after someone, or did your name have special significance to your parents? Do you know anyone who changed their first or last name, or whose family name was changed? How did you choose the names for your children? Share your What’s in a Name stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Sure, we’re all writers here, but why do we write? For relaxation, for pleasure, to keep others informed, for creative expression? Or as Joan Didion famously said, "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear." Think back … about the role writing has played in your life. Share your Why We Write stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories