Literary – July 29

“What if loving something means you should mostly feel frustrated and thwarted? And then a little ruined, too, by the pursuit? But you keep coming back for more?” -Chang-rae Lee, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist comes back for more one time too many.

Journaling + Fiction – July 29

“Step out of the circle of time and into the circle of love.”Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you notice about yourself when you’re too focused on the clock to experience what’s happening at the time. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist transcends a physical experience to achieve something greater than...

Big Questions – July 29

What did you learn in high school that’s made an actual difference in your life since? 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...

Romance – July 29

“Of course we’re in love. Whatever ‘in love’ means.” Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on this date in 1981. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist idealizes her/his marriage ceremony while simultaneously realizing her/his ideal is unattainable.

Mystery – July 29

“The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.”- William Powell, born this date in 1892, as Nick Charles. Writing prompt: Describe the emotional response of your protagonist to his/her favorite beverage.

SciFi/Fantasy – July 29

“Space exploration holds promise of adding importantly to our knowledge of the earth, the solar system, and the universe, and because it is of great importance to have the fullest cooperation of the scientific community at home and abroad in moving forward in the fields of space science and technology.”- U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower on signing the law creating NASA, which Congress passed on this...

As, Because, and Since Are Not the Same Words

I did not understand various components of English until I learned Spanish and French.* Similarly, I didn’t think much about three words that English speakers use interchangeably until I worked with people for whom English was not their first language: As Because Since Years editing non-native English speakers’ submissions to engineering and scientific journals and technology conferences taught me to...

Literary – July 28

“I’m not doing it for the money, and, therefore, I can’t see any reason to compromise.” -William Vollmann, born this date in 1959. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must choose between long-term poverty and compromise.