Creative Writing
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The word “room” commonly refers to spaces enclosed by walls, ceilings, and floors. We have formulated words to categorize those rooms that we commonly use—living room, bedroom, office room, to name a few. However, the concept of a room might not be as simple as the definition of the word. A room is made up of much more than its boundaries. What else defines a room? What about “room” in the sense of the extent of space available for something (e.g. there is plenty of room to fit a sofa). Can there be a fluidity, then, in the boundaries of a room? In other words, can a room extend beyond or stop short of its physical confines?
Writing Prompt 1
Look around at the room you are in. What kind of a room is it? Is it a bedroom? A coffee shop? Write a list of reasons that this room is defined in such a way. It could be the objects that are around you, the people, the purpose the room serves, etc. What if someone takes these objects away? What if everybody leaves? Is it still the same room?
Writing Prompt 2
Imagine the point of view of a tree outside an apartment in your city. Write three vignettes of separate groups of people living in this apartment. Set these three stories in different time periods. How has the apartment and its rooms changed through time?
Writing Prompt 3
Think of an image of a room that is distinct to your city. It could be the size of the room, the decor, the objects within, the purpose it fills, etc. Now, write a story about this room being transported to another city or another planet. How do the citizens of that new place interact with this room? How do they define it?
Writing Prompt 4
What are some places, or rooms, in your city that are off limits to its people? Write a reflection on what purposes these spaces serve and what you think has happened to them due to not being occupied—or defined—by human presence.
Writing Prompt 5
Do you share a home with somebody (e.g. family, roommate, pet)? Write a journal entry on how the shared experience of your home informs the home itself. Whose home is it? Does it belong more to one of you? What determines this ownership?