Literary – February 5

“Every man has inside himself a parasitic being who is acting not at all to his advantage.” -William S. Burroughs, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s parasite reveals itself to her/his detriment.

Journaling + Fiction – February 5

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.”Peter Drucker Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a new habit you plan to adopt to displace a current habit. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist misses an opportunity because s/he could not stop doing the same old thing.

Big Questions – February 5

What deliberate choice over which you had total control has most influenced your life? 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...

Romance – February 5

Consider the early lives of your protagonist and your antagonist. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which each gets to explain what they most miss about being a child and what they are most glad to have left in childhood.

Mystery – February 5

“The police are the public and the public are the police.”- Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police Force in London (after his names, its officers were called Peelers or — more famously — Bobbies), born this date in 1788. Writing prompt: Write a scene  demonstrating a notable divergence between the two.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 5

“We affirm that the world’s magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed.” -Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in “The Manifesto of Futurism,” published by Gazzetta dell’Emilia in Bologna, Italy, for the first time on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s perspective on the milestone date on which your protagonist’s culture marks the transition from...

Secondary – February 5

“Your public servants serve you right.” -Adlai Stevenson, born on this date in 1900. Explain your understanding of Stevenson’s ambiguity.

Primary – February 5

“A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.” -Adlai Stevenson, who was born on this date in 1900. Describe the difference between being popular and unpopular and how the designation affects people.