avatarAmy Shearn

Summary

The website content provides a reflective take on the nature of plans and predictability, offering writing prompts to encourage exploration of personal experiences with broken plans and future aspirations.

Abstract

The article acknowledges the recent disruptions to our usual sense of planning due to the pandemic and invites readers to consider the fluidity of life's trajectory. It introduces a series of writing prompts under the theme "Plans Are Made To Be Broken," encouraging writers to reflect on their long-term goals, recall instances where plans were altered, and use a provided first line to inspire new narratives. The piece also promotes community engagement by announcing upcoming open writing hours hosted by the author and a colleague, where writers can join virtual sessions for motivation and support.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a personal struggle with the unpredictability of life while also trying to maintain a zen-like acceptance of it.
  • There is an underlying belief that writing can be enhanced by community interaction, as evidenced by the invitation to join virtual writing hours.
  • The author seems to value the process of planning, despite its inherent uncertainties, as a means of personal growth and reflection.
  • The article suggests that reflecting on broken plans can lead to insightful writing and self-discovery.

WRITE HERE

Writing Prompts: Plans Are Made To Be Broken

This week’s writing prompts urge you to explore the possibilities

Over the past pandemic or so, we’ve all had to reconfigure our relationships with plans and predictability. For example: What are you doing for the holidays? Once again, just like last year, do you even really know? What is a plan anyway? Can you tell I’m trying to be zen even though I really love plans?

Below are some ideas to jumpstart your creative process this week. Publish your responses to these prompts on Medium and tag them #Writehere so we can all find each others’ work on the Write Here page.

And because sometimes writing is even better with friends, please join me and my colleague Harris Sockel for our upcoming open writing hours. On Wednesday, December 8, 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT and on Thursday, December 16, 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT, we will be hosting free writing hours with some optional prompts and writing-friendly music. Everyone is welcome. All you have to do is join us on Zoom, and set aside some time for your writing. Let’s plan on it. (?!)

THIS WEEK’S PROMPTS

The 10-Year Plan

Yes, yes, I know I was just acknowledging that life doesn’t always go as planned. But STILL. Let’s revisit the old life-coaching classic: Take some time to think about where you want to be 10 years from now, 5 years from now, and 3 months from now. Write down what needs to happen to get you there.

A Broken Plan

Think about a time when you had a plan that you broke — or that someone else broke — that you still think about. Was it for the best? Do you regret it? Did it change anything? Why did the plan get broken? This can be anything from a diverted career path to a called-off wedding to a date you ghosted at the last minute (and you can text me your excuse directly thank you very much).

Here’s Your First Line:

“Nothing had gone according to plan that day.” Use that first line and take it from here, whether it turns into an essay or a bit of fiction.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITE HERE?

Leave them in the responses and we will try to address them all. Don’t forget to check back here every Monday for new prompts and tips.

Write Here guidelines and last week’s prompts:

Writehere
Writing
Writing Prompts
Creativity
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