News flash: Economics applies to publishing, too!

Virginia Postrel has a great article on publishing and Amazon’s new lending library (which works sort of like Netflix for e-books) that’s worth reading in its entirety: click here to read it.Here’s the most important takeaway: A former publishing executive recently told me he simply didn’t believe that “if I really want a book for $9.95 I don’t also want it for $10.95 or $12.95.” People in...

Literary – March 21

“Words can sting like anything, but silence breaks the heart.” -Phyllis McGinley, born this date in 1905. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference.

Journaling + Fiction – March 21

“Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.”Robert Louis Stevenson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from observing a leader’s fear spread to others in the group. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must put a brave face on his/her abject terror to maintain calm among others in his/her...

Big Questions – March 21

What’s the most important value you learned from your father? 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...

Romance – March 21

On this date in England in 1617, Pocahontas died in her early 20s after she’d converted to Christianity, taken the Biblical name Rebecca, and married Englishman John Rolfe. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a potential lifemate asks your protagonist to give up something central to her/his identity as a condition of sharing a life.

Mystery – March 21

“Imagine living in a country where the cops are all people who’re cut out for the job.”- Michael Dibdin, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist accomplishes a task honestly while appearing to accomplish it corruptly.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 21

“Ethics change with technology.” The Chamberses will be kidnapped on this date in Larry Niven’s 2123. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must steal from a corpse.

Secondary – March 21

Modest Mussorgsky, who composed the 10-movement suite Pictures at an Exhibition, was born on this date in 1839. Describe the qualities that make your favorite work of art mean so much to you.