Literary – February 18

Chloe Anthony Wofford — better known as Toni Morrison — was born on this date in 1931. Her 2008 novel A Mercy begins, “Don’t be afraid. My telling can’t hurt you in spite of what...

Romance – February 18

“Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.” -Helen Gurley Brown, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your...

Mystery – February 18

“If the storytellers told it true, all stories would end in death.” -George Pelecanos, born this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells an untrue story to avoid hurting a...

SciFi/Fantasy – February 18

Wallace Stegner, the novelist who launched Stanford’s creative writing program, was born on this date in 1937. His novel The Big Rock Candy Mountain begins, “He was a strange child.” Writing...

Secondary – February 18

On this date in 1884, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published. Defend your position on whether it is right or wrong to help someone who is breaking an unjust law.

Primary – February 18

Describe what you would do if you could learn to play any musical instrument.