Inspired by a list of memoir-writing prompts and composed in 20 minutes, often these pieces are more reflective, journal-style entries or brief sketches of a person or moment related to the theme.
- 20 Minutes: My First JobMy first job was at the pharmacy where my dad worked. My dad is a quiet, kind man who did whatever possible to care for … Continue reading 20 Minutes: My First Job
- 20 Minutes (or so): A Most Memorable HolidayFor the purposes of this writing exercise, I’m choosing to interpret “holiday” as a vacation v. a day of celebration. And while longer, I didn’t … Continue reading 20 Minutes (or so): A Most Memorable Holiday
- 20 Minutes: Most ValuableInspired by a writing theme around “your most valuable possessions” Without considering this for longer than a few moments, here is what I grabbed on … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Most Valuable
- 20 Minutes: GratitudeInspired by a writing theme around: What are you most grateful for today? Why? Practicing gratitude has been an important habit I’ve worked to build … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Gratitude
- 20 Minutes: QuirksQuirky: unusual or unique, especially in an interesting or appealing way As society has tried to embrace and normalize differences, I find fewer things within … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Quirks
- 20 Minutes: The Most Beautiful ArtA lover of art, I tend to be the most moved by performance art, especially live music, or theatre. I can think of a handful … Continue reading 20 Minutes: The Most Beautiful Art
- 20 Minutes: A Favourite TeacherWhen I entered my high school chemistry class, I was still a clumsy, awkward teen, seeking external validation wherever I could get it. Within the … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A Favourite Teacher
- 20 Minutes: A HeartbreakI’m standing on a street corner in downtown Minneapolis in early winter. It’s early evening but the sky is dark and it’s very quiet. Huge, … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A Heartbreak
- 20 Minutes: Winning Something Fancy“Write about winning something.” It was my birthday week and I was turning 40. Again. Actually I was turning 42, but it still felt like … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Winning Something Fancy
- 20 Minutes: An InsecurityWhile I often come across as a very confident leader, some of that is theatrics. I have an ability to “sparkle” as my mom used … Continue reading 20 Minutes: An Insecurity
- 20 Minutes: A First DateI was around 9 years old when my parents decided to build a home just a couple blocks from our existing ranch house in our … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A First Date
- 20 Minutes: A Childhood FearOne of my mom’s favourite hobbies was shopping. She approached the art of shopping almost like a sport, hunting for the best deals and finding … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A Childhood Fear
- 20 Minutes: My Childhood Room#1, Eisenhower Street: The first thing I recall about my bedroom is the wallpaper. It’s a vintage, nursery print with sepia brown tones that remind … Continue reading 20 Minutes: My Childhood Room
- 20 Minutes: Earliest MemoryWhen I was just over three years old, my parents introduced me to my newborn baby sister, Melanie. I have a faint memory of sitting … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Earliest Memory
- 20 Minutes: Letter To an Older SelfDamn, we had a lot of fun. You always embraced life: took the vacation, drank the good wine, prioritized experiences over things. Ever since you … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Letter To an Older Self
- 20 Minutes: Letter To a Younger SelfYou are enough. Always. I know you want to make your mom, your teachers, your dance instructor, your friends, proud with your accomplishments, but they … Continue reading 20 Minutes: Letter To a Younger Self
- 20 Minutes: A Proud MomentPride is a funny thing. As girls, we’re almost programmed to suppress pride. To downplay our accomplishments: be humble and grateful. When I reflect on … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A Proud Moment
- 20 Minutes: A First LoveI’ve recently struggled with inspiration (and time) to write, what I would consider, more “complete” Moth-style, slice-of-life stories. I found a list of memoir-writing prompts … Continue reading 20 Minutes: A First Love
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