Free-write Friday
The color green + healing
Hello, friends! Some of you may know that I used to have a writing workshop and associated Substack. I’m taking a break from those for now—till the algorithm figures out what it’s doing and gets back to me—but I’ve been meaning to bring the weekly writing prompt over to this newsletter. You don’t have to be a writer to participate! Use it as a journaling prompt, draw, dance, or play a musical instrument instead of writing, or just let your mind wander over the idea—however it is useful. And of course there’s no pressure to share, and you won’t be critiqued for your writing skill if you do choose to share. This is just about getting the creative juices flowing, in whatever form works for you.
Also, yes, I know it’s not Friday, but let’s not let facts get in the way of some fun alliteration.
Today’s writing prompt is: The color green + healing. You can interpret the prompt however you like.
General instructions: (Adjust to your own preferences.) Sit with a notebook or device and set a timer for 20 or 30 mins. Write whatever comes to mind, either as random thoughts (journaling style), a poem, or a short story. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just put words on the page.
Sharing instructions: We love it when you share what you wrote! Feel free to share up to 45 mins of writing (roughly the limit of one Substack comment). Please no R-rated content (violence or explicit sex) but PG-13 is okay. For anything that might be upsetting, please share a brief trigger warning at the beginning. (Example: TW: reference to sexual abuse)
Feedback instructions: This isn’t the place for intensive writing critique. Please only comment things you like about the piece unless the author specifically asks a question. Suggested feedback prompts: What phrase or sentence stood out to you? What made you want to know more? What made you stop and think?
One more suggestion: If you are writing about something intense, traumatic, or emotional, please make sure that you have support in place: Friends you can call or text to check in with, a counseling appointment scheduled, self-care exercises such as breathing and meditation to cope with anxiety. If you don’t have these in place, consider writing about something cheerful or playful instead till you do.
Okay, ready? Let’s write!