I've been thinking about this building lately.
It's not just any building. I lived here several years ago. Recently I went back to visit, and when I walked past this building there was a flood of memories.
Do you have a special place that you remember? A house you lived in, or a friend's apartment? The school where you went to kindergarten? A grandparent's yard? The back seat of your parents' old car?
When we write about these places, something amazing happens: more memories come back, even stronger. It's not necessary to visit. Just the act of writing triggers details we may have forgotten.
Think of a place that was special to you. To get started, write down three things you remember about that place. Then write down the emotion you felt about each thing.
When more details come, keep writing. Don't worry about forming them into a finished piece yet. Think of your memories as your "compost heap." The memories may spark an idea for a story or an essay about your life.
Our memories are unique to us. What place do you remember?
