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Literary – March 15
“If truth is the main casualty in war, ambiguity is another.” -Paul Fussell, wounded by German artillery at Alsace on this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist takes an unambiguous moral from a truly ambiguous moment.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – March 15
“It is not that we are given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it.”Seneca Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about taking the first step toward achieving the most important action or project you’re procrastinating. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist productively wastes time.
read moreBig Questions – March 15
Where did you visit with low expectations that were spectacularly exceeded? 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 – March 15
My Fair Lady opened on Broadway on this date in 1956, starring an unknown Julie Andrews with Rex Harrison. It became the longest-running show in history after more than 2,400 performances. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes her/his romantic partner wants your protag to be someone else.
read moreMystery – March 15
“The thorns of the rose are hidden by the bloom.”- Lynda La Plante, born this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns something or someone beautiful is concealing a source of great pain.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – March 15
“The individual act of obedience is the cornerstone not only of the strength of authoritarian society but also of its weakness.” Illuminatus Zweitracht begins annually on this date in Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson’s trilogy. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and a close friend fight about whether a conspiracy is real or theoretical until your protagonist is proved wrong.
read moreSecondary – March 15
The Ides of March, made famous by Shakespeare’s dramatization of the assasination of Julius Ceasar in 44 BC, occur on the 15th of the month. Think about a time someone betrayed you, and describe how it felt.
read morePrimary – March 15
On this date in 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the “New World.” If you were in charge of the party for him, what would happen during the celebration?
read moreLiterary – March 14
“If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.” -Albert Einstein, born this date in 1879. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a parent or lover refuses to believe a truth your protagonist is professing because it’s too tidy.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – March 14
“A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.”Joseph Joubert Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you felt that someone loved you more than you deserved. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s kindness goes unrewarded.
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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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