Literary – April 12

Writing prompt: Write a “lifetime of advice” letter from your protagonist to a new-born nephew or niece.

Journaling + Fiction – April 12

“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.”Lucius Annaeus Seneca Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about why you are troubled by a society-level misfortune. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must fake a calm response to a devastating misfortune.

Big Questions – April 12

What did you love to do as a child that you no longer do? 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 – April 12

Writing prompt: Write a thank-you note from your protagonist to someone s/he despises to express gratitude for bringing your protag a fully prepared, delicious meal during a time of crisis when your protag was too busy to fix her/his own dinner.

Mystery – April 12

“The prosecutor, who is supposed to carry the burden of proof, really is an author.”- Scott Turow, born this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist has to explain to a dubious accuser a narrative of your protagonist’s transgression persuasive enough to avoid responsibility.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 12

“To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature — could one dream of anything more?” – Yuri Gagarin, the first human launched into space on this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is the first person ever to accomplish something spectacularly dangerous.

Secondary – April 12

On this date in 1981, the first US space shuttle flight was launched. The flight of Columbia came 20 years to the day after the USSR launched the first cosmonaut into space. Explain your opinion about whether exploring space with humans is important enough to take the risks and spend the money.

Primary – April 12

Beverly Cleary was born on this date in 1916. Write a story about someone you love very much who sometimes drives you crazy.