Sentence Starts –
Journaling in the Time of a Pandemic
Since our bodies are confined but our minds are not, I’d like to share these sentence starts with you in case you could use a writing nudge as we shelter in place.
I’ve been creating these writing prompts since 2004, then writing about them with my free-writing group. The range of subjects and details you can come up with is amazing.
Below are about 50 sentence starts. Suggested procedure: Set a timer for 10 minutes. You can always reset the timer if you are on a roll. Then take the steps below.
-
- Finish the sentence start.
- Write another sentence.
- Keep going.
- Go wherever the writing takes you.
- Remember, there are no mistakes—only new material.
- Write as yourself or a character you are working with.
- Next step? That’s up to you. Put some together. Make new discoveries about your current project. Find new stories waiting to be told.
- Let me know how it’s going if you’d like to. Reach me through the contact button.
Today I want…
It’s hard to accept…
Before…
During…
After…
In November…
I imagine…
At the time…
After the investigation…
I learned…
Often…
Writing freely…
My best…
The secret of…
I’m still hoping that…
Near the edge…
Through the smoke…
It’s unheard of for…
The wind…
I’ve stopped…
In the tech world…
Far away…
Outside…
Retreating…
Vindicating…
I’m asking…
Disappointment…
Who can know if…
Moving in rhythm…
Right in the center of…
I’ve been warned…
Rushing over…
I’ve decided…
Expectations…
Remember…
There is a high cost for…
Principles…
What kind of man / woman…
In order to be fair…
Accuracy…
Loving…
Bare branches…
My writing…
When success knocked…
Gazing into …
Where can I …
With luck …
An adopted child …
After escaping …
Promises often …
