by Nancy Casey
What’s going to happen — or not happen — this summer? In your writing today make some predictions.
Think about the upcoming summer as you set up your page. Some things are certain. Warm weather, for instance. Maybe you have plans. Perhaps there are aspects of summer that you dislike and you do your best to avoid them.
Set up your page by first drawing a line across the top where your title will go. Next divide the page into three relatively equal parts. Label one part “Probably.” Label the other two “Maybe” and “Definitely Not.” Set aside some space for drawing or decoration if that’s your thing.
In the “Probably” section, write about the things that you are pretty certain are going to happen. These could include events you have already planned, things that happen every summer, or even things that happen every month of the year.
Under “Maybe” write about summer events or occurrences that are pretty likely, but might change. Maybe you have vague plans or plans that require you to count on something that is out of your control. Perhaps there are things you hope will happen but you aren’t sure about them yet.
You are also probably counting on certain things not happening this summer. Are there types of activities or popular summer foods that you always stay away from? Is there anything you wish would happen, but you are certain it won’t? Anything you have organized your life around avoiding? These are the kinds of things you would record under “Definitely Not.”
Fill up the page any way that you like. You can write lists, or write about a few things in detail. You can fill one section at a time, or you can skip around. Doodle or draw when you can’t think of what to write next, and then start writing again when an idea comes to you.
When you have filled up the page, look back over your work. Make small corrections or additions if you think they are needed.
Do your ideas form any kind of a pattern? Do they seem to be about a bigger idea that you hadn’t really planned on writing about? If they do, maybe you can use that insight to think up a title. If they don’t, make up some kind of a title anyway and write it at the top of the page.
Put your initials or a signature on the page, too. And write the date on it. 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 would like some help or encouragement with any kind of writing project, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Center.
Raised by God: The Autobiography of Patricia Clayton is a new book that grew out of the Write For You program at LRC. It is the story of a person making herself new after years of addiction and trauma.
Latah Recovery Community Center, Inc. 