Mothers, Memories, and Story Beginnings
As Mother’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking not only about mothers, but also about the grandmothers, stepmothers, aunts, mentors, teachers, and friends who nurture us, encourage us, and help shape who we become.
These relationships leave lasting impressions on us and, as a result, become powerful inspiration for storytelling. Every character we write carries pieces of their past, especially the love, comfort, conflict, or guidance they received growing up. Exploring those emotional roots can open surprising doors into creativity.
A Mother’s Day Writing Exercise
Step 1: Begin by closing your eyes and taking a few slow, deep breaths. Give yourself the Self-Acknowledgment Hug and repeat the affirmations.
Step 2: Think of a memory connected to your mother or someone who cared for you deeply. It can be joyful, funny, comforting, complicated, or bittersweet. Put a word or short phrase naming that image in the center of your cluster.
Step 3: Take another deep breath. Allow another image to come to mind and write a word in the next circle. Repeat this process 3 or 4 more times.
Step 4: Set a timer for 3-5 minutes. Look at the words in your cluster and write a short story using all the words.
Step 5: Reflect on your story.
If you are working on a project, consider continuing:
Step 6: Now repeat the exercise for one of your characters. How did their early experiences influence the choices they make today?
Step 7: If you’re feeling inspired, try the exercise for your obstacle or antagonist as well. Often, the most compelling characters are the ones whose emotional wounds feel real.
Sometimes the smallest memories become the doorway to our most meaningful writing.
Cozy Mother’s Day Viewing & Reading
And if you’re looking for something heartfelt to enjoy this weekend, here are a few cozy, inspiring films perfect for Mother’s Day, whether you’re spending time with family or enjoying a quiet, creative evening by yourself.
Movies
- Little Women
- You’ve Got Mail
- The Joy Luck Club
- Steel Magnolias
- Stepmom
- The Jane Austen Book Club
- Mamma Mia!
- Terms of Endearment
Wishing you a beautiful, creative, and meaningful Mother’s Day weekend,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
Start Writing Now!
Monday, May 18, 7:00 pm EST
Whether you’ve been carrying a story for years without writing a page, or you’re a seasoned writer stuck circling the runway, the hardest words are often the first ones.
In this inspiring, down-to-earth webinar, I’ll share techniques to quiet the inner noise, loosen perfectionism’s grip, and help you enter the kind of creative state where writing stops feeling forced and starts flowing.
“…I finally got my pen to paper!” ~Elizabeth E.
We’ll begin with a guided somatic and relaxation practice using the Beyond Happiness Method to help calm the nervous system and create emotional safety. When we feel settled and connected to ourselves, ideas flow more freely, and writing becomes clearer, easier, and more enjoyable.
From there, we’ll use the Word of the Day Cluster to uncover meaningful ideas connected to your story or project.
You’ll leave with practical tools to help you:
- Start writing more easily.
- Connect more deeply to your creativity
- Reduce overwhelm and self-judgment
- Develop ideas into structured scenes and pages
- Create a calmer, more productive writing practice
No matter where you are in your writing journey, this webinar is designed to help you finally get your pen to paper.
Don’t miss it! Reserve your spot now.
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