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Literary – April 4
“The shortest route to courage is absolute ignorance.” -Dan Simmons, born this date in 1948. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist performs a praiseworthy act of courage because of witlessness.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 4
“When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands.”Daniel Goleman Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a personal preoccupation you believe is preventing you from focusing on a more important external topic. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s self-absorption prevents him/her from perceiving another’s important crisis.
read moreBig Questions – April 4
What cultural trend that never caught on would have made the world a better place? 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 in the voice of a character you want to know more about. Photo from Unsplash, the internet’s...
read moreRomance – April 4
“It was the men I deceived the most that I loved the most.” -Marguerite Duras, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist cruelly deceives a romantic partner for all the right reasons.
read moreMystery – April 4
“She might have fooled me, but she didn’t fool my mother.”- Norman Bates as portrayed by Anthony Perkins, born this date in 1932. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an antagonist with mommy issues.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – April 4
“If there is hope it lies in the proles.” – Winston Smith, who on this day in 1984 began illegally recording his thoughts in a diary. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s transgressive thought jeopardizes her/his life.
read moreSecondary – April 4
Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on this date in 1968. Explain why you think his death acclerated or delayed progress towards his dream of racial equality.
read morePrimary – April 4
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” -Maya Angelou, born on this date in 1928. What story do you want to tell, but haven’t yet told?
read moreLiterary – April 3
Richard Thompson was born on this date in 1949. He tells an epic tale of love and villainy in his classic 1952 Vincent Black Lightning: Writing prompt: Write a scene demonstrating your protagonist’s abiding love for the soul of an inanimate...
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 3
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”J.K. Rowling Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you had to stand up to a friend or relative. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds out that an ally isn’t helping her/his quest.
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David B. Schlosser is an author of award-winning fiction and non-fiction, and an editor of award-winning fiction and non-fiction.
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