Last week I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker at the middle school writing class. I took the opportunity to talk to the kids about the importance of specificity in creative writing. The kids were terrific. I gave them a writing prompt I love called, "Where I'm From." They shared what they wrote and there was some beautiful writing. I wrote from the prompt too, as an example. Every time I write this it's different. This is mine.
Where
I’m From
I’m
from foggy mornings and the smell of fireplaces burning.
I’m
from pueblo clay and bootleg whiskey.
I’m
from fried okra, crocheted afghans, and glass jars in the storm cellar.
I’m
from black coffee and Marlboro Lights.
I’m
from painted pottery, shelter dogs, and wild parrots.
I’m
from reading by flashlight under the blankets after bedtime.
I’m
from dominoes, Jello molds, and bike rides to the beach.
I’m
from make-believe.
I’m
from starry New Mexican skies and the dust of the Texas panhandle.
I’m
from spray-painted silver tap shoes.
I’m
from lights, camera, action.
I’m
from redwood trees and stony creeks and warm afternoons of slanting light.
I’m
from crayons melting in the backseat.
I’m
from hazel eyes.
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