Literary – March 27

Quentin Tarantino, who was so bored by school that he dropped out in 9th grade and got a job as an usher at a pornographic movie theater, was born on this date in 1963. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes to a new friend the most bizarre job s/he ever worked.

Journaling + Fiction – March 27

“Neoteny is the retention of all those wonderful qualities that we associate with youth: curiosity, playfulness, eagerness, fearlessness, warmth, energy.”Warren G. Bennis Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a person you admire for staying youthful despite his or her chronological age. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that s/he is considered elderly...

Big Questions – March 27

What was the first thing you stole? 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 question in the voice...

Romance – March 27

“Men often say that women change their minds too much. I say they sometimes don’t change them enough. I mean changing their state of mind, their attitudes, their outlook, their expectations, their consciousness – most of all, about themselves and what is possible in their lives.” -Julia Alvarez, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers after...

Mystery – March 27

“If I killed my wife, I’m dangerous. If I didn’t I’m tired of running. Either way you’ll be a smart boy if you just sit there and behave yourself and don’t try anything.”- Dr. Richard Kimble as portrayed by David Janssen, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must punish someone s/he knows is innocent.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 27

“Here’s how it is: The Earth got used up, so we moved out and terraformed a whole new galaxy of Earths. Some rich and flush with the new technologies, some not so much. The Central Planets, thems formed the Alliance, waged war to bring everyone under their rule; a few idiots tried to fight it, among them myself.” – Captain Mal Reynolds as portrayed by Nathan Fillion, who was born on this...

Secondary – March 27

Wilhelm Roentgen, who discovered X-rays, was born on this date in 1845. Assuming we’d never discovered X-rays, explain at least five different methods of getting the same information about the human body that X-rays provide.

Primary – March 27

The person who wrote the song Happy Birthday to You, Patty Smith Hill,  was born on this date in 1868. What do you most look forward to for your next birthday?