Prompted

All-Genre Prompt

A Shoe’s Memoir

By Tamara MC

Introduction (10 minutes)
Read Vahni Capildeo’s “Investigation of Past Shoes.” Discuss how shoes function as storytellers and witnesses. What happens when we give objects permission to speak?

Prewriting (20 minutes)
Select any pair of shoes. Alternatively, if shoes aren’t accessible or relevant, choose another object that accompanies you: mobility aids, clothing, objects you interact with daily.

Visualization (5 minutes)

Close your eyes. What colors and textures? Where is this object now? How many places has it traveled?

Interrogation (15 minutes)

Write answers tailored to your specific pair:

1. Color when new versus now?
2. Preferred/disliked surfaces or textures?
3. What’s their smell? What’s stuck in treads or worn into them?
4. What sound do they make?
5. Five people they met (be specific)
6. What each person said to them
7. Five specific places they’ve been
8. Secrets they’ve kept?
9. When most useful? When embarrassed?
10. Longest journey?
11. What would left and right (or this object) say if they could speak?