Daily writing prompt

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

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I was raised by my grandparents. My grandma was the heart of the home—always nurturing, always present. But it was my grandpa who quietly fueled my creativity. He wasn’t one for long talks, but his actions had a way of leaving an imprint that’s stayed with me to this day.

He used to let me use his old typewriter. I can still remember the feeling of those keys under my fingers, the satisfying sound they made as I typed away like I was writing something important. He never looked over my shoulder or asked questions—he just gave me space to be curious and creative. He also bought me pocketbooks, which I devoured like candy. I read them all, and they filled my head with stories, characters, and dreams.

When I was thirteen, I started writing a story in one of my notebooks. I got through three chapters, and I remember feeling so proud of it. I wish I had brought that notebook with me when I moved to the U.S., but even though it’s not with me physically, the story and characters have never really left my head. They’ve been quietly waiting, tucked somewhere in my memory.

Just this morning, I bought a new notebook—maybe it’s a sign that it’s time to begin again. Part of me wants to write it all out by hand, just like I used to. Another part leans toward typing it out on my laptop for the convenience and the ability to back it up or turn it into a PDF one day. And then there’s the idea of using a vintage typewriter—something about the clack of the keys and the rhythm of the writing feels grounding and nostalgic. I’m not sure yet which way I’ll go, but I know I’ll follow whatever feels right in the moment.

However I decide to start, one thing is certain: every time I write, my grandpa is with me. That old typewriter, those pocketbooks, his quiet belief in me—they planted something in my heart. And after all these years, that quiet spark is still burning.