Olivia Gaines, Author

09/01/2026

Chapter One- Once Upon a Time

The Summer I turned... 16:

The number-one movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark

The number-one song
“Bette Davis Eyes” — Kim Carnes

What everybody was watching
Dallas was the top-rated television show for the 1980–81 season. It was followed by:
The Dukes of Hazzard
60 Minutes
M*A*S*H
The Love Boat

I had my first pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.
Pac-Man fever—it was America’s highest-grossing arcade game of 1981
Rubik’s Cubes everywhere
The federal minimum wage at $3.35 an hour
Gas averaging roughly $1.35 a gallon

Dear Lord, I am old!

09/01/2026

is underway. Here are the prompts for the month.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

CHAPTER ONE — Once Upon a Time... 📖
Every story begins somewhere.
This week, we’re opening the first chapter of your story and revisiting the moments that helped shape the person you are today.
You’ll have two days for each prompt, so there’s no need to rush. Give yourself time to remember. Write as much or as little as you like. Add photos, doodles, color, or anything else that helps bring the memory to life.
Sept. 1–2: The Summer I Turned...
Sept. 3–4: I Was ___ Years Old the First Time I Ever...
Sept. 5–6: I’ll Never Forget the Feeling Of...
There’s no right way to tell your story. This is your chapter, your memories, your words.
Have fun. Let's begin Chapter One. ❤️

08/31/2026

Join Professor Jeffrey Jones and me, this Thursday for a lively discussion on literature, reconstruction in the south, and damned fine storytelling. Chapter 22 alone is a master class in writing. .

08/31/2026

Here is the cover for the September Challenge.
To Print: Open the image. Right Click. Select the Paper size.

08/31/2026

The September Challenge.

We are keeping it simple.

30 Days • 15 Prompts

5 chapters of your life
3 prompts per chapter
2 days for each prompt
Work at your own pace