Literary – June 17

Igor Stravinsky was born on this date in 1882. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is swept up in a dangerous riot caused by public response to a creative work.

Journaling + Fiction – June 17

“Hope is patience with the lamp lit.”Tertullian Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a hope you’ve held long enough to grow impatient. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s patience with hoping finally runs out.

Big Questions – June 17

How honest should you be when friends ask your opinion about a matter of their personal style or taste? 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...

Romance – June 17

On this date in 1631, the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan died. He was so grief-stricken by her death that he spent the next 22 years building a mausoleum commensurate with his memory of her: the Taj Mahal. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must decide how to commemorate the life of a person important to your protag.

Mystery – June 17

On this date in 1972, US President Richard M. Nixon’s re-election employees were arrested for burglarizing the Watergate building. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that a relatively simple criminal matter has much deeper implications for an important public leader.

SciFi/Fantasy – June 17

“He decided to stay in his space suit; explosive decompression didn’t appeal to him. Come to think about it, death from old age was his choice.”- Robert Heinlein, in whose 1999 Lieutenant John Ezra Dahlquist returned to Earth for the last time on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must sacrifice himself for the greater good to which s/he is committed.

Literary – June 16

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” -James Joyce, who is celebrated on Bloomsday, June 16th, each year. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to persuade a close friend that a devastating mistake will, in the long run, be a net positive.

Journaling + Fiction – June 16

“Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.”William Shakespeare Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something for which you should forgive someone. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist pleads with your protagonist for mercy.