Now, you can think of this as the beginning of something big, or just a germ of thought, but start by limiting yourself. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Set a limit of 400 words. Whatever works for you!

If you want to make it something bigger, you can always come back after. Try to think of this exercise as a single moment.

The Tradition of the Personal Essay: Try It 7

“Practice writing deliberate incongruities, twists, exaggerations, and understatements. What is the strangest sight you’ve seen over the last year? Was it a Hare Krishna at an airport talking on a cell phone? A Santa Claus withdrawing money from an ATM? What experience in your own life led to the most unexpected sight?” (Miller & Paola, pg. 105)