Literary – December 26

“Every man with a bellyful of the classics is an enemy to the human race.” -Henry Miller, born this date in 1891. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist describes your protagonist’s motives as being based on a wrong-headed classic idea.

Journaling + Fiction – December 26

“You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.”Woodrow Wilson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about how you’ll most enrich the world during your life. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which an ally must remind your protagonist of your protagonist’s errand in the world.

Big Questions – December 26

For whom or what would you place your life in mortal jeopardy? 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...

Romance – December 26

“I haven’t got the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out.” -David Sedaris, born this date in 1956. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist recounts to a trusted confidant the changes s/he couldn’t impose on her/his first lost love.

Mystery – December 26

On this date in 1996, six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found slain in the basement  of her family’s house. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the public and media involve themselves in your protagonist’s life in counterproductive ways.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 26

“On two occasions I have been asked, ‘Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?’ I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.”- Charles Babbage, born this date in 1791. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which two wrongs make a third, bigger wrong for your protagonist.

Literary – December 25

“I love to be individual, to step beyond gender.” – Annie Lennox, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a long-lost friend expects your protagonist to defend an unconventional life choice.

Journaling + Fiction – December 25

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”Eleanor Roosevelt Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the worst criticism you received for doing the right thing. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist doesn’t do the right thing out of fear of being criticized.