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Literary – January 29
“Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube; there are some things one would rather have done than do.” -Edward Abbey, born this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must do something s/he will be proud to tell people about, even though s/he actually does not want to do it.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – January 29
“An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field.”Niels Bohr Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the subject at which you’ve become most expert through your mistakes. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which a group of people important to your protagonist learns that your protagonist is not the expert s/he claimed to be.
read moreBig Questions – January 29
If you knew you could not be caught, would you cheat to pass an important academic or occupational test? 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...
read moreRomance – January 29
“We often color the potatoes to match the colors of the wedding.” From True Love, which won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury prize on this date in 1989. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an absurd manifestation of romance makes your protagonist reconsider his/her current romantic interest.
read moreMystery – January 29
“Popularity is the pocket change of history. The true measure is courage.”- Tom Selleck, born this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a disillusioning fact about someone who inspired him/her to follow in the inspiration’s footsteps.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – January 29
“A lie is like a pet — you have to take care of it, or it’ll turn on you and bite you in the ass.” -Matthew Stover, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a lie told by your protagonist turns and bites her/him.
read moreSecondary – January 29
“Man is what he believes.” -Anton Chekhov, born on this date in 1860. Argue that Chekhov is missing the point using examples from personal experience.
read morePrimary – January 29
“That’s all a man can hope for during his lifetime — to set an example — and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.” -US President William McKinley, born on this date in 1843. Describe the example you want to set during your lifetime.
read moreLiterary – January 28
David Lodge, who wrote “it is impossible to be excessive in flattery of one’s peers,” was born on this date in 1935. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist proves Lodge wrong.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – January 28
“I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.”Maya Angelou Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the warning sign you find most glaring in another’s behavior or personality. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wins an important victory using humor.
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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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