When we think of escape artists, we often think of Harry Houdini submerged in a water tank and bound with chains he must break before he runs out of oxygen and drowns. But there are other kinds of escape artists, too - you included.

Each of us is capable of freeing ourself from the shackles we wear. All we need to do to free our spirit is to live for a while in the world of our imagination.

The excerpts that follow come from my new book, Doodles & Daydreams: Your Passport for Becoming An Escape Artist.

The examples below will show you how great escape artists live their lives imaginatively. Answering the My Turn Now writing prompt after each example will help you express some of the feelings that may have been locked within you and will spark your own creativity.

You can also find more doodling prompts from my other books, Pocket Doodles for Kids, Pocket Doodles for Young Artists, City Doodles New York and City Doodles Los Angeles.

Doodles & Daydreams ($14.95)

Author Bill Zimmerman. Illustrations by Tom Bloom. The book can be ordered from Amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com or directly from the publisher, Gibbs-Smith, at www.gibbs-smith.com or by calling their toll-free number: 1-800-835-4993.

Escape Artists place flowers in their letters before sealing the envelope to make someone's life brighter; a garden unfolds as a letter is opened.

My Turn Now: The letter I always hoped to receive had these words in it:

Escape Artists imagine themselves swimming with pink dolphins and being nuzzled by these heavenly creatures.

My Turn Now: This is what I think this experience would be like and how it would change me:

Escape Artists at the end of a long day can still smell the clean, fresh morning air.

My Turn Now: These are the words I call upon during the day to keep me steady:

Escape Artists can leap over tall buildings in their imagination.

My Turn Now: This is the super-act that deep down I wish to perform: