Meet Joe Black

Writing prompts inspired by the movie Meet Joe Black.

Let’s start today’s writing session with a reading. This is Ann Patchett on forgiveness: 

“The ability to forgive oneself. Stop here for a few breaths and think about this because it is the key to making art, and very possibly the key to finding any semblance of happiness in life. Every time I have set out to translate the book (or story, or hopelessly long essay) that exists in such brilliant detail on the big screen of my limbic system onto a piece of paper (which, let’s face it, was once a towering tree crowned with leaves and a home to birds). I grieve for my own lack of talent and intelligence. Every. Single. Time. Were I smarter, more gifted, I could pin down a closer facsimile of the wonders I see. I believe, more than anything, that this grief of constantly having to face down our own inadequacies is what keeps people from being writers. Forgiveness, therefore, is key. I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing. Again and again throughout the course of my life I will forgive myself.”

What do you need to forgive yourself for?

Today’s prompts were inspired by the movie Meet Joe Black. Have you seen it?

Brad Pitt plays Death. What else do you really need? You might be aware of the incredible scene where Brad Pitt gets hit by a car, but if you haven’t seen it, you are in for a delicious treat right now:

Now let’s write!

EXERCISE #1: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: If you woke up one night and somehow a voice from the beyond was talking to you, who would you want to hear from? Write the conversation you want to have with them.

FICTION: If you’re writing a narrative, do this same exercise for your protagonist.

BONUS ELEMENT: a miracle (a different miracle than this voice talking to you)

EXERCISE #2: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: Make a list of things in your life that are somehow unresolved. It can be anything from an apology you owe to someone or a show you never finished watching. What are your personal loose ends?

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, make a list of all the characters in whatever you’re working on and think of one “loose end” for each of them, and how that might factor into your story.

EXERCISE #3: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: Write a memory about an experience you’ve had at a hospital.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, one of your characters has been badly injured. Write a scene between two of your other characters in the hospital waiting room while they wait for news.

BONUS ELEMENT: apprenticeship

EXERCISE #4: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: What did a typical “family dinner” look like when you were a child? Start with some images. Specific meals that remind you of childhood. Specific smells and sounds. Then free-write any memories that come.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a flashback “family dinner” scene from your protagonist’s childhood.

EXERCISE #5: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: Okay, who the hell are you? Explain yourself to someone who knows nothing about you.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, pick a minor character who you maybe haven’t explored as much as your protagonist and brainstorm everything you don’t know about them yet.

BONUS ELEMENT: BLACKOUTS

EXERCISE #6: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: What’s the worst betrayal you’ve ever experienced?

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, what’s the worst thing one of your characters could do to your protagonist? Brainstorm for a few minutes, then write a scene where they do that thing.

BONUS ELEMENT: chaos!!!!

EXERCISE #7: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: Make a list of significant “firsts” from your life. Pick one to write about in more detail.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a scene where your protagonist experiences a first with one of your other characters. Make it big.

BONUS ELEMENT: The Voice of God

EXERCISE #8: 

JOURNALING PROMPT: We’ve all got shit that we hold onto way longer than we should. Think of something you’ve carried with you for too long. A grudge, a regret. Try to let it go by writing about it.

FICTION PROMPT: If you’re writing a narrative, write a confessional monologue where your protagonist talks about something they can’t let go of.

BONUS ELEMENT: The past / WEATHER