Journaling + Fiction – May 23

“Anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists.”Nikola Tesla Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing your opinions about a subject on which you conform but would prefer not to. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist angers his/her allies by refusing to conform to the group’s preferences.

Journaling + Fiction – May 22

“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead.”Susan Sontag Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the costs and benefits of taking bold, immediate action on something you care about but have been putting off. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist blunders into a situation without anyone’s...

Journaling + Fiction – May 21

“Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn’t work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.”Roger Von Oech Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most important discovery you’ve made about what doesn’t work. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must learn from a failure how to...

Journaling + Fiction – May 20

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”Christopher Reeve Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about that for which you most enthusiastically hope. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses hope when it appears all hope is lost.

Journaling + Fiction – May 19

“He who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears, is more than a king.”John Milton Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you should or need to do but are afraid to tackle. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails at an important task because s/he is overcome by desire for a distraction.

Journaling + Fiction – May 18

“Lack of fairness to an opponent is essentially a sign of weakness.”Emma Goldman Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you experienced when an opponent pressed an unfair advantage against you. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist loses to a weaker adversary because of an unfair circumstance.

Journaling + Fiction – May 17

“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”K’ung Fu-tzu Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned in a moment you had to choose whether to share or keep a secret. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist inadvertently reveals an important secret.

Journaling + Fiction – May 16

“Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.”Eric Hoffer Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the impact on your life of the most significant act of kindess ever extended to you. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist takes a risk to extend a kindness s/he would be better off not extending.