Post #10 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Written by: Promptly Portland
A few days ago, a friend and I went to see Casablanca in the park. Portland has a great summer program that shows various movies on large screens throughout the city. We packed some homemade popcorn and a few blankets and jumped on our bikes as we made off for our twilight showing.
Like most of us, I have seen Casablanca several times, but I forgot just how prominent and emotionally moving the movie’s signature song, “As Time Goes By,” was to the overall quality of the movie. When Sam began singing “You must remember this: a kiss is just a kiss,” I actually felt a chill race up my spine. This is, or course, no real revelation: music causes an emotional response. Yet, we do need to be reminded, from time to time, that many of our emotional memories are connected to music.
500 Words (or More): Memoir Writing Prompt #3
Listen to some of your favorite songs from years past. This may be a song that was popular during your high-school years, a song you remember from childhood, or even music that marked a period of your adult life. After you have listened to the songs, choose one that evokes a strong emotional response. Write about listening to that song many years ago using present-tense voice.
For example: I am sitting in my car when I hear the first notes of “Love Me Do.” Sarah is blabbering away in the passenger seat, but when she hears the song, she starts screaming, “I love this song! I love this song!.
Re-enact the scene when you remember hearing the song. Try to recall who was there, what time of day it was, where you were (in a car, at a movie, a party, a concert), and, most importantly, what you were feeling at the time.
Until next time,
-Promptly Portland
