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SciFi/Fantasy – October 24
“It is difficult to separate, at times, the myth from the truth.”- Bob Kane, born this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the truth behind a myth imperils your protagonist.
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Primary – October 24
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who helped perfect the microscope, was born on this date in 1632. He said, “Whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that all ingenious people might be informed thereof.” Describe what you do when you find out something remarkable, and whether van Leeuwenhoek’s habit will change yours.
read moreLiterary – October 23
“People have a hunger to connect with other people. They’re desperate to know that you’re not lying to them or misleading them.” -Augusten Burroughs, born Christopher Robison on this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist exploits another person’s hunger to tell a lie to a third person.
read moreJournaling + Fiction – October 23
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”Eleanor Roosevelt Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether courage is a trait people are born with or a skill that can be learned. Fiction writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist first looked fear in the face.
read moreBig Questions – October 23
What’s the biggest decision you’ve ever made with your head instead of your heart? 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...
read moreRomance – October 23
“I think great romance needs great obstacles and textures.” -Ang Lee, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist rubs a potential love interest the wrong way.
read moreMystery – October 23
Reservoir Dogs premiered on this date in 1992. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist partners up with someone who’s actually on the other side.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – October 23
“Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled.”- Michael Crichton, born this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist will fail to achieve an essential goal unless s/he upsets the consensus.
read moreSecondary – October 23
On this date in 1855, opposing the fraudulently elected pro-slavery legislature of Kansas, Kansas Free Staters named a governor and legislature under the Topeka Constitution, which outlawed slavery in the territory and launched the country on its march toward civil war. Describe the relationship you think would have to exist between a slave and a slave owner for the institution to endure.
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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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