Have you heard the phrase cat got your tongue? As life story writers, I suppose it would be more like blank page got your pen. But before you write to today’s prompt about scars, let’s do a warm-up brainstorming exercise.
List-making isn’t just for grocery shopping. You can use this skill to help get your pen moving.
Grab your computer or pen and paper, and let’s do this. I promise, this quick five-minute, list-making exercise will help you put words on the page, especially when you don’t know where to start.
Remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all.
We’d love to see the story you come up with, so upload it in the comments section below, as an MS Word or Adobe .pdf document or copy/paste your text in the comments block.
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Happy writing!
A tooth infection – IV antibiotics, lots of codeine, anti-inflammatories and pain.
Attach,Nancy.
My son’s experience
Wow, what a scary experience. That had to hurt. Nicely written.
“During my childhood, I heard this story often enough. When Mama talked about this incident, she never failed to show the impressive scar on the side of her head where the surgery took place. Running from the middle of her left ear, down the side of her neck, this scar was long. Mama was proud of it. Throughout her life, she wore it like a badge of honor.” an excerpt from my book. Mama got this scar from drinking contaminated water to quell her thirst. By the end of the day, the infection spread from her throat to her ear,… Read more »
Great excerpt, Etya. What a horrible infection that moved so fast. That’s a significant scar. Was that before antibiotics? Was the fact that she survived made her so proud?
I am not sure. Penicillin was discovered in 1928. My mom was born in 1921, but I d not how old she was at that time. I assume maybe 8i or 9.
Oh, wow, Kit. This is a great story about your mom. Run over by a streetcar? Ouch! It’s amazing she didn’t lose her legs. You did a good job with this story, telling it in scene, and using realistic dialogue. Well done. Plus, you have thirty-two more items to write about. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Thank you, Patricia. My mom did lose her thigh bones in that accident. They had to be replaced with metal plates. It is amazing that she did not lose her legs. This was a very thought-provoking prompt that made my mind look down many alleyways.
I had 33 items on my brainstorming list! Here is my short story. As Mom tended my newest cut with soap and water on a rag, then mercurochrome, and then a bandage, I complained. “Ouch! that stuff stings!” Mom said, “Oh, you’ll be just fine now.” And she kissed the top of my knee and patted the side of my leg matter-of-factly, like it was just part of growing up, “it happens to everyone.” So, I pulled down my pants leg and ran off to play. The next time she was tending to one of my injuries, she told me “When… Read more »
What a story, Kit! It reminded me of my mom’s scar, which run alongside her left ear down to her shoulder. It was caused by her eating a contaminated icicle when she was young and was thirsty. I caused an infection in her ear, and she needed surgery.
Glad you could relate, Etya.
Kit, What a great story! And, what a great lesson from your Mom.
Thank you, Linda. It sure was a great lesson. I didn’t even realize that when I started to write about it. I just wanted to tell about how amazingly brave she was.