Journaling + Fiction – October 8

“The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind.”E.B. White Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most important doorway you’ve walked through since your childhood. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to cross an important threshold.

Journaling + Fiction – October 7

“The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.”Thornton Wilder Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the person who’s shuffled off this mortal coil for whom you’re most grateful. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pays respects to the surviving family members of an important ally.

Journaling + Fiction – October 6

“One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory.”Rita Mae Brown Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an unforgivable act you should have forgotten by now. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s memory is too acute to forgive an enemy’s trespass.

Journaling + Fiction – October 5

“Advertising isn’t about truth or fairness or rationality, but about mobilising deeper and more primitive layers of the human mind.”Brian Eno Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the advertisement you believe has most manipulated your experience. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist buys something s/he can’t afford because the advertisement for...

Journaling + Fiction – October 4

“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.”George Orwell Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time when you were excoriated for speaking the truth about a matter of justice. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is shunned for describing objective...

Journaling + Fiction – October 3

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”Mark Twain Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a kindness you’ve experienced that crosses all barriers. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist communicates using only a kind act towards someone who otherwise would remain isolated.

Journaling + Fiction – October 2

“Forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.”Octavia Butler Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an experience when you missed the chance to accomplish something good because you waited for inspiration that never came. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s muse fails.

Journaling + Fiction – October 1

“Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.”Samuel Johnson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most curious event you’ve experienced in the past week. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s passionate curiosity cools the passion of an important relationship.