Chapter 1: The Journey Ends

As I navigate through the numerous Ruby images I've accumulated, each selection feels more random than the last. My best friend has thoroughly enjoyed crafting these, yet I find myself at a crossroads.

I’m writing to inform you that I will be discontinuing the weekly prompts. After a hiatus to address some personal turmoil, I returned to polish and publish my previous work. However, this week, I’ve discovered a complete lack of inspiration to create new material. While a few prompt ideas crossed my mind, they didn’t resonate enough for me to pursue them. Since I never ask you to engage in something I wouldn’t do myself, I had to let those ideas go.

My writing journey began in April of last year, and after nearly a year, I’ve come to the conclusion that I must step back. I apologize to those of you who enjoyed the prompts. You can still access the older ones on my page whenever you seek a spark for your creativity.

This is not about exhausting the well of intriguing concepts to challenge your perspectives. Rather, it’s a matter of passion; I simply no longer feel compelled to continue.

I recognize that this may come off as selfish, but right now, I must prioritize myself. I’m in the process of convincing my doctors to clear me for work, which may mean you hear less from me on Medium moving forward.

Today, I deleted a piece I had written because somewhere along the way, I shifted from writing for myself to expressing whatever random thoughts came to mind. Medium became a platform for my stream of consciousness—sharing my past, pain, and love for animals—but it’s clear that I lost sight of my authentic voice.

I also need to focus on my memoir. It’s time to share my full story and seek publication. This will be a lengthy process, especially if I keep diverting my writing time to less meaningful content. Capturing decades of trauma in a single compelling narrative will be a formidable task.

However, I feel it’s crucial for people—particularly parents of young girls—to understand the realities of professional ballet. Survivors of assault and child abuse, as well as those raised by narcissistic parents, need to know they are not alone. While I won’t claim my story will be a groundbreaking literary work, its significance to me is profound, and that’s what makes it daunting.

Throughout my life, I’ve sought safety—something I’ve never truly experienced and may never find. Yet perhaps that’s acceptable. Maybe fear is intrinsic to every meaningful endeavor. By confronting my fears and writing anyway, I hope to finally accept the strength others see in me.

Today has been heavy for reasons I prefer not to detail, and I’ve never felt my vulnerabilities more acutely. Yet, I will persevere. I’m currently assessing my life and aspirations, questioning how I view myself, and contemplating whether I can replace the current reflection with a more empowering one.

I may document my journey or decide against it, but the prompts are officially at an end. Part of me will miss them, yet I realize I need to simplify my life, and this was the most expendable aspect.

I’m sorry; I will miss engaging with your responses. However, with me, the future is unpredictable. Perhaps I’ll create more challenging quizzes or surveys, or maybe I’ll share my path once I discover it. For now, even I don’t have the answers.

While I’m okay, I am far from fine. But that’s part of life, and I will endure. I always do, even when faced with the most daunting challenges.

Should I choose to take a break from this platform, know that I’ll still be reachable for those who have known me for a while. For newcomers, feel free to explore my previous works; they hold a special place in my heart.

You all have meant a great deal to me, and it’s been a joy crafting these prompts and witnessing your creativity. Unsurprisingly, the darker themes were my favorites.

We will always have The Purge!

With love,

🐾🐾💜 Ruby 💜🐾🐾

Chapter 2: New Directions

In this video titled "Writing Prompt - Start At The End," viewers are encouraged to explore narrative structures by beginning their stories with the conclusion. This method can spark creativity and help writers think outside the box.

The next video, "Lighthouse at the End of the World - Writing Prompts for Session 2," offers unique prompts that inspire writers to delve into themes of isolation and introspection, perfect for those looking to challenge their creative boundaries.