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Literary – April 14
On this date in 1828, Noah Webster published the first dictionary of American English. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which inaccurate spelling causes your protagonist to suffer a dangerous crisis.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 14
“In reality, humility means nothing other than complete honesty about yourself.”L. William Countryman Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an aspect of yourself you’ve never before been completely honest about. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to admit something about him/herself that your protagonist has concealed.
read moreBig Questions – April 14
What unexamined assumption in your life could afford a bit more attention? 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 source of...
read moreRomance – April 14
“Happiness is the absence of suffering.” -Julie Christie, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist has an epiphany and realizes Julie is wrong.
read moreMystery – April 14
“Never run when you’re right.”- Frank Serpico, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he cannot solve a problem because of official corruption.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – April 14
“Moving forward in science is as much unwinding the distorted thinking of the past as it is putting a clearer idea on the table.” – J. Craig Venter, who led the team that completed the Human Genome Project on this date in 2003. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s parents describe how their culture originally explained hereditary traits.
read moreSecondary – April 14
“The human race’s prospects of survival were considerably better when we were defenseless against tigers than they are today when we have become defenseless against ourselves.” -Arnold J. Toynbee, born on this date in 1889. Explain what you think Toynbee meant when he said this.
read morePrimary – April 14
“Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction.” -Anne Sullivan, the blind teacher who taught Helen Keller to read and speak even though Helen could not see or hear, who was born on this date in 1866. Explain why you agree or disagree with Ms. Sullivan’s opinion.
read moreLiterary – April 13
“Habit is a great deadener.” -Samuel Beckett, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist resolves to change a habit s/he discovers is deadening her/him.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 13
“The good citizen will demand liberty for himself, and as a matter of pride he will see to it that others receive the liberty which he thus claims as his own.”Theodore Roosevelt Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a freedom you enjoy that you could help extend to those to whom it’s currently not available. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is denied a freedom her/his antagonist clearly enjoys.
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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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