Every Story Matters

March 18, 2026

March 2026 Writing Prompt: "In the Middle Of"
(click the link above to view the video)

In this session from the Every Story Matters Creative Writing Workshop, participants explore the creative writing principle of beginning a story in medias res—in the middle of change. Using the workbook, on page 14, Cinelle guides writers through thoughtful ways to share their brain injury stories concisely and meaningfully.

The workshop covers how significant life changes, like living with a brain injury, can serve as powerful starting points for personal narratives. It offers three fill-in-the-blank options to help participants craft their stories:

• From a Moment of Change to a Sense of Purpose

• The “Hero’s Journey” (Empathy, Authority, Allies, Return)

• Quotes for Connection

Designed to reduce the cognitive and emotional strain of repeatedly telling one’s story, this prompt encourages honest, efficient storytelling that fosters connection within the brain injury community while allowing space for rest and reflection.

Perfect for anyone interested in using creative writing as a tool for healing, community building, and self-expression.

Extra Enrichment Activity (OPTIONAL Homework)

For those who would like a little extra creative spark this month, here’s an optional writing exercise inspired by Victoria Chang’s poem “The Trees Witness Everything.”

Click Here To Read the short excerpt and two student example poems (one using a fawn and a wildfire, the other snow and stone).

Then, in your journal, choose two opposing elements from nature and write a short poem that uses them as symbols. Think of the “wilderness” as the brain itself or your experience in the brain injury community—what two contrasting forces live there, and what gentle instruction would you offer?

This is completely optional and just for enrichment. It’s a beautiful way to explore inner contrasts through metaphor. Share your poem in our next session if you’d like!

Staying Connected Between Our Monthly Zoom Meetings: Introducing Padlet

Hi everyone,

We know our creative writing workshop only meets once a month on Zoom, but many of us want to keep sharing our writing, ideas, and encouragement with each other in between sessions. That’s why we’re adding a simple online tool called Padlet.

What is Padlet?

Padlet is like a digital bulletin board or a big shared wall of sticky notes. It’s easy to use on a computer, tablet, or phone—no special skills needed. You can post:

• Your writing (poems, stories, fill-in-the-blanks from our prompts)

• Ideas or reflections

• Photos or images that inspire you

• Comments on what others have shared

• Links to articles, songs, or anything else that feels relevant to our brain injury journeys

Everything updates in real time, so you can see what classmates are posting whenever it fits your energy and schedule.

How we’ll use Padlet in our workshop

• Share your creative work — Post the stories or poems you write from our monthly prompts

• Give and receive gentle feedback — Leave kind comments or reactions on each other’s posts.

• Brainstorm together — Add ideas for future prompts, happy-place notes, or the optional nature-poem assignment.

• Stay connected — Even if you can’t attend every Zoom, you can still be part of the community by dropping in when you feel up to it.

• Optional & low-pressure — You decide what (and how much) to share. Some people post a lot, others just read and react—that’s all welcome!

To Get Started, Click Here:

1. Click the link and sign up with your email (takes about 1 minute).

2. Start adding posts—just click the big “+” button and type or upload.

3. You can even post voice notes or short videos if writing feels hard some days.

If you run into any trouble or need help, just reply to this email or mention it in our next Zoom—I’m happy to walk you through it step by step.

This is a gentle, supportive space for our Every Story Matters community. No pressure, just connection and creativity on your own timeline.

Looking forward to reading what you create!