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Literary – April 19
On this date in 1987, the first Simpsons cartoon appeared on The Tracey Ullman Show. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an all-id oaf.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 19
“We should always allow some time to elapse, for time discloses the truth.“Lucius Annaeus Seneca Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about a situation that after time turned out differently than you’d originally understood it. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a truth that defies his/her most important memory.
read moreBig Questions – April 19
Of what decision you’ve made in the past are you most proud? 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...
read moreRomance – April 19
Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells a close friend about the time s/he got in the most trouble as a child.
read moreMystery – April 19
“Doubts raced through my mind as I considered the feasibility of enforcing a law which the majority of honest citizens didn’t seem to want.”- Eliot Ness, born this date in 1903. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist has to enforce an unfair law.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – April 19
“Our will to survive is what sets us apart from the machines.”- Kyle Reese, referring to Skynet, which gained self-awareness on this date in The Terminator’s 2011. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s protector turns on him/her.
read moreSecondary – April 19
On this date in 1989, pro-democracy demonstrations began in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. After seven weeks, the Chinese military ended the protest with violence that killed somewhere between a few hundred and a few thousand demonstrators. Discuss where you think the line between demonstrations and disorder justify the use of force by public officials.
read morePrimary – April 19
Yesterday was National Pet Owner’s Day. Explain why you think people should or should not own animals as pets.
read moreLiterary – April 18
“I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary notices I have read with pleasure.” -Clarence Darrow, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must conceal her/his glee at another person’s misfortune.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 18
“A sharp sense of empathy can make a huge difference, and with it in an ability to manipulate, to gain cooperation, and to deceive.”Edward O. Wilson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from a person whose apparent empathy caused you to be deceived. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns s/he was deceived by a person previously considered an ally.
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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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