Journaling + Fiction – September 22

“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”Benjamin Franklin Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a heated moment in which you were too tempted to say the wrong thing. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist cannot hold her/his tongue.

Journaling + Fiction – September 21

“I’m interested in two things. I’m interested in truth and I’m interested in fairness.”John F. Kennedy Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a truth you know is not fair. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must choose between the truth and fairness.

Journaling + Fiction – September 20

“Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness.”George Orwell Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you were prevented from speaking about an important subject. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which The Man shuts up your protagonist.

Journaling + Fiction – September 19

“When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.”Siddhārtha Gautama Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the fallout of the kindest act you ever committed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist makes the mistake of telling an ally something that is kind but not true.

Journaling + Fiction – September 18

“I say if it’s going to be done, let’s do it. Let’s not put it in the hands of fate. Let’s not put it in the hands of someone who doesn’t know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.”Anita Baker Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most exciting plunge you’ve ever taken. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakenly...

Journaling + Fiction – September 17

“You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created.”Albert Einstein Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a breakthrough solution that occurred on a different level than the problem it fixed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must enlarge a problem to solve it.

Journaling + Fiction – September 16

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road.”Henry Ward Beecher Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an experience when you used humor to successfully navigate a minefield. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s sense of humor creates more trouble than it avoids.

Journaling + Fiction – September 15

“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.”Miyamoto Musashi Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a moment you realized you were thinking too deeply of yourself instead of everything around you. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist misses a chance to do good for others because s/he’s thinking too deeply of her- or himself.