“Writing is medicine. It’s an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion to any difficult change.” – Julia Cameron, author of The Artists Way
For TONIGHT’s ONLINE session, I have crafted 25 writing prompts addressing political harmony, and 25 others to help take your mind off of it. I invite you to join us, whether or not you consider yourself a writer, and help relieve some of the stress, anxiety and tension you might be feeling. Or… come write your joy
1. Protest Letters
- Plot: A young activist and their elderly neighbor argue over a letter-writing campaign, as one believes in its power while the other is cynical.
- Objective: Convince the neighbor to write a letter to a senator.
- Conflict: Generational disillusionment vs. hope.
- Resolution: They write the letter together, each gaining a new perspective.
2. Doorstep Debate
- Plot: A canvasser tries to get an exhausted single parent to vote, despite the parent’s frustration and apathy.
- Objective: Get the parent to agree to vote.
- Conflict: Apathy vs. belief in change.
- Resolution: The parent agrees, inspired by the canvasser’s story.
3. Night Shift
- Plot: Two janitors discuss their struggles with low wages and unequal treatment while cleaning a corporate office at night.
- Objective: Persuade the other to join a union.
- Conflict: Fear of job loss vs. need for fair treatment.
- Resolution: They decide to stand together and advocate for change.
4. The Last Pamphlet
- Plot: A student’s attempt to pass out their last pamphlet about an important cause is interrupted by a classmate who disagrees.
- Objective: Distribute the pamphlet.
- Conflict: Passion for the cause vs. social pressure.
- Resolution: The classmate takes the pamphlet, expressing tentative interest.
5. Silent March
- Plot: Two strangers, each impacted by a recent law, walk together after a rally and find common ground.
- Objective: Get the other to share their personal story.
- Conflict: Vulnerability vs. guarded emotions.
- Resolution: They share their stories and offer each other solidarity.
6. The Midnight Call
- Plot: A volunteer calls a politician’s office late at night to leave a final voicemail but accidentally gets through to someone.
- Objective: Make the politician listen.
- Conflict: Belief in their message vs. futility.
- Resolution: The politician’s assistant agrees to pass the message along.
7. Cafeteria Confessions
- Plot: Two coworkers clash over signing a workplace petition during their lunch break.
- Objective: Get the other to sign the petition.
- Conflict: Fear of retaliation vs. desire for fairness.
- Resolution: One signs, and the other promises to consider.
8. Fire Alarm
- Plot: A politician’s assistant finds a protestor locked in their office and confronts them.
- Objective: Get the protestor to leave peacefully.
- Conflict: Political duty vs. moral duty.
- Resolution: The assistant gives them the contact of an ally in government.
9. The Last Poll
- Plot: A polling station volunteer encourages a discouraged voter to cast their ballot on election night.
- Objective: Convince the voter to cast a vote.
- Conflict: Hopelessness vs. belief in small actions.
- Resolution: The voter agrees, encouraged by the volunteer’s passion.
10. Return to Sender
- Plot: A letter sent back and forth between two family members with differing political views finally leads to a face-to-face meeting.
- Objective: Reach an understanding.
- Conflict: Personal values vs. familial bonds.
- Resolution: They agree to respect each other’s views and stay in touch.
11. Pledge
- Plot: A community leader and a resident argue about a petition to keep a local park open.
- Objective: Get the resident to sign the petition.
- Conflict: Pessimism vs. activism.
- Resolution: The resident signs, feeling empowered.
12. The Refuge
- Plot: Two people from different backgrounds shelter together after a protest goes wrong.
- Objective: Get the other to leave the shelter safely.
- Conflict: Distrust vs. shared need for safety.
- Resolution: They find common ground and help each other escape.
13. Carpool Conversations
- Plot: Two coworkers debate an upcoming strike on their car ride home.
- Objective: Persuade the other to support the strike.
- Conflict: Financial security vs. workplace justice.
- Resolution: One agrees to attend the next meeting.
14. The Sign-Up Sheet
- Plot: A student leader tries to get a peer to sign up for a climate change rally.
- Objective: Get a signature.
- Conflict: Anxiety about activism vs. desire to act.
- Resolution: The peer signs, inspired to participate.
15. The Final Vote
- Plot: A senior citizen and a volunteer debate the importance of voting during a home visit.
- Objective: Convince the senior to vote.
- Conflict: Disillusionment vs. belief in democracy.
- Resolution: The senior agrees, moved by the volunteer’s dedication.
16. Fences
- Plot: Two neighbors argue over a fence being built in their community, which impacts one more than the other.
- Objective: Persuade the other to protest the construction.
- Conflict: Personal stakes vs. community.
- Resolution: They both agree to stand against the fence.
17. Second Chances
- Plot: A former felon and a social worker discuss voting rights.
- Objective: Convince the former felon to register.
- Conflict: Self-doubt vs. redemption.
- Resolution: They decide to register, inspired by the social worker’s encouragement.
18. Park Bench
- Plot: Two strangers argue over a homeless encampment in their park.
- Objective: Find common ground.
- Conflict: Different views on homelessness.
- Resolution: They agree to volunteer together.
19. The Apology
- Plot: A politician and an activist face off in a hallway.
- Objective: Get an apology.
- Conflict: Professional image vs. moral accountability.
- Resolution: The politician apologizes, hinting at real change.
20. The Last Call
- Plot: A young activist tries to get their older friend to make one last call to a senator.
- Objective: Make the call.
- Conflict: Cynicism vs. hope.
- Resolution: They make the call together.
21. Bus Stop Allies
- Plot: A young adult and a retired teacher discuss the impact of a local law while waiting for the bus.
- Objective: Gain the teacher’s support.
- Conflict: Skepticism vs. belief in collective action.
- Resolution: They exchange numbers to stay in touch.
22. Speechless
- Plot: A speechwriter tries to get a burnt-out politician to re-engage with their platform.
- Objective: Convince them to stay in the race.
- Conflict: Burnout vs. responsibility.
- Resolution: The politician agrees to one last rally.
23. The Tagline
- Plot: Two activists debate the wording of a sign at a protest.
- Objective: Find a unifying message.
- Conflict: Precision vs. passion.
- Resolution: They combine ideas into one powerful sign.
24. Cold Feet
- Plot: A protest organizer tries to calm a nervous volunteer before they take the stage.
- Objective: Encourage the volunteer to speak.
- Conflict: Stage fright vs. desire to make an impact.
- Resolution: The volunteer speaks and gains confidence.
25. One Last Stand
- Plot: Two workers debate joining a walkout as they prepare to clock in for their night shift.
- Objective: Persuade the other to participate.
- Conflict: Immediate need for money vs. long-term benefits.
- Resolution: They walk out together, empowered.
