by Nancy Casey
Good news! In-person writing classes will start again at the Recovery Center—today!
The class will meet every Tuesday from 4 to 5 PM. When you participate in the class, you will be writing one page. Later on during the week, if you choose, you can extend what you did in class. Or not.
In each class, we will work together to create one page, the page that is described here in each week’s writing prompt.
So join us at the Latah Recovery Center at 4 on Tuesdays when we will write together. As an added bonus, attending the writing class will put you in the perfect frame of mind to attend the art class that starts at 5.
Here’s what we will work on today:
Everything and everybody is somewhere, but where? Everything that happens, happens somewhere, but where? Sometimes you know and sometimes you don’t.
Today, write a series of sentences that all begin “I know where…”
You can describe the location of objects. (I know where my keys are.) You can refer to the location where something happened. (I know where the train derailed.) Maybe you will think about people, pets or plants. Or stars and constellations. You can write about anything at all, as long as you know where it is.
You can give as much information as you like about whatever you identify, except for one thing: don’t tell where it is.
For instance, if you know where a certain car is, you can describe anything and everything about the car, where it has been in the past, adventures you might have had in it, scratches and dents it has acquired. But don’t say where the car is now.
You don’t have to limit yourself to the mere locations of objects. When you write about where something happened, for instance, you find yourself using words that describe actions: landed… ran… spilled… grew… ate… laughed…
As you reflect on all the different places where things can happen or people and objects can be, set up your page. Draw a line at the top of the page where the title will go so you are certain to have a place to put it when you have finished writing. Set aside some space for drawing or doodling, too, if you like.
Begin your writing with the words, “I know where…” and notice what pops into you mind as you finish writing the word where. Even if you planned to write something else, if you write about that thing that just popped into your head, you will probably find that your writing will end up more surprising and interesting than you might have thought.
Each time you finish with one thought, begin a new thought by writing the words, “I know where…” again and see what flows into your mind this time.
When the page is full, look it over carefully and make small changes if you like. When a title idea makes its way to the surface of your mind, write it at the top of the page.
Write the date on the page too, along with a signature or your initials.
Here is an example of what someone could write.
You can share your work by posting it as a comment below. You can type it in, or take a photo of it and upload the image.
Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. If you can’t make it to class but would like some help with your writing, or just some encouragement, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Center.
Latah Recovery Community Center, Inc. 