NEWS YOU CAN USE. Maybe you saw these stories. Maybe you missed them, but it seems to me that these are among the pieces I’ve read this week that might elicit some form of short memoir – an op-ed, or personal essay – from you. Once or twice a week I’ll bring you up to date on news pieces I find provocative. So far, this week is rich with material.

Here are some I liked on this first weekday of the year:

Surely you have something to say using one of these news stories as your news peg.

Looking for inspiration or guidance on how to write a personal essay? Look at my categories. There are categories for NPR essays, parenting essays, and several other topics. All of the pieces there have been published, or have aired on the radio. Have a look. If those don’t work, see the calendar on my homepage for more inspiration. And write on.