This writing prompt may be useful if you are feeling tired of your regular writing voice and would like to try to embody a different voice or perspective. You may select an animal you find strange or intriguing, or an animal you find repulsive or disturbing. Try to use an animal that you have a strong emotional response to, as this can help to inject some intensity into the poem.  To write from the perspective of an animal, you may want to start by writing down what the animal may hear, smell, feel, see, or taste. You may also want to describe humans or other animals from the animal’s perspective. If you were writing from the perspective of a snake, for example, you may focus on how a snake may feel the grass or dirt on its belly as well as how a snake may see humans from its perspective on the ground. Another shift in perspective that could be useful might be taking on the voice of a historical figure. This could be a known political figure that you admire or a person that once existed in the past, such as a runaway slave or a street sweeper in the turn of the century. Think of a historical figure that may have a unique perspective on their time and write about how they might go about their day. If you were writing from the perspective of a runaway slave in the South, for example, you may consider how this person might feel about being on the run, in danger, and in fear for their life. You may use sensory details to describe the slave’s attempt to escape the plantation and gain their freedom. Many childhood memories can be triggered by certain smells, from your mother’s baking in the kitchen to your brother’s smelly socks. Think of a distinct smell that colors your childhood and pull out a memory associated with that smell. You could then write about how the smell fits into the memory and why it is such a powerful smell in your memory. For example, maybe you associate the smell of bread baking in the oven with spending time with your father as a child. You may then try to describe the smell of the bread and your perspective on your father making bread in the kitchen as a child. Another inspiring exercise might be to set limitations for your poem by trapping your perspective in a confined space. This could be your bedroom with the door locked, a treehouse in your backyard, or a classroom with no windows. You may then try to write a poem about how it feels to be trapped in the space. You may describe the space itself as well as your emotions when you realize you cannot get out. Sometimes, inspiration can come from a tale you have heard before, such as a classic fairy tale. You may have a favorite fairy tale or a fairy tale that you find particularly interesting. Set the fairy tale in modern times and compose a poem about the reframed fairy tale. Another option is to set the fairy tale in a new context by switching around the traditional roles in the classic tale. For example, may instead of a prince saving sleeping beauty, sleeping beauty saves the prince. Or, maybe Little Red Riding Hood ends up eating the wolf.
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One-sentence summary -- Create a poem from the perspective of an animal. Write from the perspective of a historical figure. Compose a poem about a distinct smell from your childhood. Create a poem about being trapped in a confined space or area. Reinterpret a fairy tale.


This might seem like a bit of a hassle, but it will make your life a lot easier when you start moving into the new place or when someone else is moving into yours. A floor plan is a drawing or illustrations of the floor space of each room in your house, as viewed from above. Your drawing doesn't have to be a work of art; just create a to-scale sketch of each room. Include doors, windows and radiators, if present so you know where furniture can be positioned. Measure the rooms in your new space. Write the measurements of the different rooms along the edges of the sketched walls. This way you can figure out what will fit where.  Include the windows, doors, cabinets, the kitchen island, and other features that might affect how you arrange furniture in the room. Take pictures as well, so you'll remember the little details that could help you decide where to put things. Before you even pack it up and start moving it, determine where you want each piece of furniture to be positioned. That way you can put it where it's supposed to go as soon as you move it into the house, rather than grouping everything in the front room and trying to figure out where it should go.  Measure the furniture to determine where it will fit. Check your drawing of the floor plan and visualize how each piece of furniture will look. Keep swatches cut from the underneath of couches, chairs and upholstered pieces. It will be easier to tell if items match or not before having to move them. Think about furniture pieces individually instead of their current arrangement. Follow common decorating rules in terms to help you arrange things in a pleasing fashion. For example, couches should be surrounded by a little space on all sides. In the bedroom, your bed should be the main focus, rather than shoved in a corner. Whether you're moving together into a brand new space or into one of your existing homes, decide on a new decorating scheme that will tie all of your possessions together into a cohesive home. You might want to paint the walls, install new light fixtures, get new curtains, and so on in order to make the space feel like it belongs to the whole family, and not just one person.  See if it’s possible for each person in the house to get some space of his or her own. Decide which rooms will be "family rooms" and aim to have them reflect the personalities of the entire household. Consider getting furniture recovered. A good upholstery shop can not only change the fabric but they can add or remove padding to change the shape. You'll have a chance to pick fabrics together and there's a better chance of finding something that ties your taste together. Now it's finally time to get ready to move by putting your possessions in boxes. Go through your home room by room and box things up. Make sure fragile items are packed with soft materials to keep them safe during transit. If you're having movers help you merge your two households, make sure to give them clear directions about where everything should go.  Label the boxes by color, and have the person you're moving in with do the same. For example, items that belong in the living room could have a purple label, items for the kitchen could have a red label, and so on. Have the boxes them delivered to the appropriate room in the new home.
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One-sentence summary --
Draw a floor plan. Decide where the large furniture will go. Find a decorating scheme that merges your tastes. Box everything up by room.