Writing a book begins with small steps. As you practice writing smaller pieces, the bigger project starts to come together. A writing prompt—where you write in response to a particular question or topic—can help you gain momentum.
Have you ever tried writing in response to a writing prompt? It’s good practice, it exercises your writing muscles, and it can often lead to insights for your book. I’m going to share one today that you can try.
Our writing prompt is about summer memories. If you’re writing a book that has nothing to do with memories, I encourage you to still try this prompt. Sometimes, the best writing practice is to focus on a topic that has nothing to do with your book. It stirs your creativity and widens your perspective.
If your book is focused on memories—a life story, memoir, legacy, or family history—this summer writing prompt will be perfect for you. Summer often brings back vivid and enjoyable childhood memories. It’s a great season to explore your childhood stories.
Writing from memory helps you in several ways:
- You get to practice writing setting and description.
- It’s easier to write what you know firsthand, so you’ll get writing practice without needing to do research or come up with an outline.
- It builds consistency in your writing habits.
- It doesn’t take a lot of time. It’s okay to write just one paragraph, keeping it short and simple.
Summer memories often come with lots of sensory details: sights, sounds, scents, feelings. These details help you practice bringing your writing to life.
Your writing prompt is to write about a childhood summer memory.
To get started with your writing prompt, set a timer for 10 minutes. Start with “I remember . . .” And just write what comes to mind. Forget about grammar and sentence structure. Just write from your memories.
Don’t think about it too long and hard. You can write about the first memory that comes to you. This is just for practice, and one paragraph is fine.
If it’s hard to think of a specific summer memory, try writing about:
- A favorite place you visited in the summer, or a favorite place to play.
- Something that made you laugh, or a moment when you felt pure joy.
- A small moment that felt big to you then.
You don’t need to get organized first or plan out what you’re going to say. This is about freewriting—writing words as they come to you. You can be all over the map. This is just about connecting with memories and practicing turning those memories into words.
Sensory memories can be a helpful starting place:
- The feel of a nice summer breeze.
- The glow of fireflies.
- The bell ringing on the ice cream truck.
- The texture of beach sand between your toes.
- The smell of hot dogs on the grill.
- The taste of watermelon.
Write whatever comes to you, in whatever way. Don’t feel like it’s insignificant. It’s the start of putting memories into words.
Sometimes, memories are a struggle. If you find it hard to come up with a childhood summer memory, go ahead and write about something you’ve seen this summer. That works too!
What you write can be very simple, one and done. Or it might lead to something you’ll set aside for your book. Either way, it’s helping you practice writing. It’s a step on your writing journey, where every word you write counts.
Janet Eriksson 