Literary – February 3

“If you’re not ready for everything, you’re not ready for anything.” -Paul Auster, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene proving your protagonist is unready for everything.

Journaling + Fiction – February 3

“No one is is sure of his premise as the man who knows too little.”Barbara W. Tuchman Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a different perspective on a topic about which you believe you’re overconfident. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns the hard way that s/he didn’t know as much as s/he believed.

Big Questions – February 3

If you could travel through time to any point in the future or past but could not return, to when would you go? 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 3

“A real failure does not need an excuse. It is an end in itself.” -Gertrude Stein, born this date in 1874. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s excuse for failure ends up being more embarrassing than the failure itself.

Mystery – February 3

I’ve seen lots of funny menSome will rob you with a six-gunAnd some with a fountain pen.- Woody Guthrie describing Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, born this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist earns the nickname s/he most hates.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 3

James Michener was born on this date in 1907. When he was growing up, his mother read all of Dickens’ novels aloud to him. In his own Chesapeake, he wrote, “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives up but then is forced to try again.

Secondary – February 3

Horace Greeley, a crusading newspaper editor who advocated political reform and opposed slavery, and later lost a race for US President, was born this date in 1811. He is most remembered for this quote: “Go West, young man.” What does it mean to you?

Primary – February 3

The first woman to become a recognized doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell, was born on this date in 1821. She was admitted to medical school only because the men already at the school, when offered the chance to reject her, assumed her application was a hoax and jokingly played along. How do you think she felt when she showed up at school the first day?