Past Prompts

On Presidents' Day we recall George Washington, who famously got "in trouble" for chopping down a cherry tree. Think back ... to your own acts of mischief or rebellion. What prompted you? Who were you with? Who found out, and what was the punishment? How did you respond when your own children got in trouble? Share your stories of getting in trouble forward. Start Writing Read Stories

On this Valentine's Day, think back ... to your first Valentine. Or, first kiss. First date. First meeting. First sex. First house. First child. First Prize. The first time is always special, isn't it? Pick a first and tell us about it—what led up to it, how it felt at the time, what happened after. Share your firsts forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Back in the day, girls took home ec while boys took shop. But in real life, almost everyone cooks at some point. Think back ... what do you cook and how did you learn? What's your signature dish? What are your triumphs and what are your disasters? Have you taught your kids to cook? Or, if you don't cook—well, that's a story too. Share your cooking stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Despite our disdain for convention, we were always fashionable—from coonskin caps, blue suede shoes, and poodle skirts to gogo boots and miniskirts. We pulled on pantyhose and dreamed of dancing in our Maidenform bras. Then we burned them. Think back ... Bell bottoms, polyester, peace pendants, tie-dye—our style choices defined a generation. Share your fashion adventures forward. Start Writing Read Stories

When I was about eight, I woke up on Thanksgiving morning to a beautiful, fresh, sunlit snowfall. Then I had to shovel it. Think back ... what adventures and memorable experiences have you had in snow? Have you ever been snowbound? How did your child (or puppy) experience snow for the first time? Share your snow stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories