On the Hunt for Prompts

I know many journal writers are constantly on the look out for prompts to use in their journals and in their creative writing. After a recent catch up with another writing friend I discovered she has over 600 writing prompts on her website. So, be sure to go check them out at Writing to Inspire.

Heather
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What You Need

In our worlds of absolute affluence, even in an economic downturn, it's easy to confuse what we need with what we want. While not every part of the world understands what this means, simply because their lives are centred on what they need, it's certainly healthy every now and then to refresh our minds on what it is we really need as opposed to what we want.

In your journal write a list of ten things you want, right now. These could be as simple a glass of water or a cup of coffee. Keep it to ten and just think about this moment. Write another list of ten things you need. By need, I mean, you do need them. A pair of new shoes because there are holes in your current pair. Enough money to buy groceries until your next pay day. That kind of thing.

Once you have your lists, distill them down to only five essentials. Investigate the wants and see how many of them can be eliminated altogether. Can you come up with a list of five things you need? Write about these needs. How pressing is this need? Decide what must be done about these needs and write about it in your journal.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Getting Things Done

I don't know about you, but one of the main reasons I don't get into as much visual art journalling as I'd like to is because I'm hardly ever alone. It's not that I really care what my partner will say about it, I suppose it's just the fact that I would have to say something at all. I'd like to just get on with creating something without the necessary descriptions and explanations that go along with doing anything at home. He's not a busy body and certainly wouldn't prevent me from doing so, but I just don't want someone around when I'm creating. It's not really that personal, I'd just rather make and do in solace.

I've tried to do this in public places like coffee shops, but apart from having to carry a lot of gear with me, I think I feel a bit the same. I'd rather make art when no one is looking. It's most likely a silly notion, but I'm holding out over this one thing.

Write in your journal about the things preventing you from getting into more visual expression in your journal. I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Accomplishments

While I haven't been writing this blog I have been thinking and writing in my journal. I've arrived at one of those places where I need to make some choices and yet I stall and don't really know what it is I want to accomplish. So, I go looking and thinking and come back to the fact that I want to write. I have always known this. Roadblocks forever stall me, though I've made several good starts over the years. Having a little boy at 39 did kind of curtail anything too ambitious, though I could've gotten around that, I suppose, but just never have so far.

That same little boy will be attending full time pre-school next year. My mind is turning to ways I can use this time best. So, even though the beginning of February seems a long way off, I am starting to plan and arrange things so my dreams might actually be accomplished. It's been a good feeling. Thankfully, hubby is joining me on getting our lives into gear.

It might be difficult to believe, but I have five novels tucked away here somewhere. I want to get them out of hibernation and into publication. There's a long road from here to there, though. I'm being realistic, but I don't want to forget about the little things that matter to me, too. I will still add here, but perhaps not each day as I had been.

But, to get your pen going, or whatever you feel like using, write in your journal about all you accomplished in the past year. Is this anywhere near your dreams? Why or why not? Investigate your reasons for not reaching for what it is you want to achieve. Make plans or steps you can accomplish from today to get somewhere near reaching these dreams or goals. Have fun.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Random Acts of Kindness

Since I've been a little stuck for what to write in here I've been plundering the journal writing prompts at Creativity Portal again.

When I came across this one: "What's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you?" I had to stop and write about it myself first. It was an interesting journal writing prompt, but it lead me to what is the nicest thing I've ever done for anyone. I know the things I think have been nice, but it's always surprising to learn what things those same people recall. Usually, it's those unattainable things, not so much what we gave them, as in physical things. It's the act of kindness that is long remembered over the object given.

Spend some time writing about random acts of kindness. What are they to you? Who deserves or doesn't deserve them? Has anyone done something for you that changed your life? Write about what they did and if you would be willing to do similar for another person.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Freaky Friday #14

Today is Friday. That means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

With the popularity of TV series featuring cartoon characters I felt it might be good to slip into the shoes of one of them for today's challenge. Check out the character bios for The Simpsons, Futurama and The Family Guy. I'm sure there are others, but you will need to do your own research as I'm just sticking with the ones I can think of right now.

Pick a character and write a journal entry in the voice of that character. You might like to write specifically about a problem you're dealing with. Have that character let you know what they think about the problem and how you're handling it. If you watch the TV programme the characters are from you should find this easy.

I hope you gain insight into an area of your life by allowing these cartoon characters to help you gain a fresh perspective. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Sex Diaries

On Saturday night our church screened parts of the DVD called Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. I really enjoyed it and we did laugh a lot. What I really liked was how the information opened a door for hubby and I to have a frank & rewarding discussion about our own marriage and ahem... sex life. Which was even more interesting when I came across a study by Australian sex therapist Bettina Arndt where 100 couples were asked to keep intimate diaries about their sex lives.

The article makes a fascinating read, especially if you've been in a long term relationship. Make sure to check out Bettina Arndt's volunteer page, too. You might be interested in helping her out, or simply find the questions posed as usual prompts for your own journal writing, or perhaps to spark open discussion between you & your partner.

I hope you find something useful for your own journal in this entry. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Letters to the Editor

One of my favourite parts of the weekend newspaper is always the letters to the editor. There's something about reading what the people think on certain newsworthy topics. I will often read these letters with my journal beside me and jot down thoughts in response to the comments people make. If I'm stirred enough I will write my reply there, too. I've been known to form these into actual letters, too, and have had some published. Often, though, the exercise of responding to my thoughts in my journal has been enough.

Read some letters to the editor in your local newspaper. Clip out the ones that strike a chord in you for whatever reason and put them in your journal so you can write about them at your leisure. First write in response to the original writer, then address the topic with your views clearly stated, lastly try to see how the other writer came to their point of view. Put yourself in their shoes and write more about their point of view. It's amazing how much this will help your understanding of what other people suffer.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Telling Your Stories

I've been hanging out in book stores a lot lately. Hubby and I spent the morning browsing through interesting books this time without the little guy. He was at kindy. I liked looking at the biographies. It's amazing how many stories people have to share. I know I have several. What about you?

Spend some time writing in your journal about your stories. Create a list of the stories you have to share. Catagorise these into humorous, inspirational, thrillers, and so on. Which of these is worth sharing with others? Perhaps you've battled an illness or raised a child with a learning problem or disability. Even stories about breeding animals are interesting, especially if they're well told. Which would be a good base for a fictional account? Delve into the stories that make up your life and see what you can use in your writing or even art. How willing are you to share these stories with the world?

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Locating Your Feelings

I read another great prompt on Creativity Portal's Prompt Generator today. I often use it for days I'm feeling stuck on what to write in here. The prompt was a simple 'where do your feelings come from?' This is quite a deep journal writing prompt. I intend to use it myself tomorrow. Imagine locating the place your feelings come from. Spend some time writing about this place in your journal. I suggest revisting this idea in a few days, after you've had time to ponder the idea further. Perhaps create a visual page about this place where your feelings are generated.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Freaky Friday #13

Today is Friday and that means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

This story is the most comprehensive online news item I could find on the murder of a teen girl in a small south-west town in my state. The news has shocked and upset many West Australians with continual updates as more is revealed on the story*.

It seems the poor young girl was murdered by her best friends. Of course, this leaves a lot of questions, especially for parents. But the purpose of me mentioning this news in the latest Freaky Friday was to bring yet another journal writing challenge your way.

Today, write a journal entry as if you are your best friend. You may want to write what your best friend thinks about you. Or perhaps you may want to understand something your friend is currently going through that you haven't fully grasped. Feel free to write on anything you like. These are simply suggestions.

I'm not implying either you or your best friend have murder in mind. The news, as mentioned above, had me thinking about best friends since yesterday.

*This is from an older journal entry from my previous blog

I hope you enjoy this journal writing challenge. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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The Idea of Perfection

I've run out of time today for much, but just wanted to express that when it comes to writing in your journal you need to leave the idea of pefection somewhere else. Look up the word perfection in the dictionary, but first define what this word means to you. Perhaps create a visual page on what perfection as one way to highlight how impossible it is to be perfect at anything.

I never worry about writing perfectly in my journal. Spelling errors don't matter. Just getting it down, the movement of my hand across the page, doodling, spirally my pen because it feels good, is sometimes enough. I enjoy words and express myself easily this way, but once I let go of the idea of perfection that was when I was able to really enjoy writing in my journal.

Try some free writing to warm you up, but you can even use this as your journal entry when you're feeling stuck with what to write. Write pages of free writing and then cut them up to use in a visual page. Let go of your ideas of perfection and enjoy writing in your journal. I hope this helps you to do the same.

Heather
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Faces

I found this prompt on a visual journal group I've recently joined: Blissfully Art Journalling Group. The prompt was simply about making a study of faces. While this is a great visual prompt, don't forget to explore what the study of faces could do in writing. You could sit somewhere and look at faces on the people passing by, or do a search on google images, or look through photos. Then open up your journal and write. Make no plan, just write about the different faces and see where that takes you.

Of course, a study of your own face would also be a great idea to explore in your journal. Take a photo a day, create a montage of these faces after a week, a month, or whatever period you decide. Your children might be happy to pose instead if you feel reluctant.

I hope you enjoy this journal prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Working Things Out

I haven't been online too often lately because I've had computer troubles. Since I don't have much money these days I've had to spend time working out what's up with it. I'm glad I find learning easy. I've been reading about computers and discovering stuff about this one I never knew before. So, as far as I can tell I've worked the problems out and things seem to be running as they should be.

Most of my life I've had to try and work out how things run so I could fix them myself. I suppose it comes from never really having all that much money, but I think I also enjoy discovering what is inside something and how it goes together. There's terrific satisfaction in getting it to do the job again, too. Hubby is the same. He is currently trying to work out what's up with the lawn mower.

What about you? Do you like to work things out, or are you happier letting someone else do that? Do you enjoy creating things, putting them together, be it crafts, machinery or furniture? Write about working things out in your journal. You may choose to write about working out emotional issues if you prefer. Just take the idea and write.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Sorry for my absence

Just letting you know I'm sorry I haven't been here writing in my blog. For some reason only half the page would open for me whenever I came to write an entry here on blogger. For some other reason it all seems normal today. So, I'll just get back to where I was, I gather.

I've been doing a fair bit of rereading of my recent journal. Each time I do I spend time writing about the events that almost stole hubby away from me. I keep thinking how close I came to being a widow, a terrible thing at any time of life, but one I certainly wouldn't have been prepared for. Although, it's early days for me, I know I will eventually write an entry about what I'd have done if I did lose him.

What journal entry or idea are you putting off? Is it time to write that entry or are you simply not ready yet? Write a list of things you will write in your journal about one day.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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So, What Are You Reading?

With all the crazyness going on in my life recently I haven't really done any reading. The last book I read was an action adventure one by Clive Cussler. I read a journal writing prompt on Creativity Portal asking "what is the book you're currently reading teaching you?" Personally, I can't answer that right now. So, I'm going to the library tomorrow with picking up something to read in mind. What about you? What are you currently reading and what are you learning from that book?

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Freaky Friday #11

Today is Friday. That means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

Today I challenge you to take some time to write in your journal as if you are your partner. That may be your husband or wife, or, if you aren't in a relationship, your ideal partner. Let them have a say on the issues you've been dealing with together lately. Try to get a sense of how it feels to be them and see things from their perspective.

I often use this journal writing prompt when my husband and I have a disagreement. I find it always helps me see what he's been trying to tell me in words. I highly recommend this one journal writing prompt as a good way to resolve consistent issues for couples.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing challenge. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Emotional Ups & Downs

When it comes to handling emotions I tend to sail on an even keel, even when the waters are raging around me. But just this last couple of weeks I've felt even my little boat rock some. Those who know me say I seem to be coping really well. I can thank two major reasons for this; one is prayer and the other is my journal. I am in the habit of taking my emotional turmoils to prayer and to paper in my journal, every day.

The hardest part for me has been dealing with the little guy's emotional ups & downs, though. He has been really good up until this week. On Tuesday night he ended up on my lap in tears, sobbing how much he wanted to see his daddy. That was hard to take. I comforted him and told him how much I missed his daddy, too. Somehow I knew he felt better once he's let the tears fall. Poor kid.

Do you have a place to deal with your emotional ups and downs? Is this place your journal? Write about dealing with emotions in your journal? Reread your old entries looking for emotional outbursts. How did writing about those feelings help you deal with them?

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Sorry I Haven't Been Online Much

This is really just a quick update as I haven't had a lot of time to be online. My husband is travelling overseas, which I have mentioned in this blog. He's fallen quite ill and had to be air lifted out of Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand. That part just happened today. The worrying part has been trying to find out what was wrong with him in the first place, but maybe the details will be for another time. I will let you all know when he is able to speak to me. I haven't heard from him since Thursday evening. His sister keeps me informed, but it's not the same as hearing his voice.

Spend some time wrtiting in your journal about someone whose voice you long to hear. I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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What Are You Waiting For?

Although I've been busy for the last few days I have been aware that I am waiting. Waiting for my mother to arrive tonight, waiting for hubby to return from his trip, waiting for the mail, waiting for the dinner to cook, waiting for..?

There's always the things we're waiting for that we hardly acknowledge, too. Like waiting to gain wisdom or skill, waiting for someone to change, waiting to be appreciated, waiting for..?

Spend some time writing in your journal about all the things you are waiting for. Dig into the idea and list the things you rarely admit to waiting for. Describe what it feels like to wait for these things. Write about what you do while you wait for these things to eventuate.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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