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Literary – February 24
One of my favorite painters, Winslow Homer, was born on this date in 1836. Writing prompt: Describe his painting The Coming Storm in the voices of your protagonist and your antagonist.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – February 24
“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”J.R.R. Tolkien Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the differences between a time you had to make a judgment call that turned out wrong and another time you had to make a judgment call that turned out right. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is offered a chance to show mercy and makes the wrong...
read moreBig Questions – February 24
What’s the ideal profile of a person you’d like to spend time with? 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...
read moreRomance – February 24
“He wanted to think of words that would make some difference but there were none in any language he knew that were sufficient to the moment or that would change a single thing.” -Kent Haruf, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which words fail your protagonist.
read moreMystery – February 24
“Diane, it’s 4:10 in the afternoon at the scene of the crime. Here’s something we haven’t seen before: a mount of dirt. Approximately a foot and a half in diameter. On the top is a gold necklace with a gold heart. Correction, half a gold heart. At the base of the mount of dirt is a torn piece of news print. Written with the words, which appear to be in blood: ‘Fire walk with me.'”- FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper on this date in 1989, when the body of Laura Palmer was discovered in Twin Peaks. Writing prompt:...
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – February 24
“Have you got any vacancies coming up? You know, with Torchwood?” Saeed Taufeeq was born on this date in 1978 and spent the rest of his life cared for on Flat Holm after the Cardiff Rift took and returned him. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist seeks to join and organization that does not officially exist.
read moreSecondary – February 24
Explain the reason for your answer to this question: Which is more important to the world — art or science?
read morePrimary – February 24
Wilhelm Karl Grimm was born in Hanau, Germany on this date in 1786. He and his brother Jacob compiled the first book of folklore: Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Write a short fairy tale that might help young people learn something about life.
read moreLiterary – February 23
Samuel Pepys, one of history’s most noted diarists, was born on this date in 1633. Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s personal journal entry for her or his most important birthday.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – February 23
“It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen.”Aristotle Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you did the wrong thing for the right reasons. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does the right thing for the wrong reasons.
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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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