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Secondary – January 6
Samuel F.B. Morse and his partner demonstrated the telegraph for the first time on this date in 1838. Describe how you think people will communicate about 175 years from now.
read morePrimary – January 6
If you could learn the answer to any question in the world, what would you ask?
read moreLiterary – January 5
“Nothing gives a fearful man more courage than another’s fear.” -Umberto Eco, born this date in 1932. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is motivated out of terrified paralysis by the needs of someone who is even more scared.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – January 5
“To be a good citizen, it’s important to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes and see the big picture. If everything you see is rooted in your own identity, that becomes difficult or impossible.”Eli Pariser Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first time you realized that not everyone shares the same life experiences. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is blocked from achieving an important goal by someone who refuses to put on your protagonist’s...
read moreBig Questions – January 5
What random event over which you had no control has most influenced your life? 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 – January 5
On this date in 1643, the first recorded divorce in the American colonies was granted to Anne Clarke on the basis of adultery. Writing prompt: Write a dialogue in which your protagonist and best friend debate whether a third friend should leave a cheating partner.
read moreMystery – January 5
Brogan-Moore: Touching isn’t it? The way he counts on his wife. Sir Wilfrid: Yes, like a drowning man clutching at a razor blade. -Harry Kurnitz, born this date in 1909, in his screenplay Witness for the Prosecution. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must reject the assistance of someone your protag should be able to count on.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – January 5
“You’ve all the time in the world.” -David Filby to H. George Wells, who on this date in 1900 told his friends about his journey to the future and then traveled to the year 802,701 to rebuild civilization. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells her/his closest friends s/he is leaving on a trip from which s/he will not return.
read moreSecondary – January 5
Describe the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and your thoughts and feelings afterwards.
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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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