How Writing Prompts Can Help You Connect With Yourself

Get To Know Me Through Beth Kempton's #meetthewriter Prompts

Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a space to share my slow and gentle living philosophy. Please do subscribe to join me on this gentle journey of discovery and receive my Slow Sunday Letter straight into your inbox.

Welcome to this week’s Slow Sunday Letter this week is a little different as I wanted to share my answers to

Beth Kempton

amazing writing prompts from last month. It was such a joyous community activity. I loved reading everyone’s answers, and I really enjoyed thinking of my own responses. Taking part really helped me frame myself as a writer and inspired me to start thinking about what I would like to do this year.

I have included the prompts at the end, in case you didn’t take part and you would like to! I also took part in Beth’s Winter Writing Sanctuary and I just wanted to say a big thank you to Beth for being so generous, and making the start of the year so creative and fun.

So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s dive in…

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Beth Kempton’s - #meetthewriter Prompts

Prompt 1. VIEW

What is your view from where you usually write ?

My perfectly imperfect office come lounge ... Everything within reaching distance... Journals, books, candles, blanket, hot drink, incense burning and some random background YouTube jazz coffee shop video.

Prompt 2. CATALYST

What made you start writing?

I don't remember it ever being a choice ... Ever since I can remember I have kept diaries and journals. Some years have gone by with less words filling the pages, and in other years the words have poured out of me ... Journaling has always been there for me.

I've always found comfort in writing and words.

My writing has developed and changed a great deal over the years, (especially recently) as I found my confidence, my voice, and my calling.

There is so much more to come ...

Prompt 3. HANDWRITING

Describe or show us your handwriting. Do you like writing by hand?

I write in print capitals … not sure when I started doing this (University perhaps?) … I'm a fast writer, so it’s never slowed me down!

I love writing by hand, I have so many journals and I carry a Slow Living Journal around with me to just in case inspiration strikes when I am out.

Prompt 4. RITUAL

What kind of rituals do you use to help you get the words flowing?

My ritual always involves candles, gentle music (I can't write in silence) and nice smells… either candles or incense. When I want to achieve ‘flow state’ I spend time creating a calm and peaceful environment. I'm getting better at just squeezing in writing here and there with less ritual, but if I'm writing with purpose setting up my space is really important to me.

Prompt 5. COMPANIONS

Whose writing do you keep nearby and dip into often for inspiration?

Destination SIMPLE -

Brooke McAlary

Good Vibes, Good Life -

Vex King

Pottering. A Cure for Modern Life - Anna McGovern

Big Magic -

Elizabeth Gilbert

In Praise of Slow - Carl Honore

Seeking Slow - Melanie Barnes

Joyrider - Angela Scanlon

These are my most commonly thumbed through books ... Most I've read cover to cover several times and others are new additions that I've fallen head over heels for.

Prompt 6. DOORWAY

In what ways has writing been a doorway for you? What has it led to?

I guess… confidence, but this a small slow burn!

I think I always knew deep down I wanted to be a writer - I’ve always been in love with words. Switching my degree from Politics to Philosophy was an important moment in my life. I was trusting my gut, and prayed I could keep up (switching, I had to complete years 1 and 2 together simultaneously!). But then, as I got older and spent more time out in the world - my confidence got smaller and smaller. I stopped writing and believing I could do it.

Now, writing more often and enjoying it so much, it has started to open a door in my mind to what ‘could be’… I hope to keep pulling the door open bit by bit!

Prompt 7. PSEUDONYM

If you had a pseudonym what would it be and why?

I have never thought about this… I write under Generosity of Spirit which is more of a guiding principle and anchor for what I want to achieve.

So just for fun, a pseudonym name for me… I’d maybe go for the nickname my Nanny used to call me by (she wanted me to be called Gemma so called me Gem) with a flower which reminds me of Springtime and all the hope and anticipation that season brings … Gem Blossom

Prompt 8. SOUNDS

Which words do you particularly like the sound of?

Ok … I tried not to over think this so get ready for a very random list… each of these words I would describe as beautiful…

Serendipity

Epiphany

Aurora

Blossoming

Quintessential

Enlighten

Mystical

Calm

Snuggle

Giggle

Prompt 9. LOCATION

Where can we find your writing online and in print?

I created a plant-based food blog and posted for just over three years on my own website www.generosityofspirit.co.uk . I love cooking and creating recipes, and I am very passionate about mindful nutrition and plant-based food. But after an elongated break from writing on my blog-  I realised  I needed to ‘lift the lid’ and ‘step out of the foodie blog box’.

I've been writing here on Substack for the last few months and have fallen in love with it as a community and a way to share my slow and gentle living philosophy. I have over 360 subscribers now and I am grateful to each and every one of them. I am really looking forward to developing this space and building a community to support and inspire each other.

Prompt 10. CHAMPIONS

Who has been a real champion for your creativity?

My Husband, Bear and my best friend Ashley. I am so lucky to have these two gorgeous people in my life. They are both endlessly loving and encouraging. They believe in me always, but especially when I don't believe in myself. They are always behind me and supporting everything I do. I could not have hoped for two bigger cheerleaders and I'm so grateful for them every day.

Prompt 11. ODE

If you had to write an ode (a kind of devotional poem) to writing, what would you say?

Given that poetry is not something I write … here we go… I’m just going to write and see what happens…

Words

I’ll never take you for granted,

I’ll never not love you,

I’ll never stop exploring and learning from you.

~

The gift of writing- the most honest relationship of my life.

Not always easy, sometimes confronting.

But always there for me- my comfort in words.

~

I will never take you for granted,

I will always love you,

I will always explore and learn from you.

~

Thank you, words.

For the comfort, the adventure, the friendship.

How lucky I am to have you in my life.

Prompt 12. IDENTITY

How do you feel about calling yourself a writer? How does it fit with the rest of you as a person?

When I call myself a writer… it doesn't feel real.

It's my ultimate dream, and something I've kept at an arms distance from myself. Thinking it was too much for me, I wasn't good enough to be called ‘a writer’.

I've really struggled with confidence over the years, made so much worse living with anxiety.

It's something I've been working on recently. I have to remind myself that it's ok to call myself a writer. I love writing. It is such an important part of me. I'm so grateful that I write and have found a way to share it with others. It's all a work in progress. But right now … I'll say it … I am a writer.

Prompt 13. THREE

Describe your writing style or favourite themes in three words…

I HOPE my writing style is honest, comforting, and inspiring.

And my favourite themes are Slow & Gentle Living and Self Discovery/Care

Prompt 14. IMAGININGS

If you could wave a magic wand and make any writing dream come true, what would you manifest?

This didn’t take much thinking as it has been my dream for as long as I can remember… My magic wand would create books with my name on them … A guide to Slow & Gentle Living and a Plant Based Recipe Book - just for starters! My magic wand would allow me to quit my job and devote my time to writing and a writer’s life.

Prompt 15. COMMITMENT

What kind of commitment are you going to make to your writing and your writing life this year ?

To write something everyday

To keep posting my Slow Sunday Letter on Substack

Start writing my book/book proposal!

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If you are still reading, thank you and I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little bit more through these prompts. If you want to give them ago, I have posted them below.

Beth Kempton’s - #meetthewriter Prompts

1. VIEW

What is your view from where you usually write ?

2. CATALYST

What made you start writing?

3. HANDWRITING

Describe or show us your handwriting. Do you like writing by hand?

4. RITUAL

What kind of rituals do you use to help you get the words flowing?

5. COMPANIONS

Whose writing do you keep nearby and dip into often for inspiration?

6. DOORWAY

In what ways has writing been a doorway for you? What has it led to?

7. PSEUDONYM

If you had a pseudonym what would it be and why?

8. SOUNDS

Which words do you particularly like the sound of?

9. LOCATION

Where can we find your writing online and in print?

10. CHAMPIONS

Who has been a real champion for your creativity?

11. ODE

If you had to write an ode (a kind of devotional poem) to writing, what would you say?

12. IDENTITY

How do you feel about calling yourself a writer? How does it fit with the rest of you as a person?

13. THREE

Describe your writing style or favourite themes in three words…

14. IMAGININGS

If you could wave a magic wand and make any writing dream come true, what would you manifest?

15. COMMITMENT

What kind of commitment are you going to make to your writing and your writing life this year ?

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I’d love to hear some of your answers, so do feel free to share your response in the comments if any of the prompts jump out for you.

Thank you for being here,

With Light & Love

Emily xxx

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