Writing Prompts by Teens and Young Adults, for Teens and Young Adults
Writing can be a powerful way for teens and young adults with cancer to share their story, reflect on their journey, and inspire others.
Many young people with cancer want to share what they are going through but may not be sure how. Sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences by telling stories is one way we express ourselves and communicate with each other.
In the Chronicling Cancer (ChronCan) writing project, young people appreciated the opportunity to write about their experiences. Teens and young adults had a chance to express themselves, and many felt that writing could help others better understand what it is like to have cancer at your age. Like many participants in our study, you might also want to share your story to help other teens and young adults with cancer.
Many ways to write
Teens can express themselves and share their story in different ways. Writing is just one. Other ways include recording a voice memo, taking a picture, or filming a video. There is no right or wrong way.
There are many ways to write. Some people like to write with a pen or pencil on blank or lined paper. Some people prefer to type on a laptop. Many people find writing on a phone app an easy way to write on the go.
Some people find it helpful to be in a quiet place to write privately, while others prefer to jot down thoughts and ideas in the moment, whenever inspiration strikes. Sometimes it can be helpful to write with a close friend or a family member who might be able to help you remember details of experiences or encourage you to reflect more deeply.
How to use these writing prompts
Teens and young adults with cancer came up with the following questions and writing prompts, which they felt were helpful to guide them through writing. There is no right answer to any of these questions. These writing prompts are optional, which means that you can pick and choose which ones you want to write about. You don’t have to write about all of them or any of them. Sometimes a writing prompt might spark an idea or jog a memory. Other times, a question might invite you to reflect on an experience. Some people prefer to write about whatever is on their mind and not use the prompts at all, and that’s OK.
Remember that you don’t have to write about anything that you don’t want to write about. Writing about cancer can be difficult. Be kind to yourself. Take breaks when you need them. Take deep breaths when remembering painful moments. Lean on loved ones to support you through the writing process. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk with a parent, close friend, or therapist about how writing about your experiences with cancer makes you feel. Many people find that even though it can be challenging to tell your story, it can also be therapeutic.
Ideas for what to write about to tell your story
Here are a few writing prompts you can use to tell your story. These were compiled by teens and young adults for teens and young adults.
- Tell us your story.
- Describe yourself before you were diagnosed. Describe yourself after you were diagnosed.
- What went through your head when you first heard the doctor tell you that you had cancer?
- How has your disease changed who you are as a person?
- How has it changed you physically and mentally?
- How has it changed your life?
- What brings you joy?
- What has surprised you about having cancer?
- What do you wish you had known about what it would be like?
- What do you wish others knew about what it is like as an adolescent or young adult?
- What do you look forward to?
- What would you tell other adolescents or young adults who are newly diagnosed?
- How has your diagnosis impacted your relationships or dynamics between people you are close to? For example, your relationships with your parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, classmates, etc.
Interested in sharing your story? Send what you wrote to together@stjude.org. We’d love to work with you to find ways to help share it.
