Journaling + Fiction – April 22

“A sense of humor, being born of perspective, bears a near kinship to philosophy; each is the soul of the other.”Will Durant Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time humor helped you through a difficult moment. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which new information inverts your protagonist’s perspective on a prior serious event.

Journaling + Fiction – April 21

“Hear the words of prudence, give heed unto her counsels, and store them in thine heart; her maxims are universal, and all the virtues lean upon her; she is the guide and the mistress of human life.”Akhenaten Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you acted without prudence and achieved a positive or successful outcome in spite of it. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in...

Journaling + Fiction – April 20

“Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.”Diogenes Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from observing someone you respected surrounding him or herself with people you did not respect. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes all her/his allies lack the wisdom necessary...

Journaling + Fiction – April 19

“We should always allow some time to elapse, for time discloses the truth.“Lucius Annaeus Seneca Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about a situation that after time turned out differently than you’d originally understood it. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a truth that defies his/her most important...

Journaling + Fiction – April 18

“A sharp sense of empathy can make a huge difference, and with it in an ability to manipulate, to gain cooperation, and to deceive.”Edward O. Wilson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from a person whose apparent empathy caused you to be deceived. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns s/he was deceived by a person previously considered an...

Journaling + Fiction – April 17

“As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think.”Joseph Campbell Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a jump you made that did not turn out as you’d intended. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist jumps across a chasm that’s wider than thought.

Journaling + Fiction – April 16

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.”Arthur C. Clarke Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you’ve always considered impossible for you to accomplish. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers his/her limits.

Journaling + Fiction – April 15

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”G.K. Chesterton Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your life’s most woundrous event. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist expects — but does not receive — gratitude for an exceptionally good deed.