Journaling + Fiction – December 14

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what’s on the other side of your vast and endless sea. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that management and leadership are not the...

Journaling + Fiction – December 13

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”Lao Tzu Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first step you need to take on your next journey. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist takes a single step forward but two steps back.

Journaling + Fiction – December 12

“Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.”Benjamin Franklin Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the best outcome you ever achieved from beginning with anger. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s anger devolves into a shameful expression of impotent rage.

Journaling + Fiction – December 11

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”Maya Angelou Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about which of your fantasies would affect the most people around you were it to come true. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist comes to understand that his/her fantasy won’t transform anyone’s reality, including his/her...

Journaling + Fiction – December 10

“Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void but out of chaos.”Mary Shelley Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the best thing you ever created from chaos. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist successfully improvises through total chaos.

Journaling + Fiction – December 9

Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soulAnd sings the tune without the wordsAnd never stops at all.Emily Dickinson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your song that never stops. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s song of hope stops playing.

Journaling + Fiction – December 8

“Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.”Igor Stravinsky Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether you’ve ever successfully undone a sin you’ve committed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist commits a worse sin while trying to undo another one.

Journaling + Fiction – December 7

“I don’t think it’s fair that I’m living for something I can’t even define. “Ani DiFranco Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether your reason for living is fair to you. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he doesn’t understand what s/he’s been fighting for.