Post #56 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
By Promptly Portland
I’ve shared my growing love for Portland with you over the past year. I moved here in July 2009 and am still learning about The Rose City. One of the unusual aspects of Portland that I’m still trying to understand is its many neighborhoods, each with its own name, personality, and look. I read recently that there are 95 such neighborhoods, each with ample places to eat and shop and live. I rarely have to go to a big chain store or restaurant as there are many locally owned establishments nearby.
500 Words (or more):
1. Divide your life into different districts. I wonder how many there are. 10? 25? 50? Think of those years that are cohesive and put them together into a single district. Then consider years with a different focus and put them together into another district. See how many districts there have been in your life. Take a piece of paper or use the computer to look at your life in this new way — map your personal districts. Include all the details — years, places, major events, important people.
2. Take one great district, Perhaps it is one you remember well. Perhaps it is one that is growing right now with your personal equivalent of new stores and restaurants–maybe new friendships and time for personal reflection. Write 500 words about this district.
3. Take a poor district of your life. Perhaps it is in decline. Perhaps there are roadblocks around it to keep you from going back there again. Perhaps it isn’t a healthy district. Write 500 words about how you left that district and why. What district did you then move to?
Until next time,
Promptly Portland
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