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Literary – November 26
“Because, once alone, it is impossible to believe that one could ever have been otherwise. Loneliness is an absolute discovery.” -Marilynne Robinson, born this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds her/himself unexpectedly and against her/his will alone.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – November 26
“In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.”Bertrand Russell Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the idea you most take for granted that most needs a question mark applied. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns the hard way that a cherished idea never should be taken for granted.
read moreBig Questions – November 26
What causes you to lose control of your rationality? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20 minutes answering the question in the voice of a character you want to know more about. Photo from Unsplash, the internet’s source of freely usable...
read moreRomance – November 26
Annina: Monsieur Rick, what kind of a man is Captain Renault? Rick: Oh, he’s just like any other man, only more so. -From Casablanca, which premiered on this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something s/he shouldn’t do for all the right reasons.
read moreMystery – November 26
Poet William Cowper was born on this date in 1731. He famously wrote, “Variety’s the very spice of life.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist comes to believe the exact opposite.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – November 26
“History is, after all, based on people’s recollections, which change with time.”- Frederik Pohl, born this date in 1919. Writing prompt: Imagine a scene in which your protagonist triumphs over your antagonist, and then write that scene from the perspective of your antagonist.
read moreSecondary – November 26
On this date in 1922, British archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb of King Tutankhamen — the first visitors in more than 3,000 years. What discovery would be as momentous to you, and why would it be so important?
read morePrimary – November 26
According to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz — born on this date in 1922 — “No problem is too big to run away from.” What problem would you rather run away from than solve, and what would happen if you didn’t run away?
read moreLiterary – November 25
Sinclair Lewis said, “People will buy anything that is one to a customer.” Writing prompt: Describe one of your character’s desire for something that s/he feels s/he must have only because someone else also wants it.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – November 25
“People simply feel better about themselves when they’re good at something.”Stephen R. Covey Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you feel best about being good at. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes at an inopportune moment that s/he isn’t as good at as s/he believed.
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David B. Schlosser is an author of award-winning fiction and non-fiction, and an editor of award-winning fiction and non-fiction.
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