Journaling + Fiction – November 24

“True empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you.”Anand Mahindra Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most important thing you learned from the least expected person. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised to be out-contributed by someone who appeared to have little...

Journaling + Fiction – November 23

“The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”Groucho Marx Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you used deception to achieve a fair outcome. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist persuades an ally that your protagonist is acting in the ally’s best interest even though the best interest served is...

Journaling + Fiction – November 22

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”Meister Eckhart Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about how someone has most helped you during the past year. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which someone from whom your protagonist needs help refuses because your protagonist failed to express sufficient...

Journaling + Fiction – November 21

“The capacity to care is what gives life its most deepest significance.”Pablo Casals Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the subject or object of care that gives your life its deepest significance. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he is on the verge of losing what gives her/his life its deepest significance.

Journaling + Fiction – November 20

“If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”Seth Godin Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you’ve just decided is no longer too scary to try. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an irrational fear held since childhood.

Journaling + Fiction – November 19

“What you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.”Norton Juster Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your most serendipitous learning experience. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist uncovers a secret because of something s/he considered insignificant when s/he learned it years before.

Journaling + Fiction – November 18

“Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.”Franklin D. Roosevelt Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the last time the spirit moved you to confront a physical obstacle. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which an ally overcomes a physical obstacle that your protagonist previously failed to overcome.

Journaling + Fiction – November 17

“Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.”Hannah Arendt Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether some act could be so unforgivable that you could never set yourself or your transgressor free from it. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is paralyzed by her/his refusal to forgive someone s/he once considered an ally.