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Journaling + Fiction – December 9
Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soulAnd sings the tune without the wordsAnd never stops at all.Emily Dickinson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your song that never stops. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s song of hope stops playing.
read moreBig Questions – December 9
Would you sacrifice your life to a cause about which you’re passionate only if you knew your sacrifice would be publicly celebrated and commemorated? 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...
read moreRomance – December 9
“By laughing at me, the audience really laughs at themselves, and realizing they have done this gives them sort of a spiritual second wind for going back into the battles of life.” – Emmett Kelly, born this date in 1898. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes people laughing at her/him for friends laughing with your protagonist.
read moreMystery – December 9
“It is inconceivable that a secret arm of the government has to comply with all the overt orders of the government.” -James Jesus Angleton, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is so far off the reservation that s/he may never see home again.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – December 9
“I picked up a man the other day that certainly was a queer cuss.”- Jim Bendell, who on this date in John W. Campbell’s 1932 picked up a hitch-hiker. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that s/he will die if s/he doesn’t change.
read moreSecondary – December 9
“They also serve who only stand and wait.” -John Milton, born on this date in 1608. True or false?
read morePrimary – December 9
Describe the most important event that’s happened in your life so far.
read moreLiterary – December 8
“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.” -James Thurber, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a bar scene in which your protagonist reveals what s/he is running from, and to, to someone s/he will never see again.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – December 8
“Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.”Igor Stravinsky Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether you’ve ever successfully undone a sin you’ve committed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist commits a worse sin while trying to undo another one.
read moreBig Questions – December 8
What would you do if you knew that you and the person you most love had 72 hours to live? 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...
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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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