Journaling + Fiction – December 5

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a moment when you were able to cover a failed intent with simple kindness. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s frustration at failing to achieve a grand intention causes your protagonist to miss a...

Journaling + Fiction – December 4

“Do,” said Louisa finally, “whatever you can’t not do.”David Mitchell Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the impact on others of what you can’t not do. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries but fails to suppress the imperative of what s/he can’t not do.

Journaling + Fiction – December 3

“Being right keeps you in place. Being wrong forces you to explore.”Steven Johnson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time in your life when being wrong turned out to be the solution. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds the right answer in the wrong place.

Journaling + Fiction – December 2

“If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.”Roy T. Bennett Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you don’t have that you think you need. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns to be careful what you wish for.

Journaling + Fiction – December 1

“Want of prudence is too frequently the want of virtue.”Oliver Goldsmith Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from a moment in your life when virtue failed to intersect with prudence. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist reveals that s/he lacks a virtue everyone believes s/he possesses by acting imprudently.

Journaling + Fiction – November 30

“A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible.”Polybius Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a moment you gave up for the right reason. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist proves a bad leader by refusing to see victory is not possible.

Journaling + Fiction – November 29

“Remember that what you have now was once among the things you hoped for.”Epicurus Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you’re glad to have left behind during the past year. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist sheds a burden. Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Journaling + Fiction – November 28

“Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one’s awareness of one’s ignorance.”Anthony de Mello Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an experience when you learned how little you knew about a subject. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds out that s/he’s ignorant about a topic s/he thought s/he knew well.