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Literary – February 7
“People will buy anything that is ‘one to a customer.’ ” -Sinclair Lewis, the first Nobel literature laureate from the USA, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pays dearly for something s/he doesn’t need.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – February 7
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”Robert A. Heinlein Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your feelings following an experience in which you put someone else’s happiness ahead of yours. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to realize another person is expressing love for your protagonist.
read moreBig Questions – February 7
How will you know? 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 freely usable images.
read moreRomance – February 7
“Once you begin being naughty, it is easier to go and on and on, and sooner or later something dreadful happens.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder, born this date in 1867. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a minor transgression launches a cascade of naughtiness for your protagonist that concludes at the other end of the spectrum.
read moreMystery – February 7
“News, if unreported, has no impact. It might as well have not happened at all.”- Gay Talese, born this date in 1932. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to persuade a reporter that an obviously newsworthy event isn’t news.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – February 7
“You wouldn’t abandon ship in a storm just because you couldn’t control the winds.” – Thomas More, born this date in 1478. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives up because of circumstances beyond your protagonist’s control.
read moreSecondary – February 7
Charles Dickens was born on this date in 1812. Explain what you think he meant when he said, “Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.”
read morePrimary – February 7
James Murray, who wrote half of the original edition of the Oxford English Dictionary before he died, was born on this date in 1837. What’s your favorite process for finding out about something you don’t know anything about?
read moreLiterary – February 6
Christopher Marlowe, renowned playwright and celebrated influencer of Shakespeare, was born on this date in 1564. His most enduring work is Doctor Faustus. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist contemplates selling her/his soul to your antagonist in exchange for something s/he values more highly.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – February 6
“Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.”Calvin Coolidge Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a talent you believe could make you successful at something you’re not currently doing. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails despite doing the most and best s/he possibly could do.
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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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