As an anxious introvert, I love planning and loathe surprises. Unexpected changes, even if they’re good, can throw all of my plans and to-do lists out the window. Planning makes my serotonin-starved brain happy in a way that few other things can, and I’ve gotten really good at it. Which is why it’s so unsettling…
Writing Prompt #4: Puzzle
(This month’s writing prompt is Puzzle: Write about putting together the pieces of a puzzle.) Emily sat down across from her grandmother at the rickety kitchen table, box in hand. “What are you doing, Miss Priss?” asked her grandmother, using one of Emily’s pet names. Emily smiled as she slipped the lid off the box….
Writing Prompt #3: Suitcase
(This month’s writing prompt is Suitcase: Write about packing for a trip or unpacking from when you arrive home.) Sam heaved the ragged blue suitcase onto the bed, wincing as the stitches on his bandaged right hand pulled with the movement. His twice-delayed flight had finally landed in New York an hour ago, and he’d…
Writing Prompt #2: Jewelry
(This month’s prompt is Jewelry: Write about a piece of jewelry. Who does it belong to?) The necklace was cheap, but it was hers. It was the first thing she bought with her first paycheck, the first thing she could truly call her own. Her father hadn’t wanted her to get a job, but she’d…
Writing Prompt #1: Cleaning
(This month’s prompt is Cleaning: Write about doing laundry, dishes, and other cleaning activities.) I’ve always liked cleaning. Something about the process — clean mirrors first so drips don’t ruin a just-wiped counter, sweep then mop, wash dishes during cook time so you’re not left with a pile just before dinner — soothes my anxiety-riddled…