Daily, genre-inspired writing prompts for authors, teachers, and journaling

Literary – November 3

“Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts.” -Walker Evans, born this date in 1903. Writing prompt: Describe your protagonist’s estimation of what the person in this iconic Evans image is feeling:

Big Questions – November 3

What would you consider a friendship deal-killer? 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...

Journaling + Fiction – November 3

“I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.”Diogenes Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you feel you’re most ignorant about right now. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist shows your protagonist the facts of your protagonist’s ignorance.

Romance – November 3

“Women have the right to mount the scaffold; they must also have the right to mount the speaker’s platform.” -Olympe de Gouges, executed on a scaffold by guillotine on this date in 1793. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s right to free speech gets her/him into a spot of bother.

Mystery – November 3

“[Kali] does according to her wisdom in destroying what is useless or what has lived its destined time.” -Martin Cruz Smith, born this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist destroys something that has been around as long as necessary.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 3

Adam Link was activated on this date in Eando Binder’s universe. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised by the reaction of an inanimate, non-sentient object when s/he turns it on.

Secondary – November 3

If you were given $1 million on the condition that you must donate it anonymously to a charity or stranger, how would you contribute the money?

Primary – November 3

Think about your favorite character in a book or a television show. In what ways are you like that character? In what ways are you different?

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