Letters to Adopted & Fostered Youth: Word Prompts for Writers

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart. ~Phyllis Theroux

Dear Writers,

Thank you for considering writing a submission for Dear Wonderful You, Letters to Adopted & Fostered Youth. We recognize it is often challenging to know where to begin the writing journey. Facing a blank screen is one of the most difficult experiences for a writer. With this in mind, we offer you a list of words which we hope may serve as prompts in your writing process. None of the words listed require inclusion in your submission. We merely offer them to you as inspiration for literary thought.

 Included in the word list are words offered from a sample group of adopted youth. They were given general information about Dear Wonderful You, and asked to add their own words, which they hope to see discussed in the anthology. (All who participated were beyond excited to hear from you!)

 We thank you in advance for the heart you are pouring into your letters. It is our honor to receive and read your submissions. We believe in the power of this needed project and have heard from so many of you who believe too.

For more information:

Dear Wonderful You, Letters to Adopted &Fostered Youth Submission Guidelines

Note: Submissions are welcome from all Adult Adoptees & Adults who were fostered as youth. No professional writing background is required.

 Deadline for Submissions is April 1, 2014!

 Our Best,

Diane René Christian & Mei-Mei Akwai Ellerman PhD (AN-YA Project Co-Founders)

Word Prompts (In no particular order):

IDENTITY              CULTURE            RACE         FAMILY                             ACCEPTANCE                    UNIQUE

HOBBIES              COURAGE           BRAVE                  CONFUSED         LOSS     GRIEF                    BODY IMAGE

PETS      PEERS   SCHOOL              TEACHERS          BULLIES                                CURIOUS             HAIR        RACISM

SIBLINGS             FOOD    SHARING             TRUST                   CONFIDENCE                     HOPE    DREAMS