Hello! Hello!
On the heels of my partner Jon’s Oscar win, we’ve got a quite fitting prompt: on music. It’s from Hallie Goodman, a Pushcart Prize-nominated essayist, editor and beloved pal. It’s called “Mixtape,” and I can almost guarantee it’ll take you someplace special.
Thanking God for those twelve notes,
Suleika
Mixtape by Hallie Goodman
For me, music is often the best tunnel into a story. It's a strong memory trigger, in a deeply visceral way. A song can call up a memory so sharp I have to swallow hard to keep from crying in line at the coffee shop. So my favorite prompts tend to be music related. This one is called “Mixtape.” (I’m pretty sure I lifted it from my friend Melissa Febos, who is the queen of such things.) I love the Mixtape exercise because you can use it over and over, and never wear it out.
Your prompt for the day:
Pick five time periods, ages, or moments from your life—they can be spread out or all clustered together. Don't think too hard about your choices, just write down the first one that comes to mind and move to the next.
Example:
1. First grade.
2. Junior high.
3. Sleeping in a Buick (age 17).
4. Stripping in Texas (age 20).
5. Getting sober (age 25).
With me so far? Feeling admiration for my life choices? Great!
Next pick a song to pair with each moment. Again, try not to think too hard. Let it be a gut thing. Example: Junior high—“Mother” by Danzig.
Now write a quick and dirty paragraph about each one. Then take the one that feels most interesting to you and expand it.
YESSS! I was so excited to see Jon win! And, to see you at his side. You both looked Oscar Fab! Jon’s acceptance speech - I loved his “12 notes” celebration and gratitude.
TIJ cheerleaders celebrated the “Soul” win together from our distant locales. Cheers! To you both!
YESSS! I was so excited to see Jon win! And, to see you at his side. You both looked Oscar Fab! Jon’s acceptance speech - I loved his “12 notes” celebration and gratitude.
TIJ cheerleaders celebrated the “Soul” win together from our distant locales. Cheers! To you both!