Secondary – October 19

On this date in 1789, John Jay was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He wrote, “Those who own the country ought to govern it.” Explain this principle in your own words.

Literary – October 19

“Betrayal can only happen if you love.” -David John Moore Cornwell, better known as John le Carré, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns s/he has been betrayed.

Primary – October 19

Movie camera inventor Auguste Lumière was born on this date in 1862. He once said, “My invention can be exploited … as a scientific curiosity, but apart from that it has no commercial value whatsoever.” Explain who someone who is very smart can also be very wrong.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 19

“Very few people think that what they’re doing is bad, and usually for the people who think what they’re doing is bad it has more to do with guilt.” –John Favreau, born this date in 1966. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets caught doing something bad and refuses to admit any guilt about...

Mystery – October 19

“You just don’t know writers. They’ll use anything, anybody. They’ll eat their own young.” -Philip Marlow in The Singing Detective as portrayed by Michael Gambon, born on this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets embroiled in a dispute between an authority and the authority’s...

Romance – October 19

“It was a painful thought, but the truth often is.” –Tracy Chevalier, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to acknowledge a truth that a slight acquaintance tells your protag.

Romance – October 18

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don’t have, can’t have, or won’t ever have.” –Terry McMillan, born this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wastes an entire date because of that hang-up.