Letters to the Past + GIVEAWAY
First and foremost, I wanted to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has been participating in our new Twenty Something Writers venture. I can tell you, that the talent I see in all of you is amazing. I’ve been reading all of your responses to the discussion questions, and have replied to some as well.
For those of you who don’t know, my name is Katie and I am over at Don’t Call Me Kathleen.
Hi. Hello. Nice to meet you.
In the 12 years that I had English class, I can’t tell you how many “Group Writing” topics were “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” I never saved any of my journals from school. I wish that I had. I had a lot of dreams, and aspirations, but I can pretty much assure you that none of my responses to the question were “Single, unemployed, and living in a recessed economy.” If I was able to predict THAT, I wouldn’t have bought all of those butterfly hair clips, POGS, and mood rings, and I would have stock piled my allowance money. Despite the lack of concern with marital, employment, and economic statuses, I had my own issues that I was dealing with. Through the difficulty, I would have loved to have a bit of inspiration letting me know what direction to go in. A hint or two, at the very least.
If you were able to communicate with your younger self, what would you say? Would you warn yourself of the things that are to come? Would you tell yourself to avoid certain people? Write a letter to yourself at a younger age. Feel free to tell yourself anything that you’d like to. Let us know what age of yourself you are writing to.
What the heck does this have to do with the writing themed-blog, Katie? - I LOVE all of your blogs, and I love seeing your creativity. I’m here to defy normal expectations. This is just to get those mental juices going. Writing is about creativity, isn’t it? Now get to it! (Please!) I’ll help you start off:
Dear SELF,
Hey.
Now, you do the rest!
BONUS!–THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED.
As both a ‘Thank You’ and a bit of an incentive to take part in this creative writing prompt, I’m offering a special gift to a random contributor. All you have to do is reply to this post with the URL of your writing prompt response. You have until midnight Tuesday evening (March 17th) to submit your URL. On Wednesday afternoon, I will choose a winner at random, and the winner will receive a 25$ Gift Card to where else but MY favorite store, Barnes and Noble. Don’t forget to tell your friends about it! The more people the merrier!




March 13th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Looking forward to seeing all of your replies! Mine can be found @
http://dontcallmekathleen.blogspot.com/2009/03/dear-katie-never-give-up.html
March 13th, 2009 at 4:46 am
I love this idea and will definitely be posting my response this weekend. It’s funny, I just posted about where I see myself ten year on College Grad Lessons in response to a blog post by Liz asking “What is Success?” It will be fun to doing something about where I thought I’d be now ten years ago. Can’t wait to see everyone’s responses.
March 13th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Katie! This is great. I’m excited to write my response!
March 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Dear Nicole,
You really don’t want to go to Nursing School, you will cry when you figure out that people die, and that you cannot handle it.
You really should pay more attention in your History classes, as that is what you will become obsessed with come 2006, History, and Politics that is. You are a Democrat.
Stop going to a Church you know you don’t believe in, and start trying to figure out what you do believe in.. because if you don’t, you will still be struggling in 2009.
Save some money! Don’t spend all of it on random things just because you can. Put some money away, it will make paying for college and LIFE so much easier. Maybe that way, you won’t be 25 and still not graduated!
Love,
Your future self.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Nicole –
Awesome! I’m 25 and not graduated, heh. I got a laugh out of “You will cry when you find out people die!”
March 13th, 2009 at 5:57 am
This is a great prompt. I cannot wait to write this!
March 13th, 2009 at 6:00 am
This is hilarious! I did a visual blog of this a few weeks back. I hope you enjoy the video.
http://phampants.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/vb3-10-suggestions-from-the-future/
March 13th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I LOVED that video! I’ve been reading your current stuff as much as possible, but I never went too far back in your archives. I’m kind of glad I didn’t, or else I would have seen the video, and never did this prompt because I’d feel I was “Copying” haha.
Awesome, simply awesome!
March 13th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I’m really glad you enjoy it. It was a YouTube meme that I jumped on and made it part of my visual blog series. It was hard just narrowing down 10 things I wanted to say to myself.
The funny thing about that video is that my post college friends who saw that video really want to meet my awkward teenage self.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Yeah, your ‘now’ self screams ‘COOL!” but I have a thing for your past self. He’s cute in a “I have no idea what’s going on” Kind of way!
March 13th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I wouldn’t necessarily say that my now self “screams cool”. Lately, I’ve been called “weird”. I can dig that.
Also, I still have no idea what’s going on.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Awesome topic…will be writing something up this weekend and returning with a URL
March 13th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Ok, I wrote my letter to the past here… http://girljordyn.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/i-could-have-used-this/
& i loved loved LOVED the prompt.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:17 am
I would tell my junior high self that EVERYONE is awkward and is having the worst years of their life too (doesn’t everyone just HATE middle school?) , my high school self that Stephanie isn’t really THAT pretty and is kind of a bitch/toxic friend, and my college self to NOT major in Poly Sci.
Life is weird.
March 13th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Loved this prompt as well. Nice question.
http://crayolapen.tumblr.com/post/86175441/dear-me
March 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Yeah!! Here is my letter!!
http://writersreflectionsonlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/life-lessons-and-letters.html
March 13th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Dear Younger Lynne -
You really don’t want to be an English teacher. Dealing with administration and adolescent behaviors is beyond your capacity. Pursue a behind-the-scenes job in the non-profit sector.
Do not confuse lust with love. Believe in your heart. Be yourself. Allow yourself to cry.
Your middle-aged Lynne
March 13th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Great prompt! I have been meaning to do something like this for a while and now I have the incentive too! I will post mine on Monday
Have a great weekend!
March 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Dear adolescent fool,
Look, you’ve ruined your high school years. You called them all vapid and destined to fail, when it is you who nearly didn’t graduate out of sheer apathy. Make every day worth living, rather than risking everything for a few moments of ecstasy. It didn’t work for Icarus, and it won’t for you. You dream too big and don’t work hard enough. Nothing will save you from yourself, but yourself: antidepressants won’t, drugs won’t, alcohol won’t, suicide won’t, moving to colorado won’t, moving back to wisconsin won’t, moving to louisiana won’t. You had no discipline growing up, and now you need to discipline yourself or you will watch the sands of happiness stream through your fingers. The only thing I’ve learned in the five years that separate us is that you must create your own purpose, and you must push through those moments of doubt in yourself.
also: avoid people named mitch, dont fall so hard for girls, get your butt in school, find your birthmother, and listen to led zeppelin sooner…
Trust me, I’m you.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
i loved this and had to do one
http://confessionsofachicagogirl.blogspot.com/2009/03/dear-me.html
March 13th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Great prompt and it literally brought tears to my eyes. Here’s my letter:
http://www.wearingmascara.com/2009/03/dear-julie-at-age-13.html
March 13th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
i’m loving these prompts so far! Here’s mine:
http://floretacui.blogspot.com/2009/03/big-me-little-me.html
March 14th, 2009 at 8:46 am
The link to my post: http://somewhatvoluble.com/2009/03/14/dear-ten-year-old-self/
March 14th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Wow, so many great responses! Can’t wait to read them all.
Mine is here: http://classyinphilly.blogspot.com/2009/03/dear-jessica.html
March 14th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Dear Heather is up over at http://everyydayy.com
I love these prompts. I hate that i’ve been so busy and haven’t been able to be as active as I want to be.
March 14th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
OK, this is my third time trying to post this comment. Hope it works!
I loved this prompt! Here’s mine… http://web.me.com/zippgirl/HayleyKs_World/HayleyKs_World/Entries/2009/3/14_Dear_Hayley.html
March 14th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I love this idea. I just posted mine:
http://thedumbestsmartgirlyouknow.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-myself.html
March 15th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I love this prompt! My letter can be found at:
http://literarydreamer.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/a-letter-to-me/.
March 15th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Cute post idea! I loved thinking back on all the things I wish I had known back in middle/high school.
http://apharmdtobe.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-my-former-self.html
March 15th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I loved writing this! I’m looking forward to reading everyone elses!
http://alittlepinkinthecornfields.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-younger-self.html
March 15th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
What a wonderful idea! I really and truly had fun writing a letter to my past self. I thought that writing to my 10 year old self was perfect. That was the age at which my parents divorced and I needed the most guidance and support.
http://peach-arrow.org/?p=226
March 15th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I’m excited to read everyone’s responses!
Here is mine…
http://dancedancetotheradio.com
March 16th, 2009 at 2:31 am
I wrote this post, and then I also emailed my little sister with all the things I wish someone would’ve told me at 15. Great prompt.
http://emgarv.blogspot.com/2009/03/letters-to-past.html
March 16th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Wow, I just started reading everyone else’s and I feel like people are going to think I copied.
It’s weird how everyone has the same sorts of things that they wish they knew earlier…
March 16th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Here’s my answer to the prompt: http://amric1409-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-me.html
I really enjoyed everyone else’s! I loved how we all told ourselves to listen to our parents more
March 16th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Hope it’s ok to post – not sure if there is an official ‘membership’ of this group. Thanks for the inspiration though – the letters that I’ve read are all quite brilliant. My humble contribution can be found here:
http://apdunn.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/a-ltter-to-my-teenage-self/
March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I love this idea!!
Here’s mine:
http://justcallmenora.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/a-letter-to-my-18-year-old-self/
March 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
My response: http://www.twentysomethingwriters.com/2009/03/13/letters-to-the-past/
This was lots of fun! Thanks Katie.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
FAIL. Here’s the actual link to my response: http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/03/letter-to-myself-at-age-11/
Thanks for pointing that out Katie.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
http://ejennifer.blogspot.com/2009/03/since-i-always-seem-to-copy-emily.html
This WAS fun, thanks for the idea
March 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
This WAS fun, thanks a bunch!
March 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I posted, and I loved this idea. Good work!
http://itsjustmeewiggle.blogspot.com/2009/03/twenty-something-writers-dear-me.html
March 17th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I’m in. Off to read yours.
http://francobeans.com/2009/03/17/dear-me/
March 17th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Loved writing this. Here’s my submission -
http://jessicaxmaria.blogspot.com/2009/03/and-well-never-miss-party.html
!
March 17th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I loved this prompt. My letter to my 13 year old self http://tinyurl.com/c6jyaq
March 17th, 2009 at 11:36 am
I just wrote one. Now I’m going to go read everyone else’s.
Here’s mine!
http://thepqnation.com/showandtell/?p=510
March 17th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
It took me until the last minute, but I got it done.
http://themonotonouslife.com/?p=292
March 25th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Excellent prompt idea!
http://upsidedwn-insideout.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-prompt.html
October 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Вопрос к автору сайта, а вот у вас время у каждой статьи и в комментах пишется… Это какое? Московское? Заранее спасибо за ответ.