Twenty Themes

Review the list below. Choose a topic or question from the list. Write about it. Post your writing to the forum. If you have previously attended a Creative Writing class with me, you may recognize this list and you may have previously written a theme-based composition based on this list. If so, choose another theme or another permutation on the same theme for your composition. You will not be repeating material or duplicating your effort. The list, after all, contains essentially the complete archetypal themes of human psychology — and therefore of literature — so everything you will ever write can be encapsualted by a theme or set of themes from this list.

• Write something about yourself that no one else yet knows.
• Describe a childhood memory in which you felt particularly empowered, or loved.
• Write about one of your dreams.
• Describe an experience you have had that you would define as spiritual.
• Describe an experience in which you faced and overcame suffering.
• Describe a humorous event in your life.
• Write about something with which you are currently struggling.
• Write about your own nature and talents, what are you good at? Where do you shine?
• Write about one of your fears.
• Write about the smell, or touch, or taste, or sound, that you love the most.
• Write about something you know deeply.
• If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• What does your shadow look like, or sound like? What does it say? How does it write?
• Write about something you believe.
• When you are feeling weak and vulnerable, what must you remember?
• What is your favorite book, or story, or film, or poem, or painting? Why?
• Describe one thing you feel is necessary for you to do before you die.
• Who do you love? Why? Write about this.
• Write about something else.