Literary – January 27

Musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on this date in 1756. He believed his ideas flowed best and most abundantly while undertaking boring routines. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the process of following a daily routine causes your protagonist to unravel a knotty problem.

Journaling + Fiction – January 27

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”Kurt Vonnegut Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you would pretend to be if no obstacles to your pretension existed. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets caught faking it while trying to make it.

Big Questions – January 27

What’s the best way to say thanks to someone? 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...

Romance – January 27

On this date in 1926, John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of a television system. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is challenged by her/his love interest’s preference for something on TV.

Mystery – January 27

“A politician will do anything to keep his job.”- William Randolph Hearst, born this date in 1908. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns how far a politician will go to avoid losing the next election.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 27

In the midst of the word he was trying to say,In the midst of his laughter and glee,He had softly and suddenly vanished away—For the Snark was a Boojum, you see. – Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, born this date in 1832. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which nonsense reveals more about what’s going on for the characters than their actual circumstances.

Secondary – January 27

Would you rather be remembered for your character, or for your accomplishments, and why one instead of the other?

Primary – January 27

List the three qualities you like best about yourself and explain why each one is important.