Journaling + Fiction – January 27

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”Kurt Vonnegut Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you would pretend to be if no obstacles to your pretension existed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets caught faking it while trying to make it.

Journaling + Fiction – January 26

“Fairness is man’s ability to rise above his prejudices.”Wes Fesler Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you treated another unfairly because you’d been treated unfairly. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which a person from whom your protagonist expects little accomplishes a lot.

Journaling + Fiction – January 25

“Without execution, thinking is mere idleness.”Winston Churchill Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you’ve been thinking about doing but have not yet done. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers a setback because s/he did not do something s/he had been procrastinating...

Journaling + Fiction – January 24

“It is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something.”Gordon B. Hinckley Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you’re best for. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something wrong because it seems like the right thing to do in the moment.

Journaling + Fiction – January 23

“Those who let things happen usually lose to those who make things happen.”Dave Weinbaum Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an issue important to you that you’re letting happen rather than making happen. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s passive response to an opportunity lets it slip away.

Journaling + Fiction – January 22

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist.”Stephen Hawking Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a question you think doesn’t have an answer. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to see something small but important while because s/he is too focused on...

Journaling + Fiction – January 21

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”T.S. Eliot Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you pushed the envelope with positive results. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist goes too far.

Journaling + Fiction – January 20

“In matters of conscience, first thoughts are best. In matters of prudence, last thoughts are best.”Robert Hall Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you acted on your first impulse but should have acted on your last. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets in trouble for acting before thinking.