Life Without Children — October Writing Prompt
And reflecting on an incredible Storyhouse Childless 2024
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My cup is full.
I have recently returned home from an incredible weekend at Storyhouse Childless in Chester, UK, where I laughed, cried, listened and learned.
A weekend of talks, workshops, connection and inspiration.
I chaired a session called Changes, Confusions and Connections, which featured an incredible panel of four magnetic and fascinating souls.
Rosa Lennox, Mark Van Leeuwen, Jody Day and Margaret O’Connor.
Storyhouse Childless is an annual event for everyone without children, whether by choice or circumstance.
And guess what? Dates are already set for next year, 12th — 14th September. Join us?
There were too many incredible talks and workshops to single out any of the speakers and organisers. That said, one of my personal highlights includes meeting Life Without Children writers Lisa Kissane and Nadia Huq in person.
Also, it’s not every day you get to sit in your pyjamas with people whose work you deeply admire.
A big shout out to my wonderful Air B&B flatmates: Nicole Louie, the author of Others Like Me: The Lives of Women Without Children; Rose Diell, the author of Fledging; and Margaret O’Connor, the founder of Are Kids For Me.
There’s something so very special about sharing in the rhythm of someone’s life, if only for a weekend.
Life Without Children writing prompt for October
Now, let’s get to the writing prompt part, right?
Last month’s writing prompt was all about holding space for the childless, tying in with World Childless Week (Stephanie Joy Phillips, the founder of WCW, was at Storyhouse Childless).
You are welcome to continue writing to our previous writing prompts and submitting your stories to us at Life Without Children. Or you may even prefer to use our prompts for your private journaling.
However you use them, I hope they help you navigate your life without children.
October writing prompt: How does your mental health and not having children intersect?
It’s World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2024.
Some people choose not to have children for mental health reasons. Others struggle with their mental health because they don’t have children.
What about you? How does your life without children intersect with your mental health?
Tips for writing to our prompts
Remember when you write your piece — make us feel something.
A powerful story is a human story. Sprinkle your writing with real experience and emotion. And don’t forget to ensure your piece fits our submission guidelines.
Take a read through some of our published stories to see what sort of thing we publish.
Please use “writing prompts response” and “life without children” as two of your topic tags.
If you aren’t already a writer with Life Without Children, find out how to become a writer here.
Reflections from September at Life Without Children
September was an incredible month with poignant stories showcasing the deeply nuanced experiences of life without children.
I love every single piece that is published with Life Without Children. If I don’t love it, I won’t publish it. It’s always tricky to narrow submissions down to a shortlist. But narrow I must.
These stories are my four editor's picks for September.
Elanor R. L. addresses the impact of childhood trauma on her choice not to have children in her piece:
Why None of My Parent’s Babies Want Babies
Sharmila Voorakkara took us on a poignant journey of her early childhood and how she came to her choice of not having children in her piece:
My Childhood Decision to be Childfree Saved Me
Eva Keiffenheim explores the deeply complex journey of moving from a position of wanting to be a mother to being happily childfree in her piece:
Motherhood Was Once My Dream - Here’s Why I Let It Go
Charlie Brown addresses the problems around society’s assumption that everyone gets their miracle baby in her piece:
Why We Must Stop Assuming the Fertility Challenged Eventually Get “Their Miracle Baby”
What will October bring?
My talk at Medium Day 2024, which was about making space for the childless and childfree, is done. Storyhouse Childless is complete.
So, comparatively, October is set to be a quieter month for me. I would love to focus my energy on attracting more writers to Life Without Children.
So if you want to write with us, come on board. If you know of someone who may want to write with us, send this story to them.
If you don’t already write on Medium and are curious about how to do so, this article may help. I’ve also put together a handy Google document specifically for Life Without Children.
I’m also considering hosting a free online workshop for new writers. If you are interested, please let me know in the comments or by private message.
Have a great October everyone.
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