Literary – January 15

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an event or object means something entirely different to your protagonist than it does to everyone else.

Journaling + Fiction – January 15

“The mental flexibility of the wise man permits him to keep an open mind and enables him to readjust himself whenever it becomes necessary for a change.”Malcolm X Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a topic of current interest about which you could afford to be more open-minded. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s mental inflexibility unnecessarily complicates...

Big Questions – January 15

What would you do with an unexpected gift of US$100? 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 15

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write the scene following a scene in which your protagonist expected but did not receive vocal support from a friend.

Mystery – January 15

“A riot is the language of the unheard.”- Martin Luther King, Jr., born this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a conversation turns violent because one person can’t understand what the other is saying.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 15

“A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s best friend must choose to die for something important.

Secondary – January 15

“Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on the 15th of January in 1929. Explain your understanding of why King feared efficient education.

Primary – January 15

“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on the 15th of January in 1929. Explain your opinion about whether you can learn good character from education.