For Your Journal: Writing Prompt

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saying No

Working mothers are trying to make up for the fact that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything that is now expected of them, writes Katrina Alcorn, author of the newly-released Maxed Out: American Moms on the Brink.

In Maxed Out, Alcorn tells a personal story about “having it all,” failing miserably, and what comes after. In addition, she weaves in research about the dysfunction between the careers and home lives of working mothers, as well as the consequences to women’s health.

Her first piece of advice?

Practice saying no. Saying no is not about letting other people down. Saying no to others is about saying yes to yourself.

Note:  We’ll be giving away one copy of Maxed Out in January.  Stay tuned for details!

Journal Entry: Write about a time you said, no. Describe the details that led to your decision and the outcome of your response.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do YOU have a writing prompt to share with Literary Mama readers? Send your 150- to 300-word narrative and associated writing prompt to lmblogeditor (at) literarymama (dot) com. We’d love to read your ideas!