Literary – January 20

“Absurdity is what I like most in life,” said David Lynch, born on this date in 1946, “and there’s humor in struggling in ignorance.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist flails at something in ignorance and appears funny to everyone except your protag.

Journaling + Fiction – January 20

“In matters of conscience, first thoughts are best. In matters of prudence, last thoughts are best.”Robert Hall Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you acted on your first impulse but should have acted on your last. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets in trouble for acting before thinking.

Big Questions – January 20

How far from your family and friends would you move to be with a person you love? 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...

Romance – January 20

“The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography.” -Federico Fellini, born this date in 1920. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes something beautiful and valuable that emerged from a corruption of her/his life.

Mystery – January 20

“We’re all like detectives in life. There’s something at the end of the trail that we’re all looking for.”- David Lynch, born this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist took her/his first step at the start of the trail s/he is on.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 20

On this date in Spider and Jeanne Robinson’s 2065, a solar flare alert is issued to the guests of the Shimizu Hotel. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is warned of an impending natural disaster about which your protag can do nothing.

Secondary – January 20

Physicist Stephen Hawking has said, “It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.” Explain why do you agree or disagree.

Primary – January 20

Who is the most interesting person you know, and what makes him or her so memorable?