Think of two similar situations you’ve experienced in your life.

Compare the different situations and the versions of you as a person during each point in time - what changed/is changing the second time around? How is the situation different? How are you different? Jot down a list and write!

In her book My Private Property, poet Mary Ruefle writes about the different types of sadness she has experienced, likening these different ‘sadnesses’ to colours. With this in mind, choose an emotion, belief or idea and think about the impressions it reminds you of. Have a go at writing about it and see where it takes you!

In light of Reconciliation week which was celebrated last week, today’s QuickWrite is centred around some powerful words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was put together by indigenous delegates from all over Australia in 2017: “We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.”

Reflecting on this line, what does it mean to “walk with” a person? What actions might a person take to “walk with” someone else? You might want to brainstorm first, then do a bit of research. Start with list, then write!

*Image from Sydney Morning Herald, Fairfax Media, 27/5/2019

In light of the protests against racism and police brutality that started in America after police killed George Floyd, today’s QuickWrite asks you to reflect on a quote by American activist and author Angela Davis who said: “It is not enough to be non-racist, we must be actively anti-racist.” What does this quote mean to you? What do you think the difference is between being ‘not racist’ and ‘actively anti-racist’? If you’re not sure, see if you can do some research about it and write a personal reflection.

*Photo from ABC’s BTN news report, available: https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/us-protests-against-racism/12308868

Every now and then we come across strangely beautiful words which name precise impressions or objects —like ‘petrichor’, the way it smells after it rains. With this in mind, have a go at finding some of your own strange, beautiful words which you thought didn’t exist that give precise names to things. Choose one of these words and write about it. What does it make you think, feel, wonder? What does it remind you of?

Sometimes, when we are getting ready for a change in scenery that we’ve experienced before, we might feel an urge to participate in rituals or do certain things we usually do to prepare ourselves to enter into the new. Have a go at writing your own “I get the urge to…” paragraph about a change or transition you experience at certain points in the year or week. What images pop up in your mind when you think about this transition? Have a go and write!

Take or choose a photo of yourself and conduct a self-interview. You might want to ask yourself:

• What’s my personal connection to this photo?

• What was I thinking/feeling at the time?

• What was happening in my life at the time?

• What questions spring to mind?

• If someone were to have a daily glimpse into your life at that time, what would they see?

Look at the picture and write fast and freely. See what comes to mind!

You’ve probably heard the saying that appearances can be deceiving. With this in mind, jot down something about you that no one would be able to guess at first glance. Use this as inspiration to write!

Sometimes we can find inspiration for writing if we pay attention to what is happening around us and tune in to our history, songs and stories. Today, the 26th May, marks National Sorry Day. In the words of Reconciliation Australia, National Sorry Day “remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations.’” Today, listen to or read the lyrics to Archie Roach’s song ‘Took the Children Away’ and select a line you find striking, moving or thought-provoking. What does it make you think, feel, or wonder?

Australia Post have set up a National Letterbox and are seeking ‘Dear Australia’ letters about people’s experiences during COVID-19, which can contain messages of hope, descriptions of how your life has been changed at this time, stories about community spirit and artwork. Some of these letters will be kept by the National Archives of Australia as historical records of this time. If you were to write a ‘Dear Australia’ letter, what would you say? Have a go at jotting down what comes to mind, and turn it into a more polished piece later!

Quickly brainstorm a short list of your favourite first lines from the books you’ve read which resonate with you right now. You can list them, make a visual map, collage or a graffiti page —whatever you like!

Pick one line and write about it:

• Why did you choose this line?

• What do you find moving, thought-provoking or striking about it?

• What does it make you think or feel?

• What real-life experiences can you connect this quote to? Does it remind you of something you’ve seen, experienced or read about recently?

What questions pop into YOUR mind when you look at this picture? Jot them down and choose a few as inspiration for your writing. You could:

• Write about a person crossing the bridge

• Write about what the bridge reminds you of in your life (eg: ‘Going back to school is like crossing a bridge…’, a time you went hiking)

• Write about trying to write about the picture of the bridge (eg: “So my teacher has asked us to write about this picture I don’t know much about…”)

Consider the tastes and smells of your childhood, or think about your favourite smells and tastes. Brainstorm a quick list. Choose one thing from your list that has a good story to it and write about why you remember it today.

Jot down either your first name, middle name or family name. You might want to write about:

• How you got your name

• Nicknames

• Stories behind your name (eg: “When I was 6…”, When I was 12…”)

• What your name means to different people and to you

• What you like/dislike about your name

• How people might have mispronounced your name and how it made you feel

• Your ‘almost’ name: the name your parents almost chose for you

• How you might have changed your name

Have a go and see where it takes you!

Think about the things —people, sights, sounds, smells, objects, small moments —that you would like to remember the most about this time. Take a look at Joy Harjo’s poem ‘Remember’ for inspiration and get writing!

Do you know a word in another language that can’t be translated into a single English word, or a word from the place that you’re from (eg: an Australian slang word), which makes sense to those who are familiar with it but not to anyone else? What pictures spring to mind when you think of this word? What —or who—does it remind you of? How might you describe it to someone who doesn’t know much about it? What’s it like? Write and draw about it!

What unexpected things have you discovered about yourself this year? What caused this discovery? What moments stand out to you when you think about this? What was it like before, during and after this discovery? Start with a list, then write!

Select an inanimate object. It could be something in your room, under your bed, a beloved object, a forgotten object, an old toy, a favourite book, an overused object —anything you like! Think about what life might be like from the perspective of your object. What kind of voice would this object have if it could talk or write to you? What would it say? Have a go at writing this down and see where it takes you!

Jot down each letter of the alphabet. Next to each letter, think of a word starting with that letter that captures something about what the last few weeks have been like for you, or which captures something about a topic of your choice (eg: everyday life, a list of favourites, holidays, comic books, your hometown, football, etc.). Choose a few items from the list and write about them: what do these things remind you of? What are the stories behind these items on your list?

Make a list of things you are happy to be missing out on and then choose one thing to write about. You might want to start with ‘I won’t miss_______ because…’, or you can think of your own way of beginning. Consider: Why is it a joy for you to miss out on this item from your list? What has missing out on this thing made you think about, feel or realise?