Sometimes it takes someone else’s insightful words to encourage your own to flow freely. We often come across thought-provoking, humorous or intriguing quotes frequently in our daily lives; start jotting them down in your journal and use them as prompts on days when writer’s block is holding you back.
1. First things first… pick a quote, any quote. If you don’t yet have a list of your favorites written down, flip through a novel or a book of poetry that you love. Choose a passage that strikes a chord with you, even if you can’t yet say why (you’ll get to that part soon enough!).
You can also start with one of these quotes:
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." – Marilyn Monroe
“All that I desire to point out is the general principle that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” – Oscar Wilde
“Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations... can never effect a reform.” – Susan B. Anthony
“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” – William James
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” – C.S. Lewis
“Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.” – Alice Walker
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” – Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
2. Write your quote at the top of a blank page in your journal. This can be a great starting point for a free writing exercise—simply put a pen to paper and begin writing whatever comes to mind. Forget all those timed essays in high school English class; grammar, spelling and sentence don’t matter as long as you’re writing. Recount a memory, write a letter to a friend or invent a short story. Keep going until you’re through the worst of the writer’s block.
3. If you are looking for a little more structure in this journaling exercise, use these questions to get going.
• Have you ever heard this quote before? Where? Does it remind you of a certain time or person in your life?
• Do you agree with the message or sentiment of the quote? Would you say that it fits into your personal philosophy? Why or why not?
• Does the quote inspire any emotions in you? Does it make you happy, wistful, creative, angry?
What quote did you use for this exercise? Do you keep a file, jar or container of quotes to banish writer’s blocks?
Need more help? Here’s a Free ebook on ‘How to Use your Journal to Cure Writer’s Block Now’
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