Journaling + Fiction – January 6

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”Abraham Lincoln Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you were shown mercy that you might not have deserved. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist receives justice from a person your protagonist had a chance to show mercy but did not.

Journaling + Fiction – January 5

“To be a good citizen, it’s important to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes and see the big picture. If everything you see is rooted in your own identity, that becomes difficult or impossible.”Eli Pariser Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first time you realized that not everyone shares the same life experiences. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in...

Journaling + Fiction – January 4

“The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.”Winston Churchill Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about the subject of humility. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a valuable lesson by being proved wrong.

Journaling + Fiction – January 3

“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.”Lao Tzu Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first moment you experienced this kind of love. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s senses are overwhelmed by an attack on her/his head and heart.

Journaling + Fiction – January 2

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.”Oscar Wilde Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the bravest idea you’ve never told anyone about. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must express a dangerous idea to an audience that doesn’t welcome it.

Journaling + Fiction – January 1

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.”Erich Fromm Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about one or more certainties complicating your creative sensibilities. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist struggles to let go of a certainty.

Journaling + Fiction – December 31

“Look at everything as though you are seeing it either for the first or last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory.”Betty Smith Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the last time you saw something for the first time. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist sees a valued colleague for what s/he knows will be the last time.

Journaling + Fiction – December 30

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”Melody Beattie Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your vision for tomorrow. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns an important fact that helps him/her make sense of a previously inexplicable tragedy in his/her past.