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March 26, 2013 | Blog |  No comments

For Your Journal: Writing Prompt

By Karna Converse

Do you keep a journal – or wish you could get one started? Literary Mama wants to help.

Three times a month, I’ll post a writing prompt. Open a notebook and write for 10 minutes. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation – just write. Then let the writing simmer and your mind wander for awhile.

And who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a character for your next short story or a theme for a narrative essay. Or maybe you’ll use the idea to create a special holiday card or photo album for someone in your family. However you decide to use your journal entry, I know you’ll enjoy re-reading it months–and years–down the road.

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Brainstorming

 

No specific writing prompt today. Instead, grab a LARGE sheet of paper and a set of colored pencils, crayons, or markers. I’ve seen this technique referred to as the Bubbles Method, as Clustering, Mind Mapping, and as a Spider Diagram — I’m sure you’ve read about it too.

  1. First, think of a topic –Think BIG.
  2. Write your topic word in the middle of the paper and draw a circle around it.
  3. Draw five to seven to ten lines or spokes out from the circle. It’ll look like a sun.
  4. Attach a word or phrase to each spoke that is related to, or that you can connect with, your topic word and draw a circle around each one. Don’t censor yourself and for fun, use different colors.
  5. Repeat for each bubble/cluster/spider leg until you’re out of space.

Here’s one I drew more than 12 years ago. It helped me organize my response to a simple question posed by my three-year old daughter.

 

 

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A special note about our For Your Journal writing prompts:
Beginning next month, our two new blog editors will be contributing to this series. In April, you’ll meet Alizabeth Rasmussen and in May, Amanda Jaros. Do YOU have a journaling topic or writing prompt you’d like to suggest? Send an email to lmblogcontacteditor (at) literarymama (dot) com. We’d love to hear from you!

Tagged: Writing Prompt

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