What are the lessons to be learned from the floodings in Houston and Florida? What do we need to change or do to protect ourselves in the future when this happens again? We have got to correct our mistakes if we are to have a better outcome. What do you think we need to do?

Challenge: Create a Story in only 6 words.

Can you do it?

In his poem, ”Theme for Lesson B”, Langston Hughes quotes a classroom instructor who tell the students:

  Go home and write
    a page tonight.
    And let that page come out of you—
    Then, it will be true.
The student then says, ''I wonder if it is so simple,'' and talks about his life, coming up north from the South, being a ''colored'' man -- the only one in his class, his living in a room at the Y in Harlem. 
Can you write a page that comes out of you?

Looking at times you’ve struggled or even failed can provide good material for writing, especially for a college admissions essay, says Rachel Toor, a creative writing professor. ”Failure is essayistic gold. Figure out what you’ve learned. Write about that. Be honest and say the hardest things you can,” she advises.

So, that’s the subject for today’s writing prompt. What have your learned from your struggles, your mistakes, your failures? Don’t be afraid — write from your heart.

Dr. Toor teaches at Eastern Washington University in Spokane and is the author of ”Write Your Way In: Crafting an Unforgettable College Admissions Essay.”

In life we can plant dream seeds for all the hopes and dreams we have in life. Then, like any gardener or farmer, we need to work hard and nourish our dream so that it will grow and live. So the question today is what is the dream seed you wish to plant? What hope do you want to come true? What steps will you take to make sure your dream survives all the problems ahead?

If you want some more ideas for writing about dream seeds, please take a look at our free e-book, ”Plant Your Dream Seeds! Writing to Grow Hope in Your Life.” You can download it at: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/eBooks/

We hope your dream comes true.

You can use keys to open many things.

Some keys can open treasure chests filled with all the things which you believe are valuable.

Some keys can open your personal diary where you often write about the important things in your life.

Or, maybe you have given someone you love the ”key” to your heart or to your soul.

Imagine that someone gave you a key to open something. Write about what the key will open. If the key opens a door, for example, then write about what is on the other side of the door.

If the key opens a special box, then write about what is inside.

If the key could open any door, what would that door be and what would be on the other side?

If the key could open anything, then what would that be?

Or, if this key could lock any door, what door would you want to lock, and why? What would you lock out?