15 EMOTIONAL WRITING PROMPTS

I've long held the belief that writing is therapeutic. As the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith once wrote, the source of the arts "is the power of reflection." No matter how realistic or imaginative the worlds we create on paper may be, we have the incredible opportunity to speak of our true selves-- our thoughts, our feelings, our values-- through our written works.

My altogether favorite aspect of being a slam poet is the vulnerability that performers bring to the stage. You can attend a poetry slam and, in 3 minutes, get to know a person better than you know your own family members. Why? Because, for the most part, performance poets are courageously sharing stories from deeply personal experiences. They are letting you into the bedroom of their childhood home, the school hallway where they felt their first heartbreak, the corner store where they received a life-changing phone call. Even if you wouldn't dare share your intimate moments publicly, it is worth reflecting on these 15 emotional writing prompts that might just help you on the path to happiness and healing.

Write about:
1. The first time someone disappointed you
2. An act you've done that you regret
3. Your worst heartbreak
4. When you realized your parents were human/flawed/jaded
5. What you'd say if you met your role model (or someone who has inspired you)
6. A life-changing phone call
7. The greatest gift you've ever received
8. When you gave up on a dream
9. A challenge you've overcome
10. When you've felt the most fear
11. Something you would change about your childhood
12. Your greatest pet peeve and why
13. When you laughed so hard that you cried
14. The memory you replay most often in your mind
15. Something you refuse to change about yourself

ANDREA HOPE is a poet, editor, and world citizen, whose works have won acclaim in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Her poetry book, TO MOTHER, is available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats.