Literary – February 27

“In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born this date in 1807. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist transitions from one to the other.

Journaling + Fiction – February 27

“We live on a planet that has a more or less infinite capacity to surprise. What reasoning person could possibly want it any other way?”Bill Bryson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you were delighted to be surprised. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised to be surprised.

Big Questions – February 27

What truthful thing would your best friend say about you behind your back that you would consider most painful? 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...

Romance – February 27

“A woman’s best love letters are always written to the man she is betraying.” -Lawrence Durrell, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a love letter from your protagonist to a person s/he is betraying.

Mystery – February 27

“Our inventions mirror our secret wishes.”- Lawrence Durrell, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes the impact of a thing s/he invented.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 27

“… because they were lonely and perplexed, because they had all come from a place of sadness and worry and defeat, and because they were all going to a mysterious new place … a strange thing happened….” Writing prompt: Describe what strange thing happened by writing a scene that finishes this line from John Steinbeck, born on this date in 1902.

Secondary – February 27

John Steinbeck was born on this date in 1902. His novel Of Mice and Men is one of the most challenged and banned books of the 20th Century. Under what conditions would you support or oppose banning a book?

Primary – February 27

One of America’s earliest and most famous poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was born on this date in 1807. He once wrote, “A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” What does this mean to you?