Childhood Memories

In my Creative nonfiction class the professor gave us a unique exercise to do. I share it with you in hopes of allowing your creative writing juices to flow.

Take out a blank piece of paper. Now, think of a childhood home you grew up in. Draw the floor plan of the house. If it has a basement , an attic, the bathrooms, porches, decks, anything you can think of to give it as much detail as you can. Once you have the floor plan draw the furniture into it. Where was the couch in the living room? What was the shape of the toilet? What furniture was there in the bedroom? When you are completely finished with every detail you can think of place your pencil or pen down. Look at this floor plan and think back to the memories you have there. Pick up the pencil and place a star in each place you have a memory? The Christmas tree or where you wish there had been one when your family couldn't afford one. The first pet you were given and where it was presented to you. Maybe your memory is of being sick and your mom bringing you soup. For every little memory that floods you place a star in that area of your house. When your finished count your stars. You may have one star; great for a short story. You may have nearly thirty stars or more; the makings of a book.

Anytime you don't know what to write you can do this exercise. Not just with a childhood home. You can do this with places you have visited, schools you went to, and any other place. When starting out it isn't important what you write, it is important that you write.